November 27, 2009 | 12:27 AM
Recently, gymnast Brittany Canfield was rewarded for her hard work and years of training with full athletics college scholarship. Last week, Canfield committed to the University of Kentucky by signing a national letter of intent.
An Orland Park resident, Canfield began her gymnastics career at United Gymnastics Academy in Frankfort when she was just 8 years old. Now in her 10th year of training, Canfield is at the highest level (10) and a leader for the United Gymnastics Academy team.
"Being a member of the United Gymnastics Academy has been great for me," Canfield said. "They have an awesome gym and brand new facility. It is a really good program and all the coaches are amazing. A ton of girls here go out and get scholarships."
Canfield is not just any other college recruit. The standout athlete has been garnishing attention for several years. In fact, one of the reasons Canfield chose Kentucky was there coach, Hajile "Mo" Mitchell, who has been hot on the gymnast's trail after seeing her compete over two years ago.
"Coach Mo saw me at a high tech camp a few years ago," Canfield said. "He kept in contact with my coach and kept up with me to see how I was progressing.
"He is one of the best college coaches out there and he's one of the big reasons I'm going to Kentucky."
Canfield began her college search a year ago and targeted two schools right off the bat. Both Kentucky and the University of Illinois were immediately on the radar.
"U of I and Kentucky were the only two schools I visited," said Canfield. "When I went to Kentucky, I loved the visit. The coach offered me a scholarship right there which was very rare.
"My coach here encouraged me to visit U of I as well for a comparison and I originally wanted to go there. I don't know what I didn't like about that school, I just loved Kentucky."
After those visits, Canfield gave her verbal commitment right away to Kentucky in December 2008. Now a senior in high school, Canfield is just trying to fine tune her game and enjoy her final season with the United Gymnastics Academy.
"This year I hope go out, have no pressure and have fun at these meets," Canfield said. "I want to have good meets and make nationals this year."
According to Canfield, she believes that she will be able to make the transition to college athletics and hopes to be participate in all-around competition at Kentucky by improving on her strengths in the floor routine, uneven bars and the beam.
"For me it's more trying to get to know all my new teammates," Canfield said. "I want to have the same kind of bond I do with my teammates now. I think being a close group is important to gymnastics and competing as a team."
Given Canfield's track record and work ethic, this star should have no trouble winning over her new teammates.
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