April 25, 2013
By Mark Soltau, Stanford Athletics
STANFORD, Calif.- The first thing that strikes you when you meet Eddie Penev is his relaxed and soft-spoken demeanor. It's hard to believe he was born in Bulgaria and became one of the best gymnasts in Stanford history, but the numbers don't lie.
The 5-foot-6 senior is a nine-time All-American, tied for the fourth-most honors in Stanford history. At this season's NCAA Championships, Penev won the Nissen-Emery Award presented to the nation's top senior, only the fourth Cardinal accorded the honor.
During much of his collegiate career, the durable Penev often competed in all six events. In 10 meets this year, he participated in 52 of a possible 60 events.
As for his calm personality, he comes by it honestly. Penev moved to the United States when he was 3. Both of his parents were gymnasts and his father, Marian, was an alternate for Bulgaria in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea, where the team posted a best-ever fifth-place finish. His mother, Youlia, placed sixth in the all-around at the 1984 European Championships.
Penev's parents came to America to give their son better opportunities and opened a gym in New York. He even did some catalog modeling.
"I just remember most of my time being in the gym," he said.
And he couldn't get enough of it.
"I get that thrill of being in the gym and competing," said Penev. "My parents never pushed me. I've just grown to love it."
Early on, Penev and his parents realized gymnastics could provide a college scholarship. They narrowed the choices to two schools: Stanford and Penn State.
"I was always pretty good in school, too," he said. "I valued both things and so did my family."
Why Stanford?
"I really liked the campus, the environment and the feeling you get when you are here," said Penev. "It's very powerful."
As a freshman, he won the vault title at the NCAA Championships. A foot injury slowed him his sophomore year, but as a junior, he followed with wins in the vault and floor exercise. This year, Penev finished second on the floor and third in all-around, capturing All-America honors in floor, vault and all-around.
While he is proud of his individual success, his most satisfying accomplishment was helping the Cardinal claim the NCAA team title in 2011.
"I learned a lot about how to train from the juniors and tried to emulate their example," Penev said. "That shifted my perspective on gymnastics."
His favorite event?
"Floor and vault because they always came a lot easier to me," he said. "I guess if I had to pick, it would be floor."
Before every meet, Penev loads up on Haribo Gummy Bears from Germany.
"I think it's almost like a superstition at this point," said Penev. "It makes me feel comfortable."
It also provides serious ammunition for his teammates.
"They all tease me for it," he said. "They've tricked me into eating non-Gummy Bears."
Penev will complete his degree in architecture next year, but has a busy summer ahead.
In May, he begins training with his first U.S. National Team. Penev hopes to compete in Portugal in June, and the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Hartford, Conn. in August. His ultimate goal: the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"I kind of agreed to commit these next two and a half years to try and get there," said Penev. "Whether it happens or not, I feel like being on the national team is a good place to start."
Penev doesn't lack for international experience. He has trained with the Bulgarian National Team and tied for sixth in the floor exercise at the 2010 World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Penev admitted changing coasts out of high school caused anxious moments, but he is now sold on California. He's traveled throughout the state and wants to settle here when he is done competing.
"Coming in, I didn't know what to expect," he said. "It's such a different place. The one thing that has stood out at Stanford is how awesome the people are. I've made friendships and memories that are going to last me forever."