In this episode of Coaches Wired, we listen in as Bay Valley Head Coach Nanci Moore coaches her level 10 Avery Grant during floor at the 2017 JO Nationals. Nanci makes sure Avery is always thinking about the purpose of the movements she makes and to know where she is in relation to the air she is flipping in to prepare for the solid landings. Nanci is known for her dance and presentation technique with her athletes and this is evident in her coaching.
20 Questions with JO National Team Member Gabryel Wilson (Olympia)
As summer is coming to a close and we are heading towards the 2017-2018 competitive season, we have changed up our 20 Questions Series with new questions and new athletes to get to know. Our first athlete of the new series is Future Michigan Wolverine Gabryel Wilson. Gabby Wilson, who will graduate in 2019 has had a pretty accomplished level 10 career so far earning multiple State, Regional and National titles as well as qualifying
twice to the Nastia Liukin Cup & being named to the Region 5 All Star Team, with 2 more years to go until she becomes a Wolverine. When Gabby walks onto the competition floor she exudes confidence, she is ready to come and compete. Gabby, who won the 2016 Yahtzee award for the “most power”, definitely shows that power in everything that she does from her warmup to her release moves. Let’s get to know Gabryel a little bit better as she finishes up her summer training and heads into hopefully another stellar season of JO Gymnastics.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I got into gymnastics because I was very active kid. (3 years old) My mom heard about classes from one her hair clients. She wanted to take me somewhere I could channel my energy safely.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is floor.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train and compete is my double lay on floor because I feel like I’m flying. It sounds cliche but that’s exactly what it feels like.
Dream Skill? My dream skill would be a double double on floor.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is competing and getting to be part of something great.
What college do you plan on attending? I plan on attending the University of Michigan! GO BLUE!
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is definitely JO nationals. The Camaraderie is amazing and it’s the best meet of the year.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? The biggest accomplishment I’ve had in 
gymnastics so far is getting a full ride scholarship to a D1 college.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? The person I admire most in gymnastics is Emma McLean. In my first year level 10 at the 2015 Chicago Style I wanted to qualify to the Nastia Cup very badly. I didn’t but Emma did I thought and still think she’s the coolest person ever!
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 series is the “Eye on Five” because I like getting to know the gymnasts in region 5 more.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist before a meet is my summer playlist because it makes me feel happy.
If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and why? I would bring a water bottle that could hold a 1,000 gallons, a bed where I would sleep and Mati Waligora so I would have someone to talk to.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a Jaguar because their fur is beautiful and they’re fierce.
Who is your favorite superhero? My favorite superhero is Thor because he’s the only one (besides vision) who’s worthy enough to pick up the hammer.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I pray, and recite my 3 C’s (consistency, confidence and calmness)
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to hang out with friends and 
family, dance and write.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing gymnastics moment was when I was at JO camp and I was rushing to get to beam. I was running and stepped on a mat and it completely slid out from under me. It took me a while to actually fall but I fell flat on my stomach.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast I wouldn’t really do a sport, I would just go to Hamilton Evan’s dance clinics around the country as a hobby.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect all athletes who have an undeniable passion for their sport because I can relate to them and I know what it feels 
like.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your c
oach has given you? “In gymnastics it’s important to be able to forgive yourself.”- Lori Koch
Tell me something interesting about yourself…. In addition to my food court, I want to do something with music on the side.
Check out Gabby rocking her favorite event, the floor exercise, at the 2017 JO National Championships in Indy
Making Moves Monday (July 24, 2017)
Region 5 is Making their Move into 2018. Check out some of the new skills being done from our gymnasts around the Region. If you want your upgrades to be included in future Making Your Move posts upload your video to your Instagram page and tag us @region5gyminsider.
Kara Walsh, Aspire Gymnastics: Blind Full to Geinger
Cadi Borsellino, Infinity: Hindorff Release
Bria Morganroth, Hartland Gymnastics: Nice Forward Flight Series
Mackenzie Carpenter, New Heights: Blind 1/1 Tkatchev
Emma Pritchard, Gym Xtreme: New Toe Handstand Blind into her Jaeger
Kiara Gianfagna, JPAC: A couple new bar upgrades this summer!!!
Alyssa Nore, Energym: New Tkatchev
Mind Of A Bar Worker |JO National Bar Champ Alyssa Al-Ashari, Twistars | Gymnastics Mental Training
Our first episode in our new series Mind of A… we look at the Mind of a Bar worker part #1 with two time JO National Bar Champion Alyssa Al-Ashari from Twistars Gymnastics. Alyssa breaks down her overall plan for bars at competition from warm-ups to competition. Doctor Alison Arnold owner of Head Games points out the mental techniques Alyssa is using and how you can incorporate similar techniques in your training and competition. This video will be helpful for anyone who struggles with meet performance anxiety or just struggles to stay calm and focused in a meet.
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20 Questions with National Qualifier Ashley Hofelich
Ashley Hofelich of Oakland Gymnastics will be entering into her Senior year of High School this fall and her final year of JO Club Gymnastics. Ashley, who is a beautiful athlete to watch on the competition floor, qualified to her first JO National Championships this 
past year along with two of her Oakland Teammates. Ashley, who is undecided on her college plans, will certainly make an impact in her senior season. I look forward to seeing her on the competition floor this season. Let’s get to know Ashley a little bit better as she wraps up her JO Career.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I was 3 years old when I first 
started gymnastics. My parents put me in a class because I was a hyper kid, and I have loved it ever since.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is beam.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is being able to flip through the air to find the perfect landing and the feeling you get when you hit a routine.
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently 
undecided on where I am going to college.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? My favorite meet to compete at is The Oakland Classic which we hosted. There was always lots of energy and all my teammates would come to cheer each other on.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is making it to J.O Nationals this year.
Favorite skill to train and/or compete? My favorite skill to train and compete is a double pike on floor.
Dream skill? My dream skill would be to compete a full-in on 
floor.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? I admire my coaches who have gotten me to where I am today and have taught me many life lessons that will carry on with me forever.
What is your all-time favorite leotard? Do you still your very first leo? My all-
time favorite leo would have to be Oakland’s competition Leo’s this year. I love how our colors changed and they are now blue, and the ombre style is popular this year. I do still have my first leo.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Miracle. I enjoy watching hockey and the movie is motivational.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go to playlist is anything that is fast and upbeat to get me moving and pumped.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be involved in business, and am leaning towards accounting.
Where do you go to High School? I go to Novi High School.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is blue.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics, I like to hangout with friends, go on vacation, or just relax and watch Netflix.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing meet moment is when I was little, I finished my beam routine and walked 
away completely not realizing that I didn’t salute to the judges.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast, I would try Track, Soccer, or Cheerleading.
Favorite Vacation Destination? My favorite vacation destination 
is basically anywhere with a beach, but my favorite is Grand Cayman.
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? I would like to have lunch with my Grandpa on my dad’s side. He passed away before I was born, and I wish I would have gotten to know him.
Tell me something interesting about yourself…. I played softball up until I was around 10 years old.
Check out Ashley rocking her favorite event the Balance Beam
