How do our top Region 5 Athletes on each event compare to the NCAA Champ Teams?
Here are the top 5 (+1) level 10 bars sets 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 Top 5 Region 5 Vault
NCAA Team Score: 49.3
Andrea Li, Legacy Elite 9.875 (Senior A) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
Makarri Doggette, Buckeye 9.875 (Video from Training 4/18/2019) (Senior F) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
Brookelyn Sears, TOPS 9.85 (Senior E) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
Gabby Wilson, Olympia 9.85 (Senior E) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
Ella Cesario, Legacy Elite 9.85 (Junior F) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
Katie Harper, Universal 9.85 (Junior B) +.1 bonus 1o.1 start in JO
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.
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
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.
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
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.
