2018 JO National Championships “Ones to Watch” Seniors

May 10, 2018

The 2018 JO National Championships officially starts today here in Cincinnati, Ohio. we here at the Region 5 Insider would like to feature some of the excellent routines to keep an eye out for during the competition this weekend. This is the 2018 JO Nationals “One’s to Watch” featuring our Dream Team Seniors.

For full coverage of the 2018 JO Nationals from Cincinnati continue to follow us on all forms of social media throughout the weekend.

Senior A

Delanie Harkness Floor

Delanie has always been known for having fun, high energy floor routines that captivates not only the judges, but everyone else watching the performance. Delanie always finds music that matches her upbeat personality paired with complimentary choreography and exceptional tumbling, this routine really draws you in.

Emma Pritchard Floor

I have always been a fan of Emma Pritchard and what I love most about her floor routines is her high energy and showmanship. Emma looks like she is having a great time out there and she really connects with the judges and people watching the routine.

Senior B

Andrea Li Bars & Beam

Andrea Li is an outstanding gymnast all over the gym, every single one of her routines could be on this list, however we will focus on her Beam and Bars. Andi scored a pair of 9.750s at Region 5 Championships to become the Regional Champion on both events. Andi, who shows sharpe lines and perfect form all the way to her toe point, effortlessly flies through the air with legs glued together. Outstanding uneven bars certainly runs in the Li Family. This year is going to be Andi’s year at JO Nationals.

Sierra Brooks Vault

Sierra Brooks is one of the few athletes who performs a 10.1 Vault and she does it exceptionally well having stuck it cold at the Region 5 Championships. Sierra’s vault will surely challenge for the top spot on the podium this weekend.

Hannah DeMers Floor

This kid is one of my absolute favorites and I am so excited to see her finally at the JO National Championships. Hannah, who really does not have a weak event, just needs to put it all together at the same time. I have always loved Hannah’s floor routines and this one is no exception. She has the gift to draw you into her performance and really show off her ability to dance and perform. So do not miss this routine this weekend at the 2018 JO Nationals.

Senior C

Payton Murphy Floor

Payton definitely earned her Regional Floor title! This routine is jammed pack with unique tumbling passes, including one of my very favorites [Front thru to double], and energetic dance. Payton has really come a long way in the last few years and truly is starting to come into her own. What I love most about this routine is her showmanship she just draws you into the performance and she looks like she is having the most incredible time out there. I would love to see this athlete earn a podium spot for this outstanding routine.

Gabryel Wilson Vault & Floor

We cannot talk “ones to watch” without talking about Gabryel Wilson! Gabby is one of the most powerful athletes I have ever seen, everything she does is above and beyond and full of effortless power. Gabby is another one of our Dream Team athletes who performs a 10.1 Vault [Yurchenko 1 1/2] however she can also perform a 2\1 Twisting Yurchenko. It will be interesting to see what she decides to pull out at Nationals this weekend. However, I want to focus on her floor routine today, which again is full of effortless power and extreme energy. In the last few years Gabby’s confidence has really grown, she performs this floor routine like she is at a dance party! Once the first beat of her hip hop inspired music drops you cannot help but watch and want to dance along.

Senior D

Makarri Doggette Floor

Makarri never disappoints in the floor department, she is the defending JO National Champion in the event. Makarri, who makes every tumbling pass look incredibly easy, has a new floor routine with some pretty interesting music. This future Bama gymnast is looking to defend her floor title this weekend in Cincinnati. What I love most about this routine, besides the flawless tumbling, is the fact that she looks like she is having a great time. She has unique choreography that compliments the unique music selection. I would not miss out on this routine this weekend.

Leah Clapper Bars

Leah click link to view routine from 2018 Region 5 Championships

Leah , who has dropped back from Elite for her final club season before she heads to Florida in the fall, has her sights set on a National AA Title. Leah, who does not have weak event in the gym, is the Regional Bar Champion and clearly one to watch on the event as well as on the Floor. Leah is a very tiny athlete, but soars between the bars with huge releases and an even bigger dismount usually to a stuck landing.

Payton Richards Beam

Payton, who is a two time back to back JO National Beam Champion, performs one of the most effortless beam routines I have ever seen. There is a lightness about how she works the balance beam, it is just like she floats above the beam. Watching Payton on beam is like watching Carly Patterson on the balance beam, its like poetry in motion. Payton is also a member of the triple series club and does her double twisting dismount in combination, no wonder she is the defending National Beam Champion. Make sure to catch this routine this weekend because we could see a 3-peat from this future Gator.

Senior E

Sarah Hargrove Beam

Beam Mount and Triple Series that really is all that needs to be said here because this beam routine is anything but routine! Its daredevil meets Cirque du Soleil.

Anna Kaziska Beam

Anna works the beam like most people work the floor. From the beginning to the end the routine flows together like a running river. Anna shows extremely strong lines and beautiful toe point throughout the entire routine. Along with her confidence and nailed landing this is a routine to look out for this weekend.

Senior F

Kaitlyn Higgins Floor

What I love most about Kaitlin’s Floor routine is the unique choreography she has to go with a great piece of music. I have always enjoyed watching this floor routine, especially the floor sequence after her 2nd tumbling passes, its one of my favorites. She also knows how to draw the people into her routine and get them clapping along, which again is one of my favorite things when the audience can clap along.

Karalyn Roberts Floor

Kara, who is a beautiful gymnast all around the gym, really shines on the floor. She has a new Beyonce inspired piece of music this year, which I really love, and she really know how to perform it to the extreme. One of my favorite parts of her routine, besides her sky high tumbling, is the part towards the end were she just steps into a side split and bounces right back up to her feet. Kara has a lightness about her floor routine and her dance, like she is just gliding across the floor. Its a beautiful.

For Complete coverage of the 2018 JO National Championships from Cincinnati, Ohio please continue to follow us on all forms of social media. We will be brining you content from the meet all weekend long.

2018 JO Nationals “Ones to Watch” Juniors

Kim Dowis

May 9, 2018

Heading into the 2018 JO Nationals this week in Cincinnati, Ohio we here at the Region 5 Insider would like to feature some of the excellent routines to keep an eye out for at Nationals. This is the 2018 JO Nationals “One’s to Watch” featuring our Juniors.

For full coverage of the 2018 JO Nationals from Cincinnati continue to follow us on all forms of social media throughout the weekend.

Junior A

Kaia Tanskanen Floor

I absolutely LOVE this floor routine! Kaia is a tiny gymnast with a huge personality, this floor routine definitely shows off her personality and she absolutely loves performing it.

Rhyley Pitts Beam

Rhyley is another very tiny gymnast doing very big skills. This routine is a definite one to watch for a few reasons Rhyley is 11 years old and does BHS BHS Double Back Dismount! Just unreal and she normally rocks the landing.

Junior B

Sarah Moraw Beam

Sarah was the Regional Beam Champion, which was certainly well deserved, what I love about this routine is her beautiful lines and her confidence. Watching Sarah on beam just makes me happy.

Alayna Karl Floor

Alayna is a strong All-Around athlete, but it is her beam and floor that captivated me at the Region 5 Championships. Her floor routine has improved, especially her dance and presentation. This is a fun, high energy routine with some sass! Alayna’s floor is one to enjoy.

Junior C

Faith Torrez Everything!

Faith Torrez is one to watch all over the gym, she swept the medals at Region 5 Championships. she does not seem to have a weak event. Faith competes a triple series on beam, a sky high Yurchenko Full Vault and Swings Bars like no ones business. However, its her floor routine and her huge double layout that is one of my favorites! My jaw literally dropped when I saw her routine. So definitely do not miss this kid at Nationals and her incredible floor routine.

Savannah Miller Floor

What I like about Savannah’s floor routine is her improved artistry and attention to detail. Savannah has always been a lovely gymnast, but has very much started shinning in her details and expressions. The music equally compliments her soft spoken nature and she is simply lovely to watch.

Junior D

Jacey Vore Vault

she may only be doing a Yurchenko Full vault, however the vault she stuck cold at Regionals was perfect! Jacy Vore made this vault seem so effortless and beautiful! The technique is fantastic, her shape is on point and she rocked the landing! For me definitely one to watch.

Katya Sander Beam

Katya is a first year level 10 and what I like most about this beam routine is that it is sharpe, confident and on point! she moves through her routine very easy, like she is just dancing on the floor. Katya is very exact in all her movements, from her extended fingers to her beautiful toe point.

Junior E

Ella Chemotti Everything!

Ella Chemotti, who has made huge improvements all over the gym in the last year, really does not have a weak event she is one of those kids we could feature any of her events, however we are going to focus on her beam. she is the Michigan State Beam Champion 2 years in a row and has a routine that you do not want to take your eyes off of. She works the beam like it is nothing, very confidently and sharpe in all her movements. Ella has exquisite form and artistic presentation and she effortlessly does a 3 skill dismount sequence, this is definitely a routine to watch this weekend.

Makenzie Sedlacek Floor

Makenzie is another one of those athletes we could feature more than one event to watch. However, it is her floor that really caught my eye at Regionals. I absolutely love this routine! From the music to the choreography to the tumbling, everything seems to nicely compliment each other and the way that she rocked her first tumbling pass was incredible. She stuck her landing like and arrow to the dirt. Makenzie also shows great expression in her unique choreography which I of course LOVE.

Junior F

Cassandra Barbanente Bars

What I like about Cassi’s bars is her long lines. Cassi, who is the Regional Bar Champion, has a very nice swing and the fact that she is a bit taller makes her bars look long and beautiful.

Gianna Gerdes Vault

I really like Gianna’s Vault, not only does she do a 10.1 vault, but she is the only one in this Region 5 age group to do a 10.1 vault. Gianna who excels all over the gym, has upgraded this vault this year and she performs it very nicely. She has great shape, form and she makes it look graceful yet powerful.

Hannah Nam Beam

Like many of her CGA Teammates, Hannah Nam has a unique beam mount, not just the typical get on the beam. I love that CGA has really stepped up with many of the girls doing unique and different beam mounts. Hannah’s routine that is packed with difficulty, including a triple series, moves through her routine very sure of herself and very confidently which I love to see on the beam. My favorite beam routines tend to have unique skills and flow like a floor routine. Hannah does just that in her routine and that is why she has a routine to watch.

For full coverage of the 2018 JO Nationals from Cincinnati, Ohio continue to follow us on all forms of social media to keep up with the latest features and updates from our Region 5 Dream Team.

2018 Level 9 Eastern National Championships (Photo Gallery)

Kim Dowis

May 9, 2018

2018 Eastern Recap and Results click here

If you did not have the opportunity to travel to the 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Championships in Rochester, NY check out our photo gallery below and you will certainly feel like you were there right next to Region 5!

Congratulations to all the Region 5 All-Around Champions, Individual Champions, Team Champions and ALL Region 5 Qualifier & Coaches!

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20 Questions with JO National Qualifier Jacey Vore (JPAC)

Kim Dowis

May 8, 2018

To continue our coverage of the Championships Season and prepare for JO Nationals at the end of this week, lets continue our 20 Questions Feature with 2018 Nastia Liukin Cup Junior Runner-up and 2018 JO National Qualifier Jacey Vore of Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center (JPAC) in Greenfield, Indiana. Jacey, who is a 2nd year level 10 Qualified to her first Nastia Cup competition is 2017 finishing 12th, she improved on that finish is 2018 but taking 2nd place in the junior competition along side two of her Region 5 Teammates. Jacey also qualified to her first JO Nationals in 2017 as the 1st Alternate. Jacey, who shares the same first name as her Olympic Coach, makes her gymnastics look effortless. Vore who has upgraded all around the gym is a true All-Around gymnast, she does not have a weak event and she is always seen with a smile on her face while competing. Jacey, who has an incredible connection with her coaches and her team, has been training at JPAC since they first opened their doors in 2010. Lets get to know Jacey Vore a little better as she prepares to take on the best Level 10 Gymnasts in the country this weekend at the 2018 JO National Champions.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? When I was about two years old my brother had a birthday party at a gym and I fell I love! Also, I had constant energy

and was always climbing the pantry shelves, so my parents decided to put me in gymnastics.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event to compete is floor because I love performing, but my favorite event to train is beam because it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world!

Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train/compete is Side aerial on beam

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a Double Arabian on floor

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I love competing, and I love that there is always a challenge in gymnastics; you can always get better. I also will forever cherish the relationships I’ve made through the sport!

What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided as to where I am going to continue my academic and athletic career.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at, so far, is the Nastia Liukin Cup! It’s such an honor to be able to compete there, and the whole experience is so cool. I also love our JPAC meet because it’s such a good atmosphere!

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment so far is getting second place at the 2018 Nastia Liukin Cup.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I really look up to Aly Raisman because she is such a strong athlete and person. She seems like such a fun person to be around and is always so positive!

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I like to watch the All Access Videos because it’s cool to see inside other gyms.

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What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Before meets I usually just listen to the radio because that’s exactly what I do before practice.

3 Things you could not live without? My friends/family, my phone, and food!!

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal, I would be a dolphin because they are super cute and swim like pros! Plus everyone loves them.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? My grips, snacks, hair ties, a water bottle, and my phone.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I usually just have to eat a good meal before a meet and use the same hair ties at every competition.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to hang out with my friends and family, be outside, go to concerts, and bake!

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? Nothing too embarrassing has happen yet(knock on wood!), but I sure say a couple silly things on a daily basis in the gym.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would try volleyball or diving because they both look super fun!

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I truly look up to any hard-working athlete because it is such a commitment to be dedicated to school and your sport. However, I specifically look up to the Paralympic athletes because they are so inspiring, and have worked through so many hardships in their lives.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coaches have given me so many valuable pieces of advice, but I think the one that sticks with me the most is that if I put the work in at the gym, then I can just perform my best and have fun at competition.Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I’ve lived in Indiana all my life, but I HATE the cold!!

Region 5 Wins 6 Finishes 2nd: Easterns Recap

Kim Dowis

May 7, 2018

It’s a wrap for the 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Championships in Rochester, NY.

Region 5 had a successful National Championships this year crowning 7 All-Around Champions, 11 Individual Champions & 6 Team Champions.

The competition started out slow for Region 5 with both Junior 1 & 2 taking second place as a team, Region 5 did crown 2 event champions with Alyssa Taylor (Legacy Elite) taking the Uneven Bars title (9.650) and Samantha Macasu (Legacy Elite) taking the Balance Beam Title (9.450). The competition picked up for Region 5 heading into the rest of the day with Junior 3 Olivia Coppola (CGA) taking the Floor Title (9.500) and Junior 4 not only taking the Team Title, but also crowning Jenna Olshefski (Universal) All-Around Champion (37.700) & Beam Champion (9.650). Also, in the Junior 4 age group Ella Johnson (CGA) took the Vault Title (9.500).

we would like to recognize all the Junior Top 10 Finishers in each Junior Age Group.

Junior 1- Jazlynn Chism (Midwest Elite) 2nd Place AA 37.475, 3rd Place Vault 9.525 & 2nd Place Beam 9.450, Gabriella Van Frayen (Gym X-Treme) 3rd Place AA 37.450 & 3rd Place Be a 9.400, Ella Schell (AGA) 7th Place AA 37.025 & 3rd Place Vault 9.525.

Junior 2-Alyssa Taylor (Legacy Elite) 2nd Place AA 37.625, Hannah Scheible (All American Flames) 3rd Bars 9.575.

Junior 3-Grace Walker (Integrity Athletics) 6th Place AA 37.00, 3rd on Vault & Floor 9.450. Olivia Coppola (CGA) 10th Place AA 36.9875.

Junior 4-Kendall Turner (GAR) 3rd Place AA 37.275 & 2nd Place Vault 9.475, Ella Johnson (CGA) 5th Place Bars 9.525 and Maya Rios (Legacy Elite) 4th Place Beam 9.350.

Results: Junior 1, Junior 2, Junior 3, Junior 4

The Junior 5s & 6s hit big at Eastern Nationals taking the Team Title in both divisions. Also, crowning Ava Molina (CGA) All-Around Champion (37.725), Uneven Bars Champion (9.525) & Balance Beam Champion (9.525). The Junior 6s cleaned up in the All-Around taking the Top 3 podium spots with Laci Keck (GU) taking top honors (37.750) followed by Rachel Rybacki (Olympia-37.400) & Reagan Flannery (Stars & Stripes-37.275) finishing 2nd & 3rd respectively. The Junior 6s also had two individual event champions with Laci Keck taking the Floor Title (9.500) & Rachel Rybacki taking the Uneven Bars (9.575) & Balance Beam Titles (9.550). The last two Junior Age Groups 7 & 8 crowned Maleah Crowley (Legacy Elite) the Co-National All-Around Champion (37.150) and Kylee Vanderbeek (Champion USA) the National Beam Champion (9.575).

We would like to recognize all the Junior Top 10 Finishers in each Junior Age Group.

Junior 5-Taylor Thacker (Gym X-Treme) 5th Place AA 37.100 & 3rd Place Bars 9.475, Kennedy Griffin (Gym World) 7th Place AA 37.025 & 2nd Place Vault 9.575, Reagan Schaefer (Gym Nasti) & Hannah Primeau (Bay Valley Academy) tied for 10th AA 36.525.

Junior 6- Reagan Flanney (Stars & Stripes) 4th Beam 9.475 & 4th Floor 9.375, Amy Wozniak (Legacy Elite) 5th Place AA 37.100, 5th Place Bars 9.425 & Beam 9.350, Olivia Rickle (Integrity Athletics) 9th Place AA 36.975 & 3rd Place Floor 9.400 and Kelly Klobach (IGI) 10th Place AA 36.950.

Junior 7-Maleah Crowley (Legacy Elite) 2nd Place Floor 9.375, 3rd Place Beam 9.475, 5th Place Bars 9.300, Ella Hayes (Legacy Gymnastics) 6th Place AA 36.725 & 3rd Place Vault 9.375.

Junior 8-Lily Moore (Legacy Elite) 6th AA 36.850, 2nd on Beam 9.400 & 4th on Floor 9.350.

Results: Junior 5, Junior 6, Junior 7, Junior 8

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Moving forward to the Senior Age Groups, Caitlyn Bates of Universal Gymnasts broke into the top 10 AA with her 36.45. The Senior 2, 5, & 7 all took the National Team Titles along with multiple All-Around & Individual Event Champions. Senior 2 crowned a duo of grace as national champs with Grace Dodd (CGA) the National Floor Champion (9.525) and Grace Dubec, JPAC national beam champ (9.5) while we had 3 finish top 10 all around Marissa Rojas Michigan Academy of Gymnastics 2nd (37.3), Madeline Pike, Perfection Gymnastics School, and Mason Tannar, Gymnastic Training Center Rochester tied for 5th (36.85).

Lane Rodocker (Stars & Stripes) secured 3 National Tiles for Senior 3 in her first Championships being crowned the National All-Around Champion (37.625), Uneven Bars (9.550) & Balance Beam Champion with a huge 9.700. Madison Steskal (Midwest Elite) vaulted to the National Title with a 9.525 on the event in the Senior 4 Age Group as well as 4th AA (37.05) while Premier West Sarah Kuper was 7th (36.65).

Senior 5,6 & 7 also came away with some hardware, with Mia Figola (Legacy Elite) taking the top spot in the Senior 5 All-Around (37.525), Breckin Quoss from Twistars was 3rd (36.975), Ruth Lambries Midwest Twisters was 4th (36.825). Sydney Schumaker (World Class) earning the National Vault Title (9.525) and Ronnie Diiorio Buckeye Gymnastics 4th AA (36.6) in the Senior 6 Group. Jocelyn Warnica (MAG) claimed the National All-Around Title (36.900) for Senior 7. Also, in the Senior 7 Age Group Twistars USA Hailey Pike finished 2nd in the All-Around with a 36.860, Emma Barry from Downriver 5th (36.725) and Aviva Satz-Kojis Michigan Academy of Gymnastics 6th (36.675). In Senior 8, we had two top 10 finishers with Nya Pauldon from Bartlett finishing 3rd AA (36.375) and Kayla Lundy of Wrights finished 4th (36.225)

Results: Senior 1, Senior 2, Senior 3, Senior 4, Senior 5, Senior 6, Senior 7, Senior 8

2018 Age Group National Champion Teams
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In the Super Team Competition Region 5 was dethroned as the Defending Champions by Region 8 in the slightest of margins. Region 8 finished just ahead of Region with 48pts to our 47pts. However, Region 5 who started out behind on the 1st day did come back strong taking most of the points in day 2 to push us up into that 2nd place spot. Congratulation to Region 8 on their Super Team Title this year, but next yea it will be returning to Region 5!

The 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Champions also had unique aspect for one of our Region 5 athletes. Briar Burden of Water’s Edge Gymnastics in Traverse City, Michigan had a Balance Beam skill named after her. Briar, who has been competing a unique Beam dismount all season, successfully completed it at the competition and it will officially be named “The Burden” in the JO Code of Points. I have been watching her compete this unique dismount all season and I am very excited for Briar. We talked a little about it in our podcast, but will be following up with Briar and her coach later in the month.

Also stay tuned for our incredible story of Maddie Rydel of Infinity Gymnastics who swung her way to a second place uneven bars finish despite her gym closing just weeks before the National Championships and how her two coaches Andrei Nitkin and Brittany Lapinski made her first National Championships a possibility.

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