Young Austin gymnast flips over games

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It is hard to find Callie Brown sitting still. The 7-year-old from Southwest Austin tumbles, twists or flips all the time. She is in constant motion towards Olympic dreams down the road. She hopes to make the United States Olympic gymnastics team in 2020.

"I think in 8 years when I'm 16," said gymnast Callie Brown.

Her coach, Justin Ward at Star Center Gymnastics and Dance, said he knew immediately she was talented on the uneven bars, but that is not the only reason she has progressed in her sport.

"She's obviously adorable, a very cute little kid, but she's also really talented, motivated, flexible, strong and dedicated -- a lot of the things that it takes to be a very good gymnast," said Ward.

Callie's also learning all she can from her idols. She has watched her favorite athlete, retired gymnast Shawn Johnson, very closely.

"I concentrate on what she's doing and make sure I'll be able to remember what is happening," Callie said.

Callie's parents encourage their daughter's persistence and goals even though dad admits, it's not always easy.

"Dad would have been happy if she was good at poker or possibly ping pong where she was connected to the ground you know," said Callie's father, Dave Brown. "Dad gets nervous when her head is heading towards the ground in torpedo form. She has to be good at gymnastics, right?"

Callie loves the uneven bars, but she enjoys mostly all of the areas of competition. She is just another reminder from the world of gymnastics that strength is not always about size.

Callie has her sights set on the Olympics in just 8 years, but even if she does not make it that far, her parents hope that the discipline and the commitment that she is learning at the gym will transfer over into many areas of her life.