Dutka climbing to top of heap in gymnastics

Freshman Mike Dutka has found his niche at Penn State and is quickly becoming one of the nation's top gymnasts.

These would be impressive feats even for a senior gymnast, but Dutka's success is even more amazing considering he is only 19 years old.

Just how good is this freshman sensation? Right now he is a serious contender to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This accomplishment is a dream of Dutka's that, through hard work and dedication, he hopes to make a reality.

Dominating gymnastics at a young age is nothing new for Dutka. He was first noticed by coaches at the age of 6 while taking tumbling at a recreation center. The coaches recognized his natural athletic ability and recommended to his mother, Peggy Dutka, that he take up gymnastics.

He did and quickly fell in love with the sport. When he was 7 he was competing five days a week for at least four hours a day.

Dutka was guided by Macey Watson, a former Temple gymnast, who became his coach. The two became good friends, and Watson continued to coach Dutka off and on through high school.

The coach was wowed by Dutka's competitive spirit.

"He just loves competition," Watson said. "The better the competition, the better he performs."

However, there was also a low point in Dutka's high school career. During his junior year he decided to travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he lived and trained at the Olympic training center.

At first, the opportunity seemed like a good move, especially to Peggy, who was tired of driving 72 miles each way from the Dutkas' home in Fairless Hills to Allentown, where Dutka regularly trained.

But Dutka grew homesick in Colorado. He missed his family and friends, two things that are just as important to him as gymnastics.

"He was just really homesick," Peggy said.

Dutka tried to stay in Colorado as long as possible, but he returned home after nine months to finish his senior year at Conwell-Egan High School.

Not surprisingly, it was Dutka's dedication to his family and friends that made him decide to attend Penn State. In order to avoid any further homesickness, he wanted to attend a school close to home. He narrowed his choices to Penn State and Temple.

He chose Penn State because of friendships he established with several of the school's gymnasts.

"I liked the guys here," Dutka said. "You're not going to be a team if you don't get along with the people."

Dutka's teammates also recognize the importance of functioning well as a team.

"Having to compete for a team makes a good atmosphere," junior Roy Malka said. "Everyone is very supportive."

Dutka helps motivate his teammates, who help the freshman in return.

"He's doing great. He pushes a lot of people to do just as good," junior Jonathan Uransky said. "Everyone can help everyone else."

Dutka said his teammates have helped him keep his composure after making mistakes. Getting down on himself is a problem Dutka has had in the past and something his companions have helped him improve.

"If you have a bad attitude, they'll get on you," Dutka said. "When you're in a bad mood, you won't get anything done."

So far this year Dutka is thriving at Penn State. He said winning five all-around titles has been a pleasant surprise.

Even his mother did not anticipate such a successful opening season.

"He's done better than I expected," Peggy said.

Along with his teammates, Penn State coach Randy Jepson is another person responsible for Dutka's success. He enjoys working with Dutka, describing him as "very coachable."

"He seems to understand what the coaching wants," Jepson said.

Jepson is impressed with Dutka's ability to perform against senior competition. There has been no sign of any lack of confidence in the freshman.

"He realizes he doesn't need to look up to anyone's talents," Jepson said. "His talents are as good as anyone's."

The super-gymnast isn't without weaknesses, though. Jepson has observed a lack of physical strength as a significant flaw of Dutka's.

"Strength is his weakness," Jepson said. "He has a weakness on the rings."

Dutka understands his lack of strength, but he's determined to rectify it through hard work.

He's hitting the weights, working on the rings and undergoing a strict conditioning program in order to improve his strength. He said when he first arrived at Penn State, his body wasn't used to the intense training. He was often sore and physically exhausted, but the hard work has paid off. He already has noticed a considerable change.

"I've improved a lot since I've been here," Dutka said.

The hard work will have to continue if he wants to make the Olympics in 2000. He plans to stay at Penn State this summer and continue training with Jepson.

"I'm going to have to work my butt off for the next four years, hard core," he said.

Watson continues to keep in touch with Dutka and provide inspiration for his pupil.

"We still keep in touch," Watson said. "I always told him if he trained hard and stayed focused he would be among the elite."

As of today, Dutka's abilities rank him among the nation's elite. Four years from now in Australia, he could prove he has the determination to rank among the world's best.

"Athletes like Mike," said Jepson, "they don't come along every day."