Acro Fest 2005

USA Acrobatic Gymnastics owes a debt to a little known source of American acrobatics. That source is the Seventh Day Adventist University system. Several prominent coaches have come out of this system. If these coaches read this article, and I am incorrect, please e-mail me and I will make the correction.

The most notable coach is Tonya Case. She was the former USSAF/USSA president and is now a member of the FIG Acro Technical committee. She and her ex-husband Craig Patterson founded the California Acro Team based in Sacramento. Craig served as the National coach for many years. They learned acro from Dan Hoff, who also served as the USSAF National Team coach, through the Adventist system.

Another note worthy coach is Sherry Reikvam, co founder with ex-husband, Dave Reikvam, of the southern California acro team called, Empire Gymnastics. At the Acrofest 2000, Arthur Davis and then partner Amy Broncatello, performed their Mixed Pair routines. Brandy Lewis and I were there performing a vaulting clown act. Julian Amaro was there demonstrating platform tumbling.

Another Adventist family are the owners of Hand 2 Hand Acrobatics in Ohio, Darin and Michelle Caviness. The Cavinesses are still committed to their faith in Jesus Christ, and named their club on a passage in the book of Psalms. I have no doubt that there many other Adventists involved with our current USAG Acrobatics.

So, what is the Acro Fest? The Acro Fest is an annual clinic and show sponsored by the Adventist universities from around the country. These collegians perform a mix of Cheerleading pyramids, competitive acrobatic skills, and group gymnastics show material. And what a show they perform! The festival has occurred for over a decade and is hosted at different universities in their system around the country. Several times it has been hosted in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in a tiny town north of Cleburne, called Keene, TX. The host here in Texas usually is Doug and Randy Peterson. The Petersons own a gym in Keene that trains in acro, tumbling, tramp and circus skills. I had tried to get them to participate in competitive acro, but their clientele will not compete on Saturday. Hopefully, they will start a program soon, because they now have many who are not Adventists that could.

The show is the culmination of a 3 day clinic where all the coaches from the different universities work with the other athletes to share tips and techniques. This show had a huge turnout, and was expected to last late in the night. But the performers went through the routines without any problems until the very end when the host team, SWAT (South Western Acrobatic Team) had technical difficulties with the sound system. A huge delight was the Puerto Rican Acrobatic Team, who apparently was doing double duty as they were also scheduled to perform at the Freedom Cup in Maryland.

The very best routine was performed by Southern Adventist University located in Collegedale, Tennessee. They had a fast blend of high flying tosses with artistic group pyramids and tumbling. Almost all the routines included 3 high pyramids, either with single base or double bases. Many routines included 4 high and 5 high with large bases building up. There was also a unicycle exhibit by the Petersons, and a country western mixed pair who danced the two step.

The show was oversold and many sat on the floor to watch. Everyone seemed to have a camera. Chad Hutchinson, the Southwestern director of Acro Fest 2005 videotaped the show, and will have copies available in a few weeks. Meanwhile, I will conclude this report by sharing the pictures. It was a great show. Good luck Tennessee for 2006!