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Only 16, Already a Winner

By Cesar Brioso
Washington Post Staff Writer
July 11, 1988

If the thought of supreme self-confidence doesn't conjure up images of a 16-year-old high school sophomore, listening to Jair Lynch might easily change that.

Lynch, a student at Sidwell Friends School, exudes confidence. It is most noticeable in the matter-of-fact tone of his voice. And it is this confidence that has helped him excel in gymnastics.

He is ranked No. 1 in the United States in boys gymnastics Class 1 (ages 16-18) by virtue of his score at the U.S. National Boys Gymnastics Championship last week in Albuquerque.

"You can't be timid when you're competing at a national level," Lynch said. "You can't have any doubts about your ability."

So far Lynch has not had many reasons to doubt his ability. His score (56.50) was the highest score in the optionals -- routines in the floor, vault, pommel horse, rings, high bar and parallel bars. The optionals must contain 12 types of skill techniques, but the gymnasts can choose their routines.

According to officials at the championships, it was the first time a 16-year-old has been ranked first in Class 1. And, they said, his score was also the highest all-around score in the optionals in the history of boys gymnastics in the United States.

Not such a surprising fact, when you listen to Lynch, who said gymnastics came naturally to him since he took an interest in the sport eight years ago.

"I got started after I saw a class at a YMCA. I found it interesting," Lynch said. "Once I started, it came easily to me and I was able to learn the basics quickly and kept working at it."

The work has paid off. In June, Lynch received All-Met honors for gymnastics, and after his performance at the national championships, he will be one of 20 gymnasts, 10 from the 16-18 age division and 10 from the 13-15 age group, attending a 10-day training camp in Madrid beginning July 25.

The camp is a steppingstone to the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team. Although it's too late for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Lynch is looking to the 1992 games.

"I've watched gymnastics during the Olympics and it's always been an inspiration to me," Lynch said. "It's what I've worked for and I know that if I continue to improve, I have a good chance."

Jair's father Acklyn Lynch, who is a professor in African-American studies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, always has been supportive of his son's efforts in gymnastics.

As Jair continued to train and improve, coaches told his father that Jair was the kind of athlete with whom they dream of working. But not even the elder Lynch expected Jair to develop this quickly.

"To a certain extent I have been surprised by his development over the last eight years," the gymnast's father said. "I actually thought he might have a chance of winning Class 1 next year, but I never thought he would win it at age 16. His coaches have always told me that he has unlimited potential to be one of the finest gymnasts in the country."

Lynch has been able to develop his techniques, style and dexterity very quickly. At 5 feet 3 and 120 pounds, he is not as muscular as most of the boys in his age group and has to use routines that emphasize form rather than strength.

"The rings are my worst event. I'm still young and the strength is still coming," Lynch said. "It's hard to do some of the {strength moves} I'd like to do, but I've been able to get by pretty well with the routines I have."

He not only has excelled as a gymnast. In between traveling five days a week from his District home to Columbia, Md., where he trains 3 1/2 hours daily under the tutelage of Rick Tucker at Gymnastics Plus, Lynch is an "A" student at Sidwell Friends.

"You have to work hard at managing your time," said Lynch, who has been nominated for Outstanding High School Students of America for his accomplishments in academics and athletics. "You have to do homework during your breaks at school. It can be tough."

But Lynch's father believes the rigorous schedule only has helped his son, who wants to study sports medicine. "I think the intellectual development Jair has received at Sidwell has helped his maturation process," the senior Lynch said. "He has a very clear vision of what he wants to do."