LOCAL GYMNAST REACHES HER ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC GOALS
Top ranked in both school and artistic gymnastics

Downers Grove, IL January 31, 2010: Darien resident Laura Ledvora is on the top of the world…literally. The eighteen year old is not only one of the highest ranked artistic gymnasts competing out of Elite Sports Complex in Downers Grove, but is also currently ranked as the #1 student at Downers Grove South High School class of 2010.

Many studies have shown that athletics and academics can go hand in hand, and Ledvora is no exception. The talented student, who plans to pursue a pre-med degree, recently interviewed with Harvard University. She is also considering attending University of Illinois, Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis.

“I always find a way to challenge myself in the gym and the classroom,” says Ledvora, who lives at home with parents Beth and Ron, brothers Jimmy and Scotty and sister Lisa. “My parents always taught me to do my best, and if sometimes I didn’t so well on a test or fell off the beam, the advice was always the same; push myself to get up again.”

Ledvora was just nine years old when she realized she wanted to try gymnastics. “I was one of those kids always jumping around and swinging from the bars at the playground,” says the Downers Grove native. “I started competing at Level 5, and I now regularly compete at Level 9.”

Ledvora admits that her talents in the gym and classroom come as a result of many hours of hard work and determination. “It’s really all about time management and a determination to do the best at everything I do,” explains Ledvora, who currently spends nearly 17 hours a week practicing at Elite Sports Complex. “It’s pretty normal for me to come home from the gym around 8pm and stay up till 1am doing homework.”

Ledvora also credits her coaches at Elite Sports Complex for encouraging her to continue to reach all of her goals. “(Longtime artistic gymnastic Coach Jeff Davidson) probably knows me better than anyone,” she says. “He knows my limits and he also is able to criticize without being mean. My teammates are also so important to me. They are definitely my closest friends.”

For more information on Laura Ledvora or the wide range of gymnastics classes currently offered at Elite Sports Complex, please contact Elite Sports Complex at 630-968-2699.