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.
It’s Tuesday!!!!! That means it’s 20 questions Tuesday! Now that we have gotten through out JO Nationals athletes, let’s get to know the athletes who entered their first year of level 10 in 2020 and who’s dreams of their first JO Nationals was cut short due to a pandemic. Many of these 1st year Level 10s entered the season with new skills and high hopes, but now they will be relearning those new skills in hopes of being able to compete once again in 2021.
Isabella Craft of Stars & Stripes is one of those athletes, having had success on the National Stage as a Level 9, who was looking forward to a stellar 1st Level 10 season this year and a chance to make her 1st JO National Championships. Isabella, who hails from Michigan, has been out of the gym for 5 months now training outside, in her basement & over zoom trying to maintain her basics & upgrade her strength. It is so hard right now for these athletes who are watching their Regionmates on Social Media working out, getting stronger, learning new skills & just plan being in the gym. Hopefully soon we will all be able to get back to the sport we love in the facilities that are our second homes. With that being said let’s get to know Isabella a little better as she looks forward to [hopefully] a return to the gym soon & the 2020-2021 season.
How did you get into gymnas(cs? How old were you? My parents enrolled me at 18 months in Mommy and Me classes and I never left
What is your favorite event? Why? I really enjoy beam, even though I do struggle some(mes its such an accomplishment when I overcome metal blocks.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? Learning and competing a pac on bars has been challenging but a lot of fun!
Dream Skill? My Dream skill would be a Double Layout on floor. I think they look so beautiful and would be exhilara(ng.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I love summer training because I have the chance to work upgrades, go to camps and have fun with teammates.
What college do you plan on attending? I’m hoping to become an Educator so I’m looking at colleges that have teaching programs. If the opportunity presents itself that I can be a collegiate gymnast I would definitely go for it!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? Gasprilla Classic in Florida is my most favorite meet. I love the venue and warm weather .
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is qualifying to level 9 Nationals and competing my
first season of level 10. It takes a lot of time and hard work to get to level 10, it’s a very rewarding feeling once you make it.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite would be the bloopers because they are so funny to watch and region 5’s favorite leos, I love to see all the different designs and uniqueness of each team leo.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? When my coach gives us advice using funny analogies, making jokes and being silly with teammates.
3 Things you could not live without? My top three things I couldn’t live without would be Family and friends, Gymnastics, and dried strawberries!
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why?If I were an animal I would be a lion because they are fierce and aggressive but sleek and have amazing balance.
Talk about your 2019 Level 9 Eastern Nationals experience & being part of Region 5? Region 5 seems to be so organized and provides such a feeling of family. I loved every minute of competing at Eastern Nationals because I was with Region 5. I loved connecting with the other gymnasts, I still keep in touch with them now.
How did you 1st season of Level 10 go? Although my 2020 level 10 season got cut short due to the pandemic I was very grateful that I competed my new floor routine. I am happy that as the season continued I added events and improved my All Around scores at each meet.
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? I have never imagined not doing gymnastics, the season ending like it did was disappointing. However, I have learned that I still love gymnastics, I miss training in the gym. I have also earned creative ways to stay active and I will be ready to run to the gym the minute it opens!
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? I’m keeping active by doing daily workouts, running, biking, walking, jumping on the trampoline and doing zoom workouts with my coaches and teammates.
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss training most of all improving my skills and all events.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? When I get back to the gym, the first thing that I want to do is swing giants on bars and climb the rope.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? It was Level 8 state meet, I was the last one competing on vault, I was going for my pike Yurchenko, my hands slipped off the back of the table, but I still decided to flip, as I was flipping I knew it wasn’t going to turn out well, I went straight to my head and neck and heard everyone in the crowed say “ohhhh.”
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? I have so many nicknames thanks to my coaches and teammates, some of them are Cra:y (my last name is cra:) Izzi (short for Isabella), Shorty (for obvious reasons)
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Definitely accountability is a big lesson that I have leaned through my years of being a gymnast. Being accountable for your own ac(ons and mistakes, and taking charge.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Eastern Nationals Moment? My most memorable moment was when my name was called for forth place at Regionals. As I walked out to the podium I could not believe I achieved a dream of mine. I qualified to Nationals!
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Thinking specifically about this time at home away from the gym my Coach said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”. This has really helped me stay focused and gives me hope that all will be okay. I’m making the very best out of this difficult situation and enjoying some of the new ways to stay active and fit.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I was born at 2 pounds and was 13 inches long, I spent 37 days in the NICU.
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.
