From a 198 dual at Oklahoma and some crazy scoring to a double arabian stick fest, week 5 had its share of excitement. We breakdown this weeks two live meets in the SEC, the score explosion at Oklahoma, check in on the MAC conference and Flip for Chip. Our D3 Spotlight this week is Bailey Finin from University of Wisconsin OshKosh.
2:43- SALUTE THE HEIGHTS
* Arkansas vs Georgia (3:12)
* Alabama vs Missouri (28:17)
– Ariana Guerra Story (35:10)
Full Out Recruiting (45:47)
46:40- MAC ATTACK
* Western Michigan vs Ball State (46:42)
* Central Michigan vs Illinois State (58:46)
1:16:26- Alumni All Around
* Nebraska vs Michigan (Flip for Chip) (1:16:36)
* Florida vs Oklahoma (1:40:16)
1:58:23- Lovely Leos of the Week
2:02:10- D 2/3 Alumni Spotlight- Bailey Finin (UW-OshKosh)
Our next 20 Questions athlete is JPAC Senior Hadyn Crossen. Hadyn, who will be attending Eastern Michigan University in the fall, has been with Jaycie Phelps & Dave Marus at JPAC since the end of her Level 8 season (2013). The following season Hadyn was the Level 9 Eastern National Champion as well as vault and balance beam champion. After a rough 2015, due to injury, Hadyn qualified to the 2016 JO National Championships in Forth Worth Texas. As Hadyn embarks on her final season with not only JPAC, but Region 5 as well, she is looking to qualify once again to the JO National Championships before she heads off the to the Eagles of EMU in the Fall. Let’s get to know Hadyn a little better as she closes our her JO Club career.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was about 18 months old and i started mommy and me classes. I was always super energetic and loved it so my mom kept me in it!
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars because I love the feeling of flying and being upside down on the bar.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train and compete is a tkachev on bars because I love the feeling you get in the air
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double layout on floor
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is getting the opportunity to compete all around the country, training with my best friends, and the feeling you get after hitting a good routine
What college do you plan on attending? Why? I plan on attending Eastern Michigan University because I love the coaches and team. Also, the atmosphere is so positive and welcoming and I can’t wait to be a part of it!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is Jaycie Phelps Midwest Showdown or JO nationals because of the energetic atmosphere between all the gymnasts and coaches
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is winning Eastern nationals in 2013 and accepting a full ride scholarship to compete gymnastics at Eastern Michigan.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Why? I admire lots of gymnasts but if I had to choose one I would pick Jaycie Phelps. She is such a great role model to look up to and her hard work, good attitude, and passion is shown everyday.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I like to watch region 5 all access because it is interesting to see how different gyms train.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to songs typically depends on my mood but usually something upbeat to get me pumped up
3 Things you could not live without? 3 things I couldn’t live without would be my phone, leggings, and my family and friends
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a lion because they are very tough and fierce yet swift and pretty
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important or must have things in my gym bag are chapstick, tape, tiger paws/ grips, water, stick roller
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I always eat pasta the night before a competition
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to travel if I have time, watch any good movies/shows, and hang out with friends and family
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment was at a level 7 meet when I fell on almost every skill in my beam routine
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If i wasn’t a gymnast i would try pole vaulting cause it looks fun and it’s not a super common sport.
What are you most looking forward to this competition session? I am most looking forward to competing my senior year with my teammates who I have been with for many years.
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 that attitude and effort are the two things you can control in any situation.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I am very superstitious and I don’t like to touch or wear the color purple
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)
