Charlotte twin gymnasts earn UCLA scholarships

kconroy@newsofsouthcharlotte.com

Anna and Grace Glenn know what it takes to achieve perfection in gymnastics: a strict schedule.

The two 14-year-old South Mecklenburg High School freshmen practice four to five hours a day after school at Southeastern Gymnastics in Weddington, head home for dinner at 7:30 p.m. at their Piper Glen home, spend homework time until their 11 p.m. bedtime and are back up at 6 a.m. to head to school, where they are honor students.

They practice longer hours on Saturdays.

And they don’t watch any television during the school year.

Adherence to a routine, combined with dedication and a love for the sport, has paid off.

The twins, who both favor the uneven bars as their best event, have been offered a five-year full scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, for gymnastics. They have given a verbal commitment, and will be eligible under NCAA regulations to finalize recruiting in their junior year.

The petite pair were adopted from China by Cindi and Neil Glenn when the twins were 1 year old.

The two were introduced to gymnastics soon after their second birthday.

Their friend, Melissa, was taking a class at Southeastern Gymnastics. She invited Anna and Grace to the May 2000 Southeastern “Olympiad” to show off her new gymnastics skills.

As soon as the exhibition was over, the girls were trying to climb ropes, jump off mats and hang from bars.

They were hooked, said Cindi Glenn, and the twins moved last year to Level 10 competition, the highest level in the Junior Olympics program.

They decided early that they would not train as “elite gymnasts,” who train for 35 to 40 hours a week to try and compete in the Olympics. Now they train about 24 hours a week with Ludmilla Shobe, their head coach and a Russian native.

“We didn’t know a thing about gymnastics,” said Cindi Glenn. “We just brought them here for a class. Then it turned into weekly classes, then you start coming twice a week. Then they ask you to try out for the team at age 6 and it just goes on and on.

“Tomorrow, we leave for Orlando for them to compete at a meet.”

Both girls seem a bit stunned about their gymnastic future in California.

“It’s a lot to take in, but it’s cool to know where you are going to college,” said Anna.

Grace agreed. “It’s kind of a relief to know that you have your spot,” she said, adding that there is really no rivalry between the sisters. “We’re pretty much the same. It’s a friendly competition between sisters. I don’t even get really nervous anymore competing. I stay focused and stay in the event.”

Each girl said math is her favorite school subject. As for gymnastics, Anna says the floor competition is her least-favorite event, while Grace frowns at the vault.

At the Level 10 state championship last year, Anna placed fourth in the all-around and first on uneven bars. Shortly after at the Region 8 championships, she placed first in the all-around and second on vault, uneven bars and balance beam. This qualified Anna for the Junior Olympic Nationals in Hampton, Va., last summer, where she finished fourth on vault, first on uneven bars and second on balance beam.

As a first-year Level 10 gymnast in 2012, Grace placed second on vault and in the all-around, as well as first on balance beam at the state championships. At the Level 10 regionals, she placed second in the all-around and first on vault and balance beam, qualifying her for the Junior Olympics Nationals as well, where she tied for third in the all-around and fourth on uneven bars.

It was during the nationals in May that the pair were spotted by a UCLA recruiter. After speaking only to their coach – because of NCAA rules – Grace and Anna were offered the scholarship verbally and accepted in late 2012.

“They really didn’t know at first where they wanted to go,” said Cindi Glenn. “They knew they wanted a school with a good gymnastic program as well as high academics.”

“I think it will be a real adventure for them,” said Neil Glenn. “There are only four teams that have ever won the NCAA title in the past 32 years: UCLA, University of Georgia, University of Alabama and University of Utah.

“We’re just really pleased for them.”

With lessons, private coaching, competition wear and travel throughout the U.S., the sisters’ interest is costly, the Glenns said.

“We like to say that we’re pre-paying for college” now that that they have the scholarship, said Cindi Glenn.

Shobe, who has coached the twins since they were 2, said she is glad to be working with the girls for the remainder of their high school years but can’t think beyond that.

“It’s hard to picture it right now,” said Shobe. “I can’t think about it right now, as it makes me sad. But it is a great decision and very well deserved.”

Now that Neil Glenn is recently retired from his career in public accounting, the Glenns may end up living in California. Their daughters are just fine with that, saying they would like to have family nearby.

“It would be cool, I guess,” said Grace. “I don’t think they will be hanging out in our dorm rooms or anything.”