The prep for another competition season in Region 5 is in underway. As our gymnasts set and work towards their goals for 2022, we will be featuring many of the new skills and combos. Every Monday all summer long and into the fall we will have our Making Move Mondays showcasing the upgraded skills that our gymnasts post on their Instagram channels.
If you want your upgraded skills to be included in future making your move posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday.
Do things happen for a reason? Is there a plan for how your life will unfold?
What if hard work meets at the crossroads of luck and fate?
ST. Louis, June 26, 2021- US Olympic Trials Day 2 for men and the final night of competition to decide a 5-man olympic team and the 5 replacement athletes. One of the athletes looking to earn a spot on Team USA for Tokyo put all his chances on one event.
The one event that was on the weaker side when talking about the US Men’s program…. Pommel Horse.
But with a four man team, taking a specialist could be risky in the pursuit of a team medal at the Olympics. Thanks to the USA Men’s performance in Brazil (specifically Paul Juda) at the Pan American Championships, one nominative spot was awarded to the United States and would most likely go to a specialist.
June 26, 2009- 12 years to the date of day 2 of Olympic Trials, Alec Yoder sat down at a folding table at Indy School of Gymnastics with coach Gene Watson to decide whether he would switch gyms. Alec had taken part in a trial week of training with Gene the week prior to this meeting.
Gene Watson, one of the most respected men’s coaches in Region 5, asked Yoder at this meeting ” What do you hope to get out of your gymnastics career?”
“I want to represent the USA at the Olympic Games” – Alec Yoder.
On an ancient Apple laptop was a plan: “Alec’s Path Spreadsheet.” It detailed what needed to be accomplished during his career for his goal of being an Olympian to come to Fruition.
– Future Stars Team, Level 9 Nationals, Level 10 Nationals, Qualify to USA Championships, Make National Team, Represent USA on International Assignment, Make Olympic Trials, Qualify to the Olympic Games-
These are only highlighted milestones on the detailed path that Gene and Alec set out to accomplish, with the help along the way from the Ohio State coaching staff, the program for which he competed in the NCAA.
“I followed it and wish he was here to see it come to fruition” – Alec Yoder.
Gene Watson passed away in April of 2020, 3 months before Yoder was to hopeful reach that ultimate goal of the plan- MAKE THE OLYMPIC TEAM. However the Pandemic postponed the Olympic Trials for another year.
June 2021- The announcement of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Class of 2021 and on that list… Gene Watson. The induction ceremony would take place in St Louis following Day 2 for men’s competition at trials.
Was this fate? Or a lucky coincidence?
Alec Yoder performed two solid pommel horse routines over the two days of trials and accomplished what Gene and him set out to do 12 years ago, be named to the Olympic Team.
Gene was a man of very few words but Alec knows a hug and a good job would have followed the Olympic announcement.
“I feel like it was meant to be; This was my tribute to Gene”- Alec Yoder.
As Alec’s mom Rebecca said so eloquently on Facebook, “What a testament to Gene’s vision and brilliance, Alec’s belief and work ethic, and God’s faithfulness and goodness.”
Yoder with Gene Watson
Gene Watson with Casimiro Suarez (OSU coach)
Hard work, coaches that believed in Alec, the plan, and some luck and fate all wrapped into one. Everyone has a story behind the scenes that leads to the monumental athletic accomplishment.
Now only one more bullet point on the plan remains,
It happened one year later, gymnastics from the 2020 US Olympic Trials finally flipped into action in St. Louis last night.
The Olympic Trials is the culmination of a life time of work every four years or in this case five and 17 gymnasts (18 qualified but Skye Blakely was injured in touch warm-up) took to the podium, saluted the judges and accomplished a goal that most gymnasts never do….. compete at the Olympic Trials.
Region 5 was lucky enough to have one athlete achieve that dream and compete in her first Olympic Trials. Shilese Jones of Future Gymnastics sparkled in red on Day 1. Shilese came into trials ranked 12th after USA Championships and moved up to 8th with a 54.999. The scores from championships are not counted in the trials scores but will factor in when the selection committee decides the team and alternates.
The olympic order is what Shilese got to compete in day 1 of competition which means starting out on an event where she is one of the best in the country…. Vault!
“SHe can Fly”- Tim Daggett
Shi can Fly… The Yurchenko double full vault is the “compulsory” elite vault elites need to be competitive. Shilese not only competes the vault but launches it in the air and always finds an excellent landing when she returns to the mat.
Flying high is Shilese’s signature trait when it comes to her gymnastics and uneven bars is a place where many in the gymnastics circles marvel at her amplitude. She has crisp in bar circles with pirouettes, effortless bar to bar transitions and sky high single bar releases.
She has the potential to be one of the top scores in this competition but despite a huge Stalder piked Tkatchev as normal, she was a bit far from the bar on her Pak salto to the low bar and hit her feet on the floor. However the next time her feet hit the floor they didn’t move nailing her double front dismount for a 13.166.
There have been a few full in dismount additions to balance beam this season and Shilese showed one of her own during podium training at nationals. Shilese had some struggles on beam at championships and made some changes to her routine for trials. She replaced her beautiful two back handsprings layout 2 feet (that also launches off the beam) with a safer, more reliable back handspring layout step out. Her 13.533 on beam in day 1 was over a point better then the top score she received on the event in Fort Worth.
She competes floor for her dad as her routine is dedicated to him. She isn’t doing all she is capable of on floor but her “Jones” (named for her in Level 10 code) continues to wow crowds in her opening tumbling pass. She fought to stay in bounds on her third pass the double arabian and won that fight. Shilese ended her day with a 13.4 which fell right in the middle of the pack amongst many 13+ floor routines.
Shilese improved her performances and standing since championships and sits in good position to move up and make her claim for a spot on this Olympic Team.
As we many of us move into summer practice we will continue to honor & recognize our 2021 Graduating Seniors before they head off to college and the next chapter of their gymnastics & academic journeys. Our next 2021 Graduate is Alana Anderson of Aspire Gymnastics. Alana is absolutely beautiful to watch all over the gym especially on uneven bars where her toe point definitely catches your eye as well as her Toe to Blind 1/2 double front which is extremely unique and difficult. Alana, who will be heading to NIU in the fall, finished off her Senior year with Aspire & Region 5 by qualifying as a 2nd alternate to the 2021 Developmental National Championships. Let’s get to know Alana a little better as she prepares herself for the next chapter in her journey and packs her bags to make the short trip down the road to Northern Illinois University.
How did you get into Gymnastics? How old were you? My mom signed us up for a mommy and me class. I was 2 years old when I started gymnastics
What is your favorite event? Why? My Favorite event is Floor because I feel free like I am flying in the air
Favorite Skill? Dream Skill? My Favorite skill is a double layout on floor. My dream skill is a layout full in on floor
Favorite part of Gymnastics? Why? My favorite part of gymnastics is the hard work that it takes to get a skill and feeling accomplished when you achieve the skill. Also, the cheering and support from my team and coaches
Biggest Accomplishment in Gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment is getting a full ride scholarship to NIU
Most embarrassing meet or training meet? When I was in level 8 and I forgot my Bar Routine.What is something you have learned from Gymnastics that you will take with you once you leave the sport? Something that I learned in gymnastics over the years is to never give up even when things don’t go your way. Just take things one step at a time and do your best and God will do the rest!
Who is your biggest role model? Why? My biggest role model is my mom because she never gives up and encourages me to be my best every day. What are you most looking forward to in your senior year in gymnastics & high school? Just to take in every moment and enjoy it.
What college will you be attending in the fall? I will be attending Northern Illinois University
a. Why did you choose that school? I chose NIU because of the amazing team atmosphere, the coaches are very nice and positive, and they are like a family.
b. What are you most looking forward to about college & college gymnastics? I am looking forward to exploring my opportunities, learning more about Psychology, getting involved with the Christian groups on campus and making new friends. I am excited for college gymnastics because I can continue my passion, create team connections and the fun and exciting experiences.What is something that sets your gym and/or your team part?Something that sets our team apart is our positive energy from the team and coaches.
What is your role on your Level 10 Team or your role in your gym in general? My role on my team is a leader because of my hard work, motivation and my positive attitude with the team.
What is your most memorable Gymnastics moment? My most memorable moment is when I made it to Texas for T.O.P.S.What are your goals for this season? To have fun, do my best and make the most of my senior year.
How would you explain the year 2020 to your future children/grandchildren? 2020 was the year of cancellation that taught me to be patient and to grow stronger mentally.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coaches have given you? To believe and trust myself
Do you have a nickname? If so what is it? What is the story behind it?My nickname is laner, when I first came to Aspire someone started calling me by that name and it just stuck.What really makes you laugh? My mom never fails to make me laugh
If you could have any superpower what would it be? Why? If I had a superpower, I would want it to Teleportation because if I want to go to a place for a day I can just teleport over there and come back in one day.
What is a question not on this list that should have been?
What is something you couldn’t live without in your life? I couldn’t live without God because he has helped me through the good and bad times and he is there for everything I do.Bonus Question: Tell us something interesting about yourself……….. Something interesting about myself is I love to bake and do Art.
The prep for another competition season in Region 5 is in underway. As our gymnasts set and work towards their goals for 2022, we will be featuring many of the new skills and combos. Every Monday all summer long and into the fall we will have our Making Move Mondays showcasing the upgraded skills that our gymnasts post on their Instagram channels.
If you want your upgraded skills to be included in future making your move posts, upload your video to your gymnastics Instagram page or your clubs page (must be public) and tag us @region5gyminsider and #R5MakingMovesMonday.
