A Coach Above - By Amber Settle

    Gymnastics is labeled one of the hardest sports to be good at. Gymnastics is also one of the oldest recorded sports. To this day, it is still evolving. Not only does gymnastics teach you cool flips and tricks. It teaches you discipline, perseverance, and time management. Unlike mainstream sports, gymnastics has a variety of sports that fall under the name. There is women's artistic gymnastics, men's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, and group gymnastics. Each with its own set of rules, skills, and events. Both men's and women's artistic gymnastics are the most well-known. For the most part, gymnastics is an individual sport. Gymnastics requires both physical and mental strength. Both of these come easily when you have a coach like Brett Garland. 

With his wife, Wendy, Brett Garland received an induction into the Washington State Gymnastics Hall of fame.

    Brett Garland started his journey in gymnastics in the 7th grade. Which is considered very late compared to today's standard. "But, at that point, I had done most major sports and loved being responsible for my individual successes based on my work," said Garland. Brett as a freshman made the high school team at Richland High with only two years under his belt. On top of this incredible feat, he won the sophomore state meet his freshman year. Throughout his four years in high school, Garland was ranked in the top all-around (all scores combined from all events) and was the state 'all-around' champion. After graduating from Richland High School in 1979, Brett moved his gymnastics career to the college level. Starting out, he committed to Washington State, but soon after, they dropped their program. He then tried out at the University of Oregon over the summer and got a scholarship. However, Oregon dropped its program as well. During his short time on Oregon's team, "I did learn how to train smarter and compete," said Brett. Brett's next options were Michigan State and the University of Iowa. Brett visited both schools and chose Iowa. Garland's gymnastics excelled during his two years there. He was elected captain during his first year at Iowa. In his senior year, Brett qualified for the Olympic trials in Minnesota. Sadly, an injury stopped him from going. On the bright side, Iowa was the place Brett met the love of his life and future wife: Wendy. "My proudest moments of being a gymnast were being a part of the overall success of the collegiate teams I was a part of." Brett's athletic career might have been over, but he was not done leaving a mark on this spectacular sport. 

Brett Garland on the pommel horse during his college career at Iowa in the 1980s.

    Brett's coaching career started when he was 15 at Tri-City Academy of Gymnastics, Bretts high school coaches gym. He stuck with coaching part-time throughout college. After his final year in college, Brett moved to Australia in 1986. That is really when his coaching career kicked off. Coaching full time as a boys coach. After some time, Brett came back to the U.S. and married Wendy in Illinois. Brett coached boys and girls teams in Chicago for 10 years. Together the Garlands moved to Brett's hometown. They started a gym together named Garland's Gymnastics in 1995. This was the beginning of his never-ending impact on this sport. 

"Brett is unlike any boss I've ever had before! I've never had an employer that truly cares about me as well as others," said Holly Pendergast (current coach at Garlands). Brett has always had this unique ability to connect and bond with everyone he interacts with. Gabrielle Winstead, a current D3 college gymnast at the University of Wisconsin Stout and former athlete of Garland, had kind words to express Brett's personality, "He's such a well-rounded person and has an overenthusiasm of joy and care when he talks to anyone." 

Brett competing on the parallel bars at the University of Iowa.

    Brett's coaching style is very special. I've never had a coach like him before. He celebrates your success with you, sees potential in every one of his gymnasts, and can motivate you- even on the tough days. His style of coaching isn't set in stone. Instead, it's flexible. It's catered to each individual and what they need most. "Brett is open to suggestions to help the gymnasts improve/build their skill set and improve their scores", says Pamela Harper (current gymnastics judge). He really does put his whole heart into what he does. Brett teaches you so much more than gymnastics. "The single most gratifying aspect of my job is to be a part of the process of turning a child into a self-respecting, strong young adult who will continue to use their gym lessons, work ethic, goal setting, successes and failures to be a positive contributor in society," says Brett. He has touched the lives of so many people, and Brett doesn't see an end any time soon. 

Brett Garland with Gabrielle Winstead and Wendy Garland.

    My personal experience with Brett as my coach has been nothing short of amazing. I have nothing negative to say about him. I wish I had come to Garlands sooner, and this will be my fifth year here. I have learned more in these 5 years than I have learned in my whole 12 years of being in gymnastics. The skills I am doing now, I have only ever dreamed of doing. He has helped me achieve my goals and go beyond them. I'll forever appreciate Brett for that. Brett and my teammates have become my second family, and the gym has become my second home. He focuses on those who are there to learn and become the best they can be. His knowledge of this sport and how to coach it is unbelievable.

    On June 25th, 2022, Brett Garland was inducted into the Washington State Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Just like his high school gymnastics coach, Rod Ostboe was back in 1998. Every year Brett hosts a meet called Wine Country Classic in memory of Rod Ostboe. Brett has created a legacy for many generations to come.