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20 Questions with All-Around’s Kennedy Weinpert

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Our next 20 Questions athlete is Kennedy Weinpert from All-Around Gymnastics Academy in Ohio. I first saw Kennedy last year at the Kalahari meet, I only filmed a few events, but knew she had something special. Kennedy was a first year level 10, but showed impeccable form on the bars and balance beam. So far in 2018 I have seen Kennedy at 2 meets in Ohio and she is definitely looking good! I cannot wait to see what the remainder of the season holds for this talented young athlete as well as her future in the sport of gymnastics. Good luck to Kennedy heading into state Meet this weekend and the rest of the championship season.


How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My mom put me into gymnastics at 3 years old because I was a very energetic kid and she wanted me to do something to occupy myself. Also, my cousin was a gymnast and she taught me some skills and I caught on fast so my mom wanted to put me into this sport.

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

What is your favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to compete is my tkachev on bars.

Dream skill? My dream skill would be a shaposh half on bars.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics is competing with my friends and getting to show off my skills while having a great time.

What college do you plan on attending? I’m currently undecided on where I want to continue my academic and athletic career.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is The All Around Challenge because it is our home meet and I get to compete with and watch all of my teammates. Also, all of my family and friends come to cheer me on and the atmosphere there is so energetic and fun.

What is your biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment was scoring my highest all around at regionals last year as a first year level 10 and only improving from there.

 Who do you admire in the sport of gymnastics? I don’t have a specific gymnast that I admire because I look up to any gymnast that is dedicated and shows great pride in what they do.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Series or Feature? My favorite is All Access because I like watching how other gyms workout and I enjoy finding new drills.

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What is your go to song or playlist before a meet? I don’t have a certain playlist Ilisten to before competition but I tend to listen to anything upbeat before I compete.

3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without my family/friends, music, and my phone.

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a monkey because they’re always swinging around and climbing everywhere.

5 Most important or Must have items your gym bag? I always have to have my grips, wrist guards, headphones, tape, and hair glitter in my gym bag.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Before meets I always listen to music in the car and in the gym and I have the superstition that if I don’t do the same warmup routine that I always do then I won’t be able to perform as well.

What do you like to do outside of gymnastics? Outside of Gymnastics I like to hang out with my friends and family, listen to music, go for walks, and play with my pets.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? One time in level 4 I finished my beam assignment early and decided to mess around and did a hitch kick on the beam and split it in front of my coach and teammates.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would definitely try ice skating.

Which athlete (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect divers a lot because they have to do flips into a pool and have to get the right timing and body shape in order to land the way they want to.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom you coach have given you? The most valuable advice my coach has given me is that everyone has bad days no matter what and you have to get past them and not dwell on the mistakes you made that day because it isn’t going to make you better.Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself……I have 7 pets (2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 chinchillas, and a hedgehog)

2018 Hunts Born To Fly Meet Coverage

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Sponsored by: Midwest Gym Supply

This past weekend was the 2018 Hunts Born to Fly Meet hosted by Hunts Gymnastics Academy in Chesterfield, Michigan. Hunts has been hosting this military themed competition for a few years now and it is always a great time to be a part of it. The Level 10 Teams competing this weekend were Splitz Gymnastics, Future Gymnastics, Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, GTC, and the host team Hunts Gymnastics.


Below are the results from the Level 10 session of the competition.
Full Results: http://meetscoresonline.com/R21672

Team

Hunts Gymnastics 111.50

Splitz Gymnastics 110.350

GTC 110.325

 

Congrats to Hunts Gymnastics Senior Alaina Kostos, who was recognized at the beginning of the Level 10 Session. Alaina will join the Central Michigan University Gymnastics Team in the Fall of 2018

 


 

2018 Nastia Liukin Cup Photo/Video Gallery

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Region 5 qualified seven to the 2018 Nastia Cup with six competing  (Alyssa Al-Ashari from Twistars pulled out due to injury) in this years event hosted for the first time in our region. They took the opportunity and made the most of it. In the junior competition, Region 5 dominated the podium lead by Tory Vetter of Universal Gymnasts who posted a high of 9.75 for her beam set to take the title over JPAC’s Jacey Vore by .175. The third place trophy went to Legacy Elites Faith Torez- Foster who took the junior floor title with her huge double layout and 9.6.

In the senior competition, Legacy Elite’s Andrea Li finished on the podium for the third time grabbing second place by only .075 and swung her way to the top bar score of the entire competition with her 9.7.  Olympia’s Gabby Wilson and Buckeye’s Makarri Doggette tied for 11th both with solid efforts scoring 38.15. Our six pack proved that Region 5 comes to play and is ready to go for the upcoming JO Championship season.

Final Results:  Junior Senior

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2018 Nastia Cup Champion Routines (videos from USA Gymnastics)

Junior Balance Beam- Tory Vetter, Universal (9.75)

Junior Floor Exercise- Faith Torrez Foster, Legacy Elite (9.6)

Senior Uneven Bars- Andrea Li, Legacy Elite (9.7)


20 Questions with United Gymnastics Academy’s Kadyn Fitzgibbon

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Our next 20 questions athlete is UGA Level 10 Kadyn Fitzgibbon. Kadyn qualified to JO Nationals back in 2016 in her first year of level 10.  Kadyn is a team leader for her UGA team on and off the competition floor. Last season, Kadyn started off with a bang but an early season illness derailed her momentum. She has been rolling this season upgrading her gymnastics including a new yurchenko 1 1/2. Kadyn has powerful gymnastics mixed with the presentation and show quality needed to stand out.  Kadyn, who is a freshman in high school, has a few more years left with us here in Region 5. Let’s get to know Kaydn a little bit better as she makes her way towards postseason and the road to JO Nationals.

 

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you?   I was a very active toddler and my mom signed me up for tumbling classes when I was 3 years old.  The coach told my mom I was super coordinated and was excelling in tumbling and recommended that my mom put me in gymnastics classes at UGA with Kevin and Glen.

What is your favorite event?  Floor.

 Favorite Skill to train/compete? I would have to say it’s between my yurchenko 1 ½, full in pike out, or my tkachev.

Dream Skill? Double layout on floor and yurchenko double.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I love when the team puts in so much hard work everyday through the summer work outs and it all starts clicking.  We all start getting our new skills and you can feel the excitement and payoff from our dedication. 

What college do you plan on attending? UNIVERSITY OF IOWA-GOHAWKEYES!!

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? The UGA home meet for sure!  There is always a big crowd that brings so much energy.  I love competing in front of all my family and friends.

 Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far?  Verbally committing this past fall to the University of Iowa. 

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics?   Simone Biles.  Things didn’t always come easy to her.  Many see her successes but don’t realize the amount of work that was done behind gym doors.  Hard work always pays off!

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? All Access.  I like seeing different drills and training atmospheres. 

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What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Hip hop.  Love my Pandora.

3 Things you could not live without? Family, music, and avocados.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? a Dolphin.  They are smart, close with family, graceful to watch, help other sea creatures who are in trouble, look out for their friends, and yet are super playful.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? Grips, Wrist Guards, pre-wrap, tape, tough skin.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? No, although I do my hair the same way each meet. 

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I love snowmobling and outdoor sports especially water sports like wake boarding and wake surfing.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment?  As my teammates and coaches can contest, I sometimes get so deep in my training, my common sense is left behind which leads to some pretty funny conversations.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? Volleyball or track.

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? J.J. Watt. 110%.  He is extremely humble with all his successes and still wakes up everyday trying to be better than he was the day before on and off the football field.  He was able to earn the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his volunteer and charity work after Hurricane Harvey in Texas.  He took his injured season and instead of dwelling on not being able to play football, he used his gifts for charity work.   I’d love to meet him one day!

 

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you?  “One skill at a time.”

Bonus Question:   Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I have one 11 year old brother, Brad, football is my second favorite sport, and I can only wink with my right eye.

2018 Nastia Cup JR Champ Tory Vetter, Universal | Nerves Don’t Get You Anywhere

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2018 Nastia Liukin Cup Junior Champion Tory Vetter from Universal Gymnasts talked to the Insider about her experience at the cup and what her win does for her confidence moving forward to JO Championship season.