Once again, Kennett gymnasts show their winning side

Goshen — Parents of the boys on the Kennett School of Gymnastics team are proud to have Dimitre Dimitrov coaching their sons. “It’s because of him that our boys are doing so well,” said one parent. For the past seven years, including 2010-2011, gymnastics coach Dimitre Dimitrov has led the Level 4 boys’ gymnastics team to first place victory in New York State. In addition, this is the third consecutive year that Level 5 took first place. And, this is the year that Dimitrov was honored by being named “Coach of the Year” by the New York State Boys Division of USA Gymnastics. Coach Dimitrov came with his family from Bulgaria to the United State 13 years ago. After teaching in Michigan for five years, he then came to the Kennett School of Gymnastics, Goshen, where he’s been coaching for the past eight years. Success for him and the school began the year after he came to Goshen. Dimitrov has been involved with gymnastics since he was six years old, and is more than happy to talk about why it’s a great sport for everyone. “Gymnastics strengthens the body, gives it flexibility and helps with coordination,” he said, adding that it also helps improve scholarship. He also said that the upper body and leg strength and agility from doing gymnastics make it easier for young people to become accomplished in sports, like diving, swimming, skiing, weightlifting, or other athletic activities. Competition runs from November through April, and the boys practice the rest of the year. “It never really stops,” said Joann DiGiulio, the parent of eight-year-old Cooper Pleva who has been on the team for one year. But all that practicing doesn’t bother her. “I think it’s good, actually great. It keeps him busy doing something constructive,” she commented, adding, “He’s learned discipline, too. If he wants to get somewhere, he has to work at it.” At a dinner given in his honor, Dimitrov was presented with a gift from the parents to show their appreciation. The presenter was Patti Stickley, whose son Thomas has been on the team for four years. Commenting that the coach sets a high standard of excellence for the boys to achieve, Stickley said, “Their success has instilled confidence in them. This is a great life lesson that they’ve learned.” Dimitrov and his wife Tanya have two children: Nadia, 16, and James, 6.