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.