After a stellar, multi-year gymnastics career, Blaine Wilson returned to The Ohio State University to finish his degree. It took 17 years, from start to finish, but he said it was worth the wait. “Education is important,” he told Annehurst students.
Celebrated gymnast Blaine Wilson visited fourth grade Annehurst Elementary School students in Kelley Moff’s class on Friday morning, September 27. While he was excited to tell the youngsters about his athletic career as a five-time U.S. national champion (1996-2000), a three-time Olympian (1996, 2000, 2004), and silver medalist in the team competition at the 2004 Olympics, he was equally passionate about sharing the fact that after he retired from competitive gymnastics in 2008, he returned to The Ohio State University to finish his degree. “It took 17 years to get my diploma, but it was worth finishing,” he said. Wilson told the youngsters that education is important and urged them to work hard in school.
Blaine Carew Wilson, born in Columbus, came from a sports-minded family and is named after baseball great Rod Carew and former Dallas Cowboys guard Blaine Nye. His father started him in gymnastics at age four because he was so energetic he was “tearing the furniture apart.” He is married to rhythmic gymnast Alaine Baquerot. He owns and manages his own gymnastics, cheerleading and volleyball training facility in Plain City, called Integrity Athletics. Learn more at https://www.integritygym.com.