Interview with Helen Veruchhi

The Russian born, Helen Verucchi has been in the coaching business for years. Once a gymnast herself (from 1975-1986), Helen decided to try coaching upon completion of her career. At the age of 18 she began coaching beam and floor at her gym in Russia. In 2000, she began coaching at WOGA and continued onto several other gyms throughout her career including Dallas Gymnastics Center and Eagle Wings. She also coached at Elite Champions before the gym closed up. Helen is now coaching at University of Gymnastics in Plano. She is the long time coach of junior elite gymnast, Jordan Stavrou. She has been working with Jordan since she was 7 years old and is proud to have an elite athlete to call her own. Even though Jordan has been plagued with non gymnastics related injuries, she is determined to get back onto the elite stage and Helen is determined to get her there. We caught up with Helen to talk about Jordan's progress, plans for the future, and some of her coaching highlights.

Photo belongs to Helen Veruchhi

Triple Twist: We haven't seen Jordan Stavrou compete in a while and many fans are wondering how she is doing. Can you give us an update on her progress?

Helen: "Unfortunately 2012 was not a happy year for Jordan. In February she had a surgery in her foot (nothing to do with gymnastics), it was an accident. I thought she was done, but after recovering (late May) she wanted to come back. So we started again, and in October she had another surgery- (gall bladder removed, she was in stomach pain for about 1 year.) So now she is back to normal training, we are planning to compete level 10 and try elite in the summer."

Triple Twist: What are some of Jordan's future goals in gymnastics, is she thinking Rio 2016 or college scholarship?

Helen: "For now her goal is to make the national team. Rio is a goal, but realistically that will be hard for her, we will eventually start looking for colleges"

Triple Twist: So when will we see Jordan competing next, can you share her schedule with us?

Helen: "She will compete at Texas Dreams on Friday with her watered down elite routines. She just needs to get back onto the competition floor. Then to WOGA where she will do elite compulsory and then the Houston National Invite."

Triple Twist: Do you have any up and coming gymnasts that you think have potential?

Helen: "I have 2 newcomers, Liberty Grace Mora and Kayla Muhhammad- both girls had a very successful level 5 season and will move up to level 7 this year."

Triple Twist: You've coached at several gyms throughout your career, how has that helped you become a better coach?

Helen: "Yes I coached in several gyms, and I think this is the best opportunity to work with different coaches and learn new techniques and styles of coaches. I'm blessed to have met so many coaches and worked with them. They are all amazing and I've learned a lot."

Triple Twist: 2012 was a big year in gymnastics. Was there anything in particular that excited you?

Helen: "2012- love the year of Olympics, it's always exiting! I'm so happy for team USA after their performance during the women's team final at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and was excited about team Russia as well. I was so happy for Anastasia Grishina making the Russian Olympic team, she is one of my favorite gymnasts and I think she has a bright future."

Triple Twist: What would you like to see changed in artistic gymnastics?

Helen: "What I would like to see changed in gymnastics is the artistic part of it, right now great tumbling is winning over beautiful leaps. I'm more for Nastia Liukin's type of gymnastics over Aly Raisman, of course it must be well balanced, but its a rare combination to have powerful gymnast with grace, flexibility and lines."

Triple Twist: What has been your greatest accomplishment as a coach?

Helen: "I have a couple, one of them is to have my very first and own elite gymnast. Another one is my girls getting full ride scholarships, like Casey Dreyer to SJSU and Makenzie Johnson to BYU."

Triple Twist: What is the best advice that you have to offer?

Helen: "Never give up. Everything is possible if you work hard. I'm teaching my girls that the difference between a good gymnast and a great gymnast is a lot of hard work."

Photo belongs to Helen Veruchhi

You can watch some of Jordan's training videos on her YouTube Channel