In 1958 coach Joe Sullivan asked Ted if he would like to try gymnastics and quickly he became hooked.
In 1959 he joined the Flying Tigers gymnastic team performing at UD basketball games, on WHIO-TV and in the Dayton Childrens Parades.
In 1960 in his first Dayton City Meet Ted finished 1st in Tumbling 1st in Trampoline and 1st All Around. In the State (Ohio) Meet, Ted placed 1st in Tumbling, 1st in Trampoline and 3rd in Vaulting. That same year he placed 3rd in Tramp in the National YMCA gymnastics meet in Washington, DC. In Detroit at the American Tumblers competition he placed 1st in Tramp, 2nd in Tumbling and 5th in Vault.
In 1959 and 1960 Ted was named the “Outstanding Gymnastics Athlete” by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. The next year, 1961, Ted won most of the local high school gymnastic events. He went on to compete in the National YMCA Championships in New York City and placed 3rd in Tramp. At the Ohio-West Virginia Meet he placed 2nd in Tramp, 1st in Tumbling and 3rd All Around.
In 1962 at the National AAU Gymnastic Championships in New York City, Ted placed 1st in Tramp, 1st in Tumbling, 1st in Floor Exercise, 1st in Vaulting, 3rd in High Bar, 4th in Parallel Bars, 6th in Side Horse and 3rd in All Around.
After a brief stint with the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ted joined the DIAA Archery Team and placed 1st at the WPAFB and 2nd in the State competitions. He went on to make the Ohio Archer Team and placed 6th in the National competition in Flint MI with the 3rd place Ohio team.
Ted retired from the GM Inland plant in Vandalia in 1995 after 35 years of service. He has been active in his church for 41 years. He and Carol, his wife of 45 years, have a son Tab and a daughter Tia, 5 grand children, and will become great grandparents in October of 2010.
