Twins flipping over Flip Fest

Identical twins Ashley and Lindsey Kessler enjoy getting high in the air performing on the trampoline.

"It's just fun," said Ashley, who has been doing the sport along with her sister since the third grade. "It's unique and different.

"And I like competing and traveling and seeing friends from all over the country."

The Hardin Valley Academy sophomores enjoy the emotional high as well.

"I just love the sport," said Lindsey. "Even when I get hurt, I want to get back up and keep doing it."

The two are among more than 2,700 competitors taking part in the eighth annual Flip Fest Gymnastics Invitational, which began Friday at the Knoxville Convention Center with trampoline and power tumbling competitions and concludes Monday.

"This is our largest one," said event director Steve Butcher. "We feel particularly fortunate with the present economy to have our largest event this year."

Butcher, who served as a gymnastics judge at the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing and will be the chief judge for the pommel horse at the 2012 games in London, feels interest in gymnastics continues to grow in the United States.

The reason, he said, is because American gymnastics teams have done well in recent Olympics.

"Every time they win medals and are in contention for medals, and that keeps the interest alive," he said.

A new feature of this year's Flip Fest - which is hosted by former Olympians John Macready and John Roethlisberger - is the girls' all-around gymnastics qualifying for the prestigious Nastia Liukin Cup Series.

Two local winners will be announced late this afternoon and will participate in the national event March 5 in Worcester, Mass. Butcher believes some Knoxville competitors should be in the running to go.

The Kesslers concentrate strictly on the trampoline and power tumbling, in part because it helps them with their school cheerleading. Actually, continuing to perform in those events at their age is somewhat unusual, said Premier Athletics coach Darkus Greeson.

While performing the power tumbling, the Kesslers try to make sure they are going straight down the rectangular mat while also doing eight skills.

They also have to toe the line in maintaining self-discipline regarding practice. They spend four weeknights in the gym, and do additional work on the weekend.

Putting all that work into the sport makes them a little nervous when performance time comes, they joked.

Apparently, their mother feels nervousness as well.

"At practice I wish I am not watching them," Jennifer Kessler said with a laugh.

John Shearer is a freelance contributor.

(Edit:Ruby)