Whiz Kid: Elena Corcoran

Year: Senior

School: Sewickley Academy

Key to Awesomeness: The hardest things in life -- athleticism and academics -- seem to come easy for Elena Corcoran. Because of her success in both areas, the 17-year-old will attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C. this fall on a full gymnastics scholarship. 

Before she could open a book, Elena was balancing, tumbling and turning cartwheels at X-Cel Gymnastics & Dance in Cranberry Township.  Fifteen years later, she has competed at the highest level of junior gymnastics (before elite status, which allows international competition) and has had great academic success, which culminated in her earning a full ride to a top university.

Elena’s life has included challenges. In April 2009, she had surgery on her shoulder after injuring it while doing gymnastics six months earlier.  She spent eight months in rehab before she got back to competing.

“My injury was so bad that I really considered quitting,” said Elena, of Marion Township, Beaver County. “But I talked to my coaches, and they offered me the option to just compete in vault and floor, so I decided I’d try.”

Elena soon added the beam back to her repertoire, but has never again competed on the bars, which now is too strenuous for her shoulder.

Elena had given up the dream of earning a gymnastics scholarship because she was not able to compete in the all-around, meaning all four events.

“I was so surprised that they offered me a full ride, especially considering I can only compete in three events,” she said. 

When others note that she is so strong in those other events, she shrugs it off with modesty and says, “I guess I do compete solidly and consistently.”

Elena’s competing season is over, so until she hits the capital, she will continue to practice with her team five days a week.

When she arrives at George Washington, she will begin competing right away on the vault, the event in which she is a former Pennsylvania state champion. Gymnastics won’t be the only thing on her mind, however, while she’s at school.

“I really want to study political science and public policy, so D.C. is the perfect place to be,” she said.