R5 AllAccess: Brian Zook from Gym America walks our athletes at High Tech Camp through some drills to help improve the head position, core tightness and arm position in the round off entry vault (Yurchenko).
20 Questions with JO National Team Champion Brookelyn Sears
Brookelyn Sears from Tops Gymnastics in Ohio may be small, but she is mighty! Brookelyn, who was part of the Junior F JO National Champion Team, bring lots of power to her gymnastics. I first noticed this athlete a few years ago because of her vault, which was so different at the time, a Yurchenko tucked full. On the competition floor Brooklyn is a joy to watch because of her spirit, she always seems to be having a great time. Let’s get to know Brooklyn a little better as she begins her junior season and her charge towards another JO Nationals.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? Both of my parents coached so I would always go into the gym with them. I was 18 months when I was put into the parent/toddler classes and I was 2 ½ when I started going to classes by myself.
What is your favorite event? Bars
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train is my aerial straddle jump connection.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double layout on floor.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics are the feelings you get when you finally get a skill and how you learn so many life lessons 
that you can use for the rest of your life.
What college do you plan on attending? I plan on attending Northern Illinois University.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? J.O. Nationals is definitely my favorite to compete at because of the fun atmosphere.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far is receiving a full ride to NIU.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire one of my old teammates Zoey because of how passionate she is for this sport and how she never gives up.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? Eye on 5
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I like to listen to pump up music before I compete.
If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and 
why? I would take food, water, and my best friend.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would want to be a dolphin because they are so fun and playful.
Who is your favorite superhero? My favorite superhero is Captain America
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I have to eat pasta the night before.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like hanging out with my friends and taking pictures.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? At my first level 7 meet I was terrified that I would forget my floor routine and when I went to compete floor it was in the middle of my leap pass and I totally forgot what I was doing. I forgot most of my dance in that part of the routine, but I did start to remember and finished my routine.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? I would try diving.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect anyone who gives their sport all that they ca
n and have the desire to want to do it.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? To do one skill at a time.
Bonus Question:Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I want to go to school and become a photographer.
Eye On 5: Avery Grant, Bay Valley | A Year of Growth and Maturity
Eye on 5 with Bay Valley’s Level 10 JO National Qualifier Avery Grant. Avery talks about her journey to Bay Valley and how her coaches especially Miss Nanci have made a huge impact on her not only in the gym but her daily life as well. Avery talks about her first year of level 10 in 2017 and what is in the works for her routines in 2018.
2017 National TOPs Testing Photo Gallery
Last weekend while our top level 10’s were fine tuning their gymnastics skills and combinations at High Tech/High Performance camp, the next generation of talented young athletes were taking part in the 2017 TOPs Testing at the National Training Center (NTC) in New Waverley, Texas. TOPs stands for Talent Opportunity Program, this program is designed to test the physical abilities of young athletes who are looking to rise to the top levels of the sport. Many National, World and Olympic Champions started out in the TOPs program.
Check out some pictures from the weekend at the NTC with some of our talented Region 5 athletes.
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20 Questions with All Star Team Member Alyssa Al-Ashari (Twistars)
Alyssa Al-Ashari has gymnastics in her blood, both of her sisters were gymnasts and pretty good ones. Alyssa, who has competed both in JO & the Elite Program, is a joy to watch with some extremely unique and original skills. When Alyssa is on the competition floor you cannot take your eyes off of her, she has huge a bar set that sets her apart from the rest of the field, as well as a beam mount you often do not see in JO Gymnastics. Alyssa, who has been a National Champion, All Star Team Member and P & G Qualifier, is also one of the nicest and funniest people you could meet. Alyssa has a few more years left with us here in Region 5, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this brilliant young athlete. Let’s get to know Alyssa a little bit better as she embarks on another JO Season.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? Both of my sisters were on
the competitive team, so my mom put me in rec classes when I was three and I ended up loving it!
What is your favorite event? my favorite event varies depending on the day but I would usually say bars.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? my favorite skill to compete would have to be my jaeger on bars and my favorite skill to train is a double twisting yurchenko
Dream Skill? double layout on floor
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics is all the life lessons you learn through your gymnastics journey.
What college do you plan on attending? The University of Michigan! Go blue!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? I would definitely have to say JO nationals. the way region 5 is like a family amazes is me. And it is an honor to be a part of it
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? accepting a f
ull ride scholarship at the university of michigan or winning JO nationals.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I don’t admire one person in particular I admire all who work hard, don’t give up, and never stop short of trying to reach their goal.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? my favorite region 5 insider series is the workout insider series. It is cool to see how every gym has a different process of how they do things and what works for them.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I don’t have a specific playlist but something to pump me up.
If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and why? A pilot and an airplane to fly back. and probably something to drink.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I think I would be a dog because they are happy just about all the time.
Who is your favorite superhero? iron man
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? No
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to hangout with my family and 
friends, go shopping, cook, and sleep
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? There are too many to count!
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? soccer
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I don’t respect any one person the most. I respect a lot of great athletes because of how much work they put in to what they do.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach 
has given you? I have been blessed by having such great coaches giving me so much amazing advice it is hard to pick a favorite. But I really like this: ”Practice doesn’t make perfect, practice makes habit.” It really makes me think about everything I do, not just about gymnastics but about life and how every decision I make is going to affect me.
Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I’m the youngest of six kids
