Logan Hayden has a collection of more than 300 gold medals after competing in men’s gymnastics for 12 years. He also has a collection of injuries.
Hayden, a 2008 Brandon graduate, has a fractured spine, torn tendons and ligaments in both of his wrists and a hand injury.
‘Kids get hurt in gymnastics like in any sport,? said Coach Curtis Wilson. ‘These guys are on their wrists a lot. They get pretty beat up.?
Hayden did not let his injuries get the better of him.
He qualified for Nationals for the fifth year in a row when he competed in the regional tournament in Columbus Ohio this Spring. The best gymnasts from five other states went against Hayden.
The Brandon resident took 34th in the nation on pommel horse.
‘Pommel horse is his favorite, but it’s also the event that caused him the most injuries because he’s on his wrists,? said Coach Shawn Clement.
Hayden trained at the Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester with Wilson and Clement for 15 years. He spent those years training for more than 20 hours a week and competing across the nation.
Hayden no longer competes with GTC, but he is coaching intermediate gymnastics to 4- through 14-year olds.
Clement said he hopes Hayden will continue to coach when he attends Oakland Community College in the fall.