Dynasty could be happening but Kim are you sure it’s UTAH, Sierra Brooks is the Champion, We had a perfect 10 in region 5, well we had 10 alums at nationals, Region 5 National Champion at the USAG Nationals, It’s a Ring for Torrez, Sad face feelings continues for Davis and the ESPN event streams are the best for behind the scenes crazy! We also announce our R5 College Salute Best of 2023 on each event list.
The NCAA has a few categories that the University programs fall under. The main one is Division 1 which most of the NCAA programs are however even being division 1 doesn’t mean the program has the same scholarship resources for their athletes. The USAG NCAA Nationals took place April 6-8 at Texas Women’s University, and consists of gymnastics programs that are not able to provide the full 12 scholarships that the NCAA allows.
The 12 programs that participate in these nationals have fewer then 12 scholarships and levels the playing field for these programs giving them an opportunity to compete in a NCAA Nationals event thought hosted by USA Gymnastics.
Region 5 had 9 alums participate in these championships with 3 claiming honors during the event finals.
Kaylee Cooper from Lindenwood, who won the 2023 USAG National Team Title, took home top honors on the uneven bars with this 9.875 routine. She ends with a very nice stuck double layout and a very excited reaction to the routine.
Riley Meeks competed in her final competition for Yale at these championships and went out as the 2nd best on beam with this 9.875 routine. She was super solid from start to finish including her stuck gainer pike dismount.
Madison Greene from SEMO vaulted into a tie for 4th with this 9.75 vault. Polly, as we knew her in Region 5, stuck her full twisting Yurchenko cold.
In addition to these event finalist performances, Region 5 had some other outstanding routines that took place in the preliminary competition.
Two of these athletes competed their final routines and wrapped up their gymnastics careers at these championships. Texas Women’s Senior Kyla Podges competed on three events and scored a 9.8 on this floor routine.
Madison Griffith, also a TWU senior, competed on vault and put up a 9.75 on this bar. Check out the power and dynamic swing into her dismount.
Check out more alum performances below:
Sarah (Gracie) Willis, Airforce 9.675 for this very nice Tuck Yurchenko Full Vault
Megan Brueck, Yale 9.625 for this floor routine which features a very nice double back first pass
Lauren Holt, Yale 9.725 on floor and opens with a very nice front double full
Cornell Freshman Cami Whitaker competed on vault and floor scoring 9.7 on both. Unfortunately hadn’t received any video from Cami at the time of this being posted.
Championship time is here in Region 5. Region 5 Championships will take place in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Turnstone Center (Plassman Athletic Center) beginning Thursday April 13th.
Each year we highlight athletes from each of our 5 states. You might not know these names, but we think you should watch out for for these athletes as they compete for a spot on their first 2023 Region 5 Dream Team for Level 10.
Here are 5 ones to watch from Indiana:
Syvanna Navarro (JPAC) JrF
Syvanna has been one of my favorites for a long time! I absolutely love watching her perform one the Floor, she has such a presence about her on the event she is like a quiet storm with effortless and precise movements that match the music and make you take notice it’s no wonder Syvanna is the 2023 Indiana State Floor Champion.
Ella Hargreaves (JPAC) JrD
Ella Hargreaves is a unique story started her journey to Level 10 through the Xcel program she was actually the 2016 Regional Floor Champion. Ella moved into the JO programed and quickly shot up the levels and the podium. Making her way up to the 2022 L9 Eastern Champions. In 2023 Ella was the Indiana State Balance Beam Champion. Ella displays beautiful lines & extension, especially in the split jumps & leaps, as well as sharp movements and focus.
Mecca Chandler (Flip Zone) SrA
Mecca Chandler from the Flip Zone Hails from the same as Drake White and posses many of the same qualities. Also catching my eye at the same 2021 L9 Easterns Mecca is the 2021 Eastern L9 Vault Champion and you will not want to miss her on this event as well. Mecca is a powerful athlete that will show confidence and sharpness in her gymnastics as she looking to make her first DEV National in her 2nd level 10 season.
Katie Ferguson (JPAC) SrA
Katie Ferguson from JPAC has been on our radar since she was young showing talent right out of the gate especially on the Uneven Bars. Katie is a natural born swinger and with her beautiful piked Jaeger and double layout you will definitely see why along with the fact she is the 2023 Indiana State Bar Champion. Look for Katie to stand out from the rest this weekend on the event.
Drake White (Flip Zone) SrC
Drake is no stranger to our list, we have been watching her for a few years now. Drake first caught my eye as a level 9 at the 2021 L9 Eastern Nationals with her powerful Vaults & fun, sassy Floor Routine. In 2023 Drake was the Indiana State Vault Champion, so this week she will definitely be one to watch on that event as well as on the Floor.
Championships time is here in Region 5. Region 5 Championships will take place in Fort Wayne Indiana at the Turnstone Center (Plassman Athletic Center) beginning Thursday April 13th.
Each year we highlight 5 athletes from each of our 5 states. You might not know these names, but we think you should watch out for for these athletes as they compete for a spot on their first 2023 Region 5 Dream Team for Level 10.
Here are 5 ones to watch from Michigan:
Amina Mackalo (Gym America) JrA
Amina is no stranger to our “Ones to watch” list, bursting onto the scene last year virtually coming out of no where with incredible tumbling & a Hindorff that would even make Dominique Dawas take notice. Falling just short of making her first Dream Team in 2022 Amina is heading into the 2023 R5 Championships at the top Junior A again this year a few inches taller and looking incredibly confident and ready to lead a talented group of Junior A athletes to Oklahoma City. Make sure not to miss this 2023 State Champion’s high flying bars, powerful vault and fun filled floor!
Anelise Johnson (Capital City Flips) JrC
Anelise, a the 2023 Level 10 Balance Beam State Champion & 2022 L9 Eastern National Qualifier is looking confident and ready to make a run at her first Level 10 Dream Team. Anelise, a first year Level 10, has a great presence on the competition floor especially on the floor exercise and the Balance Beam. Expect to see beautiful extension and sharp movements.
Ashlyn Doyle (Champion USA) JrE
Ashlyn, who finished 3rd in the All Around at the 2023 MI State Championships, is a steady consistent competitior who has showed great improvement over the last few years. Look for a beautiful straddle Jaeger & nice Yurchenko Full from Ashlyn this weekend as she tries to make her first Region 5 Dream Team.
Anika Most (Capital City Flips) SrA
Anika Most is an athlete of beauty & grace with exquisitely long lines, exceptional extension and toe point you simply cannot take your eyes off her once she starts her performance. Anika, who is no stranger to Region 5 success, earning the 2022 L9 Eastern National UB Title along with the 2022 R5 Regional Balance Beam Title and the 2022 L9 State Vault & Uneven Bars Title. Anika, is also a fan favorite on the Yahtzee Award front taking home the award for Most interesting Beam Mount in 2022, so be sure to not miss out on her gorgeous Beam Routine that is literally poetry in motion from mount to dismount. This is Anika’s first year of Level 10 and she is in a great position to make her first Region 5 Dream Team.
Annabelle Schneider (All American Flames) SrC
Annabelle Schneider gets my vote for most improved and teammate of the year in 2023. Annabelle, who placed 2nd in the AA, put it all together this year finishing behind Flames teammate Hannah Scheible. Annbelle has showed great improvement all around the gym, and has been working incredibly hard perfecting her Ray on the Uneven Bars. Annabelle is also the “Teammate to everyone” giving high fives and pep talks to all the athletes in her rotation regardless of what team they are from, I absolutely love this about her! I hope to see this athlete make her first Region 5 Dream Team in 2023 because she is the true embodiment of what it means to be part of Region 5.
Lindsay Girard (Hunts) SrF
Lindsay Girard quietly blew me away this season, I knew from last year she has an incredible vault, but wow does she has some an entire arsenal of skills across 3 events. Lindsay, who is a senior, is the 2023 Vault & Floor State Champion. Lindsay actually is a 3 time MI State Floor Champion toping the podium in 2021, 2022 & this year in 2023 as well as the 2022 Regional Champion AND 2022 L9 Eastern National FX Champion so needless to saw Lindsay CAN definitely do Floor! Her Balance Beam is another event that is simply incredible as well mounting with a front tuck and dismounting with a double full that is high enough to be a double back! Lindsay will without a doubt be a force to be reckoned with at the R5 Championships and if all goes well hopefully her first National Championships as well! Lindsay is an athlete who could fill a Dream Team spot or a Wild Card Spot on Multiple Events, she is also a College coaches dream and is uncommitted! So, College coaches this is your chance to snag a 2023 standout!
Championships time is here in Region 5. Region 5 Championships will take place in Fort Wayne Indiana at the Turnstone Center (Plassman Athletic Center) beginning Thursday April 13th.
Each year we highlight athletes from each of our 5 states. You might not know these names, but we think you should watch out for for these athletes as they compete for a spot on their first 2023 Region 5 Dream Team for Level 10.
Here are 6 ones to watch from Illinois:
Karalyn Key (Midwest Elite) Junior B
Karalyn is in her 2nd year of Level 10. She finished just out of the top 10 in Junior A in 2022. Her Yurchenko full vault ranks among the best in her age group every meet. She is coming off a solid effort at state meet and with a solid performance across the board, should be in the mix in Junior B.
Kate Peebles (Phenom) Junior D
Kate has really jump the ranks this season. After coming off a top 7 finish in the all around at the 2021 Level 9 Easterns, Kate had a few struggles as a first year 10 in 2022. However, she coming off her best all around performance at state. She finished 2nd on beam at state along with solid efforts on floor and vault.
Kyler Webster (Aspire) Senior A
Kyler is in her 2nd year of level 10 and made a gym change after the 2022 season. She has lots of power and competed a double layout on floor a year ago (however have not seen it in 2023). Her Yurchenko full has the potential to be one of the best in the region.
Julia Rausa (Libertyville) Junior D
Julia is a former Level 9 Eastern AA Champion and is also in her 2nd year of level 10. Her aerial layout step out on beam and Ray on bars helps her gymnastics stand out amongst her competitors.
Annika Chudy (Ultimate) Senior C
Annika has a bit of a different story in her 2nd year of level 10. Annika competes for her high school here in Illinois which presents some challenges when it comes to USAG competition. She continues to make leaps in her all around performances and tied for 2nd with this beam routine at state. Her toe front half off bars is a piece of beauty.
Zoe Claiborne (BIG) Senior A
Zoe has been a level 10 for the last four years. She also made a gym change this past season and seems more confident in her gymnastics. Her vault is probably her most consistent of the four events but has awesome potential on bars as she has one of my favs, a Deltchev on bars.
