My parents are so supportive and have done so much, and made so many sacrifices to help me get to where I am. It makes me work as hard as I do because I am so grateful. – Deanne Soza
LINDON — Deanne Soza may not be a household name in Utah just yet, but based on her talent and spirit she should be. The 13-year-old is an amazingly gifted gymnast who balances monthly training trips to Texas with USA Gymnastics and 7 or 8-hour weekdays at Arete, her local gym in Utah County.
Soza is at such a high level that letters from top collegiate gymnastics programs already pour into Arete. But it’s not college gymnastics on the talented Orem teenager’s mind. Rather, Soza’s focus is on a roster spot for the 2020 Olympics (she’s not eligible for the 2016 Olympics due to her age).
Don’t get Soza wrong, she’s grateful for the recognition from collegiate teams she and her gym are receiving, but why not dream big when you’re 13.
“The Olympics have been my goal since I started gymnastics,” said Soza. “Getting there has become more realistic through my progression.”
But that progression suffered a serious halt nearly a year ago when Soza contracted a dangerous eye infection. Doctors believe the infection started when Soza was swimming and bacteria entered through a small scratch. Nearly three months of misdiagnosis followed the infection’s onset before a new doctor was able to identify the cause and treat it in the ensuing weeks.
“The doctor told me another week or two and I likely would have lost my vision in my right eye,” said Soza.
“It was difficult to think about Deanne losing her vision, but what was really scary was when the doctor was discussing how close she was to having the infection spread,” said her father Alberto. “The doctor had a serious talk with me about the reality that Deanne was close to her life being in jeopardy.”
The infection was a lot to deal with on its own, and what didn’t help was Soza also losing her regular routine because she couldn’t train with blurry vision.
“It was so tough to be away from gymnastics, but it was tougher to realize I could have lost my sight or worse,” said Soza.
“Gymnastics at the elite level is so competitive,” said Arete owner and coach Dan Coleman. “To have to take off a couple months really would have been the end for many gymnasts at that level. Watching Deanne fight back has really shown me how much she loves the sport and wants to be invited to Texas.”
Training in Huntsville, Texas is the pipeline to qualifying for the Olympic team. To put it into perspective, it’s where Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross train. Future University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner, who deferred attending the U. for a year to try and qualify for the 2016 Olympics, also trains on the senior elite team.
Soza is at the junior elite level and still gaining fame, despite the mountains of medals, after being away delayed skill development and conditioning. But she’s back in stride verifying new elements in front of the USA coaches, and scoring consistently with the top junior elites. Coleman admits the struggle now is being patient because he and Soza know what she's capable of, but in the end they're just happy to be back at it.
For Soza, she’s always been aware of the sacrifices gymnastics requires in terms of cost and time commitment.
“My parents are so supportive and have done so much, and made so many sacrifices to help me get to where I am,” said Soza. “It makes me work as hard as I do because I am so grateful.”
Soza’s mom and dad beam when asked about their daughter's accomplishments, but also realize she’s still a kid who enjoys sleepovers with friends. They have instilled a humility in her that comes from their own journeys. Dad is from Chile while Mom (Maria) is from Mexico. Both landed in Utah and met through their involvement in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maria is the one who accompanies Soza the most, traveling when she can and spending every minute at the gym when she’s not driving Soza’s biggest fan, brother Carlos, around.
“My family cheers me on so loud,” laughed Soza. “I can always tell when they are in the stands, but it’s good because hearing them calms me.”
Up next for Soza is the Secret U.S. Classic on July 25 and the P&G Championships August 13-16. Her goal is simple — hit four clean routines and have fun.
Naturally, after all Soza's been through, the fun part will take precedence.