20 Questions with 1st Time JO National Qualifier Ella Chemotti (Euro Stars)

May 1, 2018

Continuing with our coverage of the upcoming JO Nationals in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our next JO National Qualifier is a 1st time qualifier, from Euro Stars Gymnastics in Plymouth Michigan, Ella Chemotti. Ella is a very talented 2nd year Level 10 who excels all over the gym, but especially on the balance beam. Ella has won numerous titles on the balance beam including the 2017 & 2018 Michigan State Balance Beam Title. Ella, who caught my eye last year has really upped her game for this season and has improved and upgraded all over the gym. I knew that this year was going to be her year, and that she would definitely being earning her spot on the 2018 Region 5 Dream Team. Ella is a very young athlete who is already doing tremendous things, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her, she is definitely going to be one of the top athletes to keep an eye on in Region 5 for the next few years. As Ella and her coaches prepare for the JO Nationals in two weeks, lets get to know Ella a little better as she embarks on her 1st JO National Championships.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started gymnastics when I was 3 years old. My sister was in gymnastics and I would try to do everything she was doing so my mom put me in it too.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is beam.

Favorite skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train is my double layout off bars and my favorite skill to compete is my back handspring layout on beam.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double lay full out off bars.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the feeling I get after I have a great meet and meeting other gymnasts.

What college do you plan on attending? I am undecided on which college I am attending.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meets are fly meets because I like to travel.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishments in gymnastics so far has been winning level 9 regionals and qualifying to level 10 JO Nationals.

Who do you admire the most in he sport of gymnastics? The person I most admire in the sport of gymnastics is my coach, Anna Genrich.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite region 5 insider series is the OMG moments.

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What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to song is “lose yourself”, by Eminem.

3 things you could not live without? The three things I could not live without are my baby blanket, my family and my phone.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? The animal I would choose to be is a dog because they get tons of love and attention and pretty much sleep all day.

5 Most Important or Must have items in your gym bag? My 5 most important items in my gym bag are my chapstick, my lucky elephant, my grips, my baby blanket and my lucky socks.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Some pre-meet rituals I have is that I eat spaghetti the night before every meet and I pick out what my coach is going to wear.

What do you like to do outside of gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to hang out with friends and organize.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing gymnastics meet moment is level 9 Nationals when I missed my springboard mount to the high bar.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a gymnast I’d like to try diving but I’d have to plug my nose when I hit the water.

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? The athlete I respect the most is Maggie Nichols because she is an amazing gymnast and role model and always looks like she is having fun.

Most memorable gymnastics or JO Nationals moment? My most memorable gymnastics moment is winning vault, beam and All-around at level 9 Regionals.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice my coach has given to me is to “keep that fire!” No matter the good, bad, or amazing days to keep my spark of motivation, believe in myself and to do gymnastics for me.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…….. I am terrified of needles and stink bugs.

2018 Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leotards (6-10)

Kim Dowis

April 30, 2018

One of my favorite aspects of the Region 5 Championships is checking out all of the new and old leotards from the competing teams. Each year I run around like a chicken with my head cut off getting pictures of all the fun, unique, stylish and fantastic leotards to put together the Annual Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List! This will be the 5th year for the list and I have to say to all the coaches out there in Region 5, GREAT JOB! you are making this decision INCREDIBLY hard year after year! I absolutely LOVE IT!

So, the moment everyone has been waiting for………..Drum Roll Please!….Here is my Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List numbers 10-6!

10. Splitz (MI 2nd Yr)

What I love about Splitz Leotard is that is it simple and elegant. I love the black body with the pop of color on the white and red ombre arms. This leo is certain an eye catcher when these athletes walk onto the competition floor, the best part is that they look great on everyone on the team.

9. Euro Stars (MI 1st Yr)

As soon as I saw the Euro Stars Leotard this year I was instantly in love. Last year they had an all blue leo, but I love how they added the pop of white on the top. This leo to me is so different that it stands out and makes you take notice. Euro Stars only has 1 level 10, but you can definite spot her on the competition floor. Not only is her gymnastics absolutely exquisite, but her leo certainly sets her apart form the other athletes on the floor. Another touch I like is the left shoulder and how they are paying tribute to late Peter G, whom passed a way tragically a few years ago.

8. Revolution (IN 1st Yr)

Revolution caught my eye not just because their leos are bright, flashy and definitely stand out but because they have two different leotards. Each gymnast choose which leotard she was going to wear for the competition and because they competed in two different sessions they each decided to wear a different one, I am sure glad they did too! Both leos absolutely stand out. I love the intricate designs and color patterns. There was not another leo like these two on the competition floor. It was hard to decide which one I actually liked better because they were evenly beautiful.

7. BIG (Ill 1st Yr)

BIG always has very interesting and different leotards. This one is so different from the stand out leo that they and last year. I love how they always add they name onto the piece in a unique way. From the front this leo is very elegant and looks like a fancy dress. The ombre blue is so pretty and simple, the jewels on the chest and the sweetheart neck really allow this leotard to stand out on the competition floor.

6. Aerial (IL 1st Yr)

Aerial has always had simple, but beautiful leos and this one is no exception. There is a classic simple elegance to this one. I love the royal blue color with just the right amount of jewels on the body that it is not overpowering and the gym name on the arms gives it a little something extra. Every athlete I saw from Aerial looked fantastic in this royal blue ombre number.Stay tuned for number 1-5 coming up next!

***Disclaimer…to be eligible for the Region 5 Insider Top 10 Favorite Leotard list, your Gym must have at least 1 athlete competing at the Region 5 Championships.***

Best of … 2018 Region 5 Level 10 Championships

Jason MacDonald

April 28, 2018

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.

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2018 Region 5 Championships (Photo Gallery)

Kim Dowis

April 25, 2018

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21 Questions with 2x JO National Qualifier Erika Penamante

Kim Dowis

April 24, 2018

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:))

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