JO National Newbies: Katie Kowalski (Mid Michigan)

By

Kim Dowis

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May 15, 2019

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Name: Katie Kowalski

Gym: Mid Michigan

Age Group: Senior B

Graduation: 2020

Favorite Quote: ” He who says he can and he who says he can’t, are both usually right”

Favorite Social Media: SnapChat

Favorite Type of Music: Country

Favorite Actor/Actress: Black Lively

Favorite Color: Blue

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Tell us about you experience competing at Level 10 Regionals in 2019, compare this experience to past regionals or Level 9 Regionals if this was your first year of 10. My experience at Level 10 Regionals in 2019 was definitely a lot of fun. I made sure to have a positive attitude throughout and be happy for all my teammates from other gyms. This year I wasn’t focusing on my scores and where I would place, I just wanted to make sure I tried my very best on every skill and routine. That as all I could ask for from myself

What have you learned from previous experiences at Regionals or Nationals and what made this year different? I learned this year at Regionals that it wasn’t about where I stood on the podium or at the meet, it was how I stood. I just focused on having fun and making the best of every moment.

What are you most looking forward to about nationals? I am super excited to be part of such an energetic and powerful team. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and make new friendships all while getting to do the thing we love most.

How does it feel to represent Region 5 on a national stage? It feels amazing to be able to represent Region 5 because I have dreamed about being a part of this experience since I was a little girl, always looking up to my teammates who earned their spots before.

What is your most memorable moment in gymnastics besides qualifying to JO Nationals? The most memorable moment in gymnastics other than qualifying to JO Nationals was winning vault and finishing 2nd place in the All-Around at Level 9 Easterns.

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 was from my coach who always reminds me that I need to just have fun with what I do and trust my practice. Remembering this advice helps me calm my mind and take deep breaths before I compete my routines.

Tell me something interesting about yourself….special talents, hobbies, interesting facts, etc.. I was very fortunate to have modeled for Tumbl Trak for a couple of years with my teammates. I also became quite close with the staff that was always there.

JO Nationals Newbies: Madison Greene, Champion (Ky)

By

Kim Dowis

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May 14, 2019

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Name: Madison Greene

Gym: Champion (KY)

Age Group: Junior E

Graduation: Class of 2021

Favorite Quote:“To never give up no matter how hard it is.”

Favorite Color: Light Blue

Favorite Social Meda App: Snap Chat

Favorite Movie: Pearl Harbor

Favorite Superheo: Batman because of the colors

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Tell us about your experience competing at regionals in 2019: From my first regionals to this year’s regionals I gained a lot of confidence. My first regionals I was very nervous and I let the nerves get to me. I didn’t enjoy competing regionals like I should. This year at regionals I wanted to enjoy the experience but also go out there and do the best I possibly could.

What have you learned from previous experiences at regionals? At previous regionals, my mind set was only on qualifying to JO Nationals. This year was different because I focused on hitting my skills and going out there and doing the best I possibly could. My mind set was correcting the little details. From the change of my mindset it let me control my nerves and make it to JO Nationals.

What are you most looking forward to at JO Nationals? I am mostly looking forward to creating new friendships, making lifelong memories, and representing Region 5!

How does it feel to represent Region 5 on the big stage? My most memorable moment in gymnastics is catching my jeager for the first time. I will never forget that day. I was starting to get frustrated because I was catching but peeling off for a week straight. My teammate, Megan Bingham, was doing the same thing I was doing. We were talking in the chalk bucket and we both decided that this is the one. We were encouraging each other and hyping each other up. Next turn we both caught.

What is your most memorable moment besides qualifying to JO Nationals?Representing Region 5 on national stage is a little nerve wracking but it’s also very excited. I am excited to gain the experience and create memories that will last a lifetime.

What is one of the most memorable pieces of advice you have received and how has it specifically impacted you in gymnastics? One of my most memorable pieces of advice that I have received is to never give up on my goals and to continue to want to better myself. At the beginning of season, we wrote down goals and one of my goals was to focus on the little details to qualify to nationals.

What are some hobbies you enjoy? Some of my hobbies include listening to music whether it’s country or hip-hop, going shopping, hanging with my friends, and by far my favorite watching criminal minds. Criminal minds is by far my favorite show to watch ever. I love everything about it and how it’s so intense in every episode.

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

By

Jason MacDonald

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May 14, 2019

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presented by:

Click here to download podcast

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

0

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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.