This years Memorial Day Region 5 Bars Mash-Up is compilation of athletes at JO Nationals from 2014-2019. This would be an exciting and taxing routine to say the least. Check some of the best release moves and bar transitions our region showcased in a mash-up bar routine. #R5MashUp #MemorialDayMashUp #Unevenbarsmashup
Corona Quarantine seems to be coming to an end this month for some states here in Region 5 & others may be stuck in the darkness forever, however here at the Region 5 Insider we will continue to bring you coverage of the greatest Region in the country no matter what the situation. This week we should all be coming off the intense high that is JO Nationals and I am sure another Region 5 Super Team win, but instead its just another Tuesday in May reminiscing of JO Nationals past. As we look fondly back at what might have been, we shall look forward today with the continuation of our 20 Questions Series.
Our next athlete is a JO National Qualifier & 1 of 6 children who ALL do competitive gymnastics at Legacy Elite in Illinois. Amy Wozniak, who excels on bars, is a multiple Regional & State Uneven Bars Champion. Amy, like many of her Legacy Elite teammates, is a beautifully Uneven Bars swinger she seems very comfortable on the event that she says comes naturally to her. What I love about Amy is that she always has a smile on her face while she is on the competition Floor, she really seems to be enjoying what she is doing while performing. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this young athlete, she has a few more years left with us here in Region 5 & for me she is “one to watch” in the next few years. So, while most of us are doing online gymnastics from our basements and backyards alone, Amy has her very own in-house team to train with which is incredibly cool and I am sure tons of fun! Let’s get to know Amy a little better as we look to the future of Region 5 Gymnastics and hopefully a return to normal training soon.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics when I was 2 when my mom signed me up for a Mommy and Me class. She was a gymnast when she was younger and also coached gymnastics at the time, so she knew that she wanted to get her kids involved with the sport.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is bars because it is the event that comes most naturally to me. I also love the feeling of finally getting a new skill or catching a release.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train is a full out dismount off bars because it has always been a goal of mine to get an E dismount, and I think it’s a fun skill to do.
My favorite skill to compete is a bail because I have done it for a long time and have gotten confident with it over the years.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a one and a half yurchenko on vault.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is going on travel meets and exploring different places of the country with my best friends!
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is definety JO Nationals because the energy is so high and everyone comes together for Region 5. Also, I have made so many amazing memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics is qualifying to JO Nationals!
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I love the annual blooper video and the all access series to see how other gyms train.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? I laugh the hardest at inside jokes between me and my best friends.
3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my friends, family, and God
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a dolphin because they live in tropical places, are really smart, and can do cool tricks.
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? At first, I was shocked and really sad especially that post season was cancelled. I was especially upset the days that state and regionals would have been, but I am trying to stay optimistic and turn the situation into something positive!
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? My coaches are leading Zoom workouts Mon-Fri. We are also having many guest speakers talk to our team about various subjects including staying positive and their past expiriances in gymnastics. I also I been going on lots of runs, bike rides, and spending time outide on our backyard trampoline with my younger sibilings.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss being able to see my best friends everyday and the feeling of accomplishment when I reach a goal of mine!
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? The first thing I want to do is put my grips on and do bars because it is impossible to recreate this event at home! I also know that I will have to focus on basics and conditioning so I can be stronger when I start the harder skills again.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? Once when I was a level 5, I was very sick and weak because I had just found out that I had Celiac Disease . I was so unprepared to compete that I fell on every event! I started the meet by peeling off bars which was traumatic to me at the time. On beam, I fell 3 times including getting back up on the beam. The rest of the meet went just as badly and I ended up getting a 29.0 AA.
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? My nickname is Ames just because it is short for Amy.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect and am inspired by Amy Purdy. She is a double leg amputee who medaled at the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games for snowboading. I admire how she persevered through so many difficulties and still acceled at her sport!
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Gymnastics has definitely taught me disicpline and hard work.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment was when I got 1stAA and qualified to Level 9 Eastern Nationals. After I missed Nationals my first year of level 9, I was determined to qualify my second year. When I ended up getting 1stAA I was so surprised and proud.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coach told me to focus on getting 1% better everyday, and in the end these small goals will add up to my larger goals.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I am one of 6 kids and we all do gymnastics! My older sister Sarah(17) is a level 10 with me and Megan(12) is a level 9. Hannah, Rachel, and Brian(7) are triplets and are all in level 4.
May is the month of Seniors!!! Before Corona Virus the Class of 2020 would of just finished up with their Senior Prom, taken the last of their exams, participated in special recognitions, cleaned out their lockers & walked across their High School Stage to receive their diplomas and turn their tassels. However, that has not happened for the Class of 2020, instead they have had cancellation after cancellation with proms, exams and graduation being conducted virtually all around the Region. These Seniors deserve to be sent off in style, to be recognized for their awards, accomplishments and how they have conducted themselves in these troubling times. The Class of 2020 was born resilient, with most coming into this world post 9/11 & now moving into adulthood during a global pandemic. Something has to be said for this generation, especially these athletes who have learned strength & perseverance in differently than their High School peers.
Our next 20 Questions athlete is not only a 2020 Graduating Senior, but a 2x JO National Qualifier, who surely would of made it 3 in 2020, a Regional Floor Champion, and a future War Eagle. Tara, who trains at Olympia Gymnastics in Shelby TWP, Michigan come from a family of gymnasts. Tara followed her two older sisters into the sport her older sister Abby attends Brown University & competes on the Gymnastics Team. Not only are the Walsh sister athletic, but they are extremely smart holding GPA’s over 4.0. For me I absolutely LOVE watching Tara on the Floor Exercise, her 2019 Floor routine was a circus them and one of my favorites. Her long lines make her absolutely beautiful to watch on every event. I cannot wait to watch Tara excel on the Floor Exercise when she heads to Auburn University in the Fall. So, while Michigan is still in lockdown and we are all forced to continue our at home gymnastics, let’s get to know Tara a little better as she prepares to turn her tassel and start her collegiate career in a post pandemic world.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? Both of my sisters were in gymnastics, so when I was old enough my parents put me in a class. I was 18 months old when I started parent-tot classes.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is floor. I like that my team is able to get involved in my routine and dance with me. I also like doing floor skills more than skills on other events.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill is either a 2 ½ on floor, or a maloney on bars. I have always liked twisting on floor. A maloney is a newer skill for me but I think they are really fun to do.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a triple full on floor.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the feeling of accomplishment after you hit a routine or a new skill. A lot of work goes into each new skill and when you successfully hit that skill it is so rewarding. I also love the continuous support from my team. Whether I am having my best day or my worst day my team is always so supportive of me.
What college do you plan on attending? Auburn University, WAR EAGLE!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is J.O Nationals. When you go to nationals with Region 5 it is more than just one meet. The whole weekend is full of excitement, positivity, and team comradery. I really like meeting new girls from across the region and becoming good friends with them after only one weekend. Also, Region 5 is the most spirited region and it is really cool to see the whole region supporting you while you compete.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest gymnastics accomplishment so far is committing to Auburn. I have had placements at meets that I am proud of, but committing to a college I love has always been my gymnastics goal.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really like the 20 questions series. I like that I can read about other gymnasts thoughts, whether they are good friends of mine or people I have never met.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? Things that really make is talking with my friends or my family can always make me laugh.
3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my family (including my dog), my friends, and my phone.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a dolphin. I think it would be really cool to explore the oceans.
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I was done with J.O gymnastics. I have done gymnastics my whole life and it felt like a very unsatisfactory ending to my J.O career. I had more that I wanted to accomplish with Olympia gymnastics, but everybody’s safety is always the top priority. The hardest part of this situation is that I do not get to see my team and coaches every day, but it has made me more appreciative of the time I have had with them this last year.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? My gym has been doing zoom workouts Monday-Saturday every week. We do strength, flexibility, dance, mental toughness, and event specific drills. I have also been doing workouts with some of the current Auburn gymnasts, which have been strength and cardio specific.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I am missing my teammates the most. I am still talking to them over the internet, but it is hard not seeing them as much as I usually do.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? I want to get my skills back safely. We will probably focus on drills, strength, and basics when we get back to the gym so that we remain safe. I can’t wait to get my skills back, it has been difficult not training. I miss it!
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? I forgot my beam routine at regionals a while ago. I did my skills with no dance in between. It was pretty embarrassing.
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? Sometimes my teammates call me T, but I don’t have any really unique nicknames.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I really respect Kobe Bryant. As a team we had been watching some videos and interviews of him. I find him very inspiring. He had a unique approach to his sport. He worked really hard to be the best, but didn’t stop working after he was the best.
“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses” -Kobe Bryant
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Gymnastics has taught me the value of hard work and that change does not happen immediately. The two go together because if you want to see an improvement in your gymnastics it takes hard work everyday in the gym. This can apply to any goal you have in life and it has helped me understand that I can not achieve my goals in one day.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment is winning state meet as a level 10 team in 2018. Our team worked really hard the whole season and it was a really rewarding moment. My most memorable nationals moment is winning the team title in 2019. Our whole team was friends and most of us had competed together before, and it was really exciting to win with friends from across the region.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Lori, Deanna, and all of my coaches have taught me so much and shaped my approach to gymnastics as a whole. The most valuable piece of advice they have given me is to focus on what you can control, not what others control. Also, they have told me that my gymnastics does not define who I am as a person, and I need to be able to forgive myself if I have a bad practice or meet. This has helped me so much because I am better at thinking about my gymnastics overall and maintain a positive mindset, even when I am struggling.
If you are also a 2020 Graduating Senior-What will you miss the most about Region 5 Gymnastics? I will miss the Region 5 gymnasts the most. I have made a lot of friends in this region and we are heading to colleges all around the nation. I will miss seeing and competing with them during championship season.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself….I used to be an ice skater when I was little!
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We sat down with Alabama Senior Shea Mahoney for our Alumni Conversation. Shea talks about what it’s like competing in the SEC and the SEC Championships, her style change on floor, where does her energy come from, story about balance beam, her achilles injury and how that affected her at the start of her Bama career, senior night, favorites and more!
Show Breakdown:
How did Region 5 prepare you for college gymnastics?
Favorite memories from JO Nationals
How Region 5 Media prepared you for the SEC media
SEC Championships from an insider perspective
Changes in her floor over the years
Here bar routine change after sophomore year
Discussion on her achilles tear
Tumbling again after the injury
Outstanding Performance
Memorable Moments in her 4 years
Looking back on her first collegiate competition
Senior night in Coleman- more on this in a mini podcast
Recruiting to Alabama story
Favorite and not so favorite events/skills
Most embarrassing moments during her career
How she wants to be remembered
What’s next for Amelia?
Sparkle and Shine- Shea’s favorite Alabama Lovely Leos (Link to Photos)
Shea’s Jtee Gym Balm College Salute Best 5 of the Week Awards
Here are Shea Mahoney’s Favorite Alabama Leos that she wore throughout her college career.
I love that some Universities name their Leotards, Alabama is one of those Universities, so I will list the Leo Name with the picture of the leo below. Enjoy!
