College Salute Take 2: Region 5 Alums in the MAC Conference for 2020

By

-

December 7, 2019

The excitement and anticipation is growing as the 2020 NCAA competition season is fast approaching … about four weeks away!

The teams are gearing up for their intrasquad and exhibition competitions which officially brings a close to the preseason training. Many of the schools hold intrasquads in their competition arenas or training gyms that are judged by official certified judge(s) giving it the feel of a actually competition. However in the last couple years, some of the schools have come together for a three or four team exhibition competition simulating what the conference championships as well as the NCAA qualifying round and championships competitions will feel like.

Quad Exhibition Meet on Saturday – Check out CMU, EMU, WMU @ Michigan (Live stream link) * need BTN+ or Flogymnastics subscription to watch

The Mid American Conference (MAC) has become very competitive with the level of gymnastics increasing every year. Region 5 is very well represented in this conference with 49 #R5Alums total on team rosters across the seven schools in the MAC. We have compiled a list of former Region 5 athletes at each school and provided some bio info for each so you know who to look out for this season.

Check out our new podcast now up: R5 College Salute Season #2 “MAC ATTACK” 2020 MAC Conference Preview

Ball State

7th at the 2019 MAC Championships 193.5
Qualified 3 gymnasts to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

Returnees

Stefanie Schweikert (Sophomore) from Queen City- Full Bio

Career highs of 9.875 on vault (2 times), 9.800 on bars during her freshman year
Qualified and scored a 9.8 on vault at the NCAA Regionals

Tori Long (Junior) from Anderson Gymnastics- Full Bio

Lauren Volpe (Sophomore) from Libertyville Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on beam in 11 meets as a freshman
Achieved career high on beam of 9.8 twice during the season

Newcomers:

Megan Teter (Freshman) from Gym World- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at 2017 JO Nationals
3rd on Bars at the 2017 JO Nationals (9.575) (video link)

[/content_box]

[spacer]

Kent State

4th at the 2019 MAC Championships 194.775
Qualified 2 gymnasts to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

Returnees

Jade Brown (Senior) from Twistars Gymnastics- Full Bio

2019 MAC Floor Champion 9.9
Career high on bars 9.825 in 2019

Madison Iannuzzo (Sophomore) from JPAC- Full Bio

Competed in all 11 meets on bars in 2018
Achieved career highs on bars 9.825 and floor 9.775 in 2019

Emily Kelly (Senior) from Aerial Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on bars in 5 meets in 2019
Achieved career high of 9.625 on bars in 2019

Cami Klein (Sophomore) from DeVeau’s Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on beam in all 11 meets in 2019
Achieved career highs on vault (9.7) and beam (9.8)
9.8 on beam at the 2019 MAC Championships

Kendra Lindway (Sophomore) from Gym World- Full Bio

Achieved career high of 9.7 on vault in 2019
Scored a 9.65 on vault at the 2019 MAC Championships

Nasha Davis (Junior) from JPAC- Full Bio

Achieved a season high of 9.775 on floor at the 2019 MAC Championships

Sammi Nero (Senior) from Elite Gymnastics- Full Bio

Achieved career high on vault 9.725 in 2019
Achieved career high on bars 9.625 in 2019

Toshi Richard (Junior) from Gym World- Full Bio

Competed in 11 meets on floor in 2019
Achieved season high 9.85 in 2019
Scored a 9.825 on floor at the 2019 MAC Championships

Madison Trott (Sophomore) from Olympic Dreams- Full Bio

Achieved career high 9.85 on bars in 2019
Achieved career high 9.825 on floor in 2019
Named MAC Specialist of the Week in 2019

Gabby Williams (Senior) from Youngstown Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on bars in 11 meets
Achieved career high on bars 9.8 in 2019
Academic All MAC Team in 2019

Newcomers:

Olivia Amodei (Freshman) from Hunts Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2018 JO Nationals
9th on Floor at the 2019 JO Nationals 9.5 (video link)

Rachel DeCavitch (Freshman) from Gym World- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2017, 2018, and 2019 JO Nationals
Placed in the top 3 on floor in 2018 and 2019 at JO Nationals (video link)
2019 Region 5 Floor Exercise Champion

Karlie Franz (Freshman) Hunts Gymnastics Academy- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2017 JO Nationals
8th on vault at the 2017 JO Nationals
3rd on Floor at the 2019 Region 5 Championships 9.725 (video link)

Jackie Harker (Freshman) from Youngstown Gymnastics- Full Bio

6th on beam at the 2018 Region 5 Championships (video link)

Taylor Wentland (Freshmen) from DeVeau’s Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2017 Level 9 Eastern Championships
7th on vault and beam at the 2018 Region 5 Championships (video link)

[/content_box]

[spacer]

Western Michigan

6th Place at the 2019 MAC Championships 193.75
Qualified 2 gymnasts to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

Returnees:

Amelia Mohler (Senior) from United Gymnastics Academy- Full Bio

Two time MAC Specialist of the Week in 2018
Career high 9.925 on bars in 2018
Regular in Bars (high 9.9) and beam (high 9.85) beam line-ups in 2019

Taylor Buis (Senior) from Champion USA- Full Bio

Set career highs on bars (9.8) and beam (9.825) in 2018
Competed on Vault, Bars and Beam in 2019
Set career high on vault 9.85 on 2019

Emily Carless (Sophomore) from Branch Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on beam and floor in 2019
Achieved season high 9.875 on beam twice in 2019

Carissa Ludwig (Sophomore) from Stars and Stripes- Full Bio

Competed on Vault, Bars and Floor in 2019
Season and career high of 9.775 on floor at the 2019 MAC Championships

Newcomers

Payton Murphy (Freshman) from Palmers Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2017, 2018, and 2019 JO Nationals
Finished 6th AA at the 2019 JO Nationals (38.4)
3rd on Floor (9.65) at the 2019 JO Nationals (9.65)
2018 Region 5 Floor Champion 9.65 (video link)

Amanda Gruber (Freshman) from Flying High Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5, competed for Region 2 at the 2018 JO Nationals (video link)
5th on beam at the 2019 Illinois Level 10 State

Arianna Mamelka (Freshman) from Hunts Gymnastics- Full Bio

Finished 4th on beam at the 2019 Michigan Level 10 State
Finished 5th on floor at the 2017 Region 5 Championships
video of her 9.425 beam set at Born to fly

[/content_box]

[spacer]

Eastern Michigan

Finished 3rd at the 2019 MAC Championships 195.35
Qualified 3 gymnasts to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

Returnees:

Cortney Bezold (Junior) from Gym Nation- Full Bio

Competed in all 12 meets on bars in 2019
Achieved a career high of 9.9 on bars in 2019
Qualified to the 2019 NCAA Regionals on bars
Two time MAC Specialist of the Week in 2019

Emili Dobronics (Senior) from United Gymnastics Academy- Full Bio

Competed AA in every meet in 2019
Achieved career highs on 3 events and the AA in 2019
2019 MAC Champion on floor (9.9)
Qualified in the all around to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

Cali Harden (Junior) from Gym America- Full Bio

Competed vault in all 12 meets in 2019
Achieved career high 9.8 on vault in 2019
Academic All MAC

Brooke Hylek (Sophomore) Twistars Gymnastics- Full Bio

Did not compete in 2019
Represented Region 5 at the 2016 and 2017 JO Nationals
2016 Region 5 Bars Champion

Kara Roberts (Sophomore) from Splitz Gymnastics- Full Bio

Did not compete in 2019 due to injury
Represented Region 5 at the 2016 and 2018 JO Nationals

Catilin Satler (Sophomore) from United Gymnastics Academy- Full Bio

Competed in every meet on floor in 2019
Achieve career highs of 9.875 on both beam and floor in 2019
MAC Specialist of the Week in 2019

Newcomers:

Mickayla Stuckey (Freshman) from Cincinnati Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2016, 2017 and 2019 JO Nationals
9th on beam at the 2019 JO Nationals
3rd on floor at the 2019 Region 5 Championships (video link)
2017 Region 5 All Star Team Member

Hayden Crossen (Freshman) from JPAC- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2016 JO Nationals (qualified in 2019 but scratched)
Finished 6th on bars and 7th on beam at the 2019 Region 5 Championships (bars video link)
5th on Floor at the 2016 JO Nationals 9.575

Corey Melcher (Freshman) from Gym America- Full Bio

2016 Region 5 Level 9 vault champion
Qualified to Region 5 Level 10 Championships 3x
video of Corey on beam at the 2018 Twistars Invite

Molly Parris (Freshman) from Gym World- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2019 JO Nationals
5th on beam at the 2019 Region 5 Championships (video link)

[/content_box]

[spacer]

Central Michigan

2nd at the 2019 MAC Championships 195.575
Qualified a team to the first round of the 2019 NCAA Regionals
Qualified 2 athletes onto the 2nd round of the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

Returnees:

Nora Fettinger (Junior) from Mid Michigan Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed in vault and floor in all 12 meets in 2019
Achieved a career high 9.8 on vault in 2019
Academic All Mac honors in 2019

Newcomers:

Audriana Hammond (Freshman) from Waters Edge- Full Bio

Qualified to 2019 Level 10 Region 5 Championships
2017 Level 9 Eastern Floor Champion (video link)
2017 Level 9 Michigan State AA Champion

Brenna Hauser (Freshman) from JPAC- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2016 JO Nationals
10th on bars at the 2016 JO Nationals (video link)
5th on bars and 6th on vault at the 2018 Region 5 Championships

Mayleigh Vanderbeek (Freshman) from Champion USA- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2016 JO Nationals
4th on vault and floor at the 2017 Region 5 Championships (video link)

Hannah DeMers (Freshman) from Splitz Gymnastics- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at the 2018 and 2019 JO Nationals
Finished 3rd AA at the 2019 JO Nationals (JO National Team Member)
2019 Region 5 floor champion (video link)

[/content_box]

[spacer]

Northern Illinois

2019 MAC Team Champions 195.975
Qualified 2 athletes to the 2019 NCAA Regionals

[content_box]

returnees:

Catherine Biddle (Junior) from Twistars Gymnastics- Full Bio

Led off on beam in 2019
Achieved her career high 9.875 on beam 3x in 2019 including at MAC Championships
Hit all of her routines during the 2019 season

Cinny Lamberti (Senior) from Gymnastics Factory- Full Bio

Competed on vault and beam in 2019
Achieved career high on beam 9.825 at MAC Championships
NIU top vaulter in 2019 with NQS of 9.805

Mia Lord (Junior) from DeVeaus Gymnastics- Full Bio

2019 MAC Champion on the balance beam 9.9
Qualified to the 2019 NCAA Regionals on beam 9.8
2019 All MAC (2nd Team)

Nina Martucci (Senior), from AGA- Full Bio

Competed on vault and bars in 2019
Achieved career beat of 9.675 on vault 2x in 2019

Kelsey Martz (Sophomore) from New Heights Gymnastics- Full Bio

Did not compete in 2019

Allison Richardson (Senior) from Integrity Gymnastics- Full Bio

Competed on bars beam and floor in 2019
Achieved career and season best 9.9 on floor 2x in 2019
Scores helped to break 2 team records in 2019 (beam and floor)

Newcomers:

Natalie Hamp (Freshman) from Twistars Gymnastics- Full Bio

Injured in 2019 (club)
2018 Michigan Level 10 State Bars Champion 9.7 (video link)
2nd in the all around at the 2016 Level 9 Eastern Championships
2016 Level Eastern Bars Champion

Ciara Ryan (Freshman) from Crystal Lake Gymnastics- Full Bio

7th on bars at the 2017 Region 5 Championships (video link)

Brooklyn Sears (Freshman) from TOPs- Full Bio

Represented Region 5 at JO Nationals in 2015, 2017 and 2019
2nd on bars at the 2019 JO Nationals 9.775 (video link)
2019 Region 5 bars champion (9.85)

[/content_box]

Podcast: The College Salute Season 2: "The MAC ATTACK" 2020 MAC Conference Preview

By

Jason MacDonald

-

December 5, 2019

1

Download Podcast

“The MAC Attack” In this first episode of the 2020 NCAA season we preview what the MAC conference looks like for the perspective of our Region 5 alums. We break down the seven teams in the MAC with discussion on each terms returnees that will make an impact as well as the incoming freshman. Lots of talent Region 5’ers will compete in MAC this season we give you insights on who and what to watch from this underrated conference.

Very competitive conference across the board

What will we focus on this season with the College Salute

Break Down each of the 7 Schools in order of finish at 2019 MAC Championships

Northern Illinois University
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Kent State University
Bowling Green University
Western Michigan University
Ball State University

Joshua Tree Gym Balm: It Heals like a Rest Day”. Get 25% off your order with code Region 5. Click here to order Jtree today

Next on the Region 5 Insider: New Content coming up this month

Subscribe to our new Youtube competition video channel

Thanks again to our sponsors and Patreon supporters

Support the Region 5 Gym Insider- Become a Patreon

Thank you to all our Patreons, followers and subscribers.

Follow us on all our social media accounts Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

20 Questions with 2019 Eastern National Bars Champion Bailey Hebert (JPAC)

By

Kim Dowis

-

November 19, 2019

0

We end our 2019 Eastern National Championships coverage with 2019 Junior 7 Uneven Bars National Champion, Bailey Hebert. Bailey, from Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center in Indiana, made big waves in her first year of Level 9 not only qualifying to her first National Championships, but coming away as a National Event Champion as well. Bailey, who is a Freshman in high School, not only rocks on the Uneven Bars, but is exceptional on the Floor Exercise as well, her routine is fun and powerful and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her first Level 10 season. Let’s get to know Bailey Hebert a little better as she swings her way into Level 10 and a run at the 2020 JO National Championships.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My mom used to tell me stories about me running around and being a “ball of energy” so she decided to put me in gymnastics. I was 3 years old.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is floor.

Favorite Skill to train/compete My favorite skill to train is a Yurchenko ½ on vault.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double layout on floor.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is creating so many incredible and long-lasting friendships with my teammates and other gymnasts from other gyms.

Do you love chocolate? Are you looking to get some more protein in a tasty way?

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet I have competed at is Eastern Nationals. The energy from the region 5 gymnasts, staff, and other gymnasts was indescribable and unforgettable.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is winning bars at level 9 Eastern Nationals.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? In the sport of gymnastics, I most admire my coaches. The amount of hard work and effort they put in to help all of us gymnasts achieve our goals is inspiring.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature/Series is Making Moves Monday. Seeing the gymnasts of region 5 progress is so fun and incredible!

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist/song is anything country because it will pump me up.

3 Things you could not live without? Three things I couldn’t live without are my family, water, and food!!!

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal, I would be a koala because they are happy all the time and have a very chill life.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important items in my gym bag are tape, pre-wrap, grips, tiger paws, and hair ties.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Before each meet, especially if it is in the morning, I like to eat fruit and eggs. I also always listen to music right before I go onto the competition floor.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to swim, hang out with my friends, and go to concerts!

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a gymnast, I would like to try volleyball.

How does it feel to be a Level 9 Eastern National Champion? Being a Level 9 Eastern National Bars Champion is a feeling that is indescribable and the most amazing feeling I have ever felt.

Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? My most memorable JO
Nationals moment is my coach’s speech right before bars. He told me if I do what I have trained in the gym and stay tight, I have the ability to win bars. These words helped me throughout my entire routine and achieve my goals.

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 believe in myself and to have confidence. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Whatever you tell yourself and you believe, that is what is going to happen!

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I played softball when I was 6 until I was 10 while I was also doing gymnastics!

Region 5 NLI Signees from Class of 2020

By

Jason MacDonald

-

November 18, 2019

0

The second week in November is a very exciting one every year for gymnasts all around the country/world. This week brings an official end to the recruiting process for all those who have verbally committed to an NCAA Division 1 University with the signing of the NLI…. National Letter of Intent.

This signing period is celebrated with signing parties that include all the pomp and circumstance symbolizing a major accomplishment that has been achieved. There are very few scholarships each year when you compare them to the numbers of gymnasts looking to sign that dotted line. These signing parties are also a motivational experience for all those younger gymnasts who have college gymnastics on their future goal list.

Region 5 is one of the most highly recruited regions in the country. As you can see from those schools who attend High Tech/High Performance camp every year, Region 5 has the talent colleges are after. Though we have many more 2020 seniors who will be moving on to compete at the NCAA level next year, our list of scholarship athletes from our region is very impressive. These athletes below are some of the best in the country and will certainly be fun to watch as they represented their universities during the 2021 competition season.

Here are our Region 5 athletes who signed their NLI’s as well as a gallery of the celebrations.

[content_box]

Air Force- Cassidy O’Neill (Cincinnati)

Arkansas– Gillian Rutz (Perfection)

Arizona State– Cassi Barbanente (Palmers)

Auburn- Tara Walsh (Olympia)

Bowling Green- Lauren Bannister (Champion, KY)

California– Andrea Li (Legacy Elite), Gabby Perea (Legacy Elite)

Central Michigan- Adriana Bustelo (Cincinnati), Katie Kowalski (Mid Michigan)

Florida- Ellie Lazzari (Legacy Elite) (going early)

Illinois- Allie Morgan (Universal Gymnasts)

Illinois State- Carly Hawksworth (Aspire Gymnastics)

Kent State- Olivia Rapp (Universal Gymnasts) , Izzy Geig (Gym World), Sarah Haxton (DeVeaus), Keely Young (Olympic Dreams)

Michigan State- Delanie Harkness (Twistars), Naomi German (Olympia)

Minnesota- Gianna Gerdes (Gym Xtreme)

NC State- Brooke Conley (Legacy Elite)

Northern Illinois- Kendall George (Buckeye), Alyssa Al Ashari (Twistars), Olivia Lynd (Perfection), Isabelle West (Buffalo Grove)

Ohio State- Hannah Oliveros (Phenom)

Penn State- Maggie Mace (Cincinnati)

Rutgers- Avery Balser (Buckeye)

Towson- Sarah Girot (DeVeaus)

Western Michigan- Dani Petrousek (Rockford)

**elites Shania Adams (Buckeye) to Alabama and Shilese Jones (Future) to Florida as well as Level 10 Emma Pritchard (Gym Xtreme) to Michigan State on hold and could be signing in the near future.

[/content_box]

20 Questions with Eastern National Bars Champion Alexis Cano (St. Charles)

By

Kim Dowis

-

November 12, 2019

0

Continuing our coverage of our 2019 Level 9 Eastern National Champions is the Junior 6 Uneven Bars Champion Alexis Cano of St. Charles Gymnastic Academy. Alexis is a natural bar swinger it is no wonder she took the top spot on the Uneven Bars at Nationals capping her strong performance with a stuck landing! Alexis, who also took the top spot at the Region 5 Championships, improved on her score in Florida. Alexis, who is a freshman in high school, has started training Level 10 and will try her hand this season at the highest JO Level. Let’s get to know Alexis a little better as she readies herself for a great season and a run at the 2020 JO National Championships.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started at a park district program when I was three. My instructor suggested I sign up for a class at our local gymnastics center. I signed up for a preschool class and the rest is history.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars.

Favorite Skill to train/compete? I love to train maloney, and I like to compete a round off full and a half off beam.

Dream Skill? A dream skill for me would probably be a ray on bars, or a backhandspring backhandspring layout on beam.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I like to compete, and feel proud of what I have accomplished, and I also make so many new friends. I think my favorite part though is how much it teaches you.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? my favorite meet to compete at is Chicago style because it’s kind of a bigger event and it has people from all around the world that come.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in Gymnastics so far is earning the highest bar score for level 9 out of every eastern qualifier.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? How much it teaches you. Over my years in gymnastics I have learned so much from athletic ability to discipline to work ethic, you get out of it what you put into it, how to conquer fear, and how to manage time.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series is Making Moves Monday.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I actually have a hype playlist for meets that are usually all types of rap that I arranged for myself.

3 Things you could not live without? 3 things I could not live without would be my parents, my friends, and my coaches.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a monkey, as mentioned before bars is my favorite event and I think it would be fun to swing around on trees and be able to hang upside down.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important must have items in my gym bag are tape, prewrap, hair ties, biofreeze, and lip balm.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Not really the only thing I do is listen to my playlist.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of Gymnastics I sing a lot in my free time.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment was when I was in level 4 I did a front handspring over the vault and tripped and almost fell on my face and did like five forward rolls in front of everyone.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I were not a Gymnast I would try volleyball or softball.

How does it feel to be a Level 9 Eastern National Champion? Really good, it’s always a goal to make it to nationals and then to win bars made me feel like I did put in all this work for a reason and now I can prove it.

Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? I love meeting all these new people. I have met so many people in my sport and they ended up becoming my closests friends. I competed nationals with one of my old teammates that I started gymnastics with when we were both 6 years old and i’m definitely never going to forget the time we competed the meet together.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My bar coach, Eugene always says “You earn your medals in practice and pick them up at the meets.” I will always remember that.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. Sometimes people are surprised that I have a twin brother. I love to sing and I’ve been in a choir since 4th grade. I also used to play the violin, and i’ve been a pretty good straight A student enrolled in an advanced academic program in middle school and now taking 3 honors classes at Bartlett High School. My current aspiration is to become some kind of physical therapist or chiropractor.