National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges

No, this isn’t the Ranch, and the likes of Marta Karolyi and Tammy Biggs are nowhere to be found. At the second National Judges’ Course this summer, quadriplegic judge Daren Renna and his longtime helper and fellow judge, Dr. Alan Weitberg, team up to renew Daren’s National rating. Alan has traveled with him to Indianapolis, steers him around the hotel and parks him at his color-coordinated seat assignments for each event. When the Scantron sheets come out--signaling another test--Alan is replaced by a non-judging aide.

Daren was a teenage gymnastics star back in 1982, when he broke three vertebrae in his neck performing an arabian one-and-three quarters on floor in his Boston, Massachusetts gym. For several years, life was a series of doctors and therapy sessions, and the resulting depression and physical limitations almost took his life, his spirit, and his love for gymnastics. By 1987, partially due to a revolutionary surgery, Daren was able to sit up in his wheelchair, feed and partially dress himself, and write decently with his right hand. He soon came back to the sport, finding his niche as a coach and then as an official. Like most beginning judges, he started with compulsories.

Needing some independence, Daren spent some of the next years with friends in Texas and California, where he pursued additional therapy, coached and attained his first optional judging ratings. He returned to Massachusetts and to his mother, Lydia, who was a tireless advocate for him from the day of the accident. Weitberg, an oncologist whose close relationship with the family intensified when she was diagnosed with cancer, helped Daren deal with her death. “Her selfless example helped shape my approach to dealing with others,” Daren reflects, “and making the best of each day.”

Alan began driving Daren to meets and clinics. The two were a familiar sight to Massachusetts judges, who encouraged Alan to leave the bleachers and take his own judging tests. “I was immediately attracted to the beauty of the sport and intrigued by the system of judging,” says Alan. Although his medical career keeps him busy (he is also an Assistant Dean at Boston University School of Medicine, among other roles), Alan says that while judging he is completely focused on gymnastics in a way that stimulates and relaxes him at the same time. “I love the challenge of mastering each judging level,” he says, and plans to take his Level 10 test in August.

And, of course, that’s where Daren comes in. Alan will often consult him about a judging question; they also practice-judge together. “Daren has an excellent eye for element identification, and he has taught me an incredible amount about the art of judging.” He notes the parallel to medicine: although a doctor in training may be able to pass the tests without difficulty, learning the art of medicine and doctoring takes years of practice.

The two now share a sport as well as a friendship. “Having Daren as a friend has given me an incredible perspective on how to deal with life’s worst challenges and create a positive experience in the bleakest of circumstances,” says Alan. “Seeing what Daren has to endure every day--and how he does it with a smile and grace--is truly inspiring. Few in the judging community understand what he has to deal with in the course of just getting to a local meet, but he is always there and will travel anywhere in the country to judge and support gymnastics.” When their schedules can coordinate, Alan still drives Daren to meets. They even went to Easterns this year in Mississippi.

Meanwhile, Daren also continues to coach at local gyms and volunteers at Region 6 Congresses. “The JO program has changed significantly from when I was competing,” he notes. “It is much more challenging, and the elements performed have increased in difficulty.” He believes that even though the stress on the athletes has, at times, become unreasonable, the program as a whole provides an extremely positive life experience. A personal favorite is Alicia Sacramone, a Region 6 gymnast he watched develop from compulsory days.

Many of his goals have been met, but he would like to take judging to the next level. “My passion for gymnastics has never changed,” Daren reflects. “Gymnastics has motivated me and pushed me through the most difficult times.”

By the way, Daren passed the National Course. Teamwork, even off the playing field, pays off.

Daren with fellow judges Bonnie Synol, Cookie Batsche and Joan Gnat