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Caleb Hawkinson was one of many athletes who came home with medals earned at the State Special Olympics Gymnastics Meet. The competition was held at the Mini-Hops Gymnastics Center in Minnetonka Saturday, June 23.

The home-schooled 12-year-old from Chisago City competed in Division II of the six-division event. The divisions are based on age and experience. The youngest and most inexperienced athletes compete in Division I.

Hawkinson's 8.1 on the parallel bars earned him a first place and a gold medal. He placed second in the vault (8.25) and floor exercise (7.35) and took home silvers in both events.

He is one of 10 athletes on the North Branch Special Olympics Team. The team members come from Chisago Lakes, North Branch, Forest Lake and Oakdale.

Caleb's mother, Julie Hawkinson credits the staff at Flyaways for much of the success of the her son and the team. "Mark Hegquist and the other Flyaways coaches donated their time and the training facility to make this possible," she said. "When Mark bought the place (Flyaways), he took an interest and took the training to start a Special Olympics team. Flyaways coaches Della Oestereich and Kelly XXXXX??? and Kris Wegan, one of the moms, also took the training."

Caleb started his gymnastics career at Flyaways in Forest Lake four years ago. The team started training for this year's state competition in March. At first, the team practiced an hour per week. As the event approached, the practice time was doubled to get the gymnasts ready for competition.

The athletes used a DVD provided by the Special Olympics to help them perfect their routines. Caleb used his to help him train at home.

"Johnny (cousin John Hogie) came over to help me practice," Caleb said.

"Johnny really helped out a lot," Julie added. "He helped with uniforms and other things for the boys on the team. It was great to have him there. Mark found the manufacturer for the special-fit singlets and made sure that they were here on time."

Caleb said he likes to practice for his events. "I like the tuck and the straddle and to 'stick the landing.'" Even though he has a gold medal for his performance in the floor exercise, he feels the vault is his best event, as his scores would indicate. His least favorite event is the parallel bars, "Because my hands get numb."

The soon-to-be teenager would like to participate in other events like softball, bowling and swimming. However, gymnastics still seems to be his number one priority.

Why not? A big smile came to his face when the conversation turned to the awards ceremony at the recent state event. Caleb had his picture taken with the presenters. Those presenters were the current Miss Minnesota and Miss Teen Minnesota.

When he's not training or playing with Daki, his golden retriever- golden lab, he likes to think about fishing. He loves to fish for walleyes and bass in area lakes with his dad, Al. He'd like to add lake trout to his stringer, as well. Maybe a family camping trip in the near future will make that possible.

Whatever he does, it seems likely that he'll find success. This likeable young man, who enjoys "pulling your leg," has the drive, sense of humor and family support to carry him to whatever goals he sets.

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