Senior Saturday with two time JO National Qualifier and 2017 JO National vault champion JerQuavia Henderson better known as “Q”. Q talks about what gymnastics has meant to her and how it has shaped her into the person she is today. Region 5 has had a huge impact on her and she is grateful for being able to be apart of something bigger and developing the relationships with the athletes and coaches. She is doing what she is supposed to be doing and looking forward to growing more as she moves onto the University of Iowa.
Week 4 in the NCAA was filled with Scary Eyes, Sassy Elegance and Confident Swagger. UIC continues their winning ways in final season, while the SEC has another exciting trilogy of exciting meets. The leos were shades of red and our Alumni Conversation with Eastern Michigan Junior Emili Doboronics.
2:07- MAC ATTACK
* NIU vs Bowling Green and UIC (2:30)
* EMU vs Ball State (12:25)
30:03- Alumni Athlete of the Week Conversation- Emili Dobronics
35:58- Salute the Heights
* Kentucky vs Florida (36:07)
* Georgia vs Auburn (50:34)
– gymnasties of Auburn (Johnny R is now a Gymnastie)
* LSU vs Alabama (1:11:45)
1:27:33- Alumni All Around
* Michigan vs Maryland (1:28:02)
* George Washington vs PITT (1:39:05)
* Ohio State vs Michigan State (1:41:18)
* Wesley Stevenson, (Stanford); Nia Dennis, (UCLA); Chrissy Berg, Haley Hendrickson (Arizona); Jade Brown, (Kent State)
2:00:00- Lovely Leos of the Week
2:03:55- D 2/3 Alumni Spotlight- Brooke Kachinsky (UW-Lacrosse)
This past weekend was the 9th Athlete Warrior Challenge hosted by Olympia Gymnastics. What I love the most about this meet is the concept, each year athletes receive a different color Karate Belt that corresponds with the years they have competed in the meet, for example if it is your first year you receive the white belt and if it is your 9th year the Black Belt. This year we have reached the Black Belt Level! I myself have either competed, coached or filmed at this meet every year since the very beginning, so this was a very exciting year for me. This year the Level 10 session was a session all its own, with teams from UGI, Stars & Stripes, Mid Michigan, Gym X-Treme, Olympic Dreams, Next Level, Water’s Edge, Euro Stars, Medina, Future Gymnastics, Power in Motion and of course the host gym Olympia Gymnastics all competing. Below are the Junior & Senior Level 10 Results from a competitive groups of athletes.
Our next 20 Questions Athlete is Oakland Gymnastics Senior Nyah Smith. Nyah, who has trained at Oakland her entire career, has been a Level 10 since 2016 in her 2nd her as a 10 she qualified to the 2017 JO National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nyah, who’s younger sister Nikki is also a Level 10 at Oakland, is known for her double back beam dismount, which ironically her sister competes as well. Nyah, who attends North Farmington High School, is a talented young athlete who in the fall will be continuing her gymnastics career at Michigan State University, which I am sure her coach Ruth Miller loves being a Michigan State Alumni herself, the Spartans are home to quite a few Oakland Gymnastics Alums. So, let’s get to know Nyah a little bit better as she tries to qualify to one last JO National Championships in her Senior season as an Oakland Gymnast and a Region 5 Gymnast.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics at age 2 in the Mommy & Me class at Oakland Gymnastics. I had lots of energy and loved jumping off everything – furniture, steps, and landings. My parents thought gymnastics would be a great fit to channel my energy and love for jumping around.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is Vault.
Favorite Skill to train/compete: My favorite skill is double back off beam dismount.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a Full-in on floor.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics?My favorite part of gymnastics is competition because I feel energized and confident.
What college do you plan on attending? Why? I plan to attend Michigan State University.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete is the Classic Rock Invitational in Phoenix, AZ because it is in a warm location and I have had great experiences competing there.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is qualifying to JO Nationals.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Why? I admire that each gymnast has her own personal style or unique way of competing skills.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? Region 5 Spotlight is my favorite feature because it is a chance to learn about other Region 5 gymnasts.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to song is Dreams & Nightmares by Meek Mills.
3 Things you could not live without? The top 3 things in my life are (1) family, (2) friends and (3) phone.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a polar bear because they are cute but vicious.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? I must have (1) my headphones, (2) my grips, (3) fragrance body spray, (4) deodorant, and (5) Aquaphor.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I love to shop. I am a shopaholic.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? At Elevate the Stage Meet, during warm-ups, going into my leap pass on floor, I slipped and fell because I used too much Aquaphor.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I would play Volleyball.
What are you most looking forward to this competition session? Having a great final JO season with my teammates.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? “Your mistakes do not define you.”
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I can cross one eye.
Episode 3 of our College Salute breaks down the triple header in the SEC which featured two nail biter down to the last routine finales. We also got some background stories on a few of our alums during the broadcasts including a unbreakable bond between a Gator and a Tiger. Lots of of talk on our Region 5 alums in week 3 and our Alum Athlete of the Week conversation with Illini junior Karen Howell.
2:06- Salute the Heights
* Arkansas vs Kentucky
– Story on Sydney McGlone Elbow Injury (Arkansas) (3:37)
* Alabama vs Georgia
* Florida vs LSU
– Story on Amelia Hundley and Lexi Priessman (28:50)
37:05- Alums around the country
* Iowa vs Minnesota (37:13)
* Michigan vs Michigan State (41:07)
* North Carolina vs Ball State vs Oklahoma (46:22)
* NIU, EMU and WMU (57:21)
* Illinois vs Maryland (1:05:28)
1:13:07- Alumni Athlete of the Week Conversation- Karen Howell
1:20:00- Alumni All Around Salute
1:24:48- Lovely Leos of the Week
1:27:30- D 2/3 Alumni Spotlight- Sierra Beaver (UW-Stout)
