Region 5 Newsletter

“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” --Joe Paterno--

"You have to expect Itasca, IL at the things of yourself before Westin Chicago Northwest you can do them." Come and enjoy the fun and interaction of Region 5 Congress where there will be --Michael Jordan-- many great lectures! The purpose of a Regional Congress is to provide education to the region while allowing gymnastics professionals the opportunity to interact, learn and relax with their peers in the sport. Attendance at these Regional Congresses provides participants with USA Gymnastics University Credits and/or CPE Credits for Judges. “Even if you are on the Then join in the celebration and excitement by attending the Region 5 Reception right track, you„ll get with a live and silent auction, the proceeds of which directly benefit Region 5 gymnastics or the Region 5 Banquet where we will induct the 2010 Region 5 Hall run over if you just of Fame and honor our National Champions sit there.” -- Will Rogers-- R 5 Chair – Bobbi Montanari Hello Region 5!!

We ended the season with a great and good season. Our Level 9 gymnasts won the Eastern National Championships and Level 10 gymnasts are “Whether you think you Runner-Up National Champions. As stated in John Geddert’s, JO Chairman, portion of this newsletter – “back to the basics”. I continue to can or think you can‟t, hear that phrase often when I read articles from USA Gymnastics concerning surviving these challenging economic times. They are referring you‟re right.” to customer service, clean facility, staffing, lesson planning, -- Henry Ford-- professionalism, etc. Regardless of the statements reference, QUALITY is the main concept.

The main focus of this newsletter is about the 2010 Region 5 Congress which is September 10 - 12, 2010, in Itasca, Illinois, at the Westin Chicago Northwest. Enclosed you will find a registration form, “tentative schedule”, and information on the Auction and Banquet. In addition to our incredible Region 5 speakers, we have five special guests who are as follows:

R5 Newsletter – page 2

~R5 continued – Special Guest Speakers

Dr. Alison Arnold Linda Thorberg Peak Performance consultant for USA Gymnastics since USA Gymnastics National Instructor for Preschool 1997 Fundamentals Certification Program International Presenter Co-author of Preschool Fundamental’s Course for USA Author of several books and mental toughness training Gymnastics University manuals Received 2006 USA Gymnastics Member Service Award

Mike Hunger USA Gymnastics Region 4 Technical Committee Chairman 2010 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Coach of the Year Brevet Judge Owner of Twin City Twisters Gymnastics in Champlain, MN Coach at Thompson Academy of Gymnastics (TAGS) in Minnesota, Minn. Cheryl Jarrett USA Gymnastics Region 3 Junior Olympic Committee The Region 5 Committee in conjunction with USA Chairman Gymnastics is striving to make this Congress the best Educational Director with Gymnastics Association of Texas ever. The education and hospitality will be first class. (GAT) Hope you are able to join us. Director of Gymnastics Educational Workshop.com Current choreographer / author for 2005-2013 / 2013-2020 In closing, thank you to the wonderful support I received USAG Compulsory Routines during Sarah’s (my golden retriever) illness with bone Co-Owner of Capital Gymnastics in Austin, TX cancer and her passing. My goal was to wait until after

Brandt Lutska Region 5 Congress to get another golden retriever, but USA Gymnastics National Instructor for Preschool somehow, it did not work out that way!!!! Lyndi, the new Fundamentals Certification Program Region 5 puppy, is three months old and can be seen on Co -author of Preschool Fundamental’s Course for USA the Region-5.com website. Gymnastics University Received 2006 USA Gymnastics Member Service Award Please continue to view the Region-5.com website for USA Gymnastics National Recreational Gymnastics updates and feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] Advisory Board Member with questions/concerns. Have a successful fall and I am Conducts KAT, MELPD, and core workshops for USA looking forward to seeing you at Congress. Gymnastics National Judge Owner of BG’s Gymnastics in Monessen, PA

REGION V TECHNICAL CORNER by Char Christensen, Region V RTCC

Greetings to all! Special Congratulations to our Region 5 Level 10 Team who took second place at JO National Championships and Region 5 Level 9 Teams who won the overall Eastern Junior Olympic National Championships by winning 10 out of 16 age groups. With a National All-Around Champion and 10 Region V gymnasts in the top 10 All- Around at Level 10, we have so much to be proud of as a Region. Congratulations to our athletes and coaches with their continued success.

Secondly, special congratulations to our judges at these prestigious competitions on being selected to officiate at Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships and Level 9 Eastern Junior Olympic Championships. Level 10 judges were Jeanne Johnson (Illinois), Judy Kemp (Indiana), Judy Dobransky (Michigan), and Char Christensen (Ohio). Level 9 judges were Linda McDonald (Illiniois), Michael Crowe (Indiana), and Augusta Lipsey (Michigan).

Thirdly, The Region All Star Trip is scheduled for Slovenia by way of Venice Italy from September 21- 28. With this opportunity for an International experience for training and teaching situation, our coaches will be clinicians for the host club. If you are a Brevet or National Judge who would like to apply to go and assist with technical knowledge, please contact Char Christensen to be considered for this wonderful trip.

Lastly, please check your State web sites for updated information on Individual Specialists for State and Regional Championships. Enjoy your summer and we hope to see you at our USAG Region V Congress and USAG National Congress! R5 Newsletter – page 3

From Hilary Carlson, RJD

REGION V NAWGJ NEWS

First, let me congratulate Region 5 on another great year. I’m sorry that most judges rarely have the opportunity to judge outside the region, but let me assure you that we have the strongest gymnasts in the U.S.! This goes from Level 4 on up, because without the basics, our Level 10’s would not be as good as they are.

In May I attended the USAG Administrative Assistant Board meeting for Bobbi Montanari. It was decided there that judges may no longer accept ANY gifts from coaches, clubs, booster clubs, etc., for judging a meet. This was decided because in some parts of the country gifts were becoming so elaborate that judges wanted to be assigned just because of the gift! Judges are assigned by rating, experience, proximity to the meet, and availability. Assigning chairs have a big enough job without having to accommodate judges who are requesting certain meets (which should not be done anyway). Please respect this decision in its spirit. Don’t try to find a way around it. I know many booster clubs enjoy looking for unique gifts and judges enjoy the thoughtfulness, but we are independent contractors being paid for our services and we should keep it on a professional level.

Finally, we are trying additional opportunities for judges at the Region 5 Training Camps. As always, judges are asked to volunteer to lead sessions or to work an event. Judges have different degrees of confidence concerning training camps. Some could lead any event, some could lead the judging rotation, and some could be the “technical judging opinion” person at an event. However, there are many other judges who would like to just come, observe techniques, and learn. This is very important because many of us, me included, do not work in a gym and have less chance to develop their eyes, etc. Now judges can sign up for camp and at each event there will be a judge whose sole purpose is to help with judging questions. For more specifics, read the article in my June Regional NAWGJ newsletter. I am looking into getting CPE clinic credits for this for next year.

Have a good summer! Hilary

R5 Newsletter – page 4

John Geddert - Region 5 Junior Olympic Committee Chair

GYMNASTICS NUMBER ONE AND The deadline date has passed and the J.O. portion of the Region 5 All Star LOVIN IT! Team is now official. Congratulations to all those athletes that were in the hunt this year. It seems the depth of field continues to grow which makes the achievement of cracking the top 8 J.O. athletes in this region very commendable. We tip our hats to the following athletes, their coaches and respective clubs for a job well done.

Keely Kmieciak Phenom 38.4 Amanda Wellick Legacy Elite 38.263 Grace Williams Twistars USA 38.194 Mandy Klun IGI 38.00 Samantha Kolbas Arena 37.819 Jessica Morreale Energym 37.819 Kathryn Kluz Oakland 37.719 Anna Hill Twistars USA 37.706

This group of talented athletes has earned an international assignment (courtesy of the Region 5 Apparel Fund, and the very supportive Region 5 coaches, judges, clubs and administrators) to Ljublijana, Slovenia by way of Venice, Italy. The trip will take place September 21-28 and will include a training camp, coaching clinics, cultural exchange and more.

If for some reason any of the above athletes cannot attend this event, we will fill the vacated spots in rank order from the following list.

Tenille Funches Arena 37.700 Colleen Mulcahy Arena 37.675 Erin Freier Twistars USA 37.6 Gianna OConnor Gym Nasti 37.6 Haley Scaman IGI 37.588

Once again congrats to all!

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Indiana – Linda Barclay SACC-IN

The State of Indiana would like to thank Ed Gibson for over 20 years of service to Indiana gymnastics and we all wish him the best with his future endeavors. I personally appreciate his support and help with making this change a smooth transition.

The Indiana State Banquet was held on Sunday, July 27th at the Woodland Country Club in Carmel, Indiana. Fourteen graduating seniors were recognized. The girls gave speeches and displayed a video of some of their accomplishments. All State Champions, Regional and National qualifiers were awarded a plaque, which contained a group picture.

Special awards were given to retiring judge Pat Crawford and 18 year State Chairman Ed Gibson. Bridget Sloan received a Tiffany's bracelet from the state for her 1st place finish at World Championships and she and Coach Marvin Sharp spoke briefly about their experiences in London. The banquet concluded with the presentation of the Pam Poe Scholarship which is awarded to 2 seniors. Taylor Oswalt (Wright's) was the recipient of the $1,000 scholarship and Victoria O'Brien (Hoosier's) received the $500 award.

Indiana hosted its first State Congress on July 10, 2010. The Congress featured special guest speakers Jim and Cheryl Jarrett, Enrique Tarbanino, Dr. Gerald George and Marvin Sharp. We were excited to offer this educational opportunity to all of our professional members. Additional state clinics will also be offered throughout the summer.

The Indiana website is back up and running. Special thanks to David Jerger from Gymnastics Unlimited for

his help in restoring the site and keeping it updated.

Linda Barclay Indiana State Chair

Kentucky – Cap Caudill SACC-KY

Kentucky held there state-wide awards banquet June 4th.

Over 200 people attended and 46 gymnasts and coaches received awards.

Tatum Melhorn of Champion was chosen as Most Outstanding gymnast of the year. Tatum was a Level 7.

Compulsory Co-Coaches of the Year were Amanda Loin and Jennifer Barley both from Top Flight Gymnastics.

Optional coach of the year Dee Ann Miller From All-American Gymnastics.

Hall of Fame: Debbie Klotz

Lifetime Contributor: Jim Nance.

Michigan – Jim Comiskey SACC-MI R5 Newsletter – page 6

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jim Comiskey and I will be the new SACC for the State of Michigan. I am looking forward to working with our State Committee and the Region 5 Committee. I would like to thank Doug Rowe for his years of dedication and service as the SACC for the State of Michigan. Thank you again Doug.

The 2010 State Meet Host The clubs that hosted the 2010 Michigan State Meet this year did an outstanding job in organizing and running these competitions. I would like to thank the following gyms for their efforts.

Twistars USA - Level 8,9,10 State Meet. Midland Gymnastics – Level 7 & Pre Opt. State Meet Champion USA – Level 4 and 6 State Meet Water’s Edge Gymnastics – Level 5 State Meet Branch Gymnastics – Pre Team State Meet

The MI USAG SAC Annual Champion Banquet. On June 8th the SAC hosted the 2nd Annual Michigan Champions Banquet in Ann Arbor. There were over 200 in attendance. This banquet recognizes our State, Regional and National Champions. We also honor and recognize our National Team TOP qualifiers, our Elite athletes and the 2010 Graduating Seniors. The banquet honored the recipients of the 2010 Michigan Coaches, Judge, Gymnast and Contributor of the year awards.

MI USAG State Training Clinic Thank you to G.T.C. Gymnastics of Rochester Hills for being host to the 2010 MI USAG STATE TRAINING CLINIC for Level 4 to 6. The clinic will be held on October 16, 2010. Please check the MI USAG web site for more information @ www.michigangymnastics.com

MI – NAWGJ The MI NAWGJ will host the 2010 Levels 7 - 10 Critique Clinic on November 14, 2010. The clinic will be held at Olympia Gymnastics. For more information, please go to www.michigangymnastics.com

Facebook MI USAG is now on Facebook. The SAC will use Facebook as another tool to communicate with the professional membership in Michigan.

Dr. Nassar’s New Autism Foundation Dr. Larry Nassar is starting a foundation to help raise money for autism research and treatment. He is very interested in the role that gymnastics can play in the motor learning of children with autism and other special needs. His foundation, GymnasticsDoctor.com Autism Foundation, is just getting started and he would like to get the message out. He plans on assisting clubs with their ability to add special needs programs. He feels these programs benefit all involved.

If anyone knows of gymnastics clubs offering classes for kids with autism/special needs, please have them send Dr. Larry Nassar a message. He would love to add their link to his site. He wants to develop a site that all can go to see what is available in the gymnastics community to assist in the world of autism/special needs children. His face book page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gymnastics-Doctor/116202525072428 or email [email protected]

Nastia Liukin will be the special guest star at the GymnasticsDoctor.com Autism Awareness Gymnastics Competition, Michigan State University vs University of Illinois at MSU Jennison Fieldhouse Friday Evening Feb 25, 2011. Save the date and plan on attending the event!

Bridget Sloan, 2009 World Champion, 2009 USA Champion and 2008 Olympian is coming to the Twistars Gymnastics Invitational 1/8/2011 as a special guest star to help promote the GymnasticsDoctor.com Autism Foundation. We hope you all can make it to the competition to show your support and to meet Bridget!

If you would like more information please contact: Larry Nassar, D.O. Michigan State University Sports Medicine www.GymnasticsDoctor.com

R5 Newsletter – page 7

Kristin Moore, Region 5 Apparel Coordinator and Banquet Committee

AWARDS BANQUET Region 5 Congress is just around the corner. Please plan to join us for cocktails and dinner at the Region 5 Awards Banquet on Saturday evening. Be sure to register early with your Congress Registration. The banquet has been SOLD OUT for the last several years.

Region 5 will be inviting many special guests to attend the banquet, at no charge, by mailed

invitation. These guests will include: 2010 AllStar Team Athletes; one coach for each AllStar

Athlete; Honored Coaches of the Year; Hall of Fame Inductees and their Presenter; the Region 5 Committee Members; and special guests from the USAG National Office. Invitations to all invited guests will be mailed in July. Additional guests such as spouses, parents, etc. are invited to attend for $25 each and their spots can be reserved on the Invitation RSVP.

If you register and pay now for the banquet, and are then invited to attend as a guest of Region 5, your banquet reservation fee can be applied to your invited guests or be refunded.

AUCTION Join the excitement of the fast moving Region 5 Live and Silent Auction. Festivities will take place Friday evening at the Congress Hotel. There will be many great items to bid on, compliments of USA Gymnastics, the Congress Vendors, Region 5 Judges, State Committees and more. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

State Chairs Once again, we are counting on each State to prepare a theme basket (or two) for the Auction. Please appoint someone to head up this task for you State. Baskets can be any theme you choose. Please bring them to Congress and deliver them to Kristin Moore at the Congress Hotel.

REGION 5 STORE The Region 5 Store is now ONLINE and open for business. There are many fabulous items to choose from so check it out today at www.Region5Store.com. Payment can be made by check or credit card. The Region 5 Store will also be open at Congress. Stop by and pick up your Region 5 Apparel. We will have jackets, shirts, sweatshirts, computer bags and more. All proceeds go to the Region 5 Apparel Fund to support our gymnasts and coaches as they represent Region 5 Nationally and Internationally.