This spotlight looks at the 4 seniors at Flip Star Gymnastics in Illinois. We got to see them train in our most recent All Access workout but now get to know each of them better and their backstories. This group has been together since the beginning of pre-team and FlipStar owner Beth Bucholz has been their on the journey with them. FlipStar is a kid first gym and these four athletes are proof of that. The four have reached this point in different ways but one common theme surrounds the group and that is hard work, determination and family made the journey possible. Let’s learn more about Mackenzie, Natalie, JJ and Graci and how coach Beth has kept this ship sailing.
Final episode of the Coaches Wired of the season features long time Region 5er Cassie (Whitcomb) Sheets. This one was saved for last for several but this was the final time Cassie would coach in Region 5 as she moved to Colorado…. Well at least for now! This is a great example of the coach athlete connection. Cassie and her athlete Olivia Coppola are on the same page from start to finish. Cassie does a great job of giving ownership to Olivia and figuring out what she needs to fix or what went well. The cues and technical corrections are short and specific but Olivia is dialed in and ready to attack this floor routine. Check out Cassie and Olivia as they take command of the floor.
Our next 20 Questions Athlete, Nadia Parente, is a 1st year DEV National Qualifier from Dominique Moceanu Gymnastics in Ohio. Nadia, who is in her 4th year of Level 10, has always been someone to catch your eye on the competition floor. However, it was not until this year that she truly became “one to watch” heading into the Championship Season. I have always enjoyed watching Nadia on the Uneven Bars, she is a natural born swinger, who goes above and beyond on each and every skills she performs. At the 2021 Region 5 Championships Nadia went big to make her first DEV National Championships, competing & hitting a brand new Yurchenko Layout Full Vault. Nadia, who has entered her Junior year of High School, will be “one to watch” again this year as she tries to make her 2nd Region 5 Dream Team. So, let’s get to know Nadia a little better as she prepares for the 2021-2022 competitive season and looks to earning a spot at the DEV National Championships in Phoenix.
How did you get into the sport of Gymnastics? How old were you? When I was little my babysitter did gymnastics and would always teach me skills and how to flip. I was 5 when I first attended a recreational class and then was quickly moved to the competitive team.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is the uneven bars because I love swinging around the bar and flying through the air.
What is your favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill is my double layout off bars, and my dream skill is a double layout full-out off bars.
What is your favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of gymnastics is having fun everyday learning new skills, and having a blast with my teammates.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport of Gymnastics (so far)? My biggest accomplishment is competing at the 2021 Developmental Nationals.
What is something you have learned in/from the sport of Gymnastics that you will take with you long after retirement? One thing that gymnastics has taught me is self-discipline. Motivation and determination is so important in everything you do in life. So if you keep your goals in mind and strive towards them everyday you will become successful.
Who is your role model? Who inspires you? Why? How? My role model is Suni Lee because even after all of the hardships and obstacles that she has faced, she still continues to spread positivity. While also achieving success inside and outside of gymnastics.
What is your most memorable meet moment? My most memorable meet moment is when I realized that I placed 2nd in the all-around at Regionals, and qualified to Level 10 Nationals.
What is your most embarrassing or funniest meet or practice moment? My most embarrassing practice moment had to be the time I was trying to jump to the high bar, and my grips didn’t grip the bar fully. So I totally just peeled and fell right on my back onto the mat.
What is the most valuable piece of wisdom or advice you have received from your coaches? One thing that my coach has taught me is to never give up, even on the bad days. If you keep on continuing to persevere and stay determined throughout the process, everything will work out and fall into place.
If you could have any superpower what would it be? I would want to have the power of teleportation, so I could travel anywhere at any time.
What was it like competing in your 1st Level 10 National Championships?I thought my experience of competing at my 1st Level 10 National Championships was super exciting and unforgettable. All of the girls and coaches made it such a thrilling and fun environment to compete in. Everybody was cheering and supporting one another throughout the entire meet. I am so happy to have met such a lovely group of girls and grateful that we still keep in touch.
What was it like representing Region 5? What was a highlight or memorable moment from the competition? Representing Region 5 was a huge honor and I’m so blessed to have had the chance to do it. I was so thrilled the entire meet because Region 5 is the loudest and most supportive region out of all of them. The most memorable moment of the competition for me was when I performed my yurchenko-full for the first time. I had so much encouragement from my teammates and all of the coaches, and when I landed it everybody was so happy and excited for me.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite series is All Access because I like watching how other gyms train and practice.
What are the 5 most important items in your gym bag? The 5 most important items in my gym bag are tape, grips, deodorant, a protein bar, and my water bottle.
What are 3 things you could not live without? Three things that I couldn’t live without are my family, food, and my phone.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Some things I like to do outside of gymnastics are spend time with my family, and go shopping.
What sets your team/gym apart? Some things that set my gym apart is that my teammates and I are always there for each other and so supportive. We are a big family and always push each other in a positive way to be the best we can be.
Favorite Show or Series to Binge Watch on Netflix, Hulu or HBO+ My favorite show to binge watch on Netflix is Outer Banks.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What is your dream job? In 10 years I see myself out of college and traveling to lots of different places exploring new opportunities.
Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself……….Everybody in my family either plays or played soccer, and I am the only person in my family to do gymnastics.
How do you get wobble free beam routines? Add in a wobble free beam complex to your training. Check out Ruth Miller from Michigan Elite Gymnastics as she runs through a quick complex that hits all the necessary areas when it comes to beam. Many of these you might have in your complexes now but there might be one that you have been looking for to help create solid beam work. The goal is to perform completely wobble free. This video was filmed at the 2021 Level 9 High Tech High Performance Training Camp.
Our next 20 Questions athlete was a 1st time DEV National Qualifier in 2021. Kaitlyn Schwab, of Aspire Gymnastics in Illinois, is one of my absolute favorite athletes to watch on the Uneven Bars. Kaitlyn, whose favorite event is vault, has a natural swing on he uneven bars with near perfect handstands and double layout dismount that soars to the rafters. Kaitlyn, who is recovering from a hand injury, is still throwing some pretty impressive skill with one hand. Hope over her IG page to check out her 1 handed full-ins and pike front toss on beam. I think what I am most looking forward to this season from this incredible athlete is her upgrades bar dismount. As we are heading into the 2021-2022 Meet season let’s get to know Kaitlyn a little better and wish her a speedy recovery so she can make a run at her 2nd DEV National Championships & Region 5 Dream Team.
How did you get into the sport of Gymnastics? How old were you? I was always climbing on the playground equipment in my backyard as a baby so my mom signed me up for mom and tot classes when I was 2.
What is your favorite event? Why? My favorite event is vault because I love the power you have to put into it and I like the feeling of twisting in the air.
What is your favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My favorite skill is a yurchenko full on vault and my dream skill is a layout double double dismount on bars or pak full.
What is your favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of gymnastics is being able to be with the people that make me the happiest all the time. The bonds that I have created because of this sport is incredible!
What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport of Gymnastics (so far)? I think my biggest accomplishment has been able to come back from all of the setbacks due to injuries and still qualify for Nationals.
What is something you have learned in/from the sport of Gymnastics that you will take with you long after retirement? Something that I have learned from this sport that I will take with me is the self confidence that I’ve built. You have to know your limits and expectations without comparing yourself to others.
Who is your role model? Who inspires you? Why? How? My role model is Olivia Orengo because even though we are the same age and she is my best friend, she has a strong work ethic and positive attitude. I strive to have the same qualities as her.
What is your most memorable meet moment? With one event left at level 7 state, my score led to a third place tie between my best friend and me. This is the most memorable moment because Zoe and I have been through thick and thin together in our gymnastics career and it was so amazing to tie with my best friend at state.
What is your most embarrassing or funniest meet or practice moment? My funniest moment, but embarrassing for me at the time, would have to be at Nationals when I was competing bars and I peeled off on my dismount.
What is the most valuable piece of wisdom or advice you have received from your coaches? You have to work hard for what you want. You can’t sit back and hope for things to just come to you when you put in no effort.
If you could have any superpower what would it be? If I had any superpower it would be to fly. This way I would be able to go anywhere in the world I want, at any time I want.
What was it like competing in your 1st Level 10 National Championships? It was definitely nerve wrecking but my group was so supportive throughout the whole meet and it was so fun to be out there competing with them.
What was it like representing Region 5? What was a highlight or memorable moment from the competition? Representing Region 5 at my 1st Nationals is definitely something I will never forget. All of the extra accessories like the glasses and foam 5 made Region 5 stand out which I thought was super memorable.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? I really like Making Moves Monday because I enjoy seeing what other girls from Region 5 are training.
What are the 5 most important items in your gym bag? The 5 most important things in my gym bag are my grips, tiger paws, Ibuprofen, chapstick, and tape.
What are 3 things you could not live without? The 3 things I could not live without are sweatshirts, chapstick, and my bed.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to binge watch Netflix in my bed and just rest because I don’t get much resting time during the week. On weekends I like to hangout and go places with my friends.
What sets your team/gym apart? The Aspire team is incredibly loving, funny, and hard working. I haven’t been to a gym where I have laughed more than I have at Aspire and felt such a close bond to everyone. We know how to have fun while being productive.
Favorite Show or Series to Binge Watch on Netflix, Hulu or HBO+ My favorite show on Netflix to binge is currently Criminal Minds.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What is your dream job? In 10 years from now I hope to have a career in the field of Radiology.
Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself……….Over the course of my gymnastics career I have broken 7 bones and have had 4 surgeries.
