Celebration gymnast to represent U.S. in Israel's Maccabiah Games

For many incoming college freshmen, summer is a time to hang out and reminisce with old high-school friends. For Charly Santagado, it's a time to represent her country on the world stage.

Santagado, a gymnast who lives in Celebration, will travel to Israel next week for the Maccabiah Games ? a global Olympic-style competition for Jewish athletes.

"I've always wanted to go to Israel because my mom did a semester in high school there," the 18-year-old said. "I'll be excited to be around people of the same heritage and the same religion."

Of the more than 1,100 American athletes, Santagado is the only Floridian. About 8,500 athletes from 82 countries are expected to compete. The far-flung field includes representatives from across Europe and South America, as well as more surprising places such as India, Mongolia and Zimbabwe.

She'll compete in all four gymnastics events ? vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercises ? and is hopeful she'll be able to medal.

An avid pianist and dancer, Santagado choreographs her own routines and performs the accompanying music too. She trains about 20 hours a week for gymnastics, plus time spent on dance, piano and tutoring other students.

"She's super intense," said her mom, Toby, adding that it's a common trait among gymnasts. "She only has one speed and it's 'go.'"

"It takes definitely a certain type of personality to make it to this point," said Charly, adding a popular catchphrase among gymnasts: "If gymnastics were easy, they'd call it football."

The games run from July 17-31, and the Santagado family ? mom, dad Robert and sister Eriel, 16 ? will be on hand to cheer Charly on.

But the athletes arrive a week early to train and learn about Israel. The gymnasts will spend a week living at a converted kibbutz and visiting sites such as the Dead Sea, Masada, the Wailing Wall and the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem.

That aspect of the trip, called "Israel Connect," is a key aspect of the Games, said Jed Margolis, executive director of Maccabi USA.

"We use sports as our vehicle to help build Jewish pride and connection with the state of Israel," he said, adding that the Jewish community must fight what he called the three "a's" ? assimilation, anti-Semitism and apathy.

The Maccabiah Games were established in 1932 and, like the Olympics, are held every four years. Prominent alumni include swimmer Mark Spitz, gymnast Mitch Gaylord and tennis player Brad Gilbert.

As for Santagado, who graduated from Florida Virtual School, there will be no letup after the games. She'll continue her high-achieving ways this fall at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she'll continue to compete in gymnastics while double-majoring in piano performance and philosophy. After that, she has her sights set on law school.

dbreen@tribune.com

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