American Classic Junior Recap

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July 9, 2023

Katy, Texas

First of two elite classics took place this weekend at the National Training Center located at Stars Gymnastics in Texas. Most of the athletes in this competition were looking to achieve their US Championships qualifying score of 50.00. This classic, and the US Classic (Core Hydration Classic) are the final 2 chances to earn a ticket to the US Championships in San Jose at the end of August.

Jazlene Pickens, Catherine Guy, Carly Weinburg (Buckeye)

Region 5 had four juniors entered in the competition, all of which are from or train in Ohio. Carly Weinberg (Buckeye) was the top finisher of the four placing 18th with a 48.25 which was her 2nd highest all around score in as many years as an elite. Carly has added her Ray back into her bar routine (competing that at the 2022 DEV Nationals) and a new Weiler kip (soon to be combo) to start. Her Yurchenko Full (used to compete layout 1/2) has also improved since competing it at this years Winter Cup.

Returning to Region 5 this past off season, Ella Kate Parker (Cincinnati) finished her competition with a 47.75. Ella Kate had a bit of a up and down day including peeling off the bar on her dismount (grip ripped). She however did crack the top 10 on beam with her aerial layout layout series and a 12.65.

Ella Kate Parker (Cincinnati) announced during introductions at the 2023 American Classic

Catherine Guy (Buckeye), who has done double duty in 2023 (competed at DEV Nationals in May), scored her highest all around score to date as an elite with a 47.05. Cat’s highlights included her nice Ondi and layout layout series on beam along with her well performed tumbling on floor (double back, layout Rudi and 2 1/2).

2022 HOPES Championships Qualifier Jazlene Pickens (Buckeye), who has also split between level 10 and elite in 2023, scored a 46.05. Jaz has lots of power which is evident in her very big layout step out flight series on beam and her full in on floor that was too big for the floor to handle, smily face emoji!

Lots of positive take aways from this classic and looking forward to the next stop…. Core Hydration Classic first weekend in August.

HOPES CHAMPS: Next Stop for Five From Region 5-2023 HOPES Classic Recap

By

Jason MacDonald

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July 8, 2023

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Katy, Texas

Results: HOPES 11-12 | HOPES 13-14
Videos: USAGym FlipNow

The summer elite meet series began this weekend at Stars Gymnastics (USAGym National Training Center) in Texas with the American Classic/HOPES Classic. The HOPES classic serves as the qualifying competition for the HOPES Championships which will take place at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL at the beginning of August.

Region 5 qualified twelve athletes between both 11-12 (5 athletes) and 13-14 (7 athletes) age groups to the HOPES Classic with 5 moving on to HOPES Championships.

11-12 Age group

The 11-12 age group kicked off the competition weekend with their focus set on finishing in the top 18 while scoring a minimum of 43.5 in the all around to advance to HOPES Championships. The duo for Cincinnati both finished in the top 10 with scores over 46 to advance to Championships.

Ansley Stevens and Kylie Smith (Cincinnati Gymnastics)

Kylie Smith (Cincinnati) finished 7th All Around with a 46.4 which featured a very nice Yurchenko full vault for a 3rd place 12.9 and solid 12.25 on beam to take 4th on the event. Ansley Stevens (Cincinnati) finished 9th All Around with a 46.3 and nailed her triple flight (2 BHS to layout) on beam for a 3rd place 12.35.

Stevie Rose Mack (Performance Gymnastics) achieved the qualifying score requirement with her 43.6 all around but had to wait until the conclusion of the 13-14 session to find out that she qualified (only 14 achieved the 13-14 score). Stevie had some balance checks but hit her beam routine to finish 10th with a 11.5.

Savannah Weinland (Performance), Diana Ochieng (JPAC), Stevie Rose Mack (Performance)

Competing in their first HOPES Classic, Savannah Weinland (Performance) scored a 41.45 and Diana Ochieng (JPAC) scored a 40.3

13-14 Age Group

Region 5 had seven compete in the 13-14 age group with 3 achieving the qualifying score of 45.0 and advancing to the HOPES Championships. Quinn Harris (Cincinnati) finished 3rd with a 48.5 to qualify for her 3rd HOPES Championships. Quinn was very solid on all four events rocking her tuck Yurchenko full on her first event vault before cracking the top 3 on bars which included her nice hop Weiler combo for a 11.75 and 3rd on beam rocking her layout layout for a 12.75.

Gabi Ursu, Addie Oiler Velez, Ellie Mayer, Sadie Goldberg, and Quinn Harris, Natalia Pudelko (not pictured)and and Isla Lazzari (not pictured).

Sadie Goldberg (GymXtreme) finished 5th in the All Around with a 47.55 that included a huge Yurchenko full for a 13.2 and first place on the event. She also put up an impressive 12.3 on beam (very nice 2 1/2 dismount) for 6th and nailed her full in opening pass on floor.

Addie Oiler Velez (Buckeye) finished 10th All Around with a 46.05. She finished 6th on beam with solid back handspring layout. Addie finished 9th on bars with a very unique bar composition that features a straddle back from handstand and snap back tuck dismount.

Sadie and Addie will join Quinn and represent Region 5 at the upcoming HOPES Championships.

Some other highlights from our Region 5 athletes:

Gabi Ursu (Naperville) hit all four event for a 44.5 and finished top 10 on bars with a strong double layout dismount and a 10.8.

Isla Lazzari finished top 10 on beam with a 11.65 and had very powerful layout Yurchenko vault that scored a 11.6. She finished with a 43.2 in the all around.

2022 HOPES Championships qualifier Elle Mayer (Legacy Elite) finished with a 43.3 and in her first classic, Natalia Pudelko (Naperville) had a 38.25.

Making Moves Monday for July 3, 2023

By

Jason MacDonald

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July 3, 2023

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presented by: Full Out Recruiting

It’s already July, and week 4 of our summer series featuring upgrade videos from athletes around the region each Monday until Level 10 High Tech/High Performance Training Camp in October.

If you would like your upgrades to be featured in the coming weeks make sure you upload to your gymnastics Instagram account (or personal if that is what you use) and tag #R5MakingMovesMonday

So here is this weeks collection of 16 upgrades from our hard working Region 5 Athletes.

Lulu Ton That, CPD Class of 2025- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New Yurchenko Full and Jaeger on bars

Autumn Rardin, Gym Xtreme Class of 2025- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New beam series and tumbling combo

Gabby Van Frayen, Gym Xtreme Class of 2025 (Senior Elite). On the comeback trail

Aliyah Kelly, UGA Class of 2024- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New Bars Dismount

Jayla Vautrin, Mid Michigan Class of 2025. New Beam Mount, Jaegers

Karalyn Key, Midwest Elite Class of 2026. Working Full Ins, triple flight and 1 1/2 on vault

Lisa Szeibert, JPAC Class of 2024- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New Double Layouts on floor at DEV National Team Camp

Emma Becker, BIG Class of 2025- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. The Ricna is back in business, New Double lays off bars

Annabelle Werner, Mid Michigan Class of 2027. Front Tumbling upgrades

Ali Szymanski, Set-10 Class of 2027- 2023 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier. Brani and triple flight on beam

Reese Samuelson, Phenom (soon to be Freshman at WMU)– 2023 DEV National Qualifier. upgraded tumbling, and bars connections

Noella Marshall, AA Flames Class of 2025- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New Front Tumbling, New Back combo and double pike, beam aerials

Ellie Linn, Gym World Class of 2026. New Jaeger

Mckena Mauk, Aspire Class of 2027- 2023 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier. Vaulting and Geinger upgrade

Marissa Torri, Aspire Class of 2027- 2023 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier. New Double Layout bars dismount

Morgan Braun, Queen City Class of 2027- 2023 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier. New Layout 1/2 on Vault

Making Moves Monday for June 26, 2023

By

Jason MacDonald

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June 26, 2023

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presented by: Full Out Recruiting

Week 3 of our summer series featuring upgrade videos from athletes around the region each Monday until Level 10 High Tech/High Performance Training Camp in October.

If you would like your upgrades to be featured in the coming weeks make sure you upload to your gymnastics Instagram account (or personal if that is what you use) and tag #R5MakingMovesMonday

So here is our first collection of 10 upgrades for the summer.

Cameron Tassone, IK Class of 2026- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Nice Front Double Full Front Tuck Combo

Izzy Biro, Queen City Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New Yurchenko 1 1/2 (Full Out Recruit Client)

Railey Jackson, GymNasti (Mizzou Commit)– 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Full Ins on floor again, Yurchenko 1 1/2s as well

Madison Harvey, Mid Michigan Class of 2024- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. NEW TRIPLE FLIGHT- LOVE IT!

Bailee Norris, Flytz Class of 2026- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Perfect Bars Dismounts and New Tumbling Pass, Triple Flight

Bridget Karl, BIG Class of 2027- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier (Alternate). Bars Dismount, Tumbling upgrades and a triple flight in the works

Macy Nihart, Capitol City Flips Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Working on upgrading her vault

Esphyr Koren, Perfection Class of 2027- 2023 DEV National Qualifier. New D o u b l e B a c k Beam dismount, plus training new flight and double layout

Raegan McCarty, FlipStar Class of 2026- 2023 Level 9 Eastern AA Champion. Upgraded Tumbling (nice layout Rudi)

Abby Rehor, Flying High Class of 2028- 2023 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier. New triple flight in the works

Day in the Life- Phenom Senior Level 10 Ainsley Greever | Scholar of Pickleball and Dumbell Balance

By

Jason MacDonald

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June 23, 2023

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Follow along as Phenom Senior Level 10 and soon to be Arizona Wildcat Ainsley Greever takes us through a week in her life. This was filmed back in March so she was still in high school and gearing up for the Region 5 Championships. Ainsley not only is an awesome gymnast, but she is a scholar in the classroom, on the pickle ball court and in dumbbell balance pre-hab training.