In this Coaches Wired, Champion USA’s Tami Schaafsma coaches first year JO National qualifier Sarah Moraw through warm-ups and the competition on beam during the Junior B session at nationals this past May. Tami keeps Sarah in a positive mental state and reminding her how well she is doing. Listen in as Tami reminds her to be confident in her moments and Work with a Purpose.
Our next 20 Questions Athlete is JO National Qualifier Kiara Gianfagna of Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center (JPAC). Kiara, who thanks to Jaycie I can now pronounce her last name correctly, is a strong all around athlete full of high energy and big skills. It was a joy to watch Kiara on the competition floor this season. What I love most about Kiara is her floor routine, she gets sky high on her tumbling passes, has unique music and composition. Kiara has a few more years left with us in Region 5, lets get to know Kiara a little bit better as she finishes up her summer training and heads into season to make a run at another JO Nationals Dream Team.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 18 months when I 
started started gymnastics and my parents are the ones who first got me involved in this sport.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is vault because I can be as powerful as I want and I like the feeling I get when I am flipping/twisting through the air.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train or compete is a 1 ½ on vault.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a pike full in on floor.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the feeling you get when you know you have nailed an amazing skill, routine, or meet and the closeness of my team.
What college do you plan on attending? I have not made a final decision at this point.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet is the Jaycie Phelps Midwest show down because all the teams that compete there cheer on each other and the atmosphere is always energetic.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is making it to level 10 nationals my first year level 10.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire all the learning curves and discipline it teaches us.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region Five Insider Feature is Making Moves Monday.
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What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist is Country Radio on Pandora.
3 Things you could not live without? I couldn’t live without my dog, my bed, or my 
phone.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a cat because you have no worries in the world, you can be lazy, and everyone takes care of you.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? Grips,Tape,Pre-wrap,A Friction Stick, and a water bottle
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I take a 15 to 30 minute nap and I listen to music
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to watch Netflix and hang out with my friends and family
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment was at my first level 10 meet and I feel on every tumbling pass on floor.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I would try softball.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Bethany
Hamilton because she got the biggest obstacle thrown at her that she could get and put her faith in God while also persevering and made her dreams happen.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice I have gotten is to control my adrenaline and to do my skills like I have trained to do.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…….One of my weird quarks is that I love to clean and organize things.
Check out Kiara’s JO Nationals Gallery Below
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Region 5 is making their move into 2019. Check out some of the new skills being done from our gymnasts around the Region. If you want your upgrades to be included in future Making Your Move posts upload your video to your Instagram page (must be public or put up on gym IG) and tag us @region5gyminsider. #R5MakingMovesMonday
Haley Tyson (Phenom Gymnastics) Working on a layout full out on floor (Pretty Nice!)
Sarah Moraw (Champion USA) New piked jaeger release on bars
Sadie Huizenga (Champion USA) It was a release move week at Champion, nice Gienger
Hannah Hautala (Champion USA) Working hard at Forward Progress Camp, new Tkatchev
Cadi Duplissis (Champion USA) New Gienger to add to the release frenzy at Champion
Ashley Resch (Gymnasti) New full in on floor into resi
Shannon Chase (Emeth) New Flight Series: Front Aerial BHS Layout
Kaitlyn Grimes (BIG) Starting to get into first 1/2’s, Check out Grimes on bars
Michigan Elite’s Kaia and Logan two new releases
Emma Gayle (Legacy Ky) New Toe Handstand Ray Combo
Our Next 20 Questions Athlete hails from Phenom Gymnastics in Illinois. Haley Tyson who is the currently 2018 JO National Floor Champion, has been a Level 10 for 2 years and has qualified to JO Nationals both years. Haley is an incredible talent with big skills all around the gym. For me this athlete kind of flew under the radar last year, but this year definitely made her name known. She is a powerful athlete who always has a smile on her face on the competition floor. Not only did Haley pickup a gold medal on floor at Nationals she was also part of the winning Junior E Team. Lets get to know Haley a little bit better as she finishes up her summer training and heads towards her 3rd level 10 season and her 3rd run at the JO National Championships.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars because I love the feeling of flying through the air.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was five years old and my best friend invited me to “bring your friend to practice day”.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skills to train are the Ray on bars and the Yurchenko 1.5
Dream Skill? My dream skill would be a full twisting double layout on floor
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is being able to practice and compete with my friends.
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? Bravo classic! It is so much fun to have all your teammates cheering for you. I also love JO nationals because it is an amazing experience and tons of fun.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? Making the JO National team my first two years in level 10 and winning floor at the 2018 JO nationals.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I most admire Aly Raisman because she is a leader in all aspects and an amazing gymnast.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? Region 5 all access because I like to see what other gyms do and what they are training.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I don’t have a specific playlist but I like to listen to “todays hits” on the way to meets
3 Things you could not live without? Family, friends, and my phone. In that order
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a Monkey because I could swing around in the trees every day.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The most important items are grips, water bottle, tiger balm, heel pads, and hair ties.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Some of my pre-meet rituals are: I eat pasta the night before, I wear the same socks, and I like to do my hair the same for every meet.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to hang out with family and friends. I also like to go shopping and take family vacations.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? In level four after finishing my beam routine I saluted in the wrong direction! All while the coach was trying to signal to me to turn around.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I would like to try track and field or diving.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect all athletes that give 100% every day to be the best they can be.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The best advice I have gotten is to trust the process and believe in your ability
Bonus Question:Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I have family in Iceland. I don’t like mint or carbonated drinks. I also love cereal!
Check Out Haleys JO Nationals Gallery Below
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Region 5 is making their move into 2019. Check out some of the new skills being done from our gymnasts around the Region. If you want your upgrades to be included in future Making Your Move posts upload your video to your Instagram page (must be public or put up on gym IG) and tag us @region5gyminsider. #R5MakingMovesMonday
Jazlynn Chism (Midwest Elite) Toe Handstand Maloney Combo
Ashley Resch (GymNasti) Double Back Off Beam
Kaitlyn Grimes (BIG) Layout Full Out Off Bars
Grace Lacrosse (KIAGA) Giant 1/2 Bail Handstand
Sydney Washington (Gym America) Pike Full In
Legacy Gymnastics KY New Upgrade Montage
Katya Sander (Perfection) Full In on Floor
Makarri Doggette (Buckeye)*** New Member of the Double Layout Club***
Rhyley Pitts (World Class) New Ray on Bars
