Monday June 29, 2009

Martinez, Ga--To be an elite athlete or even one who grabs an elusive college scholarship you have to be willing to put in the time and effort. We're not just talking during the school year either. For a pair of area gymnast, the effort is there as they hope to reap the rewards of their hard work.

Meet 13 year old Quest Hayden, a youngster with a dream.

"My goal is yes it is to be in the olympics but my main goal is to go to a big meet like the VISA Championships or the olympics or something like that, the world championships" said Quest Hayden

Meet 17 year old Jasmine Brown. Not dreaming of the Olympics, but dreaming of being a Georgia Gym Dog.

"It's my dream college to go there" said Jasmine Brown. "I know right now I might not be up to their expectations but throughout this next year I'm going to work as hard as I can to get there. I really want to get there."

Both know there's plenty to be done to reach their goal.

"I can't be anything of average. Like everything has to be above expectations. I want it so much to where I'm even doing my own self training at home just to show them that I really want it" added Brown

Both Jasmine and Quest have the same coach, Dennis Hayden, who's also Quest's dad. It can be tough, it can be easy, all in the same breath.

"He has probably all the attributes that me and my twin brother have had when we were training for the olympic games in 1984 and 88" said Dennis Hayden "So I know what I'm working with but the personality is a little bit different."

Sure they don't always see eye to eye, after all Quest is 13. But when it comes to the sport, he may be ahead of the curve.

"He is actually ahead of what we've done in most areas. In some places he's not but in most areas he is." added Dennis Hayden

To keep things interesting for Quest, he's taken up another sport, mixed martial arts. Yes, you heard me right. Somehow they do go together.

"The fighting will help my strength and everything and help my endurance get up for the floor. The gymnastics will help my martial arts with the kicks and stuff" added Quest Hayden