As we continue to adapt to our new normal for gymnastics training which includes social distancing and sanitizing stations/mats before rotating, Region 5 is making its way back with eyes set of 2021. During these first few weeks we will be featuring both old and new skills as everyone tries to recondition their bodies and minds to gymnastics again.
If you want your current or upgraded skills to be included in future making your move posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday.
It’s Tuesday! That means it’s 20 Questions Tuesday!!!! However, due to a balance beam through my windshield this morning we are a little late in posting, so my apologies to this weeks 20 Questions athlete.
Speaking of this weeks 20 Questions athlete, she is a 2018 & 2019 Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier & 2020 first year level 10. Sophie Chandler of Gym America in Saline, Michigan is a ray of sunshine in the gym and on the competition floor! I absolutely love watching this athlete especially on beam and floor! Her dance ability is beautiful, her floor routine is one of my favorites. Gym America is known for having amazingly dramatic, creative and expressive floor routines. Claudia definitely does a FANTASTIC job as choreographing each floor routine to showcase her athletes personalities, hands down one of the best choreographers in the state. This definitely shows in Sophie’s floor and beam routines, her attention to detail is so refreshing. It is a bummer that the 2019-2020 season ended like it did because I could definitely see big things for this young athlete in the Championship Season, she will be on my list for 2020-2021 as “one to watch” from Michigan. Hopefully Michigan athletes can get back in the gym soon, so they can catch up with the rest of Region 5. It has been difficult here in Michigan sitting on the sidelines as our Regionmates are training and improving. With that being said, let’s get to know Sophie a little better as she looks to the 2020-2021 season hopeful that Michigan athletes will be able to make a run at the Region 5 Dream Team.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I got a pretty late start to gymnastics and didn’t join until I was about 9 years old. I always thought the sport seemed like so much fun, and I was so drawn to the sparkly leotards and crazy routines. I also loved the American Girl “Mckenna” movie where the main character did gymnastics. One day I decided to ask my mom to join and the rest is history! My twin sister and I decided to try it out together, but she quit on her first day after she fell off the low beam on a forward roll. I knew I was in for a lot more falling, so I embraced it!
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event to train during practice is bars. I love the feeling of flying between the bars and floating in the air. However, my favorite event to compete is floor. I’ve always loved when we get to the floor rotation at meets because I love showing my artistry in my routine. I also love twisting and think it’s the coolest feeling ever.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train/compete has got to be either my jaeger on bars or my front double full on floor. They are just so much fun to do.
Dream Skill? I would love to work to connect something either into or out of my front double full. I’ve also always thought that front aerials on beam look so beautiful, so I would love to get that skill.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is probably the relationships that I’ve established with all of my coaches and teammates. Everyone is so supportive and always there for each other. I also love being able to put all of my energy towards achieving something and seeing it pay off. I wouldn’t trade the long nights or hard practices for anything, because the feeling that I get doing the sport makes it all worth it!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is my gym’s home meet: Wolverine Classic. We host it every year and it is always so much fun! We get to end on floor, and by the end of the meet everyone in the venue just has so much excitement and is cheering everyone on. There is just so much positive energy from everyone. All of my school friends also get to come because it’s close to home, which is really great because they usually don’t get the chance to see me compete.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics would definitely have to be making it to level 10. That has been my ultimate goal since I was younger, and now that I am finally here it sometimes doesn’t seem real.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really love watching the bloopers videos because it’s nice to realize that everyone makes mistakes and gets the chance to laugh about it in the end.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? My friends and teammates never fail to make me laugh… Whether it’s when we’re making tik toks or dancing together at practice, we always have so much fun!
3 Things you could not live without? I couldn’t live without my heated blanket, friends/family, or music.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?If I could be any animal, I think I would be a monkey. They get to swing around on branches which is kind of like doing gymnastics. They also always have so much energy, which I wish I had more of sometimes.
Talk about your 2019 Level 9 Eastern Nationals experience & being part of Region 5? I absolutely love being a part of Region 5! All of the Region 5 gymnasts and coaches are so excited and happy to be representing our region, and that just makes the experience 10 times better. I’ve also met so many amazing people through Region 5 camps and meets like Regionals and Eastern Nationals. I still keep in contact with the majority of them and it is so cool to have friends outside of your own gym that you can cheer on at meets and say hi to!
How did your 1st season of Level 10 go? My first season of level 10 went pretty well! It took some getting used to at first, especially because I got so many new skills over the summer that I needed to get consistent on, but I am very proud of my growth throughout the duration of the season. I tried my best to take every meet one event at a time and just live in the moment. I am really glad to have one season of 10 under my belt as I move into next year!
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? As most other gymnasts around the world, I do wish I could have had the last couple of meets to show everyone how hard I’d worked all season, but this break has really taught me not to take anything for granted… Especially the sport that I love. This just gives me the chance to improve myself physically/mentally and come back even stronger next season.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? I’ve done so many zoom calls! They’ve ranged from pilates, virtual trampoline sessions, bars/beam drills, and mental toughness chats. These zoom calls keep me connected with everyone at my gym and it is always so nice to see all of their faces.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss just being able to walk into the gym prepared to work hard with a smile on my face. I also miss laughing with and hugging my teammates. I still keep in contact with them and we talk every day, but it is so different not seeing them in person 5 days a week.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? I can’t wait to put my grips back on and swing between the bars. I might even have to give the beam a hug, because I’ve missed that event, believe it or not! I am also going to have to remind myself to be patient, because it will take some time to get all of my skills back to where they used to be.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? At last year’s Wolverine Classic I completely forgot my floor routine and ended up going the wrong way. I had absolutely no idea what happened!
Do you have a nickname? If so, what Is the story behind it? My nickname, Sophie Sunshine, started off as a family thing but soon integrated into the gym. Now a lot of my teammates call me it. It’s because I always try to stay happy and smiley… bringing sunshine into peoples’ lives! My coach Claudia also calls me Sophina. I’m not really sure where it came from, but I think it’s super funny!
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I have so much respect for all athletes because we all work extremely hard in our own ways.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Gymnastics has taught me so many valuable life lessons, but one that I will carry with me forever is to never give up. It can take time, but with dedication and persistence anything is possible!
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Eastern Nationals Moment? At my first Eastern Nationals in Rochester, New York, I ended on vault and had a great turn. Afterwards, my coach Brian took my hand and walked me back down the vault runway opening his arms and saying, “look, you did it!” I remember feeling so proud of myself and my team. It is a moment I will never forget.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coaches have always told me to trust the process and yourself.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I have an identical twin sister named Sky and we are pretty much opposites.
As we continue to adapt to our new normal for gymnastics training which includes social distancing and sanitizing stations/mats before rotating, Region 5 is making its way back with eyes set of 2021. During these first few weeks we will be featuring both old and new skills as everyone tries to recondition their bodies and minds to gymnastics again.
If you want your current or upgraded skills to be included in future making your move posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday.
It’s Tuesday!! That means its 20 Questions Tuesday!! Summer is quickly coming to a close, which is crazy, kids are starting to return to school and full training in preparation for the 2020-2021 season. It should be very interesting to see how gymnastics for most states continues into this new season once school gets underway. In 3 weeks we will be taking a short break from our 20 Questions 2019-2020 series as we begin the 2020-2021 season and a new set of questions are created for the new post lockdown season.
Our next 20 Questions athlete is a 2020 JO National Qualifier (1st alternate) Avery Chambers. Avery, who will be entering her Junior Year at Glenbard East High School, trains at BIG Gymnastics in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Avery, who has a twin sister involved in Track & Field, has goals of Collegiate Gymnastics, but is unsure of where she would like to attend after graduation. The Corona Pandemic has turned the world upside down & athletes, especially gymnasts have had to adapt their training to fit the new rules & specifications imposed by their specific states. However, this has not deteriorated their passion & drive for the sport. 4 out of the 5 Region 5 states have been back to practice for a little over a month now & we are definitely seeing big things coming from many of these young athletes. I am excited to see what happens this season with these remarkable athletes. Avery has two more years with us here in Region 5 & two more opportunities to make a run at the JO National Championships. So, let’s get to know Avery a little better as she starts her Junior year of High School & continues to make up for lost time in the gym.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you?
My mom put me and my sister into classes at the park district because we were always flipping around the house. I was only about 2 or 3 years old at the time. I ended up sticking with it and started competing when I was 6.
What is your favorite event? Why?
My favorite event has always been beam because its really challenging and unique.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why?
My favorite skill to compete is a yurchenko full on vault, because I have so much adrenaline and power!
Dream Skill?
My dream skill to compete would be a full in on floor. I’ve trained them before, but I think it would be really cool to compete it someday!
What is your favorite part of gymnastics?
My favorite part of gymnastics is getting to do it with the support of my teammates and coaches. They’re the ones who make it so much fun!
What college do you plan on attending?
I am undecided on where I plan on going to college.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why?
My favorite meet to compete at is State because it’s the first meet of the post season and I love the energy! It’s the last meet where you really get to compete with your team and it’s so much fun!
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far?
My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far has been qualifying to JO nationals as the first alternate.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series?
I really like the all access series because it’s cool to get to see how other gyms practice, and to see the different drills and coaching techniques they use.
What kinds of things really make you laugh?
Spending time with my friends always makes me laugh!
3 Things you could not live without?
I could not live with out my family, friends, and sleep!
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?
If I could be any animal, I would be a dog. Dogs have always been one of my favorite animals. They’re so friendly and happy all the time and I want to know what life is like for them!
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did?
It’s really sad that the season had to end the way it did! I know we had all been training very hard during the season and were very excited for post season to start. I wish we could have gotten to finish our season, but I understand that this is what’s best for our health and safety.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine?
I am going on runs all the time, we have lots of workouts together as a team on zoom, and I am doing basics/stretching/working out on my own as much as I can at home.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time?
I really miss my teammates and coaches! But I also just miss the feeling of working hard all practice to get better and to get ready for what’s ahead.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training?
I’m really excited to get back and do bars! That’s something I definitely haven’t been able to do at home and there’s really no feeling like it.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment?
My most embarrassing moment at a meet was when I was a level 9 and I was competing on bars. My routine was going really well until my dismount, when I closed my shoulders and pulled in. I nearly hit my head on the bar and hit my legs pretty hard!
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it?
Some people call me Ave or Avers. There’s not really a story behind them, just my name shortened!
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why?
I really respect all athletes during these difficult times! With seasons being cut short, I know how hard it’s been for athletes to stay motivated from home. I respect everyone who’s been pushing through these tough times!
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you?
One thing that I’ve learned from gymnastics is time management. Obviously gymnastics is very time consuming, and I have learned to balance my school work, practice and my free time.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment?
My most memorable moment from Nationals was just getting to know the girls on my team and who I roomed with, as well as girls from other age groups. At first we were all pretty quiet around each other, but by the end of the weekend we’d gotten much closer and that was probably my favorite moment.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you?
The most valuable piece of advice I’ve gotten from a coach was that I need to have confidence in myself in order to get better. I’ve been told I am too hard on myself, and that confidence is just as important as anything else in gymnastics.
Bonus Question:Tell me something interesting about yourself….
As we continue to adapt to our new normal for gymnastics training which includes social distancing and sanitizing stations/mats before rotating, Region 5 is making its way back with eyes set of 2021. Though not all 5 states have fully reopened ( most of Michigan still not open) many of our gyms have now been open for a full month and skills are returning to form and new upgrades are starting to emerge. During these first few weeks we will be featuring both old and new skills as everyone tries to recondition their bodies and minds to gymnastics again.
If you want your current or upgraded skills to be included in future making your move posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday.
