20 Questions with JO National Qualifier Payton Murphy (Palmer’s)

November 7, 2017

Our next feature athlete is Palmer’s Payton Murphy. Payton was part of the Junior F Team that took the top spot at the 2017 JO Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana this past May. I first noticed Payton a few years ago as a level 9 athlete, she was a Level 9 State Champion and Eastern National Qualifier. For me Payton has come on very strong in the last year and has really come into her own. She definitely earned her spot in a very tough age group to the National Championships, her handwork and determination has certainly paid off. Not only does she have some great skills on the competition floor but she has an infectious smile and a great personality! She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Payton Murphy is an athlete to watch this season, with 2 more years left in the JO Program I expect big things from this young lady! Let’s get to know Payton a little better as she heads into her junior season at Palmer’s Gymnastics in Illinois.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 5 years old when I

started gymnastics. My mom and my older sister were both gymnasts, so I wanted to follow their footsteps.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? It’s a lot of fun to meet new friends and coaches as I travel for competitions and camps.

Favorite Skill to train/compete Double Pikes on floor

Dream Skill? My dream skill would be to compete a Yurchenko 1 ½

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is floor because I can have fun and show my personality.

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

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Atlantis Crown Invitational, not only because it is in the Bahamas, but because the people there are so much fun to be around.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? Qualifying and competing for Region 5 at J.O. Nationals.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire how much energy and patience my coaches and family put in just to let me do what I love.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? The Best “OMG” Moments of each season, or Make Your Move Monday

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? I listen to anything with a quick beat so I can get excited and get all my nerves out before meets.

If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and why? A boat, gas for the boat, and food. I would bring a boat so I could leave the island. I need gas for the boat so it could move. I would bring food because I am always hungry.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? Definitely a monkey so I could swing around a jungle all day long.

Who is your favorite superhero? Batman

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Not really, I usually just have to put my headphones on and listen to music before meets.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to hang out with my friends and family.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? One time I did a Yurchenko Full straight to my stomach at practice

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

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? Nobody specific, but I greatly respect athletes that can overcome adversity to become successful. I feel like those athletes understand what true hard work and determination is.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? My coach has told me to trust myself and my body. Although that might seem simple and cliché, it meant a lot to me. It made me understand that I don’t have to overthink everything in gymnastics and life.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself… I love to vacation on the lake during the summer

Check out Payton’s Gymnastics journey below
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All Access: Tumbling the “C Shape” | Tumbling Drills | Gymnastics Training

Jason MacDonald

November 1, 2017

Jake Stoeckicht from Rockford breaks down the “C” shape with tumbling. This is the new way in teaching backward tumbling to increase speed and overall power in tumbling. He goes over some of the drills that help to create that C shape in tumbling. This concept though not new is a bit foreign to many of our high tech level 10 gymnasts in this video but it’s the technique now being used in the developmental and elite level at the National Training Center.

20 Questions with JO National Qualifier Mickayla Stuckey (CGA)

Kim Dowis

October 31, 2017

Next up in our 20 Questions Series is Mickayla Stuckey of CGA. Mickayla is one of my favorite athletes to watch especially on the floor exercise, which is one of Mickayla’s favorite events as well, because she certainly knows how to draw the audience in with her captivating dance and her skill high tumbling. Mickayla, who won the 2017 Yahtzee Award for “Best Floor Choreography”, credits her floor performance abilities to her many years as a competitive dancer. Stuckey, who hails from Indiana, is a multiple time JO Nationals Qualifier, All-Star Team Member and former Hopes/Elite. Lucky for us here in Region 5 Mickayla has two more years to bless us with her exquisite and entertaining floor performances, however after her time in JO Gymnastics is finished she is not going far for college and we will be able to watch her as she attends a University in the boundaries of Region 5. However, until then let’s get to know Mickayla a little better as she gets ready to begin her Junior season with her longtime club, Cincinnati Gymnastics.

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I started in gymnastics because my mom was teaching at a gym and I was always there with her. I was about 16 months when I took my first Mommy and Me class, but it wasn’t with my mom. (she was teaching the class) I took the class with another person on staff at the gym.

What is your favorite event? My favorite event is beam or floor. It really depends on the day.

Check Out Mickayla competing her favorite event the Floor Exercise at the 2017 Region 5 Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana

Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to currently train is my double layout on floor! I’m really wanting to get it in my routine this year. My favorite skill to compete is probably my back hand lay on beam.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a double layout off bars. I’ve done it before, but I had a pretty terrifying fall training it. I would like to be able to overcome the issues around this skill and compete it again!

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is the life lessons that I am learning and making new friends around the country/world.

What college do you plan on attending? Eastern Michigan University

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Buckeye Classic

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishments so far have been obtaining a college scholarship and making the Region 5 All-Star team last year.

Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Lexie Priessman. I have looked up to her since I was a little girl. She has been through so many ups and downs with this sport, and she continues to push through and work for her dreams.

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really like watching the All Access series.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? If I need to calm down, I listen to country music. If I need pumped up, I listen to today’s hip hop and R&B.

If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and why? If I were trapped on a deserted island, I would take food and water because I have to eat and drink. I would also take Darby Nelson. She is probably one of the smartest people I know and she would figure out how to get us off the island.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would probably be a dog. Who doesn’t love a cute dog?

Who is your favorite superhero? Superwoman

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I eat steak the night before a meet and I have to have a clip in my hair.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Dance and hanging out with my friends.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? Luckily I haven’t had too many. Probably starting my floor routine to someone else’s music when I was in level 7.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? In addition to gymnastics, I am also a competitive dancer. I’ve been competing since I was 4. I’ve actually won several national solo and group titles. But if I were to try something totally different, it would probably be cross country.

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I have a lot of respect for wrestlers. It’s an individual and team sport, kind of like gymnastics. I feel like their work ethic, discipline, and mental challenges are similar to gymnastics. And they can cut weight really fast!

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? You should always do gymnastics for yourself and not for anyone else. –Whitney Snowden Gymnastics is only a small part of what you do, it does not define who you are as a person.

Bonus Question: Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I live 1hr45min away from the gym. I started coming to CGA when I was 4 years old. We never moved because we like living on a farm in rural Indiana and my parents did not want to move just for asport. They never wanted to make me feel like I had to do gymnastics.

RO Entry Vaulting Drills | R5 All Access | Gymnastics Training

Jason MacDonald

October 30, 2017

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

Kim Dowis

October 24, 2017

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 can 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.

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