Liberty University to add gymnastics club team

A new club sport is coming to Liberty University that will test students’ physical strength, flexibility, agility and coor-dination. Beginning in January, the university is adding gymnastics to its list of club teams. Practices will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Lynchburg Academy of Gymnastics & Power Tumbling located about three miles from LU on Leesville Road.

The club is open to all Liberty students, regardless of skill or experience level. Team members will start with basic fundamental drills and conditioning exercises before moving on to collegiate competitions. Lori Darter, co-owner of Lynchburg Academy of Gymnastics & Power Tumbling, is overseeing the team and hopes to begin competing with other club teams such as James Madison University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech by winter 2009.

“Gymnastics is an unbelievable sport,” Darter said. “It strengthens and conditions every muscle in your body. I’m really hoping that people who have the drive and love for the sport will come out whether they are experienced or not. I think it’ll be a great program to add to Liberty.”

Gymnastics will join a host of other club sports — men’s and women’s hockey, synchronized figure skating, archery and paintball — as part of the university’s Ultimate LU campaign.

For more information about becoming a member of the LU gymnastics team, contact Lori Darter at (434) 239-8900.