Region 5 Elites who chased Olympic Glory: Samantha Peszek, DeVeau’s

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July 22, 2016

Amanda and Jaycie may have started the tradition of Region 5 Olympic Hopefuls and Olympians, but Sam Peszek and Bridget Sloan (coming up next) certainly did their part to help carrier on the tradition. In 2008 it had been a little over 10 years since a Region 5 Athlete competed at the Olympic Games. Samantha Peszek of DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Indiana is our next Region 5 Rewind feature athlete.

Samantha started gymnastics in 1993 at DeVeau’s in Fishers, Indiana. It was inevitable that Sam start gymnastics, her mom Luan has worked for USA Gymnastics in Indianapolis long before Sam was even born. Sam grew up in the gymnastics community, she had been around and exposed to the USA Gymnastics and elite gymnastics scene for her entire life. So, Sam having Olympic aspirations was not too surprising to many in the gymnastics community.

Sam was on the elite track pretty early, she was a TOPs National Team members, she greatly benefited from the TOPs program. Sam was also a highly successful JO athlete having competed in the 2004 JO National Championships placing 2nd in the AA, Vault, Bars, Beam and 7th on the Floor. After a successful JO Nationals, Sam qualified for Junior International Elite.

What was extremely special and rare about Sam Peszek was that as an international elite gymnast, she was one of only two on the national team that went to school all day then had practice in the afternoon after her school day was finished. This was very rare in elite gymnastics, many would either home school or go to an abbreviated school day so they could have twice a day practices. Sam went to a catholic private school and had all the normal experiences that any other high school student would experience, but slightly different at times of course.

In 2004, her first year as a junior elite she competed at the U.S Classic and the Visa Championship placing in the top 10 on each event and the AA. In the same year she competed in her first international competition a dual competition in Texas with the USA and Canada, where the USA placed 1st place as a team.

In 2005, Samantha continued to find national and international success competing in the U.S Classic placing 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor and 8th in the AA in the Junior Division. She qualified from there onto the Visa Championships where is placed 7th AA, 2nd on the floor and took her first national title on the vault. Sam also competed internationally in 2005 at the Mexican International Invitational placing 1st in the AA, vault and on the floor. In 2006 Samantha’s elite stock continued to rise placing 1st on the floor, 4th on the beam and 2nd in the AA at the U.S Classic. At the Visa Championships in St.Paul,Minnesota, Sam place 2nd on the vault and 3rd in the AA. Internationally Sam again found success taking 1st AA, vault, beam and 3rd on bars at the International Gymnix held in Montreal. In the same year, Sam qualified to the Junior Pan American Championships taking top team honors, floor and placing 4th in the AA all in the junior division.

In 2007, Samantha finally reached the premier level! Senior International Elite, which was absolutely perfect, becoming a senior the year before the Olympic Games is a perfect place to gain the necessary international experience one needs to make a true run at the Olympic Team. Sam is now eligible for more international assignments, most importantly an opportunity to qualify to the 2007 World Championship Team. Sam started off 2007 at the Visa Championships placing in the Top 10 on all the events plus the AA. Sam who has been a member of the national team since she first turned elite was selected for the 2007 World Championships to be held in Stuttgart, Germany. In Germany, Sam showed great routines and helped Team USA win their first World Championship team gold medal on international soil. For Team USA, this was a huge stepping stone towards the 2008 Olympics and solidifying their position as the strongest team in the world and the favorites for the 2008 Olympic Team gold medal.

As an athlete the most exciting time in all of sports is the Olympic Year. It can feel like it takes an eternity to get here, but once it arrives it feels like it came to quick. In 2008 the Olympic Games were to be held in Beijing, China. Leading up to the games, Sam competed a lot. Sam started off her year at the 2008 Tyson American Cup in New York City, in her first international competition of the year, Peszek placed 3rd in the AA. Sam next landed herself a spot on the team that would travel to the City of Jesolo Trophy meet in Jesolo, Italy, where she was part of the 1st place team and earned 3rd in the individual AA. All the international success early in 2008 helped Sam gain valuable experience and exposure in her hunt for the olympic team. At the 2008 Visa Championships, Sam place 4th in the AA, 5th on beam, 6th on bars and 10th on floor. She earned herself a spot at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials.

At the 2008 Olympic Team Trials, the top two AA finishers would automatically earn a spot on the olympic team, while another 12 will earn invitations to the Olympic Selection Camp to be held at the ranch. Sam placed 4th in the AA earning herself a place at the selection camp. After a long selection process and many competitions, Samantha accomplished every gymnast’s dream and was named to the 2008 U.S Olympic Team. Heading into Beijing Sam was pegged to be one of the key players for the US Team in the qualification round, however during floor warm-up right before the competition Sam rolled her ankle on a tumbling pass, and would limit Samantha’s participation to only bars in the preliminary competition. However, do to some errors and mistakes the favorites would go onto take the silver medal in the team final behind China.

After the Olympic Games, Sam continued in elite gymnastics, however her coach from DeVeau’s returned back to China to help his family so Sam began training with her Olympic Teammate Bridge Sloan at Sharp’s Gymnastics in Pittsboro, Indiana. Sam competed for the first time after the Olympics at the 2009 CoverGirl Classic. She then decided to compete at the Visa Championships in hopes of making the 2009 World Team as a 3 event specialist. During Visa Championships Sam placed 2nd on beam and 7th on the Floor, Sam was added to the U.S National Team. In her quest for a spot on the 2009 World Team, Sam made it to the 2nd round of the selection camp, however she was forced to pull out of the selection process to have her torn labrum fixed that she sustained earlier in the year. Sam decided to retire from elite gymnastics and begin her collegiate career at UCLA.

Like many Olympians before her, Sam chose to uphold her NCAA eligibility and attend UCLA. which has quite the history of olympic athletes. In 2011, her freshman year, Sam became the first college gymnast to perform a full twisting standing back tuck on the balance beam, this skill helped Sam win the beam title at the NCAA Women’s Championships. UCLA also placed 2nd in the Team Competition at those championships. She also was a first team All-American on the beam in 2011. In 2012 at the NCAA Championships UCLA placed 3rd as a team and Sam placed 7th on the Beam earning another first team All-American on the event.

In the 2012-2013 season Sam was forced to redshirt due to an Achilles tendon tear. In 2013 Sam became a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American for the third consecutive year. She also was also inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame along with her 2007 World Championship Teammates.

In 2014, Sam was heeled and ready to compete for UCLA again, at the 2014 Pac 12 Championships Sam earned the beam title, finished 2nd in the all-around and UCLA finished 4th as a team. As 2015 approached Sam decided to use her final year of NCAA eligibility and competed as a super senior. In her super senior year Samantha went out with style at the 2015 NCAA Championships by becoming the co-all-around champion.

Following graduation from UCLA, Samantha worked for the Pac 12 Network as a color commentator for the 2016 Gymnastics Season, she has also done commentary for other media outlets. Sam also attends summer camps as a guest Olympian. She has done some modeling as well. Sam currently resided in Los Angeles and she along with her 2008 Olympic Teammate Alicia Sacramone, co-created the Instagram page @thegympire. Sam will also be on the NBC Media Team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Thank you Samantha Peszek for contributing to the success of Region 5 Gymnastics in a BIG way! You have greatly inspired many of Region 5’s gymnasts, not only on the elite level, but all levels! Thank you for being a tremendous role model to our Region 5 Athletes. You will always be a cherished part of the Region 5 Family!

I wish you great success and happiness in the future and for you to continue to inspire, educate and work for the greater good of gymnastics.

Here are Sam’s Routines from Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games:

Floor Exercise, Balance Beam, Uneven Bars,

***Photos provided by Google Search, Bio provided by USA Gymnastics, UCLA Gymnastics, Wikipedia. Videos Provided by Youtube Account USA Gymnastics & Fabian Delgado***

Looking for R5 Insider Contributors

By

Jason MacDonald

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July 21, 2016

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The Region 5 Gym Insider is looking for contributors to add more original print and video content to our site. We are in need of good content writers for regular articles and blog posts on any and all topics that relate to our athletes, coaches and judges in Region 5. If you have a passion for video and video editing, we have opportunities there as well, filming some of our special features like Eye on 5, R5 Spotlight, R5 All Access, Meet the Judge, Senior Saturday and more. mediaday

We have great gymnastics all around our region and are looking for state contributors in Indiana, and Ohio/Kentucky to cover invitationals, film workout features, special interest features and keep all posted on what is going on in the state. This can be a regular contributor or during specific times of the year (meet season, etc). Though we have regular content in Illinois and Michigan, if you are interested and live in either of these two states, we are more then happy to have additional help as well.

melindsay

This position is for someone who has a strong interest in media and journalism. We are looking for professional people who are passionate about gymnastics and Region 5. The main purpose of this site is to showcase our great gymnasts and coaches in a positive light while engaging the gymnastics fans with original and interesting content. This is a non paid position that allows those with interests in media journalism to get experience in the field. For those who are currently in college majoring in sport related or journalism majors, we can provide internship or individual study credits toward your degree.

If you are interested or want more information please email us at [email protected] and put Insider Contributor in the subject.

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

By

Kim Dowis

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July 15, 2016

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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.