Thursday, May. 08, 2008

Mid-Columbia gymnast headed to nationals

By Rocky Morrow, Herald staff writer

Qualifying for nationals is an impressive line on any gymnast's resum, but Sam Softich of Mid-Columbia Gymnastics has another reason to be pleased.

This time when he competes, he won't be less than two weeks removed from surgery.

Softich, 18, is competing this weekend at the USA Gymnastics Boys Nationals in Battle Creek, Mich., an honor he earned by placing fifth in the all-around at the Pacific Regional championships April 12 in Portland.

He was set to compete in 2007 after placing third at regionals when the unexpected happened.

"Ten days before (the competition) I came down with appendicitis," Softich said. "It was tough, but the doctors gave me laparoscopic surgery."

The laparoscopic procedure, which uses several small incisions rather than one large incision, allowed Softich a quick turnaround.

"If they had done it the usual way, where they slice you open, then there would have been no way to go to nationals in time," he said. "The laparoscopic surgery is what saved me."

Softich downplayed the consequences of the surgery on his training and the competition.

"It wasn't too bad. I was only in the hospital for a day-and-a-half, then I was out walking and running," he said. "And I took the least amount of painkillers."

Joe Softich, Sam's father and coach, was relieved when the doctors gave Sam the thumbs-up.

"They were pretty proactive," Joe said. "It's kind of nice when the doctor says your only limitation is yourself and go for it."

Against the odds, Sam attended nationals and placed 125th in a field of 250.

Softich had a pretty good guess as to which event kept him from a higher finish at the 2008 regionals -- and this time it wasn't a medical emergency.

"(The rings) killed me and I would have gotten fourth instead of fifth," he said.

Fourth instead of fifth if not for the fact that gymnastics judges are not easily impressed -- indeed, they're notorious for their adherence to the Simon Cowell School of Appraisal.

"In gymnastics, some judges judge harshly," Softich said. "But you take that and go back and work on your routine and make sure there is nothing the judge can be decisive on. 'Well, he did this, but he didn't do that.' It's pretty fierce."

Fierce would be a good description of Softich's training regimen: twice daily five or six days per week. But the dedication has paid off: Softich earned a $6,000 scholarship from the University of Washington men's gymnastics team -- yet another longshot, with the team relying on donations and fundraisers to survive.

"They're not supported by (the university) anymore," Softich said. "It's horrible, because gymnastics is such a complex sport that people don't understand like they do football or soccer. They can't get into it; it doesn't draw as much money as other sports, which is a shame."

Softich isn't discouraged by the lack of attention and funding given to his sport. He's dedicated to his field, and his loyalty goes a long way back.

"I was 3 years old," Softich said. "My father and uncle owned Mid-Columbia Gymnastics and I was in the gym from a very young age."

Which is probably why Softich will take time out of his busy training schedule to act as a role model for the next generation of gymnasts.

"I have separate training hours from the little guys, but I'll walk over and give them pointers," Softich said. "You can separate out the ones who have a true love of the sport."

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