MURPHYSBORO - Grant Berger doesn't want to just tell you how he performs a barani. He wants to show you, and then he wants to show you some more.

"I love gymnastics," the 8-year-old competitor said after finishing the forward somersault with a half-twist, two other floor examples and at least three tricks from the trampoline. "Because I get to do bends and tucks and baranis and other stuff."

The Murphysboro third-grader took home a first place on May 18 at the Amateur Athletic Union state competition in Bloomington, securing the chance to participate in the national Junior Olympics.

Mother Jessica Doerr-Berger said this year was the first that Grant participated in the competition season. In addition to winning at the AAU state level, he also won first place in his bracket in April at the United States Tumbling Association state meet in Effingham. This win advances him to the USTA National Championships in June.

Doerr-Berger said she is "beyond thrilled" to have a double champion in her household.

"It's so exciting," she said. "He has worked really hard and really deserves this success. It's truly wonderful to see your child try something and excel."

The AAU Junior Olympics is the largest multi-sport youth competition in the country, involving about 16,000 children from more than 20 states. This year's competition will be held July 27 through Aug. 2 in Detroit.

The AAU has held its games in 19 states and 30 cities all across the United States. The organization also works closely with the international Olympics to prepare for the annual event.

Jessica Jimenez, owner of Ultimate Gymnasium & Athletics in Carbondale and one of Grant's coaches, described her student as a very hard-working child who is always willing to perform.

"He's an 8-year-old boy," Jimenez said. "As a gymnast, he's amazing. It just comes natural. But also when he is in class, he will be talking and rambling on and on and wanting to be outside. He's just like any other 8-year-old boy."

Grant's father, Brett Berger, remembers the first time his son demonstrated a talent for gymnastics.

"It was when he would use the sofa to balance on," he said. "And he wouldn't fall off. It was pretty amazing."

Even his head coach said that she noticed early how far Grant's talents would develop, dating it back to when Grant first started in January 2004.

"As soon as he came in," Jimenez said, "I was like, 'Why isn't this kid doing more?'"

Along with earning top honors in athletic competitions, Grant is a straight-A student at the General John A. Logan Attendance Center in Murphysboro. Doerr-Berger said gymnastics is not only something that Grant enjoys, but it also allows him to be involved in the community.

"It's such a great sport," she said. "Gymnastics is a great opportunity for the children of this area. A lot of places have trial classes if you want to try it out. I would highly recommend it for any child."

Grant was part of the first set of competitors that Ultimate Gymnasium & Activities sent to participate. Jimenez said she plans to continue sending her students to contests in the future.

"We did really well [this year]," she said. "We had a lot of kids who placed, and I want to send even more next year."

Grant currently trains four times a week while gearing up for competition. Doerr-Berger said her son wakes up every morning and wants to know what he will be working on that day, who his coach will be and if he has all of his gear packed up for practice.

Doerr-Berger, who stepped in as Grant's competition coach when Jimenez had surgery this spring, said parent involvement is key in helping children develop a discipline for any type of activity.

"We always say that we will keep doing this until it stops being fun," she said, "and as long as he wants to do it. Once it stops being fun, that's when we'll stop."

Dad agrees.

"We're just encouraging him as best as we can," Berger said. "We try to be there as best as we can."

And the Bergers are looking forward to building a future in the sport.

"I was thinking about investing in either gymnastic school or the stock market," Berger said with a smile. "And he loves it, and it's really good for him. So there you go." And Grant also likes winning.

"I really like getting first place," he said. "Because it's fun."