|
Youth takes aim at World Juggling event
By BOB McCLURE
| Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 |
|
 |
 |
|
![[Image]](/content_images/111808_smb-04.jpg) |
|
|
|
| Daniel Brown, 15, juggles five rings in preparation for the World Juggling Federation World Competition Dec. 17 to 23 in Las Vegas. |
|
|
SEMINOLE – Some people juggle their schedules. Others juggle their budget to make ends meet. But 15-year-old Daniel Brown of Seminole juggles for fun ... and he’s pretty good at it.
How good is he? Good enough to entertain large impromptu groups in airports and grocery stores. And good enough to compete in the World Juggling Federation’s World Competition Dec. 17 to 23 in Las Vegas.
Tossing 5 to 7 objects in the air and catching them isn’t a problem for the sophomore at Northside Christian School. What’s even more interesting is the fact that he has had no formal training for what is quickly developing into something that may become a career.
“I discovered juggling in a book when I was 13. I tried it and I liked it,” Daniel said. “A friend showed me how to do three balls. I just went on from there.”
Brown can now juggle seven balls, five rings and five clubs separately.
“He goes to the grocery store and it’s oranges and apples in the produce department,” said Daniel’s father, George Brown. “He puts on quite a show.”
His spur-of-the-moment exhibitions have included Disney’s Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center, as well as on deck aboard a cruise ship. He also has performed before crowds at high school volleyball games and church youth groups.
“He is very passionate about it,” said Daniel’s mother, Mary Brown. “It’s very nonthreatening and very entertaining.”
“It’s a good sport,” said George. “It practices coordination and is just a healthy sport. And he has fun doing it. He’ll literally juggle for an hour and we have to stop him.”
“I started with three tricks, then four and then five,” said Daniel. “That’s when I knew it was my thing.”
Brown’s decision to compete in Las Vegas came about a year after viewing the same competition last year in Hartford, Conn. His decision was confirmed recently when he was first overall in the junior division at the Florida State Juggling Competition in Tampa.
“I had experienced jugglers telling me they were amazed how well I could juggle after just two years,” said Daniel.
In addition to first overall he won a bronze medal for creativity with moves behind his back and off his chin with clubs, which look like bowling pins.
His training regimen includes 10 to 15 hours of practice per week.
“I eat a good diet, lift weights and run to gain more muscle, which means you can go longer,” said Daniel.
When he’s not practicing, he plays snare drums in the Northside marching band and carries a 4.7 grade-point average in the school’s Distinguished Scholars program.
How far he pursues juggling remains to be seen.
“I for sure want to do it when I finish high school,” Daniel said. “I want to stay competing, for sure. I possibly could go for a career (in juggling) but I want to go to college and get a bachelor’s or master’s degree.”
|
Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
