2023 Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotards (10-6)

By

-

August 1, 2023

As we officially closed the 2023 season with the Region 5 Banquet & Hall of Fame induction, it is time to continue our 2023 wrap up with our annual Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotard List. It’s hard to believe that this years list is the 10th year of this coveted list. I remember back at Regionals in 2014 when I got the idea for this annual list, I never imagined it would turn into what it is today with people wanting to make the list and getting excited about holding that top spot each year. It has been such an incredible experience for the last 10 years putting together this list each year, especially when the coaches & club owners go above and beyond each year making it more and more difficult to decide. This year has been no exception, year 10 has definitely been challenging with so many great leotards it has taken me more time than usually to narrow this list down, but I finally did it. So without further a do here is 10-6 of the Region 5 Insiders Top 10 Favorite Region 5 Leotards.

__________________________________________________

Honorable Mentions:

10. Naperville (3rd yr)

What I love most about Naperville’s leo is that it is the same as one of Michigan State’s leos from this past season (back & color is different). We all know my love for the Michigan State Gymnastics Team! As soon as I saw Naperville’s blue Sylvia P leo it was an instant favorite, it is also one of those great leos that looks great on everyone which I love.

9. Olympic Dreams (3rd yr)

What I love most about Olympics Dreams is the vibrant colors they chose for their leos, they always pick colors that really POP and draw the eye. This leo is no exception, I also love the design and how the pinks compliment each other so well.

8. DeVeau’s (1st yr)

This is DeVeau’s second year in this dazzling Ozone leotard. Many people have mixed feelings about this leo and it did take me a while to really love it, but I do. It definitely stands out on the competition floor and it is not just the front that is a showstopper the back always draws the eye with its design.

7. Energym (2nd yr)/ Queen City (1st yr)

Energym & Queen City share the number 7 spot on our list. Their leos, to me, are the same but obviously different both catch your eye on the competition floor with the jewels as well as the side cut mesh designs. I instantly loved both right away when I saw them and new they had to be on the list and sharing the number 7 spot seemed perfect.

6. CGA (10th yr)

CGA never disappoints when it comes to leotards, having made our list every single year since the beginning and this one no exception. CGA’s pink & black GK leo looks fantastic on everyone as well as really catches your eye with its intricate design. __________________________________________________

Stay Tuned for Leotards 5-1

Making Moves Monday on Wednesday

By

Jason MacDonald

-

July 26, 2023

0

presented by: Full Out Recruiting

When life gets busy, Monday just moves to Wednesday…

The summer training is quickly nearing its end with the new school year fastly approaching. We will continue featuring upgrade videos (skills and combos) from athletes around the region each Monday until Level 9 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 collection of 11 upgrades for our Wednesday edition of Making Moves Monday.

Mckena Mauk, Aspire Class of 2027. New Gienger on regular bar

Cora Cardellino, Energym Class of 2025. Working on some flight series upgrades

Isla Lazzari, CITY Class of 2028- 2023 Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier. Front pike on beam

Cameron Tassone, IK Class of 2026- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New tumbling combo, bar to bar flight and dismount, new vault, another tumbling combo

Olivia Sabin, Flytz Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New flight series

Karleigh Reutzel, Universal Class of 2024- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New tumbling pass in the works

Emma Becker, BIG Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Some new in-bars and combos

Autumn Rardin, Gym Xtreme Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Tumbling combos

Katherine Shackelford, Cincinnati Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Upgraded vault and bars dismount

Addie Sarisky, Olympic Dreams Class of 2026- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New Yurchenko 1 1/2

Ashlyn Doyle, Champion USA Class of 2024- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New Triple Flight

Making Moves Monday for July 17, 2023

By

Jason MacDonald

-

July 17, 2023

0

presented by: Full Out Recruiting

It’s been two weeks since the last MMM but we have a collection of upgrades including some first time release catches from the past two weeks.

We have a only a few more weeks of summer training but our series featuring upgrade videos from athletes around the region each Monday will continue 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 collection of 13 upgrades for our 5th Making Moves Monday.

Emma Brookins, Olympia Class of 2024- 2023 DEV National AllStar on Floor. Floor upgraded combo

Anika Most, Capitol City Class of 2024- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. Fun Beam Combo Upgrades, also double layouts off bars

Taylor Gomez, BIG Class of 2024. Full out bars dismount on double bars

Kyler Webster, Aspire Class of 2024. New Beam Dismount

Layla Bobek, Universal Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV Nationals. New Double Layout on floor

Erin Peyton, Future Gymnastics Class of 2027. Gienger on bars

Molly Sabin, Flytz Class of 2025- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. New Bhardwaj- Bail with half (or known as a PAC Full- though its not) bar to bar release.

Avery Schlichting (Smiley), Energym Class of 2026- 2023 Level 10 DEV National Qualifier. LOVE THESE NEW FLOOR COMBOS (though it does bring me back to my generation of floor tumbling)

Harmony Haro, Cincinnati Class of 2024. Check out her new full in

Alisia Murray, Hunts Class of 2024. New upgraded front 1/2 on vault

Mallory Simon, AA Flames Class of 2025. First Jaeger Catch

Sydney Fazio, Premier West Class of 2027. Another First Catch (Jaeger)

Ella Hargraves, JPAC Class of 2025. Upgraded Bars Dismount

Senior Recap: 2023 American Classic

By

Jason MacDonald

-

July 9, 2023

0

Katy, Texas

The final session of the 2023 American Classic at Stars Gymnastics in Texas featured the seniors. The Seniors have 3 score options to qualify to the 2023 US Championships in San Jose:

All Around score of 51.00, 3 score of 39.0 or 2 score of 26.4

Region 5 had two seniors competing both of which train at Buckeye Gymnastics. In her first American Classic, Avery Moll finished 4th all around with a 50.4. She started the meet off strong on vault with a 13.2 Yurchenko full, then showed her toughness on bars muscling her way through her Maloney to Gienger combo. Avery went 4 for 4 and held her own against many seasoned elites in the field.

2022 US Champs qualifier Kelise Woolford was on fire for the first three rotations. She finished in the top 3 on bars and beam both of which broke into the 13’s. Though her beam was downgraded a bit (has a BHS Full twist series) she had a solid effort including the new 2 1/2 dismount for a 13.05. Kelise has added a toe full to her Maloney Pac opening combo which was performed very well. She also showed her grit on bars as a pirouette on high bar didn’t go as planned but kept the flow moving for a 13.1. She finished up with a 49.15.

Next Up Core Hydration Classic (US Classic as we all know it to be)

American Classic Junior Recap

By

Jason MacDonald

-

July 9, 2023

0

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.