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Pickens wins Floor, 3 Earn Funding-2022 Hopes Championships Recap

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Results: 11-12 year olds | 13-14 year olds

Interviews: Quinn, Catherine, Jazlene, Ellie

Videos: USA Gymnastics FlipNow

Salt Lake Valley, Utah

The Maverick Center, home of the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships, played host to the 2022 US Classic and Hopes Championships. This is the first major USA Gymnastics competition held in the state of Utah since American Classic was contested at the Huntsman Center in 2019.

The first competition session of the weekend was the Hopes Championships which serves as the national championships for the Hopes athletes. Region 5 had five athletes in the championships field.

Quinn Harris from Cincinnati, in her 2nd consecutive Hopes Championships, had the highest all around finish along with the top all around score of the five from Region 5 with a 47.2 to finish 8th in the 11-12 age group. Quinn struggled a bit on her Weiler to Maloney combination on bars but hit a solid beam routine that featured a layout layout for a 5th place 12.25. She also landed herself in the top 6 on floor. She has increased her difficulty in her routines for this season.

” I definitely have way more skills this time ”

-Quinn Harris during Championships interview
Quinn Harris, Cincinnati during her beam routine at the 2022 Hopes Championships- West Valley City, Utah

Quinn will receive funding to help support her training as well as continue attending the developmental training camps while prepping for the 2023 Level 10 and Hopes seasons.

In the 13-14 age group, two from Region 5 finished in the top 8 to receive funding for the next year. Catherine Guy from Gym Xtreme finished 6th in the all around with a 46.95. After solid landings on all her beam skills for a 4th place 12.25 she “ROCKED” a 2 1/2 last pass on floor to flip into the top 3 on the event. Cat said in her interview, “This meet really helped my confidence going into Junior Elite next year”. She hopes to join her Gym Xtreme teammates Gabby and Izzy in the elite ranks.

Catherine Guy, Gym Xtreme on floor during the 2022 Hopes Championships- West Valley City, Utah

Buckeye’s Jazlene Pickens earned one of those funded spots by finishing 7th in the all around for 13-14 year olds with a 46.1. Jazlene began the meet on vault and performed the 3rd best vault with her nice 12.9 Yurchenko Full. She closed out the competition powering her way to the top floor score of 12.45 opening and closing with double backs. Jazlene was unable to finish out the championship section of the Level 10 season due to injury, but made up for it at these championships.

” I get to have fun and let Loose”

-Jazlene on her floor routine during her post meet interview
Jazlene Pickens, Buckeye Gymnastics during her floor routine at the 2022 Hopes Championships- West Valley City, Utah.

Region 5 had two more athletes in the 11-12 year old age group make their first appearance at the Hopes Championships. Legacy Elite’s Ellie Mayer was the very first competitor of the competition on balance beam and didn’t let that bother her attacking all her landings including her very nice double full dismount.

Naperville’s Gabby Ursu had a few struggles on bars and floor but pushed through despite being sick to hit a nice beam routine improving on her American Classic beam score by three tenths for a 11.9.


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2022 US Classic Podium Training Highlights

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Here is a look at highlights from podium training for our 3 juniors (Izzy Stassi, Kelsie Woolford, and Carly Weinberg) competing in this weekends US Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah presented by

2022 Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leos (5-1)

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Well it has been a long wait, but the wait is finally over! This year was especially hard choosing my Top 10 favorite leos, so like many others years I asked for help narrowing my list. I even went as far as to go out of Region employing the help of some in Region 8 & a few non gymnastics people as well to help narrow this list of beautiful leos down to 10, which for anyone who listens to any of the R5 College Salute Podcasts you know narrowing lists is extremely hard for me, but I did it! 

So without further a due here are my Top 5 Favorite 2022 Region 5 Leos!!

Drumroll please…………………………………………

5. Agility (Kentucky 1st year)

This is Agility’s first year on the list! Earlier this year, in anticipation for my gyms new team leo, I had GK mock this same leo up for me with gold instead of red. So, there was no doubt that when I saw Agility at Regionals in this leo that it would be on the list and here it is in the top 5! 

4. BIG (Illinois 2nd year)

BIG is no stranger to fun, unique and classic leotards. This gym is definitely known for having the most interesting, unique and standout backs to their leos. This one has to be my most favorite of all the backs that BIG has had, even with the mesh backing it looks so good! Sometimes the mesh can take away from the intricate design of the leo, but this one is perfect tying the entire leo together. The athletes from BIG definitely turned heads on the competition floor this season in the classic, elegant leotard like movie stars heading the the MET Gala!

3. Gym America (Michigan 3rd year)

I absolutely loved Gym Americas 2019 red, white & blue leos that I was really looking forward to seeing what they would come up with for this year and they did not disappoint. This leo is beautiful & classic, reminding me of an elegant firework. I love the tiny star details that are incorporated throughout the bursts on the front and the arms. Such an elegant way to do America’s colors/theme on a leo without being over powering. 

2. Mid Michigan (Michigan 2nd year)

I have always said “Give me velvet, a high neck & a key hole back any day” well MMG has 2 of the 3 (velvet missing) making their new leo stunning. I also love the details in the jewels with some of them being a lighter blue color mixed in with the clear crystals. This leo has made this list in the past with Aspire, which shows how this leo style is truly classic, elegant and timeless. 

  1. Champion (Kentucky 1st year) & Flytz USA (Ohio 1st year)

The number 1 spot this year was easy & hard all at the same time, thus ending with 2 teams sharing the honor, not bad for their first times on the list. I have LOVED Champion’s leo since the first moment I saw it before the season even started. I just knew that it would end up taking the top spot this year, even with other teams having the same style there was just something special about this leo which made it stand out from the others. Flytz, however was a different story, literally breaking all my rules! I have never been fond of white leos or leos with white on the bottom, probably a bit scared from a leo I had in 1997, but there was just something about Flytz leo that I could not take my eyes off of it. Every time I saw it I liked it more and more despite the white on the bottom, unlike other white leos or light colored leos I have seen this leo really did flatter every body type I saw it on. I did see this leo in a different color with a darker bottom and it definitely did not draw the eye like the Flytz leo did. Initially I was not going to put this leo on the actual list, but then so many people who I polled to help make the list loved this leo. I was going to make it an athletes choice leo, but after a few days of sitting with the decision and going over the list there was no way I could not put this leo on the list and no way I could not put it in the top spot. If a leo pulls me in and makes me think this much about it then the number 1 spot is well deserved and I am sure Champion will not mind sharing the honor with this beautiful leo. 

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If you missed part 1 of the 2022 Leo List Click Here to check out 10-6 & the honorable mentions. 

2022 Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leotards (10-6)

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They say “Good things come to those who wait” well I think I have kept everyone waiting long enough. It has been a busy end of the season with lots too do and now we are all of a sudden half way through summer. Where has the time gone!  So without further a do, I give you the long awaited 2022 Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leotards!!! As usual we will be starting with a few honorable mentions and Leos 10-6! 

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Honorable Mention

Kaia Tanskanen (Michigan Elite/Finland)


I absolutely LOVE this leo! Kaia, who is a 3x DEV National Qualifier & member of the 2022 Finish National Team wore this leo at the recent Finish Championships where she took 1st on the Floor Exercise! To check out more of the gorgeous Quatro Leos Kaia has been wearing (the black & gold tank is my favorite) head over to her IG (kaia.gym2023)  where you can also get her discount code to use @Quatrogymnastics to get your own. 

 

Legacy Elite (Illinois)

What I love most about Legacy Elite’s Leos is the tradition, history & culture it portrays. Ever since I started the leo list Legacy Elite has held a spot on it, they always have unique and creative ways of incorporating the Dragon into each and every leotard year after year and only getting better with each one. This year was no exception Legacy Elite once again went above and beyond with this incredible leotard that catches your eye and makes the athletes certainly stand out with all of their sparkle & shine. Each leo cycle I truly look forward to seeing their new leos and how they will incorporate the Dragon. 

JPAC (Indiana)


JPAC, like Legacy Elite, is no stranger to this list having made it numerous times before and like Legacy Elite this years JPAC leo also has history & a story. In 2020 JPAC celebrated their 10 year anniversary and in 2022 commemorated with a new team leo that pays homage to the last 10 years mixing together the colors that have represented JPAC past, present & future. 

 

 

Gymnastics Etc. (Illionis)

I do not know who was more excited by Gym Etc’s leos this year, the coaches, the girls or myself! When I saw this leo I instantly marked in down in my notes! I was so excited to see that they FINALLY got a new leo!!! The coaches asked if I saw it as did the athletes when they came to Dream Team Media! Even though they did not make the Top 10 list this year I knew that I had to recognize them in some way because I could hardly contain my excitement over this leo. 

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10. FIT (Michigan 1st year)

FIT is new to our Leo list this year with this beautiful black & white Ozone Leo! This Leo caught my eye early in the season! It was on the list for everyone I polled! It’s a classic, beautiful Leo! 

9. Gym X-treme (Ohio 5th year) 

Gym X-Treme is no stranger to our list! They come up with beautiful Leo’s year after year. This Leo is so elegant and classic, I love how they subtly incorporate the yellow to not over power or overwhelm. This is the first since about 2017 that they have not included purple in their design. 

8. Legacy (KY)

Legacy finally has made the list!! They have been an honorable mention so many times but had yet to break into the top 10 and this year they finally made it coming in at number 8 with this classy black lace and purple leo! 

7. CGA (Ohio 9th)/Energym (Illinois 1st)

This is Energyms first time on the list and CGA’s 9th!!! CGA is the only team to make the list every year, which is incredible! What I love most about these two Leo’s is they are the same but drastically different! I could not decide which one I liked more so both are sitting together in the number 7 spot in our list! 

6. Flips (Illinois 1st yr)

This is Flips first time on our list & what I love most about this Leo is that it is the same as another one we will see on the list but also incredibly different! I love the royal blue color in the chest, it just draws you right in and makes you look! My athletes love this Leo because it reminds them of a beautiful butterfly and I just think that is so special! Flips leo is unique and beautiful! 

 

Stay Tuned for the Top 5 coming up later this week! 

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Disclaimer: To be eligible for the Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leo list at least one athlete must compete at least one event at the Region 5 Championships. Athletes competing at any of the Elite Classics, Championships or beyond are also eligible. 

Making Moves Monday for July 25th 2022

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Making Moves Monday is being presented by Full Out Recruiting. Posting upgrade videos is one important step in college recruiting, but that’s only the beginning. If you are looking for assistance with any step in the process or just don’t know where to start, check them out by clicking their logo below. 

The build up for the 2023 competition is underway in Region 5.  As our gymnasts set and work towards their goals for 2023, we will be featuring many of the new skills and combos. Every Monday all summer long and into the fall ((through Level 10 High Tech Camp) we will have our Making Move Mondays. These post showcasing the upgraded skills that our gymnasts post on their Instagram channels. 

If you want your upgraded skills to be included in future making moves posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday. Let’s show all the hard work and great gymnastics Region 5 is doing in the off season. 

Retoshia Halsell, Champion KY (2022 Level 10 National Qualifier)

Railey Jackson, GymNasti (2022 Level 10 National Qualifier, National Bar Champion, Region 5 All Star Team)

Tori Kitzmiller, Naperville (HOPES Classic Qualifier)

Ana Tanaskoska, Euro Stars (2022 Level 9 Eastern Qualifier)

Hannah Scheible, All American Flames (2022 Level 10 National Qualifier, National Beam Champion, Region 5 All Star Team)

Rani Nigam, Queen City (2022 Level 9 Easterns Qualifier)

Alana Boumans, Premier West

Mecca Chandler, TFZ

Katherine Shackelford, Cincinnati (2022 Level 10 National Qualifier) Full Out Client profile

Alexis Holmes, Tri-Star (2022 Level 10 National Qualifier)

Isabelle Mcnamara, Aspire

Rosabella Barbara, Aspire