Young Sisters gymnasts soar high

Jennifer Haken never thought she’d be a “team mom.” But when she saw how much her three daughters loved gymnastics, the Sisters mother happily began taking them to the gym for practice and traveling to competitions most weekends.

Kindergartner Cierra, third-grader Brooklyn and fifth-grader Alisha have full afternoons when school is over. Twice a week the sisters, along with their cousin, third-grader Manisha Haken, head to Bend for gym practice, sometimes getting homework done in the car.

“All four of them have worked really hard,” said Jennifer.

In early February they had a successful competition at the High Desert Gymnastics Invitational held at the fairgrounds in Redmond. The gymnasts competed in the usual four areas: floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. It was youngest daughter Cierra’s first meet. She placed second all-around for her level. Middle sister Brooklyn won first-place honors.

The young gymnasts are now busy working out and competing in the spring season, which started in January and runs through April.

“Almost every weekend we travel all over the state,” said Jennifer. “It’s a family thing.”

Mom and dad, Jeff Haken, pack the kids in the car and head to competitions that can be hundreds of miles from home.

Jennifer says it’s an expensive sport with the frequent travel, coaching fees and outfits. A new leotard with warm-up pants can cost $200. However, the girls are committed to their sport after they chose it over dance when their mom said “you need to pick one.”

“They would go five days a week if I would let them,” said Jennifer.

In fact, their gymnastics practice continues unofficially at home where the girls are often in motion standing on their heads or doing pull-ups on a bar in the kitchen doorway. Jennifer said not too much has been broken in the house. Still, the Hakens are considering adding some equipment in another structure next to their house so the girls have a better work-out place.

Brooklyn had a setback last November when she fell during a routine and broke her arm. She has healed now and is back at her sport doing her favorite things.

“I like doing routines and kips on bars,” said Brooklyn. A “kip” is a swinging movement done on a bar.

The girls enjoy learning the routines, traveling to meets and visiting with their fellow teammates.

“You learn new stuff,” said Manisha.

The Haken sisters work out at Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy and their cousin practices at Acrovision Sports Center, both in Bend.