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!
One of my favorite aspects of the Region 5 Championships is checking out all of the new and old leotards from the competing teams. Each year I run around like a chicken with my head cut off getting pictures of all the fun, unique, stylish and fantastic leotards to put together the Annual Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List! However, this year was different we did not have Region 5 Championships, I did not get to run around like a chicken with my head cut off taking pictures. Instead I had teams submit their leo photos to me or I took photos off of social media, it just was not the same, but I was determined to still put together the Annual Leo List. We are all experiencing a crazy time in history right now, meets & training may be over or halted, but the Leo List will always prevail!
This will be the 7th year for the list (which is crazy!) and I have to say to all the coaches out there in Region 5, GREAT JOB! you are making this decision INCREDIBLY hard year after year! I absolutely LOVE IT!
So, the moment everyone has been waiting for………..Drum Roll Please!….Here are my Top 5 Favorite Region 5 Leotards of 2020
This is such a fun leo! I first noticed it last year, but Five Star did not have any level 10s competing at Regionals, so I was very excited to see that they would of had a level 10 competing this year because I really wanted to put this leo on the list. The design is like an explosion and reminds me of a leo that Ohio State has that I like as well!. Definitely different and a standout on the competition floor.
4. Gym X-Treme (OH) 4th yr
This is Gym X-Tremes 4th year on our list and they never disappoint. This leo is actually their second leo of the season. Amy Voorheis explained to me that their first leos had some issues and these were their 2nd attempt, definitely a great choice! I have always loved Gym X-tremes color combination, sometimes it can be hard to work with yellow, but this leo has just the right amount of yellow and white to really make the purple pop and a black body with jewels is always a classic look.
3. Hartland (MI) 1st yr
This is Hartland 1st year on the list, they have had some nice leos in the past, even making the Level 9 list one year. However, when I saw this leo I was instantly in love with it! The design is so elegant and classic! It reminds me of a beautiful dress, I could definitely see this being a high fashion wedding dress design. Give me a black leo covered in jewels with a high neckline and keyhole back any day of the week and I am happy! What is even more special about this leo is that at Hartland ONLY the Level 10s have this particular design, the rest of the team has a different leo. The idea came about because Bria, on the right, is a 2020 Senior & Lane, on the left is a 2021 Senior, so something just a bit special for these athletes who will soon be graduating and are both Level 10s.
2. Future Gymnastics (OH) 1st yr
This is also Futures first year on our list, in the past they have had red, white & blue leos, however when I saw this leo on social media it was an instant favorite. I actually first saw it on Shilese Jones, who is an Elite at Future, I really was hoping that this was going to be the leo 2019-2020 for the rest of the team because it is spectacular! Black and Jewels is definitely a theme right now and I love the jewel pattern on the front, the keyhole back of course and the name of the gym across the back in the red and white jewels. This is another leo that looks great on everyone on the team and really stands out on the competition floor.
1. Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center (JPAC) 4th yr
This is JPACs 4th year on the list and 2nd year in the number 1 spot! This leo is so many things!!! When Jaycie was doing there traditional leo reveal on social media I knew this was going to be their leo as soon as I saw it as an option! This leo STANDS OUT and just screams….LOOK AT ME!!! Pictures DO NOT do it justice at all! Seeing it in person is incredible! I love the JPAC on the sleeve cuff! My favorite part of course is the keyhole back!!! but I do like the slight v-neck also, it is not do much V which is good! not like those leos from the 90s that everyone was always yanking on to keep up! This again is a leo that looks good on every team member from diapers to double layouts.
I hope everyone has enjoyed looking at the Top 10 Region 5 Favorite Leotards of 2020! If you missed numbers 10-6 you can still check them out by clicking this Link
One of my favorite aspects of the Region 5 Championships is checking out all of the new and old leotards from the competing teams. Each year I run around like a chicken with my head cut off getting pictures of all the fun, unique, stylish and fantastic leotards to put together the Annual Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List! However, this year was different we did not have Region 5 Championships, I did not get to run around like a chicken with my head cut off taking pictures. Instead I had teams submit their leo photos to me or I took photos off of social media, it just was not the same, but I was determined to still put together the Annual Leo List. We are all experiencing a crazy time in history right now, meets & training may be over or halted, but the Leo List will always prevail!
This will be the 7th year for the list (which is crazy!) and I have to say to all the coaches out there in Region 5, GREAT JOB! you are making this decision INCREDIBLY hard year after year! I absolutely LOVE IT!
So, the moment everyone has been waiting for………..Drum Roll Please!….Here is my Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List numbers 10-6!
As soon as I saw Chicago Park’s leo I loved it! I saw it for the first time at Gym on the Grand earlier in the season and immediately added it to my list. This is another one that looks great on all the girls and has the right amount of flashy jewels and a subtle amount of baby blue to give it a little something extra! This leo gives a slight European feel which I also love!
9. GymNasti (IL) 1st yr/Universal (OH) 2nd yr
I absolutely love the color of GymNasti’s leo, for me this is my favorite leo from this club. My gym kids absolutely love this one, it topped many of their lists when I asked them for their input. I love the sparkle of this leo an it photographs so well, I have seen a few senior photos in this leo and the pinky/purple color really pops! Its a great leo choice for GymNasti.
This is also one of my favorite Universal Leos! It is the same design as GymNasti, but with a few subtle differences. I love the pairing of the black with the royal blue along with the mesh midline and sleeves. This leo photographs so well and definitely makes a statement from across the gym. It also is another leo that looks great on every girl on the team.
8. Cincinnati Gymnastics (OH) 7th yr
CGA is no stranger to this list, they are the only team that has made the list every year since 2014! That is 7 years of great leos, but what helps CGA is that they get a new leo each year. This leo has a similar concept to those in the number 7 spot an its another that I have seen many variations of through the Region & country. However, what I love about this leo is that it is very sweet and looks good on every girl on the team. The colors blend well together and I love the flower design on the mesh. This again is another leo that reminds me of the old school leos of the past that I loved. What would of made this leo that much better would be if the black bottom was velvet, because it definitely looks like it could be.
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7. Bay Valley Academy (MI) 3rd yr/Integrity (OH) 1st yr
I love both of these leos! This design seems to be a huge trend this season, with multiple teams having this design that I have seen, not only in Region 5, but around the country. Bay Valley & Integrity hold the number 7 spot together because these two leos are pretty much the same give or take some jewels. Even the red and pink is so similar it was hard to decide which I liked better! I think both these leos are very elegant I love the neck line, its a low sweetheart, but with a mesh overlay. The bottom of the leo being black makes it look great on everyone, plus it kind of reminds me of some one the old school leos that I grew up loving.
6. Midwest Elite (IL) 1st yr
This is absolutely the BEST leo that Midwest Elite from Illinois has ever had! As soon as I saw it I loved it on them it looked great on everyone on the team. The colors are so vibrant and the jewels just light up the entire leo, they definitely stand out on the competition floor.
Congratulations to our 10-6 & Honorable Mention Leos! It was a hard decision to make this list!
“As sand through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives” I think this accurately describes the never-ending Corona Quarantine. However, Corona Quarantine will not stop us here at the Region 5 Insider from still bringing you all your favorite Gymnastics content from around our great Region!
So here on Taco Tuesday, we will continue our 20 Questions Feature with 3 Time JO National Qualifier & 2018 Best Bar Combo Yahtzee Award winner Katie Harper! Katie is one of my favorite athletes to watch especially on Uneven Bars! She has always had unique Uneven Bar skills, such as her low bar giant to hop-full that is performed in 2017. In 2020, Katie has definitely grown little bit, making her bars that much more beautiful to watch with her newly added height! I absolutely love watching taller athletes swing bars, their extension is exquisite. Before 2020 was cancelled, Katie was definitely on my list for “ones to watch” heading into Regionals, however we never made it that far but I am positive Katie would of made her 4th JO National Championships.
Looking towards the future expect Katie to make a huge impact and make a run at the 2021 JO National Championships. As we all continue to workout in backyards & basements, let’s get to know Katie Harper a little better as she gets ready to hopefully get in the gym this summer.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was always flipping around at home, so my parents decided I needed to try gymnastics. I started classes when I was two and started competing when I was five.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is bars because I love swinging and trying new skills.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? Why? My favorite skill to train/compete is a giant-full to a full-in on bars. I like how unique it is and how they flow together.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a Ray on bars.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is spending so much time with my teammates and competing for Region 5 at nationals.
What college do you plan on attending? I am undecided at this point, however it is my goal to compete at a collegiate level.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why My favorite meet to compete at is J.O Nationals because I get to meet so many people and the energy while competing makes it much more enjoyable.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics is making it to J.O Nationals three years in a row.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature is the All Access Workout.
What kinds of things really make you laugh? My friends and TikTok always make me laugh!
3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my friends, family and coffee!
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a cat because they can sleep all day!
Thoughts on the 2019-2020 Season ending like it did? I am very sad about how the season ended because I was excited and prepared for a great States, Regionals and Nationals. However, I understand that it is to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What are you doing to keep up your training during Corona Quarantine? I workout everyday to stay active during Quarantine. I have been running and doing pilates with my dad and sister also!
What do you miss most about gymnastics during this time? I miss being able to flip everyday and seeing all of my teammates.
What is the first thing you want to do once you can get back to gym & training? When we can get back into the gym I am going to train very hard and be patient with myself as I get everything back to normal.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment was my first year level 10 when I peeled after my low bar hop-full.
Do you have a nickname? If so what Is the story behind it? My coach sometimes calls me “Mad Cat” because I get very serious when I’m focused.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Lebron James because of his incredible ability and his contributions to the community.
Something you learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you? Something that I have learned and will take away from Gymnastics is to focus on the details.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or Nationals Moment? One of my most memorable moments in gymnastics was scoring a 9.85 on bars at the 2019 regionals and placing first!
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice my coach has ever given me is to be patient with myself.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. Something interesting about me is I love to travel!
In this podcast we introduce you to our first ever Region 5 All Decade Team. Region 5 is a very talented region with lots of accomplished gymnasts. The list of accomplishments includes many regional, national and even Nastia Cup titles. These athletes on our All Decade Team list are the best of the best over the last 10 years. Find out who made this list!
