Region 5 2018 JO Nationals Hype Video
2018 JO National Championships “Ones to Watch” Seniors
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
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)
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)
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 Qualifie
d 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!!
