Saginaw Fun Meet April 24, 2007

We had another great meet , this time in Saginaw. Several highlights included: Maddie Myers returned from an injury, Casey Buelken, Lydia Martin, Maddie Myers, Eve Hillman,Kelly McCauley, Leana Weiler, Hayley Robinson, Maddie Kragt, Skylar Swifink, and Jordan Stellini competed the level 5 Vault for the first time and did extremely well!Erin Feist fought really hard to get over that darn table, but the silly thing is taller than she is, she'll get it next time. And Sam Cuneo was also successful in getting over the table but made a great choice to do the level 4 Vault until she is more comfortable competing the newer Vault. I love it when a gymnast is given an option and makes a very informed and mature decision. There are not very many opportunities for a gymnast to make that type of decision. Great job Sam! Below are the results!

Hannah Jackson V-RED, B-RED, BB-RED, FX-BLUE
Anna Crysler V- RED, B-YELLOW, BB- BLUE, FX- RED
Mackenzie Youngs V-RED,B- WHITE, BB-RED, FX- BLUE
Livia Walberer V-RED. B- YELLOW, BB- RED, FX- RED
Rachel Heibel V-RED, B- WHITE, BB- RED, FX- RED
Samantha Glowacki V-RED, B- WHITE, BB- RED, FX- BLUE
Maddie Cook V-RED, B- LT. BLUE, BB- WHITE, FX- RED
Kelly Momber V-BLUE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Jazlyn C-Westers V-BLUE, B-BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Erin Feist V- RED, B- RED, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Lydia Martin V-WHITE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Maddie Myers V- RED, B- BLUE, BB- RED, FX- BLUE
Eve Hillman V-RED, B- RED, BB- RED, FX- BLUE
Kelly McCauley V- RED, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Sam Cuneo V- BLUE, B- RED, BB- RED, FX- BLUE
Leana Weiler V-WHITE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Hayley Robinson V- WHITE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Maddie Kragt V- WHITE, B-BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Skylar Swifink V-RED, B- RED, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Jordan Stellini V-WHITE, B-BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Casey Buelken V-RED, B-RED, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE

A couple other great highlights included: Anna Crysler and Mackenzie Youngs performing their Round off Back Handspring for the first time, and Maddie Kragt achieving her first Blue on Floor. Excellent job girls!

GKWG Pic

Level 5 GKWG STATE QUALIFIER March 17

Congratluations to Kelsey Heitzman Briwho competed in her first level 5 sanctioned competition. Kelsey also quslifeied to state meet and stuck all of her routines at her first meet! Bri Stechebar posted her personal best score on Vault of 8.60. Annie also posted her personal best on Vault scoring an 8.425, and Taylor an 8.825. Rachel McNeil posted her personal best on bars with an 8.0, Sophie posted her personal best on Bars with an 8.525.Melissa posted her personal best on beam with an 8.65. We also are celebrating with a pizza party because all 9 girls stuck their beam routines! 5 of the 8 were undertime. This is the most to finish unertime yet! Great job girls.

Congrats to our top 10 finishers:
Krista Walberer 3rd Place 36.375
Mackenzie Maas 7th Place 35.60
Bri Stechebar 9th Place 35.25
Annie Hill 10th Place 35.225

The team brought home the 2nd Place team trophy with a score of 108.35. Keep up the great work girls!

Level 5 Port Huron Pics

Way to go Sophie!

Level 5 Port Huron State Qualifier March 3rd

During this time in the season, emotions run high, and goal are set higher. We have a very determined group of level five athletes. They started the season out with a first place team finish and there have been many individual first place finishes. Because of the nature of the sport, people judging people, scores do not always make the most sense. Because these determines girls have set such high goals they sometimes forget that they need to go to a meet and have fun and put forth their best performance and not worry so much about scores and places. I myself am guilty of this as well. The girls want it so bad that I want it bad for them. We had three competitions in a row and the girls were getting tired. We started this meet on beam and the scores were tight. Several performances deserved slightly higher scores. The morale of the team was low. So when we got to floor, instead of reminding them of those last couple details they needed to pay attention to, I gave them a little pep talk. I reminded them that we don't do this to win. Winning is great and we do win because we work hard and train proper fundamentals, but somewhere along the way because we were winning we lost track of the sole purpose of our training. I reminded them that becuase they were winning they expected to keep winning and because they were winning it was natural for the parents and myself to just assume they would keep winning because we looked so good out there. I told them to forget all that and focus on the performance , not the score or places. I told them to smile through the whole routine and have FUN! Well they sure did have fun. I wish I had a camera to take pictures of the pretty smiles during their floor routines. They were able to let loose and allow themselves to get back on track. It was a great meet.

Congratulations to Melissa McWatters who qualified for state meet, Melissa also posted her personal best on Floor with an 8.65. Highlights included Mackenzie Maas posting her first ever 9 on the Vault, Melissa McWatters sticking her cartwheel in her beam routine and Annie and Krista both posting huge 9.5's on their bar routines.

Congrats to our top 10 finishers:
Krista Walberer 1st Place 37.425
Mackenzie Maas 8th Place 35.95

The team brought home the 2nd Place trophy with a score of 109.60!

Some of the girls the night before the meet having a little fun in the pool. Lisa Feist and Marie Stellini hanging out at the pool with their girls!

The girls receiving their team trophy and waiting for awards to begin!

More level 4 Port Huron Pics

The top picture was taken as the girls watched the race thorugh the giant inflatable, what a great shot of Erin Feist's excitement. The second picture is the whole team with the gym mascot Flicker, isn't he cute?

Level 4 Wildfire Challenge Port Huron March 4th

This was by far the neatest fun meet I have ever taken my athletes to. It was quite a distance for us to drive, but the hospitality and the little extras they did to make it an unforgettable experience made it all worth while. These pictures were taken of a huge inflatable obstacle course. They divided the competition into 4 teams and the team with the fastest average times through the course won a prize.

Now about the meet itself. Highlights for the day included Hayley Robinson's first all blue ribbon performance, Skylar Swifink's first blue performance on Floor, Kelly Momber's first blue performance on Beam, and of course then there was Livia Walberer stuck in a handstand on Vault and everyone in the crowd leaning to try to help her over. Hee, Hee, she was not going to give up, way to be a fighter Livie Lou! Kelsey heitzman performed her first level 5 bar and beam routines and posted reds on both performances. And we cannot forget Maddie Kragts first floor performance after achieving her round off back handspring, I am so proud of you Maddie! But the girls favorite part of the day was still the giant inflatable.

Rachel Heibel V-WHITE, B-WHITE, BB-RED, FX-RED
Anna Crysler V-RED, B-WHITE, BB- RED, FX-RED
Mackenzie Youngs V-RED, B-RED, BB-BLUE, FX- WHITE
Eve Hillman V-BLUE, B- RED, BB-BLUE, FX- RED
Leana Weiler V- BLUE, B-BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Kelly McCauley V- BLUE, B- BLUE, BB- RED, FX- RED
Kelsey Heitzman V-RED, B- RED, BB- RED, FX- RED
Maddie Kragt V- BLUE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- RED
Skylar Swifink V-RED, B- RED, BB- RED, FX- BLUE
Lydia Martin V-BLUE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- RED
Erin Feist V-RED, B- RED, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Kelly Momber V-BLUE, B- RED, BB- BLUE, FX- RED
Elizabeth Caterino V-RED, B- WHITE, BB- WHITE, FX- WHITE
Casey Buelken V-BLUE, B- RED, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Hannah Jackson V- Red, B- RED, BB- RED, FX- WHITE
Morgan Hitchings V-RED, B- YELLOW, BB- RED, FX- WHITE
Samantha Glowacki V- RED, B- WHITE, BB- RED, FX- WHITE
Maddie Cook V- YELLOW, B- YELLOW, BB- YELLOW, FX- WHITE
Jordan Stellini V-BLUE, B- BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- RED
Hayley Robinson V- BLUE, B-BLUE, BB- BLUE, FX- BLUE
Livia Walberer V- RED. B- WHITE, BB- RED, FX- WHITE

Congrats Ladies, we are so proud of you!

This could be a picture of Bri's 4th place Bar or Beam finish.

Annie and Taylor tie for fifth place on Vault. Krista takes 1st on Vault and Mackenzie takes 3rd on Vault.

Annie Hill on left 1st Place Bars, Taylor and Annie 1st and 3rd places on Beam.

Totally Rad Level 5 February 23-25

Rad was another great competition for our level five team. Bri Stechebar posted her personal best on beam with a 9.15, Melissa McWatters posted her personal best on Vault with a 7.80, Sophie also posted her personal best on vault with a 7.95, Mackenzie Maas posted her personal best on Vault with a 8.75. Melissa McWatters also overcame a fear on floor after taking a nasty fall in practice in January!

In the 7-9 year old age group:

1.Rachel McNeil

7.30 Vault
7.25 Bars
8.40 Beam
7.925 Floor
30.875 All Around

2.Annie Hill

5th Place Vault 8.20
1st Place Bars 9.30
1st Place Beam 9.10
3rd Place Floor 8.90
3rd Place All Around 35.50

3. Taylor Jangda

5th Place Vault 8.25
4th Place Bars 9.05
3rd Place Beam 8.95
4th Place Floor 8.85
4th Place All Around 35.10

In the 10 year age group:

1. Melissa McWatters

Vault 7.80
Bars 8.025
Beam 8.10
Floor 8.00
All Around 31.925

2. Sophie Jaffas

Vault 7.95
Bars 8.175
Beam 8.10
Floor 8.45
All Around 32.675

In the 11 year old age group:

1. Bri Stechebar

4th Place Bars 9.15
4th Place Beam 9.15
6th Place All Around 35.025

2. Mackenzie Maas

3rd Place Vault 8.725
3rd Place Bars 9.225
4th Place All Around 35.525

3. Krista Walberer

1st Place Vault 9.00
1st Place Beam 9.40
1st Place Floor 9.375
1st Place All Around 36.325

The team took home the 3rd Place Team trophy with a score of 108.40!

Mackenzie and Anna showing off thier handmade bear with a replica of our leotard painted on it.

Totally Rad February 23rd

Totally Rad

Totally Rad was a very fun meet. I competed in this competition as a gymnast and it was always a favorite. Competing underneath the shiny chandeliers was amazing. Several highlights included Kelsey Heitzman competing her first level 5 Vault and scoring a Blue! and Livia Walberer falling off the beam, taking a hard fall and composing herself to finish strong. What an inspiration! As always our girls showed their determination and poise. Great job girls.



Hannah Jackson RED, WHITE, YELLOW, BLUE
Anna Crysler RED, WHITE, RED, RED
Mackenzie Youngs RED, RED, RED, RED
Eve Hillman BLUE, RED, BLUE, BLUE
Leana Weiler BLUE, BLUE, BLUE, BLUE
Livia Walberer WHITE, YELLOW, WHITE, RED
Kelsey Heitzman BLUE, BLUE, BLUE, BLUE
Hayley Robinson BLUE, RED, RED, BLUE
Maddie Kragt BLUE, BLUE, RED, RED
Skylar Swifink BLUE, RED, RED, RED
Lydia Martin BLUE, BLUE, RED, RED
Jordan Stellni BLUE, BLUE, BLUE, BLUE
Elizabeth Caterino RED, WHITE, RED, RED
Kelly McCauley BLUE, RED, RED, BLUE
Casey Buelken BLUE, RED, RED, BLUE
Sam Cuneo BLUE, RED, RED, RED
Rachel Heibel RED, RED, WHITE, RED
Morgan Hitchings RED, WHITE, RED, WHITE
Samantha Glowacki RED, RED, WHITE, RED
Maddie Cook RED,WHITE,WHITE, RED
Kelly Momber BLUE, BLUE, WHITE, BLUE
Erin Feist RED, BLUE, RED, BLUE
Jazlyn C-Westers RED, RED, BLUE, BLUE

http://www.savefile.com/files/565416

The middle picture is of Leana Weiler in the middle of bridge kickover! The other two pics are of the girls celebrating after a great performance.

Mackenzie posing for a picture after a great performance. Several of the girls waiting patiently for their turn to shine while cheering on their teammates. And Kelly Momber preparing for her dismount.

Level 4 Farmington Pics

Anna and Elizabeth teammates and friends . Two of our youngest level 4's this year!

That is a lot of girls doing the splits. We look like an army everywhere we go. We are large and in charge!

January 26th Level 4 WinterFest

Huh, that did not work they way I wanted it to. I am very new at his sort of technology, silly I know. I will figure out a better way to do this next time!

Congrats to all our level 4 athletes! You showed that you have some great stuff!! The first meet is always a little rough becuase it is such a new experience for our new level 4 gymnasts. This meet was especially different because we were all in one group when typically we would be split into two groups. We also had a coach who was sick and one who could not attend becuase she was not allowed to leave on a Friday during her student teaching!

So in spite of all these obstacles, the girls looked great. We have a lot of very young level 4's this year and they showed they could cut it and hang with the big girls. We received compliments from judges and coaches from other gyms also. Everyone is always impressed with how awesome the uniforms are, how professional our program is run and how well poised, polished and perfected our gymnasts are for this level!

The second year level 4's were loaded with beautiful routines and helped to set a great example for the new girls. Several new level 4 girls made some history by achieving a Blue ribbon at thier very first meet. This is not typical, especially with real judges! Congrats to Jordan Stellini for achieving Blue ribbons on all four events. Also, congrats to Lydia Martin who nailed her first ever level 5 beam routine, great cartwheel! We also won the handstand contest in almost every age group we represented! Way to go girls! I could not be more proud of your hard work and accomplishments! Keep it up!

Vault
Bars
Beam
Floor





Elizabeth Caterino
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow





Hannah Jackson
Red
Yellow
White
Red





Anna Crysler
Red
White ?
Yellow
Yellow





Mackenzie Youngs
Red
White
Blue
Yellow





Eve Hillman
Blue
Red
Blue
Blue





Kelly McCauley
Blue
Blue
Red
Blue





Leana Weiler
Red
Blue
Red
Blue





Casey Buelken
Red
White
Blue
Blue





Maddie Meyers
Red
Red
Red
Blue





Sam Cuneo
Blue
Red
Yellow
N/A





Livia Walberer
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow





Olivia Gingrich
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A





Rachel Heibel
Red
Yellow ?
White
Yellow





Morgan Hitchings
White
Yellow
White
White





Samantha Glowacki
Red
White
White
White





Maddie Cook
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow





Kelly Momber
Blue
Blue
White
Blue





Erin Feist
Blue
Blue
Blue
Red





Kelsey Heitzman
Blue
Blue
White
Blue





Hayley Robinson
Blue
Blue
Blue
Red





Maddie Kragt
Blue
Blue
Blue
White





Jazlyn C-Westers
N/A
Red
Blue
Blue





Skylar Swifink
Blue
Red
White
Red





Lydia Martin
Blue
Blue
Blue
White





Jordan Stellini
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue

January 20 Tulip City Sectional

Well, we survived our first state qualifier of the season! Congratulations to the following girls who qualified to state meet: Taylor Jangda, Annie Hill, Mackenzie Maas, Krista Walberer,Bri Stechebar,Rachel McNeil and Sophie Jaffas!

At a state qualifier they do not rank the girls based on age and give out awards. Instead every child receives an achievement ribbon based on their All Around score. Then the top 10 gymnasts from the whole competition receive a medal!

Congrats, to our top 10 finishers:

• Krista Walberer 2nd Place 36.750
• Taylor Jangda 3rd Place 35.775
• Anniie Hill Tie for 5th Place 35.70
• Mackenzie Maas 8th Place 35.40
• Bri Stechebar 10th Place 35.325

The Alpine girls brought home the 3rd Place Team trophy!!

January 13, 2007 Level 5 Twistar Wars Invitational

This specific competition brings in the best athletes from all over the country. 1600 gymnasts total representing levels 4-elite participated. As a coach you know not to even bother to bring your athletes unless you have a hot team...and we do. So what you will see in these meet results are drastic improvements for our new level 5's and some very high scores that most teams cannot even begin to imagine one of their athletes scoring!

In the 7-8 year old age division

1. Rachel McNeil

• 3rd Place Vault 7.55
• 3rd Place Bars 7.20
• 1st Place Floor 8.65
• 2nd Place All Around 30.90

2. Phelicia Costie

• 3rd Place Beam 7.725
• Tie for 3rd Place Floor 8.35

In the 9 year old age division:

1. Taylor Jangda

• 2nd Place Vault 8.55
• 3rd Place Bars 8.35
• 6th Place Beam 8.75
• 4th Place Floor 9.00
• 4thPlace All Around 34.65

2. Annie Hill

• 4th Place Vault 8.20
• 2nd Place Bars 9.10
• 2nd Place Beam 9.275
• 3rd Place Floor 9.15
• 2nd Place All Around 35.725

3. Sophie Jaffas

• 5th Place Beam 9.05

In the 10 year old age division:

1. Bri Stechebar

• 3rd Place Vault 8.40
• 1st Place Bars 9.15
• 2nd Place Beam 8.90
• 2nd Place Floor 9.05
• 2nd Place All Around 35.50

2. Melissa McWatters

• 7th Place Bars 7.90
• 7th Place Beam 7.90
• 6th Place Floor 8.525
• 6th Place All Around 32.075

In the 11 year old age division:

1. Mackenzie Maas

• 5th Place Vault 8.50
• 1st Place Bars 9.20
• 9th Place Beam 9.00
• 4th Place Floor 9.175
• 3rd Place All Around 35.875

2. Krista Walberer

• 1st Place Vault 9.10
• 3rd Place Bars 9.025
• 1st Place Beam 9.75
• 2nd Place Floor 9.25
• 1st Place All Around 37.125

We took 4th Place team at this competition. A couple highlights included new level 5 Sophie Jaffas scorig a 9.05 on beam at her second ever sanctioned competition. Krista Walberer placed 1st on beam in her session of 60 girls on beam with a 9.75, but she placed 2nd out of approximately 360 girls. Also an unforgettable moment includes new level 5 Rachel McNeil placing 1st place on Floor with an 8.65 at her second ever sanctioned competition!