Gymnastics: After three surgeries, Bella Naumovsky defies odds to lead Willowbrook’s best team in decades

In the girls gymnastics season opener Nov. 23, Willowbrook senior Bella Naumovsky was greeted by a familiar foe during her floor exercise routine – another injury.

“I did get a dislocated (left) shoulder,” Naumovsky recalled. “I totally played it cool. I finished my routine. I don’t stop. It came right back in after I landed my first pass.”

Then she still vaulted.

After three surgeries and at least one more scheduled, Naumovsky continues defying the odds to compete at a state-caliber level as the Warriors enjoy the program’s best results in decades.

Naumovsky could become only Willowbrook’s third top-five, all-state individual and first since 1995. As a sophomore at state, Naumovsky finished 12th on the uneven parallel bars (9.25), only .05 from the 10-person event finals. COVID-19 restrictions canceled the 2021 state series, and Naumovsky had left knee surgery after the season.

“I’ve had multiple surgeries but I just keep going. Pain doesn’t really affect me,” Naumovsky said. “I just have a huge passion for gymnastics. It’s really my life. I’ve been told many times to stop by doctors, coaches, my parents even, but there’s something in my head that won’t let me go of this sport, especially since it’s my senior year and I want to do college gymnastics. I’m just trying to have the greatest senior year.”

This season, Naumovsky has scored 9.5 on floor twice to tie the school record, has a season-high 9.3 on uneven bars and has surpassed 36.00 in all-around. On Jan. 20 at Addison Trail, the Warriors’ 138.95 was their highest team score since 1995.

“I would classify her as one tough Warrior. Bella is a great gymnast but an even better person and athlete,” Willowbrook coach Andy Isaacson said. “Bella transcends gymnastics because of the toughness and resiliency. (Naumovsky has) had a bunch of Rocky moments and hopefully it’ll be a happily ever after moment.”

Naumovsky’s decision to continue at Glenbard West marked the first time she vaulted and was an all-arounder since eighth grade. After 2020, Naumovsky was focused solely on winning state uneven bars at state. All-around has broadened her horizons, and she now seeks at least three state berths and a return to finals.

Winning state still could happen, too.

“You will not believe how motivated I am,” Naumovsky said. “I love all-around, especially because vault was my best event before I got hurt. I’m (also) really proud of our team. We’ve been pushing each other to the limits, past the limits, motivating each other every day.”

Senior and four-year varsity member Tess Placek, juniors Sarah Ball and Hanna Mitrick and sophomore Mia McBride also are integral in the Warriors’ improvement. They hope to reach the 140 mark and advance to the Glenbard West Sectional as a team.

“It’s been crazy and so exciting to get the highest score in like 27 years my senior year,” Placek said. “I don’t know how (Naumovsky) does it, honestly. She took six, eight months off, no gymnastics, she hops right back in and in like two days she’s back and amazing as she was. She works harder than anyone I’ve known in my life.”

The eight months without gymnastics followed two surgeries on Naumovsky’s left hip for a torn labrum in January, 2019 and delayed the start of her sophomore season.

“I wasn’t able to walk for two months. I had to be home schooled,” Naumovsky said.

This season, she’s dislocated her shoulder twice, resulting in one layoff for two weeks. She continues battling pain in her left tibia that previously was diagnosed as a stress reaction. After state, Naumovsky definitely will undergo surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.

“I’ve been to the ER a couple of times already,” Naumovsky said. “It’s very random. I could be sitting down, exercising, reading a book. It just comes when it wants to.”

Not surprisingly, this medical marvel wants to become an orthopedic surgeon and help others continue activities that they love. While Naumovsky believes her pain tolerance has increased, her mental approach without medication has remained unchanged. “Before I do something, I just take a deep breath and tell myself, ‘Three seconds of pain and then you’ll be OK,’ " Naumovsky said. “Every time before competing, I go, ‘Easy peasy lemon squeezy.’ I’ve always said that probably since Level 4 when I was 10. It’s just the way to clear my mind and just go.”