Region 5 hosted its first Hi-Tech Coaches Seminar at Branch Gymnastics in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This event drew Level 8-10 coaches from throughout Region 5 to learn from some of the top coaches in the country. All clinicians, who are USA Gymnastics National Staff, have coached Elite Level Athletes. The clinicians brought some great education, drills and skill work to us here in Region 5. Hopefully, next year more coaches will be able to attend this educational opportunity.
Steve Hafeman (Twin City Twisters)-Vault
Vladimir Smirnov (Shooting Stars of Hickory)-Bars
Luminita Garcy (National Staff)-Beam
Bob Peterson (Desert Lights)-Tumbling
Joy Omenhofer (USA Trampoline National Staff)-Trampoline
Mary Lee Tracy (Cincinnati Gymnastics)-Organization & Planning Team Practice
Dr. Allison Arnold-Sports Psychology
Kim Sisto-Sports Medicine
Video highlights from the summit coming soon!
Check out our photo gallery below from the weekend
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.
Meredith Donovan (GTC Indiana) New Double Back on Floor
Our next Level 9 Eastern National All-Around Champion is Junior 4 Champion Jenna Olshefski of Universal Gymnasts in Ohio presented by A-1 Awards.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!How does it feel to be the 2018 National All Around and beam JR 4Champion?
Being all around and beam JR 4 champion is such a big accomplishment for me and feels amazing. This was always my goal and I achieved it which makes me feel good.
Tell us how your meet went today? Walk us through each moment of your day, warm ups, events etc….
Todays meet went really well for me. When I got to the arena I was nervous, but I knew I had already felt the equipment at practice the other day and could be confident in my gymnastics. When warm ups began I started to get so pumped looking around me and knowing that I had made it this far and seeing how organized and good Region 5 looks. The Jr 4 Dream Team came in knowing what they were doing which made me so excited because I knew I was going to have so much fun and do it for the team.
What do you normally do between events to stay focused and ready for the next event?
In between events I try to stay focused by just putting previous events behind me. In this particular meet, I started on vault which is not my strong event. I just kept telling myself that I can have fun with these next events, the best is yet to come.
Tell us about the atmosphere of the meet compared to regular season meets you have been too.
Being my first year of level 9, the surroundings at Nationals is just amazing. It’s really neat seeing all the other regions working as a team to pull a win and hearing the names announced on floor was really cool too. This meet brought together the best of the best and it was time to shine.
What is it like being part of Region 5 at Eastern Nationals? (be descriptive)
Being a part of Region 5 at Nationals is such an amazing thing. Anyone in Region 5 and all the other regions know Region 5 has something special. Region 5 pumps us up so much and gets us ready to do amazing anywhere we go. Being a part of this team was so much fun. The cheers that coaches made up for us and dedication that was put towards our group is unbelievable. Being on the Region 5 team at Nationals is a lot of fun and lot less nerves.
How has your experience been here at Nationals? What have you been doing besides competing?
The whole experience of coming up with my teammate, practicing and going to the welcome party together was just so amazing. The experience at the meet, and leading up to it is something I will never forget. Focusing more on the meet, competition was a blast cheering for others and getting to know people throughout our region. It was fun getting to know my teammates that I will be seeing in the future and creating friendships. The day after competition my family and I went to Niagara Falls. When we got back home, I got my nails done because I can’t have them done during season and I am enjoying a few days off!
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When the meet is over what is or what was the first thing you did to celebrate your win?
The first thing I did to celebrate my win was go out to eat with my teammate, Caitlyn, who would be competing the next day. I got her amped up and ready for her big day!
Other than becoming National Champion, what was one highlight of the meet for you today?
A highlight of my Nationals was honestly just taking in the whole experience and knowing I made it here, I wanted to do my absolute best and lay everything out there. No regrets!
Anything crazy or funny happen during your meet today?
This sounds pretty funny but I’m all about superstition so, the pins used on my number were my friend and teammates’ Tory Vetters’ from her Nastia cup win! That was pretty funny and made my confidence kick in more.
How does Region 5 compare to the other Regions out on the competition Floor? What sets Region 5 apart?
From the same warm up, to the same outfits, the tattoo, blinking glasses, team concept and good gymnastics, Region 5 is the place to be. Region 5 is set apart from the others because of how organized we are. During warm up, we were all in sync, doing the same warm up as a team and other regions didn’t have all the same warm up and extra accessories that makes Region 5 who we are.
Who inspired you the most today? What did they say to you? How did you get amped up and motivated today?
My coaches , Dave and Natalia amped me up the most because they told me how far I have come and that I can’t qualify to anything else after this meet so to look around and see my surroundings and mostly to enjoy this privilege of competing at Nationals with Region 5.
Jenna was also part of the National Champion Junior 4 Team as well as placing 1st on the Balance Beam.
Up close to the action on the floor from the 2018 JO Nationals in this Region 5 Sights and Sounds. Region 5 always brings the spirit and top level gymnastics every year at nationals and here is an inside look at the moments during the competition you may have missed.
Our next Level 9 Eastern National All Around Champion is Maleah Crowley of Legacy Elite presented by A-1 Awards
How does it feel to be the 2018 Junior 7 Level 9 Eastern National All Around Champion? To be a National All Around Junior 7 Champion makes me feel like I accomplished not only one season goal, but two.
Tell us how your meet went today? Walk us through each moment of your day, warm ups, events, etc..I woke up ready to have a solid meet, and I did just that. It was not my strongest meet, but I was consistent for all 4 events.
What do you normally do between events to stay focused and ready for the next event? To stay focused on events I usually just live in the moment and do what I need to.
Tell us about the atmosphere of the meet comrade to regular season meets you have been too. The venue felt professional, it was a little bit colder than normal, yet it was more energizing because we represented Region 5 rather than an individual gym.
What is it like being part of Region at Eastern Nationals? (be descriptive) Region 5 is known for being the best region and it was a great experience to be part of a new team and represent Region 5.
How has your experience been here at Nationals? What have you been doing besides competing? It was a really quick trip, just an overnight. But an experience of meeting so many other talented gymnasts and I also built more relationships so it was great.
When the meet is over what is or what was the first thing you did to celebrate your win? My parents gave me a big hug but we had to rush to the airport right after.
Other than becoming National Champion, what was one highlight of the meet for you? My mom surprised me and came, so I had both my parents at the meet.
Anything crazy or funny happen during your meet? I accidentally saluted during the announcement when the announcer said “Legacy” it wasn’t Legacy Elite and I saluted with the teammate next to me.
How does Region 5 compare to the other Regions out on the competition Floor? What sets Region 5 apart? Region 5 develops the feel of a true team by the camps and talks.
