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Gymnast Goktepe Is An All-Around Talent

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By CLIFF GILL

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 20, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - When drivers in the Seven Oaks subdivision see youngsters playing tag or tossing a Frisbee in front of their homes, they often slow down.

When they see Alara Goktepe, 12, practicing back flips or walking on her hands, they often come to a complete stop. A Connecticut native who moved to Florida in 2005, Goktepe started taking gymnastics lessons at age 3.

"When I was 2 years old I loved to climb and swing on the monkey bars at the park," she said. "A year later, I had a friend who took tumbling lessons and I thought I'd like to try it."

With a smile and physique reminiscent of Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton, Goktepe has already accumulated more than 30 trophies, in addition to numerous medals and ribbons. The strength, balance and coordination she acquired in gymnastics has allowed her to excel in several other sports, including basketball, soccer, swimming, track and cheerleading.

In April, Goktepe was a member of the cheerleading team that won first place in a National Cheerleading Association's statewide competition in Daytona Beach.

"Participating in gymnastics helped me to become a good cheerleader and allowed me to fit right in with the team," she said.

Her coach agrees.

"Alara is new to cheerleading, but you would never know it from her performance," Lightning City cheerleading coach Alice Roland said. "She picked up the sport quickly with her background in gymnastics and her eagerness to be the best she can be. Alara is a hard worker and someone who is willing to try whatever the coaches ask of her. She is a joy to work with and someone who will succeed in anything she puts her mind to."

Another sport Goktepe has enjoyed success in is soccer. In 2006, she scored two goals to help her Wesley Chapel U-12 girls team win the championship.

Again, another coach had high praise for her.

"On the soccer field, she is a fierce competitor," Wesley Chapel Athletic Association coach Max Smith said. "You never have to tell Alara to step up her game. If she is on the field, she is always giving you 100 percent."

As she enters seventh grade at John Long Middle School, Goktepe plans to participate in several sports, often simultaneously. She also plans to maintain or improve her honor roll status in academics.

"To participate in sports in high school and college, I realize that I need to focus on keeping my grades up," she said.

Goktepe hopes to become a physical therapist or a marine biologist.

When not participating in sporting events, Goktepe volunteers at the concession stand for the WCAA.

"I do whatever is needed," Goktepe said. "My mom is a nurse, so it's natural for me to want to help people."

As the consummate team player, Goktepe credits others for her success.

"I'm fortunate to have parents who support my dreams and coaches who have helped me improve and picked me up whenever I fell," she said. "It doesn't matter how many times you fall. What matters is getting back up and trying again."

Teachers and coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at (727) 860-4903 or

reportercliffgill@yahoo.com.

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