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TechnographBy day he's a member of the Illinois gymnastics team. By night he is a ...
By Jeff Labelle
Posted: 3/14/07 Section: Gymnastics
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It's an honorary title, of course, but one Kyle Padera, an avid comic book reader and two-year member of the men's gymnastics team, wouldn't mind.
When you think about it, he's not far from such a title. Padera has spent the last two seasons out of the spotlight. A self-proclaimed "utility guy," the sophomore is proud of his roles on the gymnastics team: inspiring guys in practice and working hard.
"If someone goes down, I'm ready to jump in," Padera said. "That's the role I've assumed and I like that. If I'm not competing, I'm ready."
A modest collector of comic books and graphic novels, Padera has read about masked men who work in the shadows, ensuring the good of humanity. The Green Hornet, Batman and the Flash all have sidekicks. Padera is The Hornet's "Kato" or Batman's "Robin." Rocky's "Bullwinkle" even ... except this storyline is happening on a real-life stage.
"I enjoy seeing other people do well and being a part of that," he said. "I like helping guys with papers and things they're doing. I don't really compete that much, but knowing that I'm there, cheering them on and doing my sets to push the other guys, I can say I'm a part of the team."
Much like his favorite superhero, Batman, Padera doesn't make a lot of headlines; he's content seeing his buddies succeed. That's one reason the Wheaton North High School graduate sides with the "grunge, hard-boiled detective," not the "goody two-shoes, Boy Scout" Superman. He can identify with the masked menace.
"There's just something about (Batman)," Padera said. "He's so dark, and he knows that he can't really have anything for himself because he's got that secret identity. Superman is flaunted in the media, but Batman, people wonder if he's a menace."
Padera says he's no superhero. He points to former teammate Adam Pummer and assistant coach Justin Spring as better examples.
However, Padera's story is borderline worthy of a comic book. The comparisons are there: he's got the suit, an enemy and a mission. All that's left is a weakness, and he's got one of those too.
His Suit
The NCAA doesn't allow masks or capes, but Padera has his own sense of style. In afternoon practice, his high, striped socks pulled almost to his knees set him apart from his teammates and the batty hero he loves. It's not "dark" or "grunge," but it's his suit, and he's comfortable in it. Padera enjoys being different.
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