The season that was 2020 will always be remembered maybe more for how it abruptly ended ( Covid Quarantine) then the many new skills competed, competition achievements and of course the individual goals attained (minus the championship season ones unfortunately).
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.
Not all training needs to be done in the gym. A good ole BHS layout in the garage works too!!!!
Its Sunday! That mean its 202Q Senior Sunday!!!! We are continuing our recognition of our Region 5 Class of 2020 graduates! These athletes have faced so much adversity in the last 4 months is it absolutely insane, especially here in Michigan were we still are not back to practicing indoors! However, these young student-athletes are resilient, strong, determined and able to take on anything that is thrown their way.
Our next 2020 Graduate, along with her teammates, has had one crazy 2020 & its not even July yet! Kaitlyn Donovan of Oakland Gymnastics started 2020 in mourning and ended her 2020 senior season relatively the same way. I can definitely relate to this on a personal level having also experienced loss early in 2020. Kaitlyn, who will be continuing her
academics & athletics in the fall at the Illinois State University, has always been a great team leader and role model for the younger athletes on her Oakland Team especially this year when they defiantly needed her strength, love & maturity. I definitely think that 2020 could of been Kaitlyns year and she could of possibly snagged a spot at the 2020 JO National Championships! Kaitlyn has improved so much in the last few years and ISU is going to be lucky to have this powerful athlete! I can see continued upgrades in her future and cannot wait to see what collegiate gymnastics holds for this athlete! The best is yet to come I believe, so lets get to know Kaitlyn a little better as she looks towards the next chapter as an ISU Red Bird.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My parents started me in a mommy and me class when I was the age of 2. I played other sports, like soccer, then ultimately chose gymnastics because my parents and I felt like it was more my speed.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is vault, because over the years I’ve realized that it comes easy to me and I feel more accomplished when I try a new vault. I also like playing around with different types of vaults to see which are potential to compete.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train is a full in, because I feel like it comes easy to me and I know where I am. My favorite skill to compete is my front layout rudi connection, because it’s new this year and I love hitting that pass to finish off my floor routine.
Dream Skill? My Dream skill is definitely a delchev on bars.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My club family. Oakland has been through a lot this year and I ultimately think it’s made me closer to my teammates and my coaches. Being close with them makes practice a lot more entertaining, especially when we all work really hard… the environment is extremely positive and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What college do you plan on attending? Why? I plan on attending Illinois State University in the fall. When I visited in October, the team made me feel so welcomed, and my coaches, Bob, Megan, and Chris, all have really big plans for my four years at ISU, which will hopefully include us winning conferences!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is Elevate the Stage in Toledo, Ohio. I love competing on the podium and seeing all of the amazing competition that attends the meet motivate me to be my best.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? I would say committing to Illinois State. I worked really hard over the summer and my coaches were there right by my side to help. I felt like when I committed, I not only made my family proud, but I made my club proud.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Series is the coaches wired. I like watching them to see what other coaches have to say and different coaching styles within Region 5.
3 Things you could not live without? 3 things I could not live without would be popcorn, my dad, and sunsets.
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? If I could have 1 superpower it would be to be able to read minds.
Discuss not being able to finish your senior season like you had hoped. This season, my coaches and I worked really hard to push us. We all had the mindset that this was going to be the year I qualified for nationals and we were willing to do what it took to get me to that point. My coaches brought in national team staff and elite choreographers, along with changing my routines at some points to make them more presentable. When we found out the state meet was cancelled, we found a reason to work harder, because regionals were only a month and a half away. When I found out regionals were then cancelled, followed by nationals, I was pretty upset. Looking back now, I’m happy with the meet I ended my season on, hitting 4/4 routines, and I can’t wait to get back in the gym and train for college.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine?During Corona Quarantine my team and I have zoom practices every day for an hour and a half. I also lift weights, go on runs, hike, bike ride, do yoga, ankle strength and flexibility.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss the feeling of flipping. Since the season is now over, I can’t wait to get back in the gym and work new upgrades.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? Once I get my timing back, I want to put my full out dismount on the hard mat on bars. I’ve been working on these in the summer for the past two years and I can’t wait to finally conquer it.
What will you miss most about being part of Region 5? I think I’ll miss Brett from Twistars the most. Oakland got the opportunity to see Brett at meets this season, and he always manages to hype anyone up and give that positive energy.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? A few months ago, we had Lumi, the coach from the national team staff, in our gym to train with the optionals. We were doing her beam warmup, and it was one of my first times training with her, and I completely crotched the beam and ate the ground really hard on a single leg squat. Lumi and my teammates proceeded to laugh at me, and I was shortly moved to the low beam for the entirety of the squats.
Do you have a nickname? If so, what Is the story behind it? My nickname is Don. When I first came to Oakland, there were 3 Kaitlyns on my level 6 team. My coach thought it would’ve been easier to call me Donovan, and throughout the years, it was shortened to Don.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Michael Jordan, because I love his work ethic and his desire to win at all costs. He had an amazing impact on his team, and I hope to have a similar impact on mine one day.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? My time management. Gymnastics has taught me how to get in a routine to make sure I’m efficient throughout my day, and without it, I wouldn’t leave my bed.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment would be coming into the gym every day and giving Coach Renee a hug. It makes both of us feel more positive, even on the bad days.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? It isn’t just one piece of advice, but over the course of the 2019-2020 season, Coach Ruth would tell me how powerful I was and to trust in myself more. I believe that advice, and to point my feet, helped me become the gymnast, and person, I am today.
How do you want to be remembered, but us here in Region 5 as well as your home club & teammates? I want to be remembered as a leader and a positive impact. I remember when I was younger, looking up to the “big girls” in the gym. Now that I’m leaving for college, I hope that those younger girls look up to me as their “big girl”.
What is something special your friends, family, school, coaches or teammates, have done for you during this quarantine to make missing out on those special senior moments a little easier to handle? My school is currently doing “senior night” for each of the senior athletes. Once quarantine is over, the senior class girls and I at Father Gabriel Richard plan on painting our uniform skirts the colors of where we’re going to college. I get to see my coaches and teammates everyday via zoom workouts, which makes being stuck at home a little better.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. At the beginning of the season, I acquired two bracelets. One reads “OGF- In loving memory of Chris Miller”, and the other says “Supporting the fighters. Admiring the survivors. Honoring the taken. And never, ever giving up hope.” I have never taken either of these off, including during practice, school, showers, and I even wear them under the sleeves of my competition leo. I know it’s probably disgusting, but they’re very special to me and I don’t ever want to lose them.
Its Tuesday!!! That means it’s 20 Questions Tuesday!!! We took a break on Sunday from our Senior Sunday to honor all of our amazing Gymnastics Dads out there in Region 5 Land, but we are back today to continue honoring our Class of 2020 Graduates!
Our next Graduate recently graduated from Clawson High School and will be heading to Bowling Green State University in the fall to continue her academics and athletes as part of the Falcons Gymnastics Team. Annabelle was a former TOPs National Team Member as a young gymnast have qualified twice to the B Team. Annabelle also qualified to the 2016 Level 9 Eastern National Championships by winning the Region 5 Championships in her age group, however she did not get to compete due to spraining her ankle in the practice session before the meet. Despite this set back she pressed on and was there for her team. What I love about this athlete is her fight and pure joy for the sport of Gymnastics! Every time I saw her on the competition floor she was smiling & cheering. This season has been like none other before, these senior athletes have handled it better than imagined! Let’s get to know Annabelle a little better as she gets back into the gym and prepares for the next chapter at BGSU!
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 3 years old. My mom noticed that I had good coordination and gross motor skills so she put me in a rec class.
What is your favorite event? Why? Floor, because I love to upgrade new skills and show off my routine and dance when I’m competing.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? I love competing my 1 ½ front lay, because it’s a consistent skill for me so I know that I am confident to end my routine on a good last pass.
Dream Skill? Double lay off bars (just like Maggie Nichols)
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of Gymnastics would be creating a bond with my teammates, traveling new places, and the rush of adrenaline you get at competitions.
What college do you plan on attending? Why? Bowling Green State UniversityWhen I went on my visit, I truly felt that the team was more like a family. The girls and coaches were so welcoming and I could feel that they were just as excited for me to be on the team as I was.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? Athlete Warrior, because it’s our gym’s home meet and I love having my friends and family and everyone there supporting me. I also love the Pikes Peak meet in Colorado, because of the location and it was so beautiful.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? Becoming a level 10 gymnast and reaching my goal of doing gymnastics at a Division 1 school.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite is definitely the OMG Moments because they’re so funny to watch.
3 Things you could not live without? 3 Things I could not live without would be my phone, coffee, and family/friends.
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? Teleportation, because I could transport myself to anywhere I want.
Discuss not being able to finish your senior season like you had hoped. It was really sad hearing the news that the rest of the season was cancelled. I wish I could go out one more time and compete with my teammates and get one last rush of adrenaline. It’s sad knowing that I’ll never get to go out on the floor wearing red again but I can’t wait for the next 4 years at BGSU!!
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona
Quarantine? Doing zooms with my team and working out with my little sister, Ainsley.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? Laughing and having fun in the gym with my coaches and teammates.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? Swing on a real set of bars, because I haven’t done that in a LONG time.
What will you miss most about being part of Region 5? The cheers and the endless support from everyone. Getting to see/compete with friends from other gyms.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment?Spraining my ankle while warming up at the practice before level 9 Eastern Nationals.
Do you have a nickname? If so, what Is the story behind it? There really isn’t a story behind it, it’s just what everyones has always called me in the gym. Probably because it’s way easier to say than Annabelle.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? Gabby Wilson, Matilyn Waligora, Isabel Redmond, Riley Meeks, and Tara Walsh. They all welcomed me onto their team when I switched gyms and showed great leadership and positivity. They inspired me to continue as I became a senior leader on the team.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Gymnastics taught me how to overcome hardships and how to keep a positive mindset even when things don’t go as planned.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? Winning level 9 Regionals my first year competing level 9 and my team winning level 10 States last year.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The advice that I’ve taken from my coaches is to live in the present and put the past behind me.
How do you want to be remembered, by us here in Region 5 as well as your home club & teammates? I’d like to be remembered as someone who never gave up on their dreams even through hard times and adversity.
What is something special your friends, family, school, coaches or teammates, have done for you during this quarantine to make missing out on those special senior moments a little easier to handle? My mom decorated the front of our house with signs and my leo and fathead. My coaches have weekly zoom meetings for each level, so we can stay connected.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I video myself almost everytime I sneeze and I currently have about 300 videos of me sneezing. Kinda weird but interesting I guess.
Trampoline can be used to learn basic up to advance tumbling skills before you are physically ready to perform them on the floor. In this video Joy Umenhofer, former USA Gymnastics National Tumbling and Trampoline staff, goes through basic trampoline lead ups for flipping and twisting skills used on both vault and floor. This video was filmed at the 2019 Region 5 High Performance Training Camp at DeVeau’s Gymnastics. Joy uses some cool drills to focus on shape and bounce position before getting into forward and backward flipping tramp drills.
JOYUMENHOFER, has served on the USA Gymnastics National Coaching Staff for Trampoline & Tumbling since 1993 and currently coaches the National Team members at the National Jump Start camps. For the past 8 years, she has served on the USAG Junior National Coaching staff for Men’s Gymnastics in an attempt to increase our junior’s trampoline skills and air awareness levels.
It’s Tuesday!! That means it is 20 Questions Tuesday!! We are continuing our 2020 Graduate coverage with Bartlett Gymnastics Amber Mueller! Amber has been a Level 10 for 4 years representing Bartlett Gymnastics in Barlett Illinois. In 2018 Amber qualified as an alternate to the 2018 JO National Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio. Amber recently graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School and will be continuing her academic & athletics in the fall at Central Michigan University! Let’s get to know Amber a little better as she gets back into the gym and begins to prepare for the next chapter of her gymnastics in Maroon & Gold!
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics when I was three. My mom was a coach at the Carol Stream Park district and always took me to classes with her.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is definitely the floor because I love feeling that sense of power and the feeling of landing a new skill for the first time.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train is a full in on floor. I started working them pretty recently and I would love to get them consistent enough to compete next year!
Dream Skill? My dream skill would probably be a double layout on floor or an onodi on beam.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? Picking just one aspect is nearly impossible. From teaching me so many life lessons to giving me some of my best friends, I love everything about this sport and wouldn’t want to do anything else. Even though there were definitely some rough times, gymnastics has made me a better person and taught me lessons of hard work, determination and perseverance that I will always carry with me.
What college do you plan on attending? Why? I will be attending Central Michigan University next year to study Pre-Occupational Therapy and do gymnastics. I chose CMU because I loved the supportive team atmosphere and all of the coaches. It seemed like the perfect fit for me and I am super excited to spend the next four years there!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? I always loved competing at Circle of Stars because it is pretty much the only travel meet that our gym participates in. It is the best bonding time with teammates and many memories were made there.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment so far has been committing to CMU to do gymnastics. I have always wanted to do college gymnastics and had watched my teammates grow up and compete in college. Being able to follow in their footsteps and accomplish this goal has been a dream of mine.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite region 5 Insider series is probably the coaches wired series. I love hearing what practice is like in other gyms and hearing different points of views from coaches across the region.
3 Things you could not live without? I couldn’t live without my phone, my family, and my friends
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be? I would want the ability of flight, it would make catching the bar a LOT easier and boost my tumbling up quite a bit.
Discuss not being able to finish your senior season like you had hoped. Having the season cut short definitely hit hard. I was so excited to finish my JO career with my teammates and end on a high note. I was hoping to be able to compete a few new skills and state and regionals, so having that opportunity taken away was also very upsetting. I also wanted to qualify for nationals my senior year so having that last opportunity taken away was upsetting.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? Our gym has been doing a lot of zoom calls for conditioning to keep up our strength. I have also been going on runs or hikes with friends and family to get outside and stay active.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss being able to train with my friends and coaches that I have been with for years. Since I am a senior, I do not have a lot of time left to train with them and I want to be able to take it all in before I leave.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? My teammate and I who are both graduating this year have been planning a senior prank-mus, so we are definitely starting that once we can get back in the gym.
What will you miss most about being part of Region 5? I am going to miss the super supportive atmosphere that Region 5 has. I love being able to go to meets and cheer on other teams from the region and support them through competitions.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? One year at the Wisconsin Dells Classic, I won beam and tripped walking up to the podium. (ironic)
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? A lot of people call me Ber. When my sister was younger she could not say my whole name so she would call me Ber and I guess it just kind of stuck.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect figure skaters a lot because there is no way I would ever be able to do what they do. Being able to bend like that amazes me and a lot of hardwork and determination goes into their sport for sure.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? It sounds pretty cliche, but gymnastics has taught me to never give up and to just keep pushing. Gymnastics knocks you down quite a bit, but the ability to just keep working will stick with me forever.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable moment was winning vault at regionals in level 8.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Our coach has had us listen to a lot of wisdom from philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, so I have learned a lot of lessons from that. But, we also have some running jokes with our coach about it such as “In the words of Seneca, cool it bucko!” That phrase comes up a lot at the gym.
How do you want to be remembered, but us here in Region 5 as well as your home club & teammates? I want to be remembered as a good role model for the younger girls in gymnastics. I think over the years I have tried to show that you can still work hard and be successful while having fun, making jokes and busting out sick dance moves.
What is something special your friends, family, school, coaches or teammates, have done for you during this quarantine to make missing out on those special senior moments a little easier to handle. My friends and family have just been super supportive and have been there for me if I ever need to get anything off my chest.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I LOVE iced tea
