Finding a niche among many interests

After graduating from Carson High School in 1978, Dave Lester attended college on and off for 11 years.

"I was trying to find what worked for me," he said. "When I was younger, I worked for local veterinarians. So I went to vet school after high school. Then I studied mathematics and psychology and mining engineering."

Combine four studies with an interest in stock-car racing and a 10-year-old son, and trying to figure out what Lester does today can be mind boggling. All of these experiences served as a melting pot to provide a valuable education.

Lester, 44, is owner of Silver State Gymnastics. He also has seven racing championships over a 28-year career in four different divisions.

As a teenager, Lester listened to the thundering sound of supermodified race cars at T-CAR (now known as Champion Speedway) in Carson City. He and his friend Vern Hyatt used to sneak out of the house and ride their bikes to the track.

"Vern was given a car in trade for some yardwork he did," Lester said. "He said, if I was stupid enough to drive it, he was stupid enough to give it to me."

Lester has one championship in the jalopy class, one in street stocks and two in late models, all at T-CAR; and three championships in the Nor-Cal Truck series.

At the racetrack, he met his ex-wife, Marcee, the niece of one of his sponsors. She was a lead gymnast, slated to attend the U.S. Olympic Trials but a shattered elbow ended her gymnastics career.

For Lester, it was love at first sight.

"Marcee always wanted her own gymnastics business so we did it - we bought an existing gym, and 11 years later I still have it."

Lester said their divorce was difficult for him, and keeping the business was hard. But the thought of the students kept him going.

"The kids are like my family," he said. "We've had kids get college scholarships and make it to national championships. But it requires a lot of late hours, and you put your own family aside, something I can't do anymore. My family is everything.

"So Silver State Gymnastics is a scaled-down version of competitive gymnastics. At this level, it's wonderful. Ninety-nine percent of these kids are like my family."

Lester's son, Brian, is uninterested in serious gymnastics. He is simply a "gymnastics junkie," having fun running and tumbling in the gym. He is more interested in race cars.

Lester said he is considering participating in the All-American (traveling) truck series and maybe, just maybe a bomber car at Champion.

"I want Brian to see me (race) while I feel I've still got a few competitive years," Lester said. "I spend all my time with him. We're partners and do everything together - golf, target shooting and gymnastics. We have a pretty balanced life."

With about 200 students a week at the gym, Lester said he and 10 other instructors, including Marcee, teach toddlers to teenagers.

"Gymnastics is good for every kid. If they can do gymnastics, they can do anything. And there is no gymnastics 'body type.' Gymnastics should be used for maintaining good health and body awareness."

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.