Region 5 Favorite Level 9 Leotards of 2019

April 18, 2019

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! This will be the 5th year for the list 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!

In 2017 I started to put together a list of my favorite Level 9 Leotards, because not every team has a Level 10, which is the prerequisite to make the Top 10 list. So each year since I have put together a short list of my favorite Level 9 Leotards.

Mid State Gymnastics

I absolutely LOVE this leo! If this team had a Level 10 competing in the Region 5 Championships this leo definitely would of made the Top 10 list. When the session started I immediately noticed the athlete in this gorgeous purple leo! It caught my eye my all away across the gym. Simply stunning!

Five Star

Another eye-catching leo that would definitely make the Top 10 list if they had a Level 10 competing at Regionals. This was another leo that caught my eye immediately. I especially love the front, the different shades of blue with the white and the black mesh is simply beautiful and the jewels are breathtaking! You could see the sparkle of this leo from up where we were live-streaming!

I-Power

I first saw this leo at the 2019 Circle of Stars meet in Indy. The back is what caught my eye first. I love the strappy design of the back and the jewels.When I then saw the front I realized this is a UCLA Leo created by the company Rebecca’s Mom. I have always loved this leo on the UCLA Gymnastics team, so I instantly loved it on this team.

Midland Gymnastics

I really like the design of this leotard, it has always reminded me of a beautiful butterfly! The colors together are a unique combination that makes the leo stick out in a crowd. I love how the black mesh carries onto the back and the cuffs of the sleeves have the pink design.

Elite Sports Academy

This leo has been used by a few teams, I have seen it in a few different color schemes, but this black to white ombre really caught my eye when I first saw it. There is just something so elegant about the black and white with the sweatshirt neckline and the jeweled cuffs. I just really love it.

So these are my Top 5 Favorite Level 9 Leotards from the 2019 Region 5 Championships. Stay Tuned for our Top 10 Favorite Leotards with #6-10 coming soon.

Top 5 Vaults (Level 10) 2019 Region 5 Championships

Jason MacDonald

April 17, 2019

How do our top Region 5 Athletes on each event compare to the NCAA Champ Teams?

Here are the top 5 level 10 vaults across all age groups from the 2019 Region 5 Championships. Check out all the videos from regionals (more still to come) and subscribe to our new Youtube Channel
Region 5 Championships Playlist

NCAA Team Score: 49.2

Gabby Wilson, Olympia 9.925 (Senior E) +.1 bonus in JO

JerQuavia Henderson, Gym Corner 9.85 (Senior D) +.1 bonus in JO

Makarri Doggette, Buckeye 9.85 (Senior F) +.1 bonus in JO

Linda Zvat, Phenom 9.8 (Senior E) +.1 bonus in JO

Faith Torrez, Legacy Elite 9.775 (Junior D) – JO Start Value 10.0 not 9.95

Kai Rivers, Twistars 9.75 (Senior F) JO Start Value 10.0 not 9.95

20 Questions with JO National Qualifier Sidney Washington (Gym America)

Kim Dowis

April 16, 2019

presented by:

Our next 20 Questions Athlete is an absolute favorite of mine. Sidney Washington, of Gym America in Michigan, is such a wonderful presence in the gym and on the competition floor she has a great personality, a huge smile while out competing and just absolutely seems to love what she is doing. I was so bummed last year when she did not make JO Nationals, this athlete is truly something special. Sidney, however went big this weekend and earned herself a spot on the Junior F Dream Team that will represent Region 5 in a few weeks in Indianapolis, Indiana at the 2019 JO National Championships. Sidney who is a sophomore in High School has a few more years with us here in Region 5 before she goes off and conquers college gymnastics, because she will be a huge asset to any college team, so let’s get to know Sidney a little bit better as she prepares for her first JO National Championships.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was about 3 years old when my friend and I wanted to hang out more, so our parents put us in gymnastics together.

What is your favorite event? A lot of people ask me this question, and my answer is “I don’t really have one they’re all challenging, but they are all fun in their own way.”

Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill would probably be my shaposh ½ on bars.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a Double full on vault.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is seeing my best friends every day, and Ed’s warm-ups.

What college do you plan on attending? Why? I plan on going to any college that is interested in me, because I feel like it’s important to be open with as many options as possible.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? One of my favorite meets is Chicago Style because of the leotards/American Girl Store (in like level 4), or Coaches Spectacular because I’ve been competing in that meet since level 4.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My most recent accomplishment in my opinion was winning the All-Around at States. (These questions were filled out before the Region 5 Championship, this past weekend Sidney qualified for her first JO Nationals)

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Why?
I admire the amount of hard-work and dedication a person has to have in order to do this sport, along with teaching valuable life lessons, and dealing with mental blocks.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series?
My favorite would probably be the bloopers because it let’s other gymnast look make and laugh about their mistakes.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to song before meets is You Can’t Stop Me by Andy Mineo, because it really pumps you up with energy and good vibes.

3 Things you could not live without? 3 things I could not live without are my cats, food, and my friends and family.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would want to be a cat because they nap all day, and they get to do whatever they want because they have that “I’m in charge, I am the boss of everything” mentality.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important or must have items in my gym bag are extra leotards, deodorant, tacky towel, extra hair ties, grips/wrist guards/knee brace.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I usually say a quick prayer before the competition begins just to get my mind in the right place.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics?
I like to hang out with friends, go out to shop or watch movies, but most importantly binge on Netflix with my cats.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? When I hardcore split the beam at States.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a gymnast I would try Volleyball because it seems fun.

What are you most looking forward to this competition session? Competing with former teammates, and having a good time with my buddies

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? “When all else fails… do better” ~ Brian Zook, “Go out there and compete free” ~ Claudia Kretschmer

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself….I am currently in an all girls choir named Colla Voce, and that’s pretty fun.

Region 5 Twenty Five “Ones to Watch” Ohio

Kim Dowis

April 10, 2019

Presented by:

The 2019 Region 5 Championships begin this tomorrow. As we approach the action packed weekend, we will be focusing on the up & coming gymnasts that you may not be aware of from each state in our great Region to keep your eye on. Region 5’s Twenty Five “Ones to Watch” ends with the 5 athletes from The Buckeye State….OHIO. These athletes either are first year level 10’s, coming back from injury or looking to qualify onto their first Region 5 JO Dream Team.

For more videos of our Michigan gymnasts or more across our region check out and subscribe to our new Youtube Channel

Grace Walker, Integrity

Olivia Lynd, Perfection

Gabby Van Frayen, Gym X-Treme

Allie Morgan, Universal

Isabella Trostel, Buckeye

Check out the athletes from Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan

For complete coverage of the 2019 Region 5 Championships, hosted by Branch Gymnastics (April 11-14) in Battle Creek Michigan, please continue to follow us on all forms of social media. We will be live streaming all weekend along with updates, videos and interviews.

Good Luck to all the athletes, coaches and judges participating in the 2019 Region 5 Championships and a special thank you to our gracious hosts Branch Gymnastics.

20 Questions with Senior Hannah DeMers (Splitz)

Kim Dowis

April 9, 2019

presented by:

Our next 20 Questions Athlete is 2018 JO National Qualifier and Senior Hannah DeMers of Splitz Gymnastics in Canton Michigan. I personally cannot believe Hannah is finally senior! I have watched this talented athlete grow up in the state of Michigan, I feel like she has been a Level 10 forever! I actually always thought she was older than she was because of how she carries herself on the competition floor and in her gymnastics, she has a mature feel about her. In the Fall Hannah will be sticking close to Michigan and Region 5 joining the Central Michigan Gymnastics Team. As The Region 5 Championships begin Thursday, Hannah will be trying to qualify to her final JO National Championships and ending her journey with Splitz Gymnastics and Region 5. So, let’s get to know Hannah a little better as she closes out her JO career and competes in her final Region 5 Championships.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I got into gymnastics when I was just two years old. My mom started taking me to Splitz for open gyms to run off my energy. The coaches there said I was fearless and recommended for me to take classes.

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

Favorite Skill to train/compete. My favorite skill to train is layout full-in dismount off bars. My favorite skill to compete is my front double full on floor.

Dream Skill? My dream skill would be yurchenko double full on vault.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics are the lessons I learn along the way.

What college do you plan on attending? Why? I plan on attending Central Michigan University. I chose CMU because the school has amazing opportunities and the team is hardworking and fun.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is at Nationals. I enjoy competing at Nationals because it proves that all your hardwork has paid off.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is earning a full-ride scholarship to Central Michigan University.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Why? I admire Katelyn Ohashi the most because she isn’t just good at gymnastics, she loves what she is doing. Her gymnastics is unique and fun to watch.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature is the fail “OMG” moments of 2018.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Before meets I usually will listen to music that will pump me up or get me excited.

3 Things you could not live without? Three things I could not live without is my cat, my phone, and friends.

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 I could lay in the sun all day and sleep.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important things in my gym bag are my lucky slippers, my grips, scrunchies, extra leos, and chapstick.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? My pre-meet ritual is that before every meet I have to go to church on Sunday.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to watch netflix and go shopping with friends.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moments are the countless numbers of times I’ve tripped and fallen walking off and on mats.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast I would try dance.

What are you most looking forward to this competition session? I am looking forward to just having fun and enjoying my last few meets left before I graduate.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice a coach has given me is to just slow down and don’t get ahead of myself.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself….

When I was younger, I used to be on a slalom ski racing team called XLR8.

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