In this Coaches Wired episode, we listen in as All American Flames owner Joe Scheible coaches his daughter Hannah Scheible, 2021 DEV JRD National All Around Champion, on her final event vault. Listen in as they roll through their warm-up plan and prepare for her signature Tsuk Full vault. Joe is one of the best vault coaches in our region. Check out Joe in his element as Hannah finishes up her national championship all around performance.
We are back! Our 20 Questions Series had to take a small break, but we are back and ready to feature some of our Region 5 Graduating Seniors & 2021 Dev National Championships competitors.
Our first Graduating Senior is Kaylee Cooper of Aspire Gymnastics in Illinois. Kaylee, who will be attending Lindenwood University in the Fall, will continue her academics & athletics with the Lions. Kaylee was a 2020 Yahtzee Award winner for Best Bar Combo, which is quit fitting considering bars is her favorite event. I do love watching Kaylee compete bars however, it is her floor routine and her energy on the sidelines
that is my favorite. I make sure to never miss Kaylee on floor because her routine is fun and full of energy just like her energy off the floor, she is always yelling, cheering and smiling. She definitely looks like she is having the best time out there. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Kaylee at Lindenwood University. Unfortunately, Kaylee could not finish out her last club season due to injury, but I know she will be working hard this summer to get back to full strength and ready for college gymnastics. Let’s get to know Kaylee as she prepares herself for the next chapter as a HS Graduate and Future Lion.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics when I was 3 years old. My mom brought me to mom and tot classes during the week because I had so much energy. When I was 5 years old, I would go to an open gym every time I could because I couldn’t stop flipping around the house.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is Bars because I love the feeling of flying and catching the bar. My favorite part is swinging and feeling the air swoosh past my body.
Favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill is a double lay full out on bars because I
feel like my stomach is dropping on a roller coaster. I tried to do this skill when I was younger, but I would always get the twisties so competing it my senior year is a sure sign that God is working through me. My dream skill is a double-double on the floor and a pac on bars.
Favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part about gymnastics is the feeling of sticking a skill or winning an event after working so hard. Those feelings are unlike anything I have ever experienced. I also love going to the gym every day because I get to go see my best friends and laugh my heart out.
Biggest Accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is competing beam after not touching a beam for over 2 years due to fears and labral pain in my hip. Coach Carly had unwavering faith in me since the day I walked into Aspire. I went from not starting at a 10.0 on any of the 3 events I was competing to starting at a 10.1 and competing all around as well as placing multiple times on beam. Being the comeback beam queen is my biggest accomplishment.
Most embarrassing meet or training meet? I was at region 5 camp my first year of
level 10 and I hit the back of the springboard on so many Tsuks my first day I looked like I just started them that week.
What is something you have learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you once you leave the sport? Success doesn’t define my worth, hard work and discipline are worth it, and overall gymnastics has taught me that in order to be the best leader you can be, you have to give up caring about others’ opinions and intentionally focus on being the most authentic, kind, and energetic filled person you can be.
Who is your biggest role model? Why? I am very fortunate to have a few great role models in my life, however, two people come to my mind right away. Micheal Todd and My Coach Nick Becker are two of the biggest inspirations in my life. Our world today is filled with many people who are insecure and they try to be a different person so that everyone likes them. Micheal does the exact opposite of this by using his previous battles and imperfections to help others through the battles they are currently facing. Coach Nick is also a very big role model in my life because he knows the perfect balance between being a friend and a coach. Nick believed in me before I had a lot of faith in the great athlete and leader I could be. He has helped me as a leader, athlete, friend, and with my company. If I one day become as authentic as Micheal and as good of a communicator, friend, and business owner as Nick then I will be very pleased with the woman I have become.
What are you most looking forward to in your senior year in gymnastics & high school? I am looking forward to starting my first Christian leadership group, our team banquet, enjoying the last of each meet with my friends, and going to prom.
What college will you be attending in the fall? Lindenwood University
What is something that sets your gym and/or your team part? The Aspire family is
incredibly funny and loving. I remember walking into Aspire for the first time and laughing so hard that I was crying. I had never seen a team that could laugh, cheer each other on, and was so productive all at the same time. I truly believe this team and these coaches are one of a kind because we have fun and enjoy the moment while working our butts off. I am on the largest team of my life this year, with over 20 level 10s and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
What is your role on your Level 10 Team or your role in your gym in general? I am
the Team Captain at Aspire and my number one role is to be a light. I walk into the gym every day with a smile on my face, ready to work. My role is to bring my ball of energy and personality to each person on the team and to let them know that they are loved. Gymnastics won’t last forever and I want these girls to know I will always be one call away. My role is to set up team meetings, team bonding, conditioning, and to help the team’s culture grow.
What is your most memorable Gymnastics moment? I loved running to the locker room to grab my phone as a group gathered on the floor consisting of my best friends, and all the level 3-5s at the gym. They stood in a circle around me as I received a call from Jen Llewellyn officially accepting a scholarship to my dream school.
What are your goals for this season? My goal for this season was to win AA and get a 38.00 however, God’s plan was a little different. I tore my MCL in my elbow a few weeks ago so my season goal has changed to truly being a servant of Christ. My goal is to be the best captain I have ever been, be the team photographer at meets, coach the little level 3-5s, make the best comeback I have ever had and lastly, to learn through his battle so I can help other athletes one day.
How would you explain the year 2020 to your future children/grandchildren? 2020
was the biggest year of growth in my life. I found true joy that is not dependent on the circumstance and I found that my worth doesn’t come from this sport but from God and the way I treat others. Quarantine led me to work harder than ever before and helped me truly find myself.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coaches have given you? Frustration brings the team down, so have a little fun and celebrate the little victories. Doing what you don’t want to do, brings success. Seek the un-comfort.
Do you have a nickname? If so what is it? What is the story behind it? My nickname is Coop or Cooper. When I tried out at UGA as a level 9 Dani Beechy, one of the older level 10s at the time said I’m gonna call up Coopie or Coop cause you are so little and cute. Ever since that day I have been called Cooper in, and even outside of the gym!
What makes you laugh? I love laughing, so just about anything but Taylor Pettit and
Kara Welsh can make me laugh in a way I’ve never experienced. I truly feel pure joy pouring out of my body as I am crying laughing with the team anytime they are around.
If you could have any superpower what would it be? Why? I would like the power to put yourself in someone else’s shoes because I think world peace could be found. If we could see how others truly felt and what their thought process was like we would be slower to judge and quick to love.
What is a question not on this list that should have been? Add your question we should have asked you and then answer it.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of gymnastics? I love photography, working on cars, spending time reading the bible, and more than anything I love dancing with my best friends
Who are the biggest supporters in your life? God, My Parents, My Sister (Sara), My Pops and Grandma, my coaches Nick, Carly, and Brandon, my past coaches Ms. Marilyn, Ms. Therese, Coach Kevin, Coach Glen and my Providence & Parkview friends
Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself………..I started a recruiting business over quarantine called Let’s Get Committed !
I also love anything to do with adventure such as cliff jumping, jamming to music in the middle of a cornfield, and V8 Mustangs. I love being outside and love speed more than anything.
Full Results: Seniors
Region 5 Senior Routines
The built up to the second go around of the 2020 “One” Olympics is underway and the players have come to play at the 2021 GK Classic. This classic featured two senior sessions with over 40 senior elites competing in some capacity with goals of tuning up or qualifying for the upcoming USA Championships.
Region 5 has two athletes in the field that fit both scenarios. Shilese Jones from Future Gymnastics, who is a currently member of the USA National Team, is already qualified to championships. Hailey Klein from Flips Gymnastics is only in her third major elite competition (Winter Cup, American Classic) and is looking for that magic number of 52.0 (or possible 2 or 3 score total) all around to compete at USA’s.
Shilese’s group began the competition on floor but she chose not to compete floor at Classics. Hailey Klein began the competition on beam and being one of her best events delivered a solid routine that includes a beautiful aerial layout layout combo for a 12.75.
In the second rotation, Shilese launched a huge Yurchenko double full into the air and once she returned to earth stuck it cold. Her 14.85 was the highest score on given on vault in the first session of seniors. On floor Hailey continued her quest for qualifying with a solid floor routine. She is a strong tumbler with both a double layout and full in pike in her bag of tricks and scored a 12.1.
The uneven bars is one of Shilese best events (actually really doesn’t have a weak event), with her mix of swing and power, makes it a exciting event to watch. She started off the routine strong with her stalder full to Maloney into Tkatchev combo. However despite being on the ceiling on her stalder Ricna, unfortunately took it a bit to far out, landing on the ground earlier in the routine then expected. She finished up with a very nice double front for a 12.95. Hailey performed a very nice Yurchenko 1 1/2 for her best score of the day 13.8.
The final rotation wasn’t what either hoped for but there were positives. Uneven Bars is one of the hardest events to get elite ready coming from Level 10. Hailey has improved leaps and bounds on this event. She had a nice Hindorff (clear-hip tkatchev) and her Shaposh 1/2, which has come a ways in the last few months, was solid, but over rotated her double back. She was unable to achieve her qualifying scores for championships but has gained the experience for more in 2022.
Shilese ended on beam which started off with a big arabian but had to grab the beam to prevent a fall. She floated her aerial layout step out with ease but a large wobble on her two back handsprings to layout two feet took away from what is usually a text book performed skill for her. She finished with a nice back handspring combo to double back for a 12.1.
For Shilese, GK Classic was just another opportunity to tune up before championships. In Hailey’s world, this competition shows that she has what it takes but needs more time.
Next up USA Championships in Fort Worth Texas in 2 weeks.
Full Results: Juniors
The 2nd Classic of every elite season is the US Classic now GK Classic. This competition is the last opportunity to qualify to the upcoming 2021 US Championships in Fort Worth, Texas in two weeks.
Region 5 had three athletes competing at the start of the competition. However during the first rotation Ella Kate Parker from Cincinnati injured her ankle on her double twisting Yurchenko vault and pulled out of the competition. Ella is already qualified to championships so hopefully she will be able to bounce back in two weeks.
The duo from Gym Xtreme took to the balance beam in the first rotation and both were well balanced. Izzy Stassi entered the competition needing her score for championships and wasted no time by nailing a solid beam routine finishing with big double back dismount and a 12.55. Gabby Van Frayen, who qualified at the American Classic, also had a strong beam set besides the wobble on her layout layout she was solid finishing up with a clean double full for a 12.4.
Floor was a huge improvement for both from their American Classic performance. Gabby nailed her routine which features a very well executed front layout front double full for a 12.75. Izzy, who went up before Gabby, rocked her 2 1/2 front tuck which gave her some difficulties at American Classic and finished with a strong double tuck to post a 12.65.
Vault was clean for both putting up 13+ scores for nice Yurchenko fulls which let bars remaining. Gabby attacked her opening Maloney Pak, Maloney 1/2 (not connected) combo, strong Jaeger, and stuck her full twisting double back dismount for a big 13.15. Izzy had to wait a few competitors before it was her turn needing a 12.6 to advance to championships.
Coach Steve talked her through her routine before she saluted but you could tell in her salute she was going to rock it. Izzy opened up with a strong Jaeger, then after a nice Pak, nailed her huge combo of Maloney uprise to Ray. She tried to scare her coaches and us fans watching as she missed her blind full but covered well to finish with a nice double layout and 12.95 qualifying to championships.
Gabby finished 3rd all around for the second meet in a row with a 51.7 but this time her teammate was right behind her in 4th with a 51.35. This will be Gym Xtreme’s first trip to USA Championships and both Gabby and Izzy are looking strong and confident for a run at the junior national team in two weeks.
