Frazier gymnast Kmetz overcomes injuries to compete

By LES HARVATH

For the MV Independent 

When she was 11, Staci Kmetz her lost peripheral vision. During her freshman year in high school she needed shoulder surgery. Not long after, she suffered a broken bone in her foot. Last year, as a sophomore, she dislocated her left hip. Her goal this year: “Just avoid injuries.” 

Involved with gymnastics since she was 4, Kmetz was unable go backward on the balance beam, forcing her to incorporate other skills to change her routine. Her shoulder surgery as a freshman prevented her from competing in WPIAL gymnastics. But she was still able to compete.

At the USA Gymnastics National Championships in Long Beach, Calif., two years ago she was the vault champion, despite suffering and competing with the broken bone in her foot.

To receive her award, teammates carried her to the awards ceremony in a scene reminiscint of former USA gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi holding Kerri Strug during the medal ceremony at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

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