Local youth gymnast set to showcase talents on the national stage

Local gymnast Christian Workman, a 12-year-old, is set to take the national stage next month in Oklahoma City, competing in the junior Olympics for gymnastics.  And talking to those closest to Christian, it almost seems as though he was destined for this moment.

"At eleven months old he was on top of everything, I found him on top of the refrigerator," said Kim Workman, Christian.  "He liked to jump and flip and could walk on his hands when he was just a few years old."

Christian, a four time Maryland state champ, placed second in his regional qualifier.  He is just one of 19 representatives for region 7, set to compete against 8 other teams in May.

"I'm actually really happy that I'm going.  It's the first time ever going to Oklahoma, and compete in the Olympics so it's going to be great a great time," said Christian.   "I'm nervous and ready to go."

It's an honor that no one is taking lightly.

"As a coach or as a gymnast, it's amazing.  I told him it is an honor just to be invited, and we can't wait to go and just have some fun," said Ramsey Mitchell, Christian's coach for three years.

The ride hasn't been without its bumps and turns.  First there was Christian's attitude and work ethic, with his coach Ramsey Mitchell saying he once liked to whine and goof off, now takes things a bit more seriously.

"The transformation has been amazing," said Mitchell.  "His work ethic has gone up.  Determination, there's sometimes now where I can just give him a little bit of a direction, let him go think about that and then he kind of just takes it on himself and just runs with it."

Then there was a fractured knee just last summer that sidelined him from meets and floor practices for an extended period of time.

"It was hard but it was a great thing for me since it helped me a lot with my sticking and other landings that help me," said Christian.

But now on Wednesdays, you can find Christian and Ramsey at Beach Bounders in Fruitland, working on everything from vaults to conditioning with another goal in mind – down the road.

"My goal is to be an Olympian and win a gold medal," said Christian.

"I just hope I don't get in his way.  If he keeps doing what he's doing it's going to be amazing," said Mitchell.

Christian says he also wants to go to college to be a sports medicine doctor.  The National Junior Olympics competitions are next month in Oklahoma City.