R5 Twenty Five “Ones to Watch” (Illinois)

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April 20, 2022

It is that time of year……REGION 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! As Regional weekend is fast approaching we will be showcasing our R5 “Ones to Watch” from each state, up next are the athletes from the prairie state……Illinois!!!

Each athlete on the list is either a 1st year Level 10 or a Level 10 who has not made Nationals previously. These athletes however could make an impact on this years Region 5 Dream Team.

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Avery Schlichting (Rockford)- Avery won the all around at Illinois State. She has very clean gymnastics with some big skills and cool combos mixed in like her beam dismount. She will be on to watch in the Junior A age group.

Gabi Ursu (Naperville)- Gabi is one of the athletes in region 5 that mixes Level 10 with Hopes competition. Gabi had a good state meet winning beam and floor and finishing 3rd all around. She has the routines to be competitive in the Junior A age group.

Libby Tobias (Aspire) 2021 Level Eastern Bars Champion, Libby has a 10.0 vault (full on tuck off) and won floor with this routine at state. She will be one to watch in the competitive but wide open Junior B age group.

Ainsley Greever (Phenom)- This gymnast has continued to climb the level 10 success latter these last few years and has looked impressive this season. She has a very nice Yurchenko 1/1 that placed 3rd at Illinois State and difficulty on all 4 events.

Cami Whitaker (Aerial)- 1st on floor at Illinois State and 3rd all around Cami has the potential routines to contend for one of the spots in the Senior D age group or an individual spot.

JJ Jachna (Flipstar)- 2nd on floor at Illinois State and 3rd on vault (did a piked Handspring front but has competed pike 1/2 this season) and will be a contender for an individual spot to nationals on both events.

R5 Twenty Five “Ones to Watch (Kentucky)

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Kim Dowis

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April 19, 2022

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It is that time of year……REGION 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! As Regional weekend is fast approaching we will be showcasing our R5 “Ones to Watch” from each state, up next are the athletes from the Blue Grass State….Kentucky!!!

Each athlete on the list is either a 1st year Level 10 or a Level 10 who has not made Nationals previously. These athletes however could make an impact on this years Region 5 Dream Team.

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Retoshia Halsell (Champion)

Toshia, who was recently featured in our “Day in the Life” Series, Is returning from injury/surgery on her elbow. Toshia was the 2022 KY State Uneven Bars Champion, which is fitting with her beautiful and unique set, make sure to catch that routine this weekend. Floor is another stand out event for Toshia, her routine is full of power & sass!

Megan Bingham (Champion)

Megan is a graduating senior who is committed to Bowling Green State University to continue her gymnastics in the fall, but not before she tries to make her final dream team. Megan is the 2022 KY State Beam, Floor & AA Champion and with good reason. Megan is beautiful to watch on both events and will draw you in with her extension, expression and lines. She is also another athlete who has returned from injury and is looking strong and ready.

Dawsyn Sallee (Legacy)

Dawsyn is one of my favorites to watch on floor exercise, her routine is full of power, sass and a few cool tricks. Dawsyn, also is one to watch on vault with her powerful Yurchenko 1/1 and balance beam routine. She is prime to make her first R5 Dream Team.

Bella “B.C” Carter (Legacy)

BC as she is known as the 2022 KY State Vault Champion with a clean yurchenko layout. Bella, a graduating senior, also has a great floor routine with fun dance, expression and clean tumbling.

Josie Moylan (Agility)

Josie is a steady AA competitor and could definitely sneak into a Dream Team Spot. Josie is fun to watch on floor exercise always having fun entertaining music & routines. Josies floor routine caught my eye in 2021 and I make a point to watch/film it when I see her.

Day In the Life: Level 10 Retoshia Halsell | Navigating Injury, Motivation and Love of Gymnastics

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Jason MacDonald

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April 18, 2022

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Filmed back in November/December

Region.5 Championships kick off this week and each athlete has taken a different road to get to this point of the season. In this episode of Day in the Life, 2021 Level 10 National Qualifier, Retoshia Halsell from Champion Gymnastics in Kentucky takes through her bounce back from elbow surgery. Retoshia has dealt with a few injuries during the 2022 season and has struggled with keeping motivated which can be difficult through injury. We get a look at what she did to rehab her elbow, her future career in animal surgery and a fun look at her interactions with her teammates at Champion. Check out our Day in the lIfe with Toshia!

R5 Twenty-Five “Ones to Watch” (Ohio)

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Kim Dowis

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April 16, 2022

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It is that time of year……REGION 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! As Regional weekend is fast approaching we will be showcasing our R5 “Ones to Watch” from each state up next is the home of the Buckeyes……OHIO!!!

Each athlete on the list is either a 1st year Level 10 or a Level 10 who has not made Nationals previously. These athletes however could make an impact on this years Region 5 Dream Team.

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Addison Sarisky (Olympic Dreams)

Addison displays beautiful classic form, she is a joy to watch on every event, but she truly shines on the uneven bars and balance beam. Look for her high flying transitions and full out dismount on bars. Addison will be a game changer in the Junior B age group this year and will definitely have people talking next weekend.

Zoie Pelfrey (CGA)

Zoie has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. I absolutely love watching her perform on floor with her great dance and expressive energy, she will certainly grab your attention. I am truly hoping this will be Zoie’s year to shine and make her first R5 Dream Team.

Lindsey Hartman (Queen City)

Lindsey is a 1st year level 10 who has made a huge impact this season tying for 2nd in the All-Around with a 38.275 at the Ohio State Championships. Lindsey excels all over the gym, but it’s her vault and floor that make her stand out.

Elle Johnson (CGA)

Elle Johnson is another consistent all around competitor, but specifically watch for her huge Ray to bail combo on uneven bars, and her beautiful clean balance beam set. Elle would be a great addition to the Senior B Dream Team. She is calm, cool and collected in competition, and could rise to the top spot without anyone realizing it.

Megan Brueck (Queen City)

Megan is a graduating senior who will be headed to Yale in the fall, but is looking to make her first R5 Dream Team next weekend. Megan is the 2022 OH State AA Champion going 38.075. Megan excels on the uneven bars, watch for her huge Ray and flawless bail handstand.

R5 Twenty-Five “Ones to Watch” (Michigan)

By

Kim Dowis

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April 14, 2022

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It is that time of year……REGION 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! As Regional weekend is fast approaching we will be showcasing our R5 “Ones to Watch” from each state starting with my home state the Great Lakes State! MICHIGAN!!!

Each athlete on the list is either a 1st year Level 10 or a Level 10 who has not made Nationals previously. These athletes however could make an impact on this years Region 5 Dream Team.

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Catherine Guy (Capital City Flips)
2022 MI Beam Champion, 2022 Hopes Qualifier, 2021 Eastern National Floor Champion. Watch for Catherine to make a huge impact in the Junior A age group this year in the All Around. Cat, who finished 2nd in the All Around behind teammate Lili Cosman at the 2022 MI State Championships, is one of those “future of Region 5” athletes.

Ome Ellis (Michigan Elite)
Finishing 3rd in the All Around at the 2022 MI State Championships, Ome is peaking at the right time to make her 1st Region 5 Dream Team. Watch for her power, beautiful front aerial on beam and effortless swing on uneven bars.

Cady Duplissis (Champion USA)
2019 Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier, 2022 Vault State Champion
Cady, a 2nd year Level 10, finished 4th in the All-Around and took home the Vault title at the 2022 MI State Championships. Cady, has grown a bit in the last few years which is making her gymnastics even more lovely to watch, especially on the uneven bars where she performs a sky high full out dismount.

Amina Mackalo (Gym America)
2022 MI State Vault Champion
Amina, who we have not seen competing since prior to Covid, rounded out the top 5 in the Child Division at the 2022 MI State Championships. Amina brings exciting skills to the competition floor with her huge Hindorff on the uneven bars and cartwheel 1 1/2 beam dismount. Her floor routine is also full of big person and big potential, continue to watch for Amina for years to come.

Elle Beaufait (Olympia)
Elle, a senior committed to MSU, finished in the top 5 in the SRA division at the 2022 MI State Championships. Elle shows beautiful lines and extensions in all her routines, but it’s her floor and beam that are my favorite to watch. Look for Elle to perform beautiful triple series on the balance and gorgeous Yurchenko 1/1 on vault.