Episode 11: Grit and Grind- 2019 Level 10 JO National Preview with Chalk Warrior

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May 14, 2019

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Chalk Warrior’s own Lauren Stevens joins us for a full breakdown of this week’s upcoming Level 10 JO Nationals in Indianapolis. We look at each age group giving you the ones to watch and some interesting tidbits of information about the athletes you may or may not have known. How will Region 5 compare amongst the nations best? Who will win the 2019 JO Nationals Championships? We give you our predictions and more in this episode.

Revisit 2018 Final Results- Region 1 Wins, Results Announced Wrong

Whats on MAC’s MIND- Dressing Up the Venue- Men’s JO’s

Breaking Down Age Groups
Day 1 Competition- Saturday

Junior A

Annalise Newman Achee- Region 6

Karleigh DiCello Hills and Jamie Wright World Class- Region 7

Samantha Macasu, Legacy Elite Region 5

Kaliya Lincoln Region 1

Senior A

Region 5 Strong- Tyson, Oliveros, Penamante lots of talent

Sage Thompson- Region 1 Huge Bars 2019 Nastia Qualifier

Isabel Song- Will Moor (Toe shoot double layout)

Joshua Tree Skin Care (Heals Like a Rest Day) order here

JRB- 2018 Region 3

Jamison Sears, World Class 2019 Nastia Qualifier, Power Hurdle to Frt Tuck-DB Stalder Shaposh – Region 7

Kiley Rorich, SouthEastern Beautiful Bars- Region 8

Whitney Bjerken, Georgia Elite Region 8- 1 million youtube followers

Bars of Twistars Kendall Abney and Presleigh Buck Region 5

Senior B

Maddie Johnston, Hills – Former Elite

Marigold Garrett, Elite Gymnastics Academy (Uses Memmels 2003 FX Music)

2019 JO National Team Member Cassi Barbanente, Palmers- Region 5

Gillian Rutz, Perfection Region 5

Junior C

Madison Raesly Patton (World Champions, before texas dreams) TOE POINT 1/1 on Pike off- Region 3

Gabrielle Dildy- Region 7 Stalder blind jaeger 9.8 bars

Zoe Middleton, 2019 Nastia Cup Qualifier Region 7

Nikki Smith, Oakland Region 5

Senior C

Delanie Harkness, Twistars Region 5

Kiya Johnson, Texas Dreams 10.0 on vault, 1st AA 2018 JOs 3rd at 2019 Nastia

Chae Campbell 2016 P&G competitor – Region 3

Haleigh Bryant, Everest HSP Frt Pike 1/2 ( maybe 1/1)

Nicole Wojcek (Natalie sister) Regional bars champ 9.75- Region 7

Annelise Silverman- North Stars open 1/2 in 1/2 out on floor- Region 7

Skylar Killough Wilhelm, Triad – Region 4

Predictions results after day 1

Region 5 Insider Classic coming to Fort Wayne in March 2020 (Link to Meet Page)

Day 2 Competition- Sunday

Junior D

Faith Torrez, Legacy Elite 2018 JO National Champ

Ava Piedrahita 2019 Nastia Qualifier, 1/2 on front pike off, Back 1 1/2 to Rudi -Region 7

Selena Harris, Gym Cats 2018 US Champs competitor 9.925 stuck 1 1/2 vault (Memmel turn to illusion, Khorkina though she does ray)- Region 1

Jacquie Moran, San Mateo (andrea li bars) 9.925 state 9.85 regionals beautiful swing

Senior D

Andrea Li 2018 JO National Champion Region 5

Sierra Brooks, Aspire Region 5 AA Champ

Jullian Hoffman SCEGA 9.9 FX Huge DL , 5th JOs 2018- Region 1

Cassidy Rushlow Region 6

Rylie Mundell Region 3 2017-18 Nastia Qualifier

Adriana Popp- Former elite Huge 2 BHS to Layout 2 feet Region 7

Elena Arenas, Georgia Elite – Former elite

Junior E

Jacey Vore, JPAC Region 5

Strong Bar Squad for Region 8

Lali Dekanoidze, Southeastern 2018 JO National Champ Region 8

Region 8 team dominated by Southeastern

Danae Fletcher, MG Elite Region 7

Cameron Machado First State Former elite Region 7

Amari Celestine SCEGA 10.0 on Yurch 1 1/2 Region 1

Tori Tatum TCT former elite – Region 4

Senior E

Gabby Wilson, Olympia Region 5

Strong Talented team for Region 5

Cassie Stevens 2019 Nastia Qualifier, 10.0 Yurch 1 1/2 Region 1

Raena Worley, Virginia Techniques 2019 Nastia Qualifier – Facial Expressions, Fist Pumps- Region 7

Junior F

Ellie Lazzari, Legacy Elite Region 5

Skyla Schulte, Ella Cesario, Katya Sander- Region 5 all over 38

Tiger Twins- Anapula and Jimena Gutierriez Both competed at US Classic- Region 3

Region 3 5 scores on vault over 9.825

Senior F

1,2,3 Punch for Region 5 Rivers, Richards, Doggette (dominated 2018 JO’s) all over 38.4

Chloe Widner, Texas Dreams 6th at 2018 JO’s

Hallie Thompson 2019 Nastia Qualifier Triple full, Yurch 1 1/2 2018 JO Nat vault champ tied Makarri

Abby Paulson TCT former elite

Ones to watch- We pick out top 5 or 6

Projections for the Podium (Predictions)

Final Thoughts

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2019 Level 9 Eastern National Championships (Day 1 Competition)

By

Kim Dowis

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May 14, 2019

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Day 1 of the 2019 Eastern National Championships started out full of energy and cheers, even though Brett forgot the Cheer Sticks, that did not stop Region 5 from having the best cheers in the arena! The Junior 1’s struggles a little on the bars, but hit the other 3 events, for many of these kids it was their first time representing Region 5 at the National Championships. Junior 2’s rocked it out today all over the gym to bring us our first All-Around Champion (Railey Jackson) & our first Team Title of the weekend. The Junior 3’s & Junior 4’s hit incredible Vault & Floor sets after having some struggles on the Beam & Bars. The Junior 4’s had to wait on two separate occasions for judging conferences prior to starting their beam and floor rotations, but these girls handled it well, especially the first athlete up. The Junior 4’s brought us our 2nd National Champion (JoJo Valahovic) and our 2nd Team award with a 2nd place finish. The last session of the day was the Junior 5’s & Junior 6’s. The Junior 5’s started out a little rough on bars but hit the next 3 events in a big way to earn the Junior 5 Team Title! We also saw our 3rd All-Around Champion (Breelyn Rickey). The Junior 6’s had solid performances all over the gym to earn a 2nd place team title as well as our 4th All-Around Champion of the weekend.

Congratulations to our Day 1 All-around & Event National Champions.

For full results click the age group links below

Junior 1

Balance Beam
1st Avery Schlichting, Gym Academy of Rockford 9.450

Junior 2
All-Around
1st Railey Jackson, Legacy Elite 38.100
Vault
1st Railey Jackson, Legacy Elite 9.525
Floor Exercise
1st Railey Jackson, Legacy Elite 9.575
Team
1st Place

Junior 3
Balance Beam
1st Josey Kiefer, Cincinnati 9.475

Junior 4
All-Around
1st JoJo Valahovic, Gym World 38.300
Vault
1st Olivia Orengo, IGI 9.575
Uneven Bars
1st JoJo Valahovic, Gym World 9.700
Floor Exercise
1st(T) Olivia Orengo, IGI 9.575
Team
2nd Place

Junior 5
All-Around
1st Breelyn Rickey, Perfection 37.650
Team
1st Place

Junior 6

Uneven Bars
1st Alexis Cano, St. Charles 9.725

Team
2nd Place

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JO National Newbies: Marisa Aiello (Hunts)

By

Kim Dowis

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May 12, 2019

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Name: Marisa Aiello

Gym: Hunts Gymnastics

Age Group: Senior A

Graduation: 2021 (Verbal Commitment to Pitt)

Favorite Quote: “You are your only limit”

Favorite Superhero: The Flash

Favorite Subject: History

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

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Tell us about your experience competing at level 10 regionals in 2019, compared this experience to past Regionals. At Regionals this year I was very confident going into the meet because I had been working hard in the gym and becoming more consistent with my skills. Competing at Regionals was really exciting because the group of Region 5 gymnasts I was with were very supportive and cheering for each other. Although I have competed and trained as a level ten gymnast since I was twelve years old, this year I feel that I was most prepared and had all my skills to get myself to nationals. My biggest challenge throughout the past year has been becoming more confident at competitions. Through previous experiences at Regionals, I have learned that it is not easy to qualify to nationals but if you work hard, have determination to succeed in the gym and believe in yourself, everything will fall into place.

What are you most looking forward to about nationals? At nationals, I am most looking forward to competing with my region 5 national team. I will be with gymnasts I have already developed friendships with and look forward to developing more friendships.

How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage? To represent Region 5 on a national stage is an honor. It also means being the best I can be with my new team representing the best Region there is.

What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO nationals? One of my most memorable moments in gymnastics was when I caught my tkachev. I can remember as a young gymnast looking up to the older girls and hoping I could do a skill like that one day. When I caught it I felt I had achieved one of the greatest goals I had set for myself.

What is the most powerful piece of advice you have received and how has it specifically impacted your gymnastics?The most powerful piece of advice I have received is as long as I don’t give up on the challenges gymnastics gives me and I stay true to myself, everything will work out.

Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts etc. One of my hobbies is taking care of my cats and dogs. I also like to be outside as much as possible and cook with my mom.

JO National Newbies: Sydney Hayashi, Buckeye

By

Kim Dowis

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May 9, 2019

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Name: Sydney Hayashi

Gym: Buckeye

Age Group: Senior C

Graduation: 2020

Favorite Quote: You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” -C.S. Lewis

Favorite Movie: Now You See Me

Favorite Super Hero: Batman

Favorite Food: Pasta

Favorite Color: Purple

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Tell us about your experience competing at level 10 regionals in 2019, compared this experience to past Regionals or Level 9 Regionals if this was your first year of 10. At previous regionals there were always a few of us from our gym, but this year there were a bunch of us as well as other friends from all over the region. Having been an alternate 2 years ago, I got to meet many new people who I still keep in touch with and will be attending nationals with this year!

What are you most looking forward to about nationals? I am most looking forward to spending time with everybody and being apart of the region 5 family.

How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage?I am so excited to represent region 5 on a national stage as I get to do what I love with amazing friends and coaches!

What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO nationals? My most memorable moment in gymnastics was in level 8 when I made my vault by myself for the first time. I was at my last meet of the season and I landed my second vault finishing the season off with my first yurchenko to my feet. I was never the most powerful gymnast so getting my vault was a huge accomplishment that I will never forget.

What is the most powerful piece of advice you have received and how has it specifically impacted your gymnastics? The most powerful piece of advice I have received as a gymnast would have to be to push through the bad days. Everyone has bad days, that is just a part of life. However, the only way to get better is to get through them as they will not only lead to better gymnastics but they also help you become a better person. I have learned how to handle emotions and pain as well as how to not give up. I also know how to help bring someones spirits back up when they are having a bad day because I too have had them and all it takes is for someone to make you smile and you automatically begin to feel better.

Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts etc. I love working with kids and I am currently a coach for Westerville’s Special Olympics gymnastics program. I also have a Hawaiian middle name that is long and kind of hard to pronounce.

JO National Newbie: Rachel Rybicki, Olympia

By

Kim Dowis

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May 8, 2019

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Name: Rachel Rybicki

Gym: Olympia

Age Group: Junior D

Graduation: 2022

Favorite Quote: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

Favorite Subject: Spanish

Favorite Food: Steak and Mashed Potatoes

Favorite Actor/Actress: Zendaya

Favorite Super Hero: Wonder Woman

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Tell us about your experience competing at level 10 regionals in 2019, compared this experience to past Regionals or Level 9 Regionals if this was your first year of 10. I had a really great experience at level 10 regionals this year! During my previous regionals and at level 9 regionals I always competed by myself, but this year I was able to compete with my teammates and with a bunch of other really awesome girls. I tried to not think about qualifying to nationals, and more about enjoying the meet and doing my best gymnastics. You could really feel all the energy at the competition which made it even more exciting to compete!

Talk about moving into level 10, the challenges you have faced and the success you have had over the last year. I have had a hard time with consistency this year. In the beginning of the year I was competing as a 10 for the first time and I was always really nervous. As the year went on though, I got more used to competing and doing all my level 10 skills. My teammates all helped me to have fun and do my best gymnastics while competing, and by the end of the year I was having a lot of success with my floor routines! My floor score even counted toward our team score at states!

What are you most looking forward to about nationals? I can’t wait to room with the girls from my age group and make some new friends. I was able to get to know all of them a little bit after regionals and they all seem like such great girls! I am very excited to get to know each other better and spend some time together.

How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage? It feels amazing! I can’t wait to wear the Region 5 leo and represent our region! I’m very happy to be able to be apart of a huge supportive team!

What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO nationals? The most memorable moment for me this year was when my team won states! It was a very difficult and close competition, and being able to win made all the hard work worth it!

What is the most powerful piece of advice you have received and how has it specifically impacted your gymnastics? The most powerful piece of advice I have ever been given came from my coach. She told me to let go of anything that happened in the past and to not dwell on it. I needed to live in the moment and be able to take in everything and enjoy it. I can’t let the stuff from the past affect the present, because there is no way to go back and change it.

Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts etc I am very distantly related to Jonny Appleseed!