Young gymnasts train with legendary coach

FIVE-STAR TRAINING-Members of the Cal Storm All-Star cheer squad had the golden opportunity to fine-tune their gymnastic skills at Romanian coach Bela Karolyi's Olympic training center near Houston. Front from left, Katy Rupp, Lexi Katzman, Jordan Landsberg and Jessica Lackmeyer. Back row, Heather Clare, Leah Anderson, Bela Karolyi and Eszter Boldis. Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug, Dominique Moceanu. Prestigious names in the world of Olympic gymnasts-all of them champions and all of them coached by Bela Karolyi. Now add Heather Clare, Lexie

Katzman, Jessica Lackmeyer, Jordan Landsberg, Eszter Boldis, Katy Rupp and Leah Anderson to the list of girls who have had the chance to train with the legendary gymnastics coach.

The seven girls, representing Cal Storm All-Star cheer squad from the Superstars Cheer Training Center in Westlake Village, traveled to Texas over the summer with their coach, Kimberly Andersen, for the experience of a lifetime at Karolyi's Camp.

The girls were treated to a weeklong training experience at the Romanian coach's 500-acre U.S. Women's Olympic Training Center north of Houston.

"It was almost surreal," Andersen said. "We arrived at the camp and Bela was standing there to greet us. He reminded me of Santa Claus. Whenever he would look at a gymnast, there was a twinkle in his eye."

The Cal Storm cheerleaders - Heather, 12, of Thousand Oaks; Lexie, 12, Jessica, 10, and Katy, 8, of Agoura Hills; and Jordan, 10, Eszter, 12, and Leah, 12, of Westlake Village-spent their mornings and afternoons training with about 300 other gymnasts and cheerleaders from all over the country.

The cheerleaders had their own workout track and focused on floor, dance, tumble and trampoline under Karolyi's watchful eye. Also observing were several key officials from the U.S. Olympic and other international teams.

"They worked those kids hard every day," Andersen said. "And my girls did it.They all had goals they wanted to meet-back handsprings, back tucks, things like that-and everyone came home with their goals met and with a new skill."

The 63-year-old Karolyi, who has coached both the Romanian and U.S. Olympic girls gymnastics teams to gold medals, made sure the girls had fun as well. The evenings were packed with boat rides, horseback riding, a beauty contest, swimming and other activities. "It was totally amazing," said

Lexie. "We were exhausted and hungry, but we always had this feeling that we were walking around with champions."

The girls all said they hoped to return to the camp next year.