Giving a golden performance

Jeff Tully

Camille Goldberg gleams with delight when she talks about a unique

sports gem in the city.

Hidden in the shadow of the mammoth Burbank Empire Center on

Keystone Street is Golden State Gymnastics, an award-winning facility

that molds young minds and bodies in the sport of gymnastics.

“This is just a great place for young athletes to come and train,”

said Goldberg, a director at the gym. “I want the whole city to know

that we’re here and the great things we have been doing for young

gymnasts for years.

“Mostly, I would like people to really understand what a benefit

it is for us to have a place like this in our community. Very few

communities have a facility like this.”

Friday through Sunday, the center will pull together almost all of

its resources to stage the 23rd annual 2003 Golden State Friendship

Challenge, and event that will feature more than 650 athletes from

the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The event will take place at the Burbank

Airport Hilton and Convention Center.

Along with the international clubs, teams from Hawaii, Colorado,

Wyoming, Washington and Utah are scheduled to take part.

Goldberg said the meet has become known for the high level of

competition, along with the friendly atmosphere it provides.

“This a top-quality meet that features just great gymnastics,”

Goldberg said. “We will have one Canadian National Team member who

will be at the meet, so that’s exciting.

“We are one of the top three meets in Southern California and we

always have been able to attract some very good clubs, from around

Southern California, and the nation.”

Along with visiting athletes, Golden State Gymnastics will have

its own contingent taking part in the meet.

Gymnasts Lily Pollack, Natalie Briggs, Marcela Alvarez and Jordan

Goldberg will be a few of the athletes representing the gym.

The facility also has a dedicated group of coaches, led by Coach

Chris Clark and Nicole Langevin.