Willowbrook gymnast shares positive experience of becoming a gymnastics coach

Willowbrook junior Keawe Winstead can hardly remember when gymnastics wasn’t a part of his life.

For the last 12 years, he has spent countless hours in the gym and is now a standout on the Willowbrook Boys Gymnastics Team. Through the years, he has learned valuable lessons from the sport, and he wanted to share his experiences with other gymnasts as a coach.

“I wanted to get a new perspective on the sport,” Winstead said. “I understand now where my coaches are coming from.”

He joined the Elmhurst Park District as an instructor this summer to teach young athletes, but he never could have imaged he would be the one learning. In late May, he began working with a 6-year-old boy named Jack Caliento, and he never could have predicted the bond they would form.

Caliento, of Elmhurst, has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism and has difficulty with communication and social skills. Winstead said there were many days when he was challenged by Caliento and would have to chase him around the gym to try and keep him focused, but, Winstead added, he wouldn’t replace a moment of it.

“It’s the best feeling to help someone who needs it,” Winstead said. “(Caliento) is not able to participate in many athletics, and gymnastics is an opportunity for him to be involved in a sport. It’s amazing to see him smile and have fun.”

Caliento’s mom, Kate, said it’s wonderful to have a place where Caliento can be just like every other kid.

“This is a class where he is happy, comfortable and doing what his peers are doing,” she said. “He’s normally timid to leave me when he doesn’t trust people or a situation, and he’s always smiling and content to wave goodbye to me when we walk inside the gym here. He doesn’t take to just anybody, and he connected with Winstead.”

Kate said Caliento and his twin sister, Claire, have been going to the park district on and off since they were 2 years old, and they plan to continue with gymnastics classes. She added she can’t wait to bring Caliento to Willowbrook to watch Winstead compete this spring.

“It’s amazing to see young gymnasts become coaches,” said Annette Nocek, Willowbrook gymnastics coach and Elmhurst Gymnastics Center manager. “Watching them grow as athletes and as people is unbelievable to watch.”