Region 5 is always one of the strongest regions in USAG Gymnastics and 2018 will not be any different. This group of talented level 10’s are amongst the best our nation has to offer in terms of power, strength, grace and grit. Check the best of highlights from the 2018 Region Championships for level 10.
presented by: 
Our next JO National Qualifier 20 Questions is Erika Penamante from Legacy Elite Gymnastics. Erika mixes the performance quality in her routines with her difficulty very well making her a well rounded athlete. This balance for Erika stands out most on the balance beam as the routine draws you in from start to finish! This will be Erika’s second trip to the JO Nationals, competing in her first jo Nationals in 2017. Let’s get to know Erika who is certainly one to watch at nationals in Cincinnati.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My neighbor/ best friend started gymnastics and I copied her. I was 5.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is Floor
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train/compete is Shaposh on bars
Dream Skill? My Dream skill is a Full-in on floor
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is constantly being with my team
What college do you plan on attending? I do not know yet
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is Nationals because the atmosphere is really fun and exciting.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is Winning Regionals
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? In the sport of gymnastics I most admire Christina Peng Peng Lee
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider feature is the not-so-hot moments.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist before meets is my hype playlist
3 Things you could not live without? I could not live with out my phone, my charger, and my best friend
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a sloth because they’re really lazy and only have to go to the bathroom once a week.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? 1) grips 2) wrist guards 3) Advil 4) water 5) pre-wrap
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I always have to have my lucky pig in my bag.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to 
hang out with my friends
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing me moment was when I was at the Buckeye Classic and I missed both my feet on my series and I didn’t know what to do.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I was not a gymnast I would try Dance
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Jordyn Wieber because even though she didn’t make AA, she kept her head high and cheered on her teammates.
Most Memorable Gymnastics or JO Nationals Moment? My most memorable JO Nationals moment was after we were done competing, my group and I hung out in my room and just talked with each other and bonded.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? Take everything one step at a time.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I have an obsession with bringing up vines every 5 minutes:))
Heading into JO Nationals our next 4 weeks of our 20 Questions Series will feature 2018 JO National Qualifiers. Our first JO National Qualifier is Karalyn Roberts from Splitz Gymnastics. Karalyn, who is always smiling on the competition floor, is a joy to watch especially on the Floor Exercise were she really lets her personality shine through in her performance. Kara also is aggressively beautiful on the Balance Beam and has a vault that makes you go WOW! This will be Kara’s last trip to the JO Nationals before heading to college in the fall. Kara will remain in Region 5 for her collegiate career, joining The Eagle Gymnastics Team at Eastern Michigan University. Let’s get to know Kara a little bit better as she prepared to close one chapter of her gymnastics career and begin another.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started when I was out 18 months old. My sister started off doing it and I would run and try to do it with her so my mom put me in it.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is Floor
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is Definitely meeting all the girls along the way.
What college do you plan on attending? I will be competing at Eastern Michigan this fall.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is by far level 10 nationals.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in 
gymnastics so far would be receiving a full ride scholarship and making it to JO nationals
Favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill to train or compete would probably by front tuck on beam.
Dream skill? My dream skill is a double layout on floor.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? The life skills you learn along the way.
What is your all-time favorite leotard? My favorite was my red white and blue Leo I 
got when I was about 6 and somehow I can still squeeze in it.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is “That last song”.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist or song before 
meet would be probably either Eminem or Kanye
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a Physcologist
Where do you go to High School? I attend Pinckney Community High School
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is Pink!
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to shop & travel.
Most embarrass
ing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment would be in level 4 when I walked off the end of the beam in my handstand.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I have always wanted to do poms or dance.
Favorite Vacation Destination? My favorite vacation destination is Punta Cana
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? I would have lunch with Marilyn Monroe & because I really thinks she’s facinating and beautiful.
Tell me something interesting about yourself….
I still eat baby food sometimes and I want to try and go to every continent during my life.
Championship Season Starts Now! Let the Road to Nationals begin…….
The 2018 Level 9 State Championships is back in the Cereal City this year, this is the first step on the road to the 2018 Level 9 Eastern National Championships. Athletes who obtain a 34.00 Qualifying score will move onto the second phase of the Championship Season, the Region 5 Championships, from there the Top 7 athletes in each age group will secure spots on the 2018 Region 5 Level 9 Dream Team headed for the Level 9 Eastern National Championships. The Level 9 National Championships is split into two competitions Easterns and Westerns, athletes from Regions 5,6,7 and 8 will convene in Rochester, New York (May 4th-6th) to crown the best Level 9 gymnasts East of the Mississippi.
This weekend the Level 9s had a strong showing across the board, many great skills, stuck landing and beautiful artistry. The Level 9s from Michigan look primed and ready to take on the best in the Region in a few weeks. The Michigan State Committee recognized 10 graduating seniors this year and presented each with a recognition plaque.
____________________________________________________________
Competition Results
Level 9
[one-half-first]
Junior A
Vault
Bars
Beam
Floor
All-Around
[/one-half-first]
[one-half]
Junior B
Vault
Bars
Beam
Floor
All-Around
[/one-half]
[one-half-first]
Senior A
Vault
Bars
Beam
Floor
All-Around
[/one-half-first]
[one-half]
Senior B
Vault
Bars
Beam
Floor
All-Around
[/one-half]
Team
Twistars 113.20
Stars & Stripes 110.95
GTC-Michigan 110.875
Graduating Seniors
For Full Results from the 2018 Level 9 Michigan State Meet Click Here
For More Video Coverage visits our Youtube Page
[wonderplugin_carousel id=”59″]
Thank you to our sponsor Midwest Gym Supply for your continued support of Region 5 Insider, Region 5 and Michigan Gymnastics.
