Region 5 Elites who chased Olympic Glory: Liz Tricase, IGI

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July 15, 2016

Our next Region 5 Athlete who helped pave the way for future generations of Region 5 Elites and Olympic Hopefuls, comes to us from IGI in Elmhurst, Illinois. Elizabeth “Liz” Tricase was born and raised in Itasca, Illinios, where she trained her entire gymnastics career under Todd Gardiner at Illinois Gymnastics Institute (IGI).

Liz started gymnastics in 1989, she rose through the JO ranks becoming the 2000 JO National All-Around Champion, the next year she became in International Elite. Liz spent 3 years on the US National Team (2001-2004), achieving much success on her way to the 2004 Olympic Trials.

In 2001 Liz was a Junior International Elite, she competed in the US Championships placing 10th in the AA, 3rd on Vault, 6th on Beam and 7th on Bars. In 2002 Liz entered the Senior ranks and had a successful year. She competed at the American Classic placing 4th AA, 2nd Vault, 4th on Bars and 6th in the Floor; She also had a great showing at the US Classic and the US Championships placing 5th in the AA, 5th on Bars, 4th on Floor and 1st on Vault becoming the 2002 National Vault Champion. Her placements at the US Championships helped secure her a place on the Spring Cup competition in Ontario, Canada (1st Team, 2nd AA, 1st on Vault, 1st on Floor, 4th on Beam and Bars) and the alternate spot on the Pacific Alliance Championships.

Going into 2004 Liz competed in the American Classc, US Championships placing well in the AA and taking 2nd on the Vault. She also competed in two international competitions in the Olympic year, the FL Gym Open in Luxembourg and the International Friendship Camp, placing well in both competitions.

Liz qualified to the 2004 US Olympic Team Trials. Heading into trials Liz looked prime to secure a spot on the team, Team USA could have used her on the Vault and the Floor. She was a strong competitor on both events showing great routines and difficulty. During the Trials Shannon Miller commented to the Chicago Tribune that “Liz would make a great team captain for Team USA in Athens”

Liz had a great Olympic Trials, hitting her routines especially her Vault and Floor. Liz placed 10th in the AA at the Trials earning herself a spot at the 2004 Olympic Selection Camp to be held after the Trials at the Ranch. Liz did not make the 2004 Olympic Team, but she did earn a Full Ride Gymnastics Scholarship to Stanford. During her career with USA Gymnastics Liz was named the Sportswoman of the Year 3 times in a row (2002,2003,2004).

After the Olympics, in the Fall of 2004 Liz begin her journey with the Stanford Gymnastics Team. Liz had a successful collegiate gymnastics career, earning first-team All-American in vault (2007) and uneven bars (2008). Liz was a three-time Pac-10 bars champion (2006-08). She also once scored a perfect 10.0 on the uneven bars, she also went onto finished seventh in the Bars at the 2007 NCAA Championships. Liz also served as co-captain for Stanford’s Super Six team in 2007 and 2008. She also earned the honor of being the team’s 2008 Gymnast of the Year. After her 2008 graduation, Liz became a graduate assistant coach at Stanford.

In 2009 Liz finished her Masters Degree at Stanford in Communications. She began working for Facebook, she also moved the the San Francisco area. However, in 2012 Liz transferred to a new role with in the Facebook company and moved back to the midwest, to the Chicago Facebook office.

In July 2014 Liz and her Fiancé Ryan Rennaker, whom she meet while attending Stanford, were married at Stanford University were they first meet on Liz’s first day of her Freshman year. They currently live in California and both work for Internet companies.

In 2015 Liz was inducted into the Region 5 Hall of Fame. Even today 10 years after her Olympic Trials moment Liz still credits Region 5 for helping her achieve her goals as an athlete in JO Gymnastics, Elite Gymnastics and in Collegiate Gymnastics at Stanford.

Thank You Liz Tricase for being a great representative of Region 5 at the highest level. You have paved the way and inspired the next generation of Region 5 Elite and Olympic Hopefuls. Please continue to inspire and succeed in everything you do throughout your life.

Watch Liz’s Routines from the 2004 Olympic Trials

Floor Exercise, Uneven Bars, Vault,

***Imagines provided by Google Search, Bio Provided by USA Gymnastics, Stanford University Athletics and The Knot Wedding website. Videos provided by Youtube Account rodeokilledthevideos***

Region 5 Elites who chased Olympic Glory: Samantha Sheehan, CGA

By

Kim Dowis

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July 13, 2016

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Our next Region 5 athlete was born and raised in Villa Hills, Kentucky, however she trained in Cincinnati Ohio at CGA under the guidance of Mary Lee Tracy. Mary Lee Tracy really knew how to create an elite athlete and many would seek her out for training in their pursuit of their Olympic Dream and Samantha Sheehan did just that.

Sam Sheehan always reminded me of Shannon Miller, I don’t know if it was the blonde hair or the beauty she showed in her gymnastics, but for me Sam always resembled Shannon. Sam started gymnastics in 1989 when she was just 3 years old, eventually she would find her way onto
the pre-team, competition team and then before she knew it she made her way onto the US National Team (2002-2003, 2003-2004). On the National Team, Sam had success both nationally and internationally.

In 2001, Sam competed at the US Classic and the US Championships, which was a very good experience for Sam her first year as an International Elite. 2002 was the breakout year for Sam, placing 5th AA and 1st on floor at the US Classic, then placing 11th AA at the US Championships securing herself a spot on the US National Team. In 2002 Sam earned a spot on the 2002 World Championships Team (this was the first worlds that was individual, which meant no team competition), Sam performed magically in prelims earning herself a spot in the Floor Finals! She would then go on to take the bronze medal on floor. 2002 Worlds Floor Finals

In 2003 Sam collected some event medals in the US Classic and the American Classic she also earned a spot on the US National Team. Internationally in 2003, Sam competed in the USA/Belgium meet taking 1st team, AA, uneven Bars, balance beam, floor and 2nd on the vault.

2004, the Olympic Year, Sam was a member of the US National Team showing great routines at all the competitions she performed. Sam traveled to Athens, Greece for the 2004 Olympic Test Event, she placed 6th AA and 2nd on Uneven Bars. During the test event, Sam had the chance to compete in the Olympic Venue, which I am sure was amazing. After returning from the Test Event, Sam did not compete at the US Championships that year, but she did advance to the US Olympic Team Trials. Sheehan, did not compete beam at the trials, but had solid performances on the other 3 events. She placed 13th in the AA, but was unable to make the Olympic Team.

After the Olympics, Samantha [a 2003 graduate] went onto the University of Georgia where she accepted a full ride scholarship to compete in gymnastics. Sam competed for the Georgia Gymdogs from 2004-2008. UGA created the Sam Sheehan spirit award in her honor. After Graduation, Samantha moved to Nashville TN where she worked as a wedding planner before becoming the Head Coach of the Optional Girls Team at Harpeth School of Gymnastics. Sam eventually moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio where she began working at her former training center CGA.

In 2015 she and a former CGA Team Coach Tonya Campbell started their own Sports Consulting firm [S & T Sports Consultants], which provides information & assistance to parents & athletes seeking college scholarships.

Thank you Samantha Sheehan, for your spirit, your work ethic and your successes. You definitely played a role in helping pave the way for the next generation of Region 5 Elite & Olympic Hopefuls. Hopefully you continue to succeed and inspire in everything you do.

Here are Sam’s Routines from the 2004 Olympic Trials

Vault, Uneven Bars, Floor Exercise

***Imagines provided by Google Search, Bio Provided by Google search and USA Gymnastics, Videos from Youtube account Dionnewarwick & Rodeokilledthevideos***

2016 US Olympic Trials Photo Gallery

By

Jason MacDonald

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July 12, 2016

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Photo gallery of pictures taken by some of our Region 5 athletes, coaches and judges while in San Jose for the 2016 US Olympic Gymnastic Trials. Thank you to Amelia, Mary Lee, Norbert, Jason, Jaycie, Anna Li, Jessica, Claudia, Lori, Gina, Linda and Char for sharing your experiences with us.

Region 5 Elites who chased Olympics Glory: Morgan White, CGA

By

Kim Dowis

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July 11, 2016

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Our next Region 5 athlete who chased her dreams all the way to the Olympic Trials also hails from Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in Fairfield, Ohio. Morgan White, who was born in West Bend Wisconsin, competed her entire gymnastics life under Mary Lee Tracy at CGA, Morgan had the opportunity to watch Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps train for the 1996 Olympics Games. Morgan [nicknamed “The Quiet Storm”], was a quite competitor, which allowed her gymnastics to speak for itself on the competition floor. Mary Lee used to call her “the Creeper” because according to Tim Daggitt “she doesn’t knock your socks off, she gets a little better day by day” (NBC Broadcast 1999 Nationals). Morgan White was an inspiration to me growing up, I used her 1999 Floor Exercise music as my first optional music in the fall of 1999, “My Drag” by Squirrel Nut Zipper.

Morgan White became an international elite in 1996, it wasn’t until 1998 that she began to find success at the elite level. In 1998 Morgan picked up a number of gold medals in National and International competitions, placing 1st on the Uneven Bars at the American Classic, 1st AA, 2nd on Uneven Bars, 1st on the Balance beam and 2nd on the Floor at the U.S. Classic meet. At the 1998 U.S Championships Morgan picked up 3 National Titles in the Junior Division (AA, Bars and Floor), she also placed 2nd on the Balance Beam. Also as a Junior Morgan racked up many international honors placing 2nd on bars and 2nd place team at the 1997 Pan American Championships, 1st on bars at the 1997 International Artistic Gym Challenge, 2nd place team and 2nd on bars at the 1998 International Team Championships and 1st place team, 1st place bars, 2nd place AA and 2nd place beam at the 1998 Jr. Pan American Championships.

Morgan became a Senior competitor in 1999, which would now allow her the opportunity to compete internationally at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. In 1999 Morgan has a breakout senior debut [internationally] placing 1st with the team at the China Dual meet, 1st AA and 3rd on bars at the 1999 Pan American Games. Morgan went onto to qualify to the 1999 World Championships Team where the USA placed 6th as a team. [Nationally] Morgan was successful as well placing 2nd on Floor at the American Classic, 7th AA, 3rd on bars and 6th on beam at the US Championships, which qualified her to the World Team Trials. In 1999 Morgan also competed at the American Cup.

Morgan entered 2000 feeling very confident she placed 2nd AA at the U.S Classic meet

and a few weeks later she competed at the U.S Championships placing 7th AA, 5th on Bars, 4th on Beam and 5th on Floor not to bad for a young gymnast battling the flu during the competition. Her 7th place AA finish qualified her onto the 2000 US Olympic Team Trials.

Morgan had a great showing at the 2000 US Olympic Trials, she finished 4th place in the AA behind two national champions and a 1996 Olympian. However, just because she finished in the top 6 did not guarantee her a spot on the Sydney Team. She like her teammate Alyssa Beckerman did all they could that day and they too waited in the back room on live tv for what seemed like an eternity to find out if her name would be one of the 6 names called as part of the 2000 US Olympic Team.

This is what Morgan has to say at the conclusion of the Trials:

“I did above and beyond what I thought I was going to do. Today everything was just clicking, everything felt so good for me…it was fun and it is a great feeling. There are so many great athletes out there and I’m not the top gymnast in the U.S…I’m still peaking.”—Morgan White 2000 Olympic Team Trials.

Once the selection committee was done deliberating, it was announced that Morgan White from CGA in Ohio would be part of the 2000 US Olympic Team to compete in Sydney. However, bad luck struck Morgan after arriving in Sydney, she sustained a broken ankle during training and was forced to withdraw from the team. Morgan and her coach Mary Lee Tracy, who had been named one of the Olympic Team coaches left Sydney for Ohio. Morgans Olympic Dream ended before the games even started, however according to USA Gymnastics Morgan is still considered an Olympian even though she was unable to compete.

After the Olympics Morgan tried to continue gymnastics into 2001 with hopes of making the 2001 World Championship Team, however she had some struggles at the 2001 Nationals and did not make the team, Morgan suffered a shoulder injury in 2001 and ultimately made the decision in 2002 to retire from Gymnastics.

Morgan attended Miami University in Ohio where she studied special education, she lives in Fairfield Ohio and is an intervention specialist at Winton Woods Elementary School. Morgan is still involved with Gymnastics working with the USA Gymnastics Grassroots program and she attends and coaches at summer camps like Woodward.

Thank You to Morgan White for being such and inspiration to future generations of Region 5 Elite and Region 5 Olympic Hopefuls. Continue to succeed and inspire in everything you do in life.

Here are Morgans Olympic Trials routines:

Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise

***Imagines from Google Search, Bio provided by USA Gymnastics, Wiki and NBC Broadcast, Videos from Youtube account Gymnfanus19972000***

Region 5 Elites who chased Olympic Glory: Alyssa Beckerman, CGA

By

Kim Dowis

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July 9, 2016

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Our next Region 5 gymnast who has helped pave the way for the next generation to the Olympic Trials was not originally from Region 5, but she did compete all of her elite career in Region 5 at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in Ohio.

Alyssa Beckerman, originally from New Jersey, trained under Mary Lee Tracy at CGA in Fairfield, Ohio. Alyssa was a strong competitor with beautiful lines. I really enjoyed watching her on Beam and Floor.

Alyssa became an international elite in 1996, but it wasn’t until 1998 that she really hit her stride and started to find success on the national level. At the 1998 U.S Championships Alyssa placed 2nd on bars and 8th AA. Alyssa had a stellar year in 1999, she was 3rd AA at the American Classic/Pan Am Trials, she also added a 2nd place AA and picked up two national titles on Beam and Vault to her resume at the 1999 John Hancock U.S Championships. Alyssa also placed 3rd at the 1999 World Championship Trials, however Alyssa was unable to compete at the Worlds due to a wrist injury. She would get another shot to prove her readiness to the Olympic Selection Committee, mainly Bela Karolyi who was the National Team Coordinator, that she would be an asset to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Team.

At the 2000 John Hancock U.S Championships, this was Alyssa’s time to shine, she was coming off a great showing at the U.S Classic meet placing 3rd in the AA a few weeks before. At the Championships Alyssa placed 5th in the AA, 2nd on the uneven bars and 1st on the balance beam. Beckerman also secured herself a spot at the 2000 U.S Olympic Team Trials.

At the 2000 U.S Olympic Team Trials Alyssa had a pretty good meet, she struggled a bit on bars in day 1 and stepping out on floor on day 2, but she ended up finishing 8th in the All-Around. I remember watching these trials and thinking that she was going to make the team, especially because others had either made mistakes or sustained injuries. However, Alyssa along with all the other competitors sat in a room in the back of the arena while the selection committee deliberated for 30mins on live tv before coming out and announcing the girls who made the team, those who were selected as alternates and those whose olympic dreams would be put on hold for another 4 years.

Alyssa’s name was not called as a member of the Olympic Team, however she was named the 1st alternate to the team, which meant she would travel to Sydney and be one standby just in case she was needed. A few days into the Games, Alyssa’s club mate Morgan White broke her ankle and would not be able to compete, so she headed home. Alyssa thought this would be her time, that she would get called up to the team. This was not the case, Bela had called up the 2nd alternate who was not even in Sydney at the time to compete on the team. Alyssa had to sit in the stands and cheer for the USA Team as they competed in the team finals without her.

After earning the Alternate spot on the Olympic Team Alyssa had this to say:

“At this point I’m thankful for what I’ve got. I’ve been working my butt off for so long now. I’ve been to every training camp working hard. I’m honored Bela really believes in me.”—Alyssa Beckerman 2000 Olympic Trials

Even though Alyssa’s Olympic Journey did not go as planned or as those Region 5 and CGA athletes before her, she was still part of the Olympic Team and the Olympic Games in 2000. After the Games ended Alyssa went
on to receive a full ride scholarship to UCLA, along with 2 of her Olympic Teammates, she competed for UCLA from 2001-2003. Alyssa earned a degree in Sociology from UCLA.

On June 22, 2014 Alyssa married Matt King in a ceremony in Westboro, NJ. They now reside in Middletown, NJ.

Thank You Alyssa Beckerman for being such a strong willed competitor and for continuing to strive towards your dreams. You have been an inspiration for the next generation of Region 5 Elites and Region 5 Olympic Hopefuls. I hope you continue to succeed and inspire in your life.

Here are Alyssa’s routines from the 2000 Olympic Trials

Vault, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise

***Images from Google Search, Facebook. Bio Provided by Wiki and USA Gymnastics, Videos from Youtube account Gymnfanus19972000***