There are a lot of stories to tell when we look back on 2020. Though it wasn’t what we all envisioned when the year began, we have each grown and learned from something over the course of the last 12 months. As we look forward to the first ever Level 10 Developmental Nationals, some of our athletes reflect on their experiences and how it has impacted their gymnastics today. We have survived a stressful year, survived Region 5 Championships and now we THRIVE AS FIVE! Check out our tribute to what we have survived that has made us Thrive in 2021.
The 2021 Michigan State Championships was certainly one to remember in the time of COVID. Masks, Distance, Virtual Coaching, & The newly crowned Level 10 Team Champions!!! Michigan got a late start this season having spent almost 8 months out of the gym. However, the level of talent exhibited at this State Championships was absolutely incredible! For some you would have never even knew they had spent most of the summer practicing in garages and parking lots. As our heavy hitters have all gone off to college and we missed out on last season, we have a new crop of big guns on the competition floor and this group of athletes will certainly make a statement come regionals and nationals! We have at least 2 or 3 future JO National Champions (my prediction) in our mist, with 5 38+ All-Arounds and 4 more on the brink (there were a few falls) the future is bright in Michigan.
Hannah Scheible of all American Flames took first place in Child A with an outstanding 38.300, she also was the Vault & Bars Champion with a pair of 9.650s. JO Nationals veteran and third place finisher Kaia Tanskanen of Michigan Elite also pick up the Floor title with her always impressive Floor Routine scoring a 9.675 to do so and rounding out the Child A podium was Capital City Flips Lili Cosman. Another notable finish to be our fourth place finisher Dani Fuertez of Olympia, who side somi’d her way to the Balance Beam title. ChA Full Results
In the Junior A division Nikki Smith of Eurostars took the top spot with an impressive 38.825, she also tumbled her way to the first place podium in the floor exercise with a 9.825. This age group was jam packed with the top three all around all scoring above 38. Savannah Miller of Michigan elite took second place and 30 875 as well as the uneven bars title with a 9.75 i’m right behind her was Paige Thaxton of Michigan Academy 38.525. Definitely some heavy hitters in this age group with the top seven all around finishers having previously competed at The National Championships. Jr A Full Results
Senior Halle Faulkner of Gym America Top of the podium in our last Michigan State Championship with a 38.325 Halle also picked up a pair of titles on the Vault and Balance Beam with a 9.7 & 9.6 respectively. Another notable finisher was our fourth place all arounder Sidney Washington, who swung her way to the Uneven Bars title with a well deserved 9.7. This was the last go around for our senior athletes, they definitely were living in the moment and taking it all in, I can’t wait to see what happens next at the Region 5 Championships this weekend at the Duke energy convention center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Sr. A Full Results
The Level 10 Team competition was incredible Michigan crowned a NEW Team Champion this year EuroStars Gymnastics (113.700) hit every routine to take the top spot with only 3 people!! The last time a 3 person team graced the podium was when R-Athletics took 3rd place in 2015. Michigan Elite placed 2nd with a 113.600 and Gym America 3rd with a 113.300.
Level 9
We had two sessions of Level 9 competition with 6 different age groups. Catherine Guy of Capital City Flips topped of the podium with a 37.125 also dance her way to the floor title 9.625, her teammate Macy Nihart finished right behind her with a 36.775 and also clean the uneven bars title with a 9.525 and rounding out the top three was Cailyn Waibel of Bay Valley with a 35.525, Cailyn also On the Beam title with a 9.125. Another know where the performance was our current place finisher Cecilia Arico of Gym America who claimed the Vault title with a 9.450. L9 JrA Full Results
In the Junior B group Aubrey Patterson of Michigan Elite walked away with 3 State titles topping the podium in the All-Around, Balance Beam and Floor Exercise, just behind Aubrey was Eurostars Ana Tanaskoska and all American Flames Noella Marshall. Noella also claimed the Vault and Uneven Bars titles. Jr. B Full Results
In the junior C age group Michigan Elite had two place in the top three with both also earning individual event titles. Keeley Kohler finished in the top spot with a 36.925 as well as the Balance Beam with a 9.425, her teammate Erin Wilbanks took 3rd in the All-Around 36.650 and earned the Floor title with a 9.400 and sandwiched in the middle was Mid Michigan’s Madison Harvey with a 36.775 and the Uneven Bars title with a 9.300. I know where the performance came from out fourth place finisher Addison Angel of GTC who flipped her way to the Vault title with a huge handspring front tuck and a 9.375. Jr.C Full Results
Ami Cosman of Capital City Flips picked up the senior A All-Around, 36.500, and Uneven Bars, 9.425, titles followed by Samantha Towers of Michigan Academy and Kayla Forsyth of GymTactics. Kayla tied with Bounce’s Olivia Tocco for the Vault title while Alisa Murray of Capital City Flips claimed the Beam title and Jade Golembiewski took the Floor title. Sr.A Full Results
Taylor Gaies of Michigan Academy, who shares a few special Floor skills with her Wolverine sister, topped the podium in the senior B age group followed by a pair of Michigan Elite teammates Maya Hervey who also picked up the Vault and Uneven Bars titles and Ava Downie who topped the podium on Balance Beam. Lindsey Girard of Hunts tumbled her way to the Floor title. Sr. B Full Results
To wrap up Level Ellie Greco of Michigan Elite took the senior C All-Around, Bars and Beam titles followed by Naomi Brattinga of GTC and Alexia Inquilla of KGI. Izzy Smith of Splitz grabbed the Vault and Floor Exercise titles. Sr. C Full Results
The Region 5 Championships are always an exciting meet and this year was no exception. It was awesome to be able to have the event in 2021 and watch our talented region do some great gymnastics. Over the course of 4 days, two weekends ago in Cincinnati, Ohio the Level 10’s had twelve age groups that were battling (in a friendly way, it is Region 5 after all) for 7 +1 (alternate). A few age groups were able to qualify a few extra athletes to nationals, by filling spaces for other Regions.
Our next two Junior Age Groups (JrE, JrF) have a wide range of experience when it comes to National Competition. The Junior E & Junior F Teams are made up of 10 newbies, 6 veterans, 4 of which have dabbled at the Elite Level and 2 Magnificent Coaches, so it should make for some exciting competition on Sunday in Daytona Beach.
Nationals veteran Sydney Jelen took the top spot in the Junior E age group with a 38.200, as well as the Uneven Bars title with a 9.750. Sydney, who has grown a few inches since we last saw her in 2019, is looking fantastic and ready to lead this Junior E team.
Kaia Tanskanen & Nadia Parente tied for 2nd place, behind Sydney, with 37.700. Kaia, who is no stranger to nationals & international competition, struggled a bit on the Floor Exercise but definitely has one of my favorite routines full of personality and tumbling. Following her 2018 Nationals debut, Kaia spent some time dabbling in Elite and competing in her father’s native Finland, however I am completely excited to see her don her Region 5 leo and kill it in Daytona Beach.
Continuing down the list of Junior E’s the next 5 athletes are all Nationals Newbies, making their Dream Team debuts.
Nadia Parente, who shared the runner up spot with Kaia, is in her 3rd year of Level 10, but making her Nationals debut. Nadia, now training with Dominique Moceanu at her namesake club, is looking clean and consistent on every event. Nadia excels on Uneven Bars, where she placed 2nd, with her high piked yeager and excellent double layout. I am excited to see Nadia in her Nationals debut.
3rd place Ady Wahl is one of the most highly anticipated athletes in this group, I have literally been waiting for her to make her Nationals debut! Ady, who trains at Zanesville Gymnastics, took the top spot on Floor Exercise with a 9.700 with her huge full-in opening pass she could definitely make a statement on the event in Florida.
Sophia Paris (JPAC), Dani Fuertez (Olympia) and Olivia Coppola (CGA) round out the Junior E Group. Sophia Paris excels on the Uneven Bars, her stalder Shaposh is absolutely beautiful and pretty rare for Level 10. Sophia tied for 3rd on the event with a 9.550, I am looking forward to seeing this routine in person at Nationals.
I have watched Dani Fuertez grow up a lot in the last few years and add a few inches to her frame as well. Dani was always one to watch on vault, she even won a Yahtzee award on the event, however Balance Beam has become her speciality placing first at all the meets she competed in this year which include Michigan State Championships & Region 5 Championships. Dani’s routine is jammed packed from the beginning opening with a press handstand mount, moving to a side somi (Jasons favorite), BHS Layout and capping it off with a beautiful double full. I am extremely excited to see what she can do on the event at nationals.
Our final newbie to the Junior E age group is Olivia Coppola, I absolutely love watching this athlete perform, she is typically always smiling and makes whoever is watching her smile as well. Olivia has stellar skills all over the gym however it is her beam routine that will catch your eye with her presentation and unique and difficult acro series. Olivia also hit vault & floor in a big way at regionals. I am looking forward to Olivia’s Nationals Debut in Florida.
Dream Team: Sydney Jelen (Legacy Elite), Kaia Tanskanen (Michigan Elite), Nadia Parente (DMGC), Sophia Paris (JPAC), Dani Fuertez (Olympia), Olivia Coppola (CGA), Alternate-Natalie Martin (Buckeye).
The Junior F Age Group will be lead by former Junior Elite Elizabeth Gantner (JPAC). Liz took the top spot in the All-Around with a 38.650 as well as the Vault with a 9.775. It’s great to have Liz back competing for Region 5 at the National Championships. The last time we saw her was in 2017 when she made her Dream Team debut and could barely see over the beam. Since then Liz has added experience, skills and height to her gymnastics, clearly able to see over the beam now. I am excited to see Liz representing Region 5 once again at Nationals.
Just behind Liz in the All-Around was 2018 Level 9 Eastern National All-Around & Beam Champion Jenna Olshefski (Universal) with a 38.600. Jenna not only excels on the Balance Beam, but she has been killing it on the Floor Exercise topping the podium at both the Ohio State Championships & Region 5 Championships with a 9.725. Jenna has definitely been “one to watch” from Ohio for a while now and I am looking forward to watching her name her Nationals debut in 2021.
Taking the 3rd podium spot is 4x veteran Kate Harper with a 37.650. Katie, who excels at the Uneven Bars, is a 3 time Regional Bar Champion taking the honors in 2021, 2019, 2018 and finishing 2nd in the 2017. Katie is one of those athletes that does the incredibly hard Blind 1/1 to double layout dismount with the greatest of ease. I am very excited to watch Katie hit the even bars in two weeks.
Finally making her Nationals debut is Paige Yu of Medina Gymnastics placing 4th in the All-Around with a 37.400. I have my eye on Paige for the last few years as someone who could make an impact. I am thrilled that she has made her first Region 5 Dream Team and look froward to what the future holds for this talented young athlete.
Another veteran National competitor and former Elite athlete, Reese Samuelson of Rockford, make her nationals debut in 2016 (when we were blue) finished in 5th with a 37.200, also tied for 2nd on the Uneven Bars (9.70) an event she excels on. I feel like Reese has been at a high level for so many years it’s insane that she is still a Junior. Reese is one of my favorite athletes to have on the floor at nationals, she is so upbeat always smiling and having a great time.
In the 6th and 7th spots rounding out the Junior F Dream Team are two Nationals Newbies. Megan Asher (CGA) and Sophia Reddy (Eurostars) are primed and ready to contribute to the Junior F team. Megan, who scored a 37.00 in the All-Around, has a can’t miss beam routine. My favorite part is her front toss to Korbut, she also exhibits sharp confidence as she works the Balance Beam. Megan tied for 2nd on Beam (9.625) at the 2021 Region 5 Championships to help earn herself a spot on her first Dream Team.
Sophia Reddy, who was 1/3 of Eurostars Level 10 Team that took 1st place at the Michigan State Meet, is also making her Nationals debut. Many may know Sophia from our Quarantine Qorner series as we followed her and her teammates during park practices, state line crossing and unicycle riding. I am extremely excited that Sophia has qualified to her first Dream Team, she has such a great personality, full of positivity and life that you can’t help but smile and be in a good mood when she is on the competition floor. I remember at the Level 9 Easterns she brought her team personalized chocolate bars to enjoy after the competition for a job well done! I thought that was so incredibly sweet and generous of her. I absolutely look forward to watching her compete in Florida.
The 2021 NCAA Championships will always be remembered as the team champions club gained its newest member. The University of Michigan became only the 7th program to win the Women’s NCAA Championships while posting a program high score. Oklahoma Senior and Region 5 Alum Anastasia Webb won the all around and two event titles putting on stamp on her career. Region 5 Alum Olivia Karas was front in center for all the action at NCAA’s in Texas and she is back to break it down with us. Lots of behind the scenes discussion from this historical championships.
The Region 5 Championships are always an exciting meet and this year was no exception. It was awesome to be able to have the event in 2021 and watch our talented region do some great gymnastics. Over the course of 4 days, two weekends ago in Cincinnati, Ohio the Level 10’s had twelve age groups that were battling (in a friendly way, it is Region 5 after all) for 7 +1 (alternate). A few age groups were able to qualify a few extra athletes to nationals, by filling spaces for other Regions.
Our next three age groups Junior C, Junior D and Senior A feature a majority of new level 10 national qualifiers with only 6 having national experience at Level 10.
Junior C is composed of 2 veteran national competitors (L10), 3 Eastern National competitors (L9) and 2 complete newcomers, which makes for an exciting competition.
Kirchner (JPAC) took the top spot in the all-around with a 37.800 as well as the balance beam with a 9.625. Lucie is no stranger to national competition having represented Region 7 at the 2019 Level 9 Eastern National Champions. Lucie is a confident & sharpe competitor on the balance beam with a double full that soars over the competition.
In the runner up position is 2019 Eastern National Balance Beam Champion Josey Kiefer (CGA). This is Josey’s 2nd year at Level 10, but her first time qualifying to Level 10 Nationals due to Covid in 2020. Josey is another exceptional beam worker with another double full dismount that she pretty much walks into not to mention an awesome triple flight. At the 2021 regionals she was 2nd on beam behind her dream teammate Lucie. Josey had a consistent performance to finish 2nd in the all around 37.5
Kaitlyn Schwab is a 2nd year Level 10 (Aspire) and a 1st year national qualifier. Kaitlyn excels on the Uneven Bars where her sky high double layout dismount and natural swing is an eye catcher. Kaitlyn finished 3rd all around with 37.15.
Veteran national competitor & Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier Sammy Macasu (Legacy Elite) will help lead this team of national newcomers, along with Ava Wellmeier, in Daytona Beach. Sam is a steady competitor who excels on the vault and uneven bars. What I love most about Sam is her fun, high energy floor routine that really makes you want to dance along.
This next qualifier Lauren O’Brochta, also from Legacy Elite, is one of my favorite athletes to watch on the floor exercise. As a Level 9, she had one of the most beautifully choreographed floor routines in the Region. I was pulled into her performance every time she took the floor, so of course I was excited to see what kind of routine she would have as a Level 10. Lauren also excels on the balance beam with the same effortless and strong movements as she shows on the floor.
Ellie Monahan (CGA) is the partner in crime to Josey Kiefer. I absolutely LOVE watching these two athletes together! They are definitely the best teammates and friends. Like Josey, Ellie is an extremely strong floor worker taking the top spot at regionals with a 9.650 just a head of her CGA teammate. I am extremely excited to see these two teammates compete in their first Level 10 Nationals together.
Rounding out the Junior C Dream Team is National veteran Ava Wellmeier (Buckeye). Ava took the top spot on vault with a 9.500 only to injure her ankle on the last event the uneven Bars. So, we are sending positive thoughts and good vibes her way for a full recovery before Nationals!
Junior D will be lead by nationals veteran Hannah Scheible (All American Flames). Hannah has been on fire this this season hitting 38+ All-Arounds like its her job! At Regionals, Hannah almost completely swept the medals in her age group finishing in the top spot on every event, but balance beam where she placed 2nd. For Hannah, gymnastics is a family affair training at her parents gym alongside her twin brother who also qualified to Level 10 Nationals on the men’s side. So needless to say, 2021 Nationals in Daytona Beach is going to be an extremely special event for the Scheible family.
A little more than a full point separates Hannah from the next closet qualifier which is Legacy Elite’s Layla Hammer. Layla is no stranger to high level competition having qualified to the 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup just prior to the COVID shutdown last march. Layla swung her way to a 2nd place uneven bars, and all-around finish as well as balanced her way to a podium position (3rd) on the balance beam in Cincy.
Gym World’s JoJo Valahovic was a 2019 Level 9 Easterns All-Around National Champion, so she has national competition experience. JoJo has been on my “ones to watch” since that all around win 2 years ago. Another young athlete who missed her shot to make her nationals debut in 2020, has grown a few inches and added some difficulty to her gymnastics. JoJo is a constant and confident competitor who I am excited to watch in Florida, the same state she won her Easterns all around title.
Madison Gustitus is another consistent competitor placing in the middle of the field on every event except the balance beam where she topped the podium with a huge 9.700. Madison simply attacks beam with a double full dismount that hangs in the air right over her coaches head. I am extremely excited to watch this athlete at nationals.
Hannah Milton (BIG) is another 2019 Eastern Nationals competitor making her Level 10 Nationals debut in 2021. Hannah comes from a long line of exceptional national competitors from her home gym in Illinois. My favorite event to watch Hannah on is the balance beam, where she placed 3rd in 2019 (Easterns), its her unique side aerial to front toss series that captures my attention.
Many might remember Taylor DeVries as the Junior A athlete that competed on the uneven bars with tissue in her nose after kneeing herself in the face in warmups back in 2018. A 3x Level 10 Nationals qualifier, who along with Scheible, will help lead this Junior D Team in Daytona Beach. Taylor qualified to nationals competing for Flips Gymnastics but returned to Legacy Elite, her former gym, after regionals. Taylor has been killing it on bars this season, so I am excited to see what she will bring to the table in two weeks.
Rounding out the Junior D Dream Team is Olivia Giunta (Legacy Elite). Olivia is a 1st year national competitor, but has served as our alternate at nationals in 2019. This time around Olivia, who has as beautiful Yurchenko full that finish 3rd at regionals (9.525), will add depth to this Junior D team who could challenge for the age group national team title.
For me the Senior A’s were one of the most anticipated age groups at Regionals with 5 nationals newcomers, 2 veterans, 1 of which returned to the gym after over 1 year off. The Senior A Dream Team is the only team without a gymnast from Illinois on it, which is very rare considering they are the 3rd largest gymnastics state in the nation.
Taking the top spot is national newbie Retoshia Halsell from Champion (KY). Toshia, who you definitely do not want to miss on the floor exercise, has definitely put in the work and the upgrades this season to make a run at the top spot. She also grabbed the uneven bars title with her unique higgins to straddle back handstand, on her way to winning the all around and making the dream team.
Right behind Toshia is 2019 Level 9 Eastern All-Around & Balance Beam National Champion Juliet Horenziak. Juliet is a 2nd year Level 10 from Perfection Gymnastics in Ohio. After her 2019 win in Florida, she has been on my “Ones to Watch” list. Taking 2nd on the uneven bars and 3rd on the balance beam in 2021, Juliet will definitely make an impact on this Senior A Dream Team.
One of our Senior A veterans, Sarah Moraw, of Champion USA (MI) went huge on vault scoring a 9.800 on a sky high Yurchenko Full that I fully believe is still up dusting the rafters at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Sarah, who slipped on the Uneven Bars on her huge Jeager, took the top spot on the balance beam. This is no surprise considering she has connected over 13 beam skills together at one time (in practice not competition). She finish 2nd on the vault and floor exercise with one of my absolute favorite routines. I am looking forward to the impact this athlete will have in 2021. Sarah will lead this Senior A Team as a 4x national competitor along with 2x qualifier Sage Kellerman.
Sage Kellerman took some time off from gymnastics following her 2018 Nationals debut only to return a little bit prior to COVID and return better than ever. You can hardly tell Sage took time off from the sport. Her front handspring front pike half vault could give Haleigh Brandt (LSU) a run for her money. Sage vaulted her way to the top of the podium with a huge 9.875. This is one vault you do not want to miss at Nationals.
Another incredible vaulter and 1st year national qualifier Makayla Tucker (DeVeau’s) took the 3rd place podium spot with a 9.750 as well as 3rd in the Uneven Bars. Senior A could actually sweep the top of the vault podium in Daytona.
Making her Nationals debut is 2nd year Level 10 Olivia Rickle (Integrity). Olivia, who is coached by USA great Blaine Wilson is no stranger to Dream Team action having competed at the 2019 Eastern National Championships, taking 3rd on the Floor.
And rounding out the Senior A Dream Team is 2019 Level 9 Eastern National Balance Beam & Floor Exercise Champion Stephanie Lebster (Champion USA). Stephanie, struggled a bit on her first two events, but kicked it up on vault and floor exercise to take the final Dream Team spot. Stephanie is another one with a can’t miss floor routine. I am looking forward to seeing this athlete make her Level 10 Nationals debut.
