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Region 5 Elites Who Chased Olympic Glory: Mackenzie Caquatto

August 2, 2016

Mackenzie Caquatto started gymnastics in 1994 at the age of 3, her mom Lin took her to a Mommy & Me class and like many she was hooked instantly. Mackenzie who was born in Naperville, Illinois started her gymnastics career at Aerial Gymnastics Club. When Mackenzie, who also has a younger sister who was an Elite Gymnast, once told her mom during the 1996 Olympic Games that she one day would be an Elite with dreams of the Olympics, Mackenzie worked towards those goals everyday after that moment.

While at Aerial Mackenzie was the 2007 JO National AA Champion, in 2007 Mackenzie would also compete in her first Elite competition the U.S. Classic held in Battle Creek, Michigan. Mackenzie then competed in the junior division at the 2007 Visa Championships finishing 16th in the AA. In 2008 the Olympic Year Mackenzie would become a Senior International Elite, which would now give her the opportunity to chase her Olympic Dream.

In the Olympic Year, Mackenzie competed at the U.S Classic finishing 1st on the Vault, 3rd on the Bars and 4th AA. This solid meet qualified her to the Visa Championships placing 10th in the AA securing her a spot on her first US National Team and a place at the U.S Olympic Team Trials. However, Mackenzie only competed in day 1 of the trials placing 12th in the AA on that specific day.

In 2009, Mackenzie began training along with her sister Bridgette at Naperville Gymnastics under two Chinese Olympians (Jiani Wu & Yuejiu Li). Mackenzie had a breakout year in 2009 having successful competitions at the U.S Classic and the U.S Nationals placing 3rd on the Uneven Bars and 5th in the AA then 2nd
on the Vault, Uneven Bars, 8th on the Floor and 3rd in the AA respectively despite suffering a pretty serious knee injury in June of 2009. After a successful showing at the US Championships Mackenzie was named to the World Championship Selection camp. She would be named as an alternate to the 2009 World Team. Mackenzie was them selected to represent Team USA at a few international competitions. The Toyota International Competition in Japan (2nd on bars), the USA-Germany Friendly Exchange (1st team, 2nd uneven bars, 3rd AA & vault ), the USA-France Exchange (1st team, 2nd AA & Vault) and then the USA-Japan Friendship Meet (1st team, vault & 2nd AA).

In 2010 Mackenzie found herself at a new gym, her coaches Jiani Wu & Yuejiu Li opened their own training facility in Naperville called Legacy Elite. Mackenzie started off her season representing Team USA at the City of Jesolo Trophy meet in Italy, where she placed 1st with the Team & 7th AA. Macko also competed at the CoverGirl Classic placing 2nd on Vault, Bars and 3rd in the AA, thus qualifying herself to the 2010 Visa Championships. At Championships she was 4th on Bars, 7th on Beam and 5th AA. Her placing at Championships would qualify her again to the USA National Team and onto the World Championship Selection Camp. Having been an alternate last year to the World Championships, in 2010 Mackenzie would selected at a Worlds Team member, at the final selection camp she won the AA. Mackenzie traveled to Rotterdam, Netherlands as part of Team USA. In Rotterdam, Mackenzie competed in the AA placing 9th in the qualifications, unfortunately she did not advance to the finals because of the two per country ruling. However, she did compete in the team finals on Bars and Vault contributing scores for both to the team. The USA Team ended up finishing 2nd behind the Russians.

After the World Championships Mackenzie, who had previously committed to the University of Florida on a full ride scholarship started her season with the Gators. In her freshman season Mackenzie faced some injuries, but still competed in the AA for her team at the NCAA Championships, however once the NCAA season was over Mackenzie decided to wanted to make an elite comeback, so she returned to Legacy Elite at competed two events at the 2011 CoverGirl Classic finishing 4th on the Uneven Bars. At the 2011 Visa Championships she’s competed in the AA finishing 4th, she also placed 2nd on the Uneven Bars. Mackenzie earned herself a spot on her 4th US National Team and a spot at the Worlds Selection Camp. Unfortunately, while doing a dismount off the beam she injured both her ankles and had to withdraw from the selection process.

Mackenzie returned to the University of Florida for her sophomore season, however she would only compete the Uneven Bars and eventually the balance beam. In 2012 the Gators placed 2nd as a Team at the NCAA Championships and Caquatto placed 6th on the Uneven Bars. In 2013, Mackenzie helped the Gators win their first NCAA National Championship in the schools history, she also placed 4th on the Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. In her final year as a Florida Gator Mackenzie once again helped lead her to their second NCAA Championship Team Title and placed 4th on the Uneven Bars.

Mackenzie had fought through injuries and adversity to find great success in her gymnastics career as an Elite & a Collegiate Student-Athlete. As a Florida Gator Mackenzie received many honors, as a Freshman she received SEC Freshman of the week honors, multiple event titles. As a sophomore she earned All-America first-team honors at the NCAA Championships for the Uneven Bars, All SEC Second Team member and she was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. In 2011 as a Junior Caquatto, earned All-America first-team honors at the NCAA Championships for the Uneven Bars and Balance Beam, first-team All-American for the Uneven Bars and Balance Beam in the first National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches (NACGC) All-America regular-season awards, she was also the fifth Gator Gymnast to score a perfect 10 on the Uneven Bars and first since 2009, she was named the SEC Specialist of the Week, she also shared team’s Heart & Soul award and was again a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and named to NACGC Scholastic All-America team.

In her final season she earned again first-team All-American honors for the Uneven Bars and Balance Beam at the NCAA Championships and the NACGC All-America regular-season awards. She also earned All-Southeastern Conference honors, she won 7 event titles throughout the season, she also was selected as a SEC Community Service team member, a recipient of $5,000 scholarship as a nominee for SEC Brad Davis Community Service award, was named co-Gator Heart & Soul Award recipient and received the “Communigator” award at her team banquet. She was also a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the 4th year in a row.

Mackenzie graduated in 2014 with a bachelors degree in elementary education, she has wanted to become a teacher since she was very young. After graduation she would go onto her graduate degree from the University of Florida, in 2015 she graduated with her Masters in Elementary and Special education. Currently she is in the second year of of Florida’s three-year ProTeach program. Mackenzie can be seen in the stands at Gator Gymnastics Meets cheering on her former team, but most importantly her younger sister who is also a Florida Gymnast.

Like many Region 5 Athletes before her Mackenzie chased her Olympic Dream, she however was plagued by injuries, but she did work hard, persevere and did something super hard and special, competing in both NCAA & Elite at the same time, not many have achieved this feat. Mackenzie found success at the University of Florida, and on the world stage. Thank you Mackenzie for inspiring not only the Elite & Olympic Hopefuls of Region 5, but all gymnasts in general. I hope through your teaching that you continue to inspire and education young people for generations to come.

Here are Mackenzie’s routines from the 2008 Olympic Trials and 2010 World Championships:

2010 Worlds Beam, 2010 Worlds Floor, 2010 Worlds Bars,

2008 Olympic Trials Vault

***Pictures provided by Google Search, Info & Bio provided by USA Gymnastics, Wikipedia, Gator Gymnastics and Videos from Youtube Gymcat67 & Gymnweb Account***

Eye on 5: Payton Richards, Aerial Gymnastics | Great Biology, ATTACK MODE!

Jason MacDonald

July 30, 2016

This Eye on 5 (sponsored by Midwest Gym Supply) features 2016 JO National JRE AA Champion Payton Richards from Aerial Gymnastics. Payton talks about her journey in gymnastics that has taken her to the top of her sport. The road hasn’t been without its struggles including surgery to remove a tumor in her hamstring. Her experience training in the elite arena has helped her to be more focused and determined level 10. Payton is a outgoing free spirit athlete who puts her teammates in front of her and just enjoys the process that is gymnastics.

Region 5 Elites who chased Olympic Glory: Bridget Sloan, Sharp’s

Kim Dowis

July 28, 2016

Region 5 is one of the most decorated and accomplished Regions in the entire country, our next Region 5 athlete certainly contributed an enormous amount to that success. Bridget Sloan from Pittsboro, Indiana trained under Marvin Sharp at Sharps Gymnastics for her entire career. Bridget who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio began gymnastics at Sharp’s at the age of 4. Bridget set her sights on the Elite level pretty quickly becoming an Elite at the Age of 10! Bridget was named to the USAG Child Elite National Team.

As an Elite, Bridget competed in many National and International competitions. She had many great opportunities to travel the world representing Team USA. Bridget competed as a Junior International Elite competing at the U.S Challenge, U.S Classic, American Classic, Visa Championships and Internationally at the Gymix in Montreal.

In 2007 Bridget would move into the Senior ranks and finally have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the highest level. In 2007, she competed at the U.S Classic held in Battle Creek, Michigan placing 1st in the AA and top 3 on the each event. She went onto the Visa Championships where she placed 5th in the AA and 2nd on Floor. Bridget also competed internationally in 2007 at the Houston International Invitational, The USA vs Great Britain International Competition, She was the 1st Alternate to the World Team in Stuttgart, she also rounded out 2007 competing at the Good Luck Beijing event and the Toyota Cup in Japan placing very well at each international competition.

However, 2008 was the big event the Olympic Year! At the beginning of the year Bridget was on the Team that traveled to Jesolo, Italy for the City of Jesolo Trophy Meet, where she placed 1st with the Team. During this meet misfortune struck Bridget was forced to sit out of the competition and would not compete again until the Visa Championships in the summer. Bridget had suffered a meniscus tear which required surgery to repair, having surgery this close to the most important meet of her life was a bit nerve wracking for Bridget. At Visa Championships Bridget only competed on Bars and Beam placing 3rd & 7th respectively. Bridget was definitely showing signs of promise and that she was ready to vie for a spot on the Olympic Team. At Visa Championships Bridget was named to the National Team and invited to the 2008 Olympic Team Trials.

At the Trials, Bridget did have a few mistakes, but she showed readiness to prove to the selection committee that she was back in top form and deserved a spot on the team. Once trials concluded 14 girls were invited to the Olympic Selection Camp to be held at the Ranch in Houston, Texas. At the conclusion of the camp, Bridget was named to the 2008 U.S Olympic Team and would travel to Beijing China.

During the Olympic Games, Bridget had solid routines she competed in both the qualifying and team finals. In the qualifications Bridget’s routines were critical do to that fact Team USA had two injuries right before the competition, so the USA was forced to put up 4 routines on three of the events. In the Team finals Bridget competed on Vault, contributing to the overall team score and helping the USA earn a Silver Team Medal.

After the Olympic Games were finished, Bridget traveled on the Tour of Champions for a few stops, but decided to hold onto her NCAA eligibility and continue training to be ready for competition in 2009 and make a run at another Olympic Team. Bridget was the youngest member of the US Olympic Team, so it was only natural for her to return to Elite competition. Heading into 2009 Bridget would find herself with a new training partner, her 2008 Olympic Teammate Samantha Peszek would join her at Sharp’s.

In 2009 Bridget started off her season at the Tyson American Cup, placing second to a fellow Region 5 Elite and future Olympian Jordyn Wieber, who at 13 years old was competing as a junior in the senior competition. After the American Cup Bridget traveled to France & Germany for a friendly exchange meet, the USA placed 1st as a team at both meets and Bridget took home All-Around Gold. 2009 proved to be a very successful year for Bridget winning every competition she entered. Bridget would become the 2009 US National Champion and a few months later the 5th US Women to win the World Championships Gold Medal.

These great accomplishments did not stop Bridget, in 2010 she competed at the CoverGirl Classic placing 2nd AA & 4th on Balance Beam, she also competed at the Pacific Rim placing 1st with the Team and the World Championships placing 2nd with the Team and 4th on the Uneven Bars. 2011 was a slow year for Bridget she had suffered a few different injuries in 2010 and needed to get healthy from those. She did not competed at the U.S Nationals nor the World Championships
however, she did earn a spot on the Pan American Games Team where she competed on Bars and Floor helping Team USA place 1st as a Team. After a successful showing at the Pan American Games, Bridget petitioned into the 2012 U.S Championships, she was unable to compete at the U.S Classic because her coach was unable to be there do to his fathers funeral. At the U.S Championships Bridget competed on all 4 events for the first time since 2009. After the competition Bridget had earned herself a chance to compete at her 2nd Olympic Trials. However, on the first day of competition she fell from the Uneven Bars and injuries her elbow, withdrawing from the competition and thus preparing herself for the next chapter of gymnastics an life as a student-athlete on a full scholarship at the University of Florida.

Bridget really excelled in college gymnastics, in her freshman season (2013) with the Gators Sloan took top honors in the AA, Balance Beam and with the Team which was also Florida’s first NCAA Team Title, she also placed 2nd on the Uneven Bars and 4th on Floor. Bridget is an eight-time All-American in numerous events in the Championship Season and the Regular Season. In 2013 Bridget was also named as the 2013 recipient of the Honda Sports Award, recognizing her as the outstanding women’s college gymnast. Bridget became only the fourth freshman to win the honor in the award’s 37-year history, and the second consecutive Florida freshman to win.

Moving onto Bridget’s Sophomore Season with the Gators, she helped lead he team to its second consecutive NCAA Team Title. Bridget also won the Uneven Bars title and racked up several All-American honors as well at the SEC Gymnast of the Year and first team All American status on all four events. For Sloan, 2015 was plagued with injuries and perfect 10s, she was forced to sit out 5 meets with an ankle injury. Bridget returned to competition near the end of 2015 and helped the Gators capture their third straight NCAA Team Title. She again earned first team All-American honors and she became the first gymnast from Florida to earn perfect 10.0s on all four events, and is only the seventh NCAA gymnast ever to achieve this honor.

In 2016 Bridget’s senior season with the Gators, she finished her college career the same way she started it as the NCAA All-Around Champion, she also added another Uneven Bars and Beam Title to her resume.

Bridget has earned many honors in her time as an athlete, she was inducted into the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame, The Region 5 Hall of Fame and she has earned something no other gymnast has before her, the Trifecta! She has won an Olympic Medal, The US National Title, The World AA Title and NCAA AA Title. Bridget certainly does hold her spot in history.

In 2016 Bridget graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in communications, as of right now Bridget still lives in Florida and is contemplating Graduate School. No matter what Bridget decides to do following her Florida Graduation, I know that she will strive for perfection and accomplish anything and everything she sets her mind too.

Thank you Bridget for everything you have done for the future of Region 5 Elites, Olympic Hopefuls and anyone who you have touched with your amazing gymnastics career! I hope that you continue to inspire and succeed in anything and everything that you do in the next chapter of your life.

Watch Bridget’s Routines from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Floor Exercise, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Vault-Team Finals

***Imagines provided by Google search & Facebook, Bio & History provided by USA Gymnastics, Wikipedia & BridgetSloan.com. Videos provided by Youtube account us015, NascGym & Dee***

Coaches Wired | Jaycie Phelps Marus, JPAC

Jason MacDonald

July 26, 2016

Coaches Wired featuring 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Jayce Phelps-Marus. Jaycie is wired as she coaches her level 10 Hadyn Crossen during floor warm-ups of the 2016 JO Nationals. Jaycie gives corrections on every take off and landing and even gets a blast from her past moment…. Check it out!

Check out Dave Marus Coaches Wired from 2014 JO Nationals

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

Kim Dowis

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***

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