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A local athlete, 13 year-old Henry Baer, has been selected by the USA team to represent the USA at the World Age Group Games in Russia to be held the week of Nov. 14-21 in the event of symchronized trampoline. Henry will participate  with his syncro partner, Nick Pointek of Kansas City.

Athletes from all over the world will gather in St. Petersburg, Russia to compete at the World Games and World Age Group Games. This is a chance for athletes to be titled the best in the world in either power tumbling, double mini trampoline, trampoline or synchronized trampoline. This event occurs every year except for Olympic year since trampoline is an event in the Olympic Games.

Baer is a team member and Level 10 trampolinist of St. Louis Elite Trampoline and Tumbling, a competitive team that trains at Kids World Gymnastics in Hazelwood.

Baer and Pointek won a gold medal at the 2009 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic National Championship in San Jose, Ca. They then placed second at the final selection event in Las Vegas to qualify them for the USA team to travel and compete in St. Petersburg, Russia.

This is Baer’s first year as a Level 10 trampolinist. He is a state, regional, and national champion in USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling.

“It is very rare that anyone ever makes the USA team first year Level 10. That’s a huge accomplishment,” said St. Louis Elite coach Gene Kohler. “This is a great opportunity to see how popular our sport is internationally and should continue to motivate him for future accomplishments.”

Baer has been training at Kids World Gymnastics in Hazelwood for several years, practicing up to 12 hours a week. With his sister, Caroline, he has created his own website, www.henrybaer.com. The site offers information about the sports of trampoline and lumbling, lists his event results, features video clips and photos.

Baer, a seventh grader at Whitfield School in Chesterfield, also plays soccer and basketball for the school where he maintains a 4.0 GPA.

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