ANOLA – Blink and you’ll miss what Austin Baran does best. The 13-year old Anola boy stacks cups – competitively.
He’s the only Manitoban that does.
“Not many people do it,” said Baran. “It’s pretty rare in Canada. When you go to the US, it’s very popular.”
Baran holds two Canadian records and is preparing for his second Junior Olympics this summer.
“Lots and lots of practice,” said Baran. I usually practice one to two hours a day.”
Austin spends so much time stacking, he’s starting to leave his mark – literally.
“The table is pretty much done because of the marks of the cups,” said Bonny Baran, Austin’s mom. “A cup went flying one day and broke the glass in my china cabinet.”
Austin got hooked on cup stacking three years ago when he discovered a stack stashed in his cousin’s closet.
“To me, it’s addicting,” said Baran. “To other people, they rather go play football or soccer. I’d rather do this.”
His parents figured it was just another fad.
“He’s very energetic, very athletic,” said Don Baran, Austin’s dad. “He likes doing a lot of things. Sometimes he sticks with it, sometimes he doesn’t.”
The 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games will be held July 22 to August 2 in Des Moines, Iowa.
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