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

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***

Looking for R5 Insider Contributors

Jason MacDonald

July 21, 2016

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

Kim Dowis

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***

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