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Ability, fearless nature land LWC senior gymnastics scholarship
Price to compete at Mizzou in 2010
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December 18, 2009 | 03:47 AM
Five days a week, Brittani Price throws her body through the air, twisting her limbs in ways most people would never attempt. And not only does she do it voluntarily, this is her idea of fun.
Price is a gymnast, and a pretty good one at that. The New Lenox 18-year-old began competing at United Gymnastics Academy in Frankfort when she was 8, and worked her way from level 5 to level 10 by the time she was 12.
She finished in the top 20 at nationals four years straight (2005-2008), and next year Price will continue to roar as a Tiger at the University of Missouri.
"I fell in love with [Missouri] as soon as I stepped on campus," Price said of her visit to Columbia, Mo. "The coaching is more my style and they're really pushing that family atmosphere."
Price accepted a full ride to Mizzou when she signed her National Letter of Intent on Nov. 11. The Lincoln-Way Central senior said she'll begin practicing with the team in June and has high hopes for her freshman season.
"I'd like to make a huge impact right away down there," Price said. "My national record is very consistent, so [Missouri's coaches] know I can compete at the top level."
Price holds career highs of 9.775 on vault, 9.6 on bars, 9.5 on beam, 9.6 on floor and 37.9 in the all-around. In 2008 she joined her region's All-Star team and competed in Costa Rica. Price's UGA coach, Glen Willmeng, said Region 5 (in which Price competes) is the strongest region in the country and so to qualify for nationals is a "huge accomplishment."
"[Brittani] was really good at a young age. She's maintained great attention all throughout high school and is strong in all her events," Willmeng said. "But uneven bars and vault are pretty much why Missouri offered her the scholarship."
Price's success on vault and bars is a direct result of her toughness, according to Willmeng.
"She's a lot more braver than other kids," he said. "She gives me everything I ask her to do. She's a lot more aggressive than other kids."
The bars and vault are two events that call for the most intricate, elaborate and, thus, dangerous routines. The best dismounts entail highly acrobatic and gravity-defying maneuvers, characteristics which are all too perfect for the New Lenox native.
For Price, the power she feels when vaulting or working on the bars is what makes the two her favorite events.
"I don't really have any fears when it comes to gymnastics," she said. "I love it because you're able to control your body in so many different ways. It's a very difficult, unique sport."
Price visited four other schools — the University of Michigan, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky and Ohio State University — but said she felt at home right away with the Tigers. Missouri finished its 2008-'09 season ranked No. 13 in the nation and began this year at No. 16.
"We are very excited to have Brittani," Missouri head coach Rob Drass said. "She has placed in the top 20 at nationals the past few years and doesn't have a weak event. She can come in and make a great impact on all four events.
"She obviously has a history of performing great at the national level. We expect great things from her in the future."
Price expects great things from herself and her squad. Just like on the bars, the pre-frosh isn't getting cautious on the predictions either.
"I'd like to take our team to nationals my first year," she said.
While that may seem like a lofty goal for the soon-to-be-freshman, Price is confident in her abilities and thinks the Tigers will be the team to watch next year. She added her parents, Dave and Jennifer, along with brothers Tyler and Jake, are looking forward to seeing her compete for Missouri.
Right now, Price is focused on her final season at UGA and she intends to make it a good one by again qualifying for the national competition in May.
Willmeng said it'll be tough to lose one of the gym's top performers and leaders.
"She's a great kid, she'll be missed," he said. "As an athlete, as a person, she'll be missed around here."
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