Highlights from P & G Championships Day 1- Juniors

Vault

Vanasia Bradley- 15.1
This routine was a highlight for me because I LOVE Vanasia. If you follow me on Twitter, you would have seen me fan girling when I realized this vault had put her into 2nd place after the first rotation! She ended up falling on the uneven bars in the next rotation but still ended the night in 12th place all around. Not bad for a first year elite! I'm hoping Vanasia can place top 3 on vault (she's currently in 3rd!) and HOPEFULLY make the National Team.



Ariana Agrapides- 15.350
Ariana is currently in 1st place on vault, which I am SUPER happy about. She got 2nd at the Secret Classic, so I'm sure she's looking to improve her ranking. Her score of 15.350 tied Bailie Key and Norah Flatley with the highest score of the entire competition. The amount of height Ari gets for being 12 shows incredible potential. Most 12 year olds are doing full twisting yurchenko's...but not Ari! She told us in our recent interview that she would some day like to compete a yurchenko double back.



Bars

Nia Dennis- 13.7
Just when we thought release moves couldn't get any higher...Nia Dennis proved us wrong! Wow. This girl is something else. Not only does she show an immense amount of potential on this event, she is a rock solid all arounder. She is currently in 3rd place all around, and 2nd on vault. But her bars, in by far my favorite to watch.



Amelia Hundley- 14.550
I am so impressed with how much Amelia has improved on this event! You can tell that she has been working so hard to fix things like form, handstands, and the dismount! This routine helped secure her a 4th place all around finish (with a fall might I add!) and the highest bar score of the evening.



Laurie Hernandez- 14.250
This is definitely one of the best bar routines we've seen from Laurie. She has beautiful lines on this event, and the dismount was almost stuck. This routine secured Laurie a 2nd place all around finish and the 2nd highest bars score of the evening.



Beam

Nica Hults- 14.750
I love watching Nica on beam because of how confident she looks when she's up there. Not many kids can manage to look SO comfortable and beautiful at the same time. This routine puts Nica in 3rd place on beam after night 1, although I'd LOVE to see her win this event.



Christina Desiderio- 14.550
Another little girl that you should keep your eye on! Beam is easily her best event and she performs with a confidence that not many first year elites have. She placed 4th on this event at the US Classic and if she has another solid performance on day 2 she could potentially medal. She's going to be one to watch in the future for sure!


Norah Flatley- 15.350
Norah is so incredibly fierce on this event, and frankly I think the title is her's to lose. You guys already know how awesome she is on this event, so I'll just shut up and let you watch the video.



Floor
I don't have to much to say about these floor routines other than the fact that Nia Dennis, Laurie Hernandez, Amelia Hundley, Sydney Johnson Scharpf, Bailie Key and Emily Gaskins blew me away. Both with tumbling and expressive dance. I would upload them all, but that would take forever. So I highly recommend you check them all out.

I now present to you, my favorite floor routine EVER. Miss Laurie Hernandez.



If you liked Brittany's montage for the "50 years in 50 seconds" contest, PLEASE text "VIDEO1" to 56418. She is a finalist and would really appreciate your vote. Thank you!  

Skills and routines you won't want to miss from Nationals (Seniors)

Below are some of the skills and routines you don't want to miss from the senior session at the 2013 P&G National Championships! 
Rotation 1

• Madison Kocian on bars: This will be Madison's first National Championships since 2010 when she was a junior. The USA is weak on bars so Madison is someone to keep your eye on as a potential bar worker. Madison placed 2nd on bars at the US Classic and has a lot of nice connections and transitions that you should watch for.  
• Abby Milliet on beam: Abby is phenomenal on this event and so beautiful to watch. She has a lot of connections that give her a whopping 16.4 start value, which is currently the second highest start value on beam in the United States. Abby is so great on this event that she scored a 14.2 at Classics with a fall! I love how she floats when she's on the beam and everything she does looks effortless. 
• Brenna Dowell on bars: Brenna is not known for being a bar worker, but she has some impressive combinations that everyone should be watching for. Brenna's biggest combination is a Tweddle to straddle back, which she missed a Classics. Be on the watch for her to make this combination at Championships.
• Kyla Ross on beam Kyla is hoping to upgrade from the routine she did at Classics. She has a new aerial layout step out combination that is really nice and will make her routine more difficult. Kyla has always been fun to watch on beam because she is so clean and precise. 

Rotation 2

• Mckayla Maroney on floor: At Classics, Mckayla debuted her new floor routine which had fans going crazy! Mckayla can improve from her score at Classics by staying in bounds on her double layout and hopefully nailing the arabian double front again! 
• Maddie Desch on beam: Maddie's beam is one of the more difficult routines being done in the senior division. She opens up with a back handspring layout series but she's capable of doing a full twist. 
• Mykayla Skinner on beam: Although she doesn't have the best form or execution, Mykayla deserves to be mentioned for at least throwing some crazy combinations including a back handspring arabian and back handspring tucked full. The skills are there at least, which means she has potential.  
• Elizabeth Price on bars: Ebee shows a lot of potential on bars and has improved a lot on this event in the last few years. I love her piked tkatchev and church! This will also be the first time we have seen Ebee since last winter when she won 2 World Cup titles. 

Rotation 3

• Peyton Ernst on beam: Like most of the Texas Dreams girls, Peyton is what gym fans like to call a beamer. Peyton has a 16.3 start value and won this event at the US Classic. Peyton has some gorgeous combinations including a back handspring layout series, a front aerial to sheep jump, and switch leap into a back pike. 
• Mckayla Maroney on vault: Obviously a fan favorite for so many reasons. I don't think I need to explain why you should be on the look out for this routine. 
• Simone Biles on floor: Simone is so amazing on floor, I give her massive props for throwing difficult skills and doing them well. She opens with a tucked double double and has a double layout with a half twist out (which causes it to have a blind landing) as her second pass. This skill is not in the code of points, so if Simone competes it at the World Championships it will be called the Biles. 
• Brenna Dowell on floor: Brenna is another one of the amazing floor workers we currently have in the United States. She opens with a laidout full in and also has front handspring double front piked and tucked! 
• Mykayla Skinner on floor: Mykayla currently has the highest start value on floor in the US and is the only American women to compete a laidout double double. Mykayla also does the tucked double double, an arabian double front, and a 1.5 through to 2.5! This routine is jam packed and super impressive if she can hit.  

Rotation 4

• Abby Milliet on bars: Like I mentioned above, the USA is weak on bars, so it's nice to have girls like Abby Milliet who can contribute on other events as well as swing bars. Abby's routine for this year is a big improvement from last year and she's capable of scoring very high on this event if she hits. 
• Lexie Priessman on floor: Lexie's routine is really growing on me and I'm glad that she hit at Classics and won the title! Lexie has a nice double double, laidout full in, 1.5 through to double tuck, and a full in. This gives Lexie a 16.2 start value which is currently the 2nd highest in the US. 
• Simone Biles on vault: Simone plans on doing 2 vaults at Nationals in hopes to possibly win a vault national title. Simone already has a huge amanar vault that is very similar to Mckayla Maroney's with the nice form, great height, and near perfect landings. 
• Kennedy Baker on floor: Kennedy has already got people talking about her floor routine in the past but I think we should still be watching her on floor now. Kennedy opens with a 1.5 through to arabian double front, which is the same pass that Olympic Champ Aly Raisman opens with minus the punch front at the end. Kennedy also has a laid out arabian double front which is huge! 
• Kyla Ross on bars: Kyla is one of the only gymnasts who scores above a 9.0 in execution which is something to take note of. As many already know, Kyla is a tremendous bar worker and is probably the USA's best bet for a medal on bars at Worlds. 

Click here to see the skills and routines you won't want to miss from the junior session of Championships!

Important college gymnastics update for this season!

Keely Mcneer to Alabama

Photo Credit: Unknown

Ever since the 2011 US Classic, Keely Mcneer sort of dropped off the gymnastics scene. This left many people wondering...what happened to Keely Mcneer? We talked to Keely's coaches last year and they told us Keely was still training with hopes of coming back to elite. Although Keely has not competed in 2 years, she is back and will be joining the Crimson Tide in January as a walk on. 

Transfers

Photo Credit: Alabama and LSU

Two big college transfers that you might want to take note of. LSU's Randi Lau has transferred to Penn State and Alabama's Brooke Parker has transferred to Michigan. Although there is no official release yet, both girls have already transferred and will be juniors  this upcoming season. Since Parker is transferring, this allowed 2012 Canadian Olympian Dominique Pegg to join the Crimson Tide on a scholarship. 

Gabriella Douglas to MSU...but will defer.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Canadian elite gymnast Gabriella Douglas has committed to Michigan State but will defer until 2016 so she can have a shot at making the Canadian Olympic team. Douglas will be a huge addition to the Michigan State team! (Thanks to Arabian Punch Front for filling me in on this one!)

Skills and routines you won't want to miss at Nationals (Juniors)

Below are some of the skills and routines you don't want to miss from the junior session at the 2013 P & G National Championships!

Rotation 1

• Nica Hults and Bailie Key on beam: Beam has always been a high scoring event for Nica and Bailie thanks to the fact that they have some of the highest start values on beam in the junior division. (16.2 and 16.3) Both Bailie and Nica have clean and precise movements and manage to make everything look effortless. You won't want to miss these two potentially top scoring routines! 
• Sydney Johnson Scarpf on floor:  This routine is a fan favorite that you won't want to miss simply because of the sass that Sydney shows while performing. Although Sydney's routine is not the most difficult, it's still worth the watch. 
• Nia Dennis on floor: This routine is huge! Nia has an impressive 16.2 start value which is the most difficult routine being done in the junior field and it ties the start value of seniors Lexie Priessman and Simone Biles. Her passes include a double layout, a 1.5 through to arabian double front, front layout through to double back and a double pike. She also has a super difficult double turn with the leg at horizontal connected into another double turn. I remember watching this routine live at Classics and I know Nia definitely made some jaws drop. Even Laurie Hernandez was watching in awe. 

Rotation 2

• Norah Flatley on beam: Norah has a really impressive beam routine that starts at a 16.4 (which is the highest start vault for a junior on beam) Norah has a really impressive combination that makes her scoring potential much higher if she hits it. (front aerial+front aerial+ side aerial+ switch leap+ back pike) Norah really is the perfect package that a coach is looking for in a gymnast, she's clean, precise, can dance, and of course has the difficulty. 
• Laurie Hernandez on floor: Without a doubt one of my favorite routines. Laurie is such a performer and just take my word for it, you won't want to miss this routine. (Especially if you are going to the meet and will be watching live.)

Rotation 3

• Ragan Smith on floor: This routine is a must watch simply because of how cute it is. 
• Ari Agrapides on vault: Although she is a first year elite and only 12 years old, Ariana has a pretty impressive and clean double twisting yurchenko. In our latest interview with Ari and her teammates, (you can read it here) I couldn't help but notice that she lists Maroney as her idol and says if she could have the career of any gymnast it would be Alicia Sacramone. (Both some of the best vaulters the U.S. has had.) Ari also says her dream skill to compete is a yurchenko double back, which is something that has never been done before. So far in her elite career, Ari has scored a 14.9, 15.1 and a 15.150 on vault, which proves that she is right up there with the best on this event. Ari won a silver medal on vault at Classics and is the 2013 American Classic all around champion. Although she is not eligible for the 2016 Olympics, I think she has a lot of potential, especially on vault. 
• Nia Dennis on bars: Be on the watch for Nia and her sky high release moves! Nia really gets some air on her piked tkatchev and I can't help but think of Gabby with the way she swings bars
• Lexy Ramler on bars: Despite not having the best form or much difficulty, Lexy is the only elite gymnast in the U.S. to currently compete a bhardwaj transition. Lexy is the 2013 JO National Champion on bars and once she adds more difficulty she could possibly land herself on the podium in the elite ranks. 

  Rotation 4

• Amelia Hundley on floor: Amelia is always a joy to watch on floor! Her routine is upbeat and fun, not to mention she has some difficult tumbling passes making it all worth the watch!
• Emily Gaskins on floor: Emily is so beautiful and polished on floor, I give her props for putting effort into the artistry component of the sport. I also love her memmel turn at the beginning of the routine. Emily placed 2nd on floor at the 2013 JO National Championships and 5th at the US Classic. 
• Nia Dennis on beam: Nia has another impressive routine here on the beam! She does a double turn in tuck stand and a standing arabian that is incredibly high. If you haven't noticed yet, Nia is a force to be reckoned with. 
• Christina Desiderio on beam: Christina is very clean and an excellent beam worker. I love her back handspring layout series and full turn in tuck stand! I see a lot of potential in Christina! 

Click here for routines to watch from the senior session of the P&G Championships!

"Gold Medal Summer" Book Review

For 14 year old Joey Jordan, there has really only been one goal in gymnastics: win gold. Winning is all Joey ever thinks about and she's determined to make this her "Gold Medal Summer" once and for all!

Gold Medal Summer book cover

Summary:
Unable to avoid getting psyched by her rivals, Joey feels like she's living in the shadow of her older sister, Julia, who won the National Championship at age 16, only to retire with an injury a short time later. Big changes shake up Joey's life both in and outside of the gym, when her best friend and teammate Alex, decided to quit the sport of gymnastics for good. Alex has always been the darling of the Gansett Stars and the pressure to perform up to Alex's standards at the upcoming Regional Championships, is weighing heavy on Joey's shoulders. To make the situation stickier, Joey's old friend Tanner is back in town and cuter than ever! For the first time in her life, Joey is experiencing things that most normal girls get to experience, all while trying to defy her coach and get new and improved routines ready for Regional's... behind his back. Will Joey crash under the high expectations of her family, friends, and coaches? Or will she rise above all the drama and FINALLY have her gold medal summer?

Review:
As a gymnastics fan, I found this book highly entertaining! Even if you have never been a gymnast, the daily struggles Joey faces are relatable to any girl going through her teen years. I liked how in the beginning of the book, Freitas includes detailed pictures of 8 basic gymnastics moves for readers who may be fairly new to the sport. It's an easy read for children ages 10 and up. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in gymnastics or has a child competing in the sport.

Buy Gold Medal Summer:
If you would like to buy a copy of Donna Freitas "Gold Medal Summer" you can purchase one at the links below.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes and Noble

Chatting with the MG Elites...Laurie Hernandez, Ariana Agrapides, and Jazmyn Foberg.

The Monmouth elites are ready to take the gymnastics world by storm with their powerful tumbling, expressive dance, and upbeat personalities! Laurie Hernandez is 13 years old and currently in her second year as an elite. She is the latest addition to the junior national team and recently won floor at the 2013 Secret US Classic. Jazmyn Foberg is also 13 years old and the newest elite at Monmouth. Jazmyn recently competed at the US Classic where she placed 11th on bars out of 40 competitors!  Last but not least is Ariana Agrapides who is 12 years old and the 2013 American Classic junior champion! Ariana also won a silver medal on vault at the 2013 Secret Classic. The girls were nice enough to chat with us during one of their recent sleepovers and answer all of our questions! Hopefully in this interview, you'll find out a little more about Laurie, Jazmyn, and Ariana.

Photo Credit: Triple Twist Gym Blog

Okay so first, let's talk about last weekend at Classics. How do you think you did? Were you happy with your performances?

Laurie: I thought I did an okay job. Bars was pretty good, but I missed a few handstands and on beam I fell. But overall I was happy! 

Jazmyn: I thought I did okay, not my best on beam and floor, but vault and bars were really good! I was happy on bars and vault and a little disappointed on beam and floor!

Ari: I thought I did okay! I did good on vault and floor, but I didn't do that good on bars and beam. I thought I could have done a little better but I was still happy with vault and floor though.

Photo Credit: Coach Maggie

Jazmyn and Ari, this was your first major elite meet, what was it like competing up on a podium, in front of a large crowd, and most importantly the national team staff? Were you nervous, excited...what were you feeling?

Jazmyn: I was really excited and so happy to make it there! But competing in front of the crowd and staff was a little nerve wracking!

Ari: I was a little nervous but also really excited!

Was Laurie able to give you any tips since she's been there before?

Ari: Yes! She's been really helpful and told us to just relax and calm down!

Jazmyn: Yeah, she told us to stay calm and just do our skills how we know how to do them!

Now Laurie and Ari, you guys are headed to Nationals in a few weeks. What are some of your goals or expectations? 

Laurie: My goals and expectations are to hit 8 for 8 events and place top 5 in the all around!

Ari: I want to hit 8 for 8 and be confident! And most importantly, just have fun!

So on your journey as elite gymnasts so far...who's the coolest person that you've gotten to meet? Have you meet any of your favorite gymnasts yet?

Jazmyn: Jordyn Wieber and Shawn Johnson probably!

Laurie: The coolest person I ever got to met was Kyla Ross and Mckayla Maroney. And yes, Mckayla is my favorite!

Ari: Mckayla Maroney! I've also met Kyla Ross!

Who are your role models? Is there anybody that you look up to or someone that inspires you?

Ari: Mckayla Maroney!

Jazmyn: I look up to Jordyn Wieber and Shawn Johnson!

Laurie: I look up to Shawn Johnson!

What's the coolest part about doing gymnastics at the elite level?

Jazmyn: I like competing on podium and seeing all of the crowd cheering for you! I also like how the scoring is different.

Laurie: Just being at the elite level! I love the feeling of performing in front of a crowd!

Ari: The coolest part is having the thrill of competing on a podium in front of so many people!

Are you girls home schooled or do you go to public school? 

Laurie: We are all home schooled!

Okay, now I'm sure you girls have heard this a million times, but everyone in the gymnastics world just loves your floor routines because they are really unique. Do you have any say in coming up with the choreography or is that all done by your coach?

Jazmyn: It's mostly done by our coaches but if we think something fits better, we show her and sometimes she likes our ideas better!

Laurie: She (Maggie) gives us music and if we like it, we keep it. Then she does our dance and if we do something differently and she likes it, we keep it! She changes it every week though!

So would you say dance is an important part of your gym? Do you guys focus a lot on the dance part of the sport or does it just come natural to you guys?

Ari: Yes! It's a big part of our gym. Maggie focuses a lot on our dance and presentation!

Jazmyn: It's really important and we focus on it a lot. 

Laurie: Yeah we definitely focus on dance! We don't do too much dance class,  but we work on our routines a lot. 

What about the leotards you guys wear? Do you guys get to help pick those out or does your coach do it? What's your favorite leotard that you've worn?

Laurie: Our coaches pick out our leos. My favorite was our main competition leo! It's black, tan, and white! 

Ari: I also really like our competition leo this year, the black, white, and tan one! 

Jazmyn: My favorite is the green leo! 

Okay the next question is for Laurie. A reader of my blog wanted me to ask you this. Do you ever get tired during your floor routine between the tumbling and the dance? You obviously get very into the dance part which is great, but how do you not run out of energy?

Laurie: I love to dance; but it does get tiring sometimes. In our gym we work on our endurance a lot, so its nice to entertain the crowd while doing good tumbling. 

So I assume you guys are all pretty close right? Can you tell us about how you guys met and became friends?

Jazmyn: Well me and Ari were friends since we were really little because we used to train together, then we separated, and then now we finally train together again! Laurie... I'm not really sure how we met, but we always kept in touch with each other and then now we train together and it's really exciting!

Laurie: Yes we are very close! I actually met Jazzy at one of my old level 10 meets! And then I saw Ari when her coach Bruce brought her and another teammate to our gym.

Ari: Yeah we are all really close! Jazzy and I actually went to a gym together when we were really little! And then Laurie and I met when I came to her gym!

Photo Credit: Coach Maggie

What's it like competing against each other? Are any of you super competitive? 

Ari: Not really, we are all really supportive of each other. 

Jazmyn: I've actually never really thought about that! We help each other out, so it's more like teamwork! 

Laurie: We all push each other to work harder in the gym!

Glad to hear that! Now Laurie and Ari, you have been both been to the national team camps. What is it like at the ranch? Was there anything that surprised you? 

Laurie: The ranch is a very calming place. It surprised me to see all of my old friends from developmental camp! 

Ari: I kind of expected everything because I have been there for TOPS and developmental camp. The ranch is more like a farm, there are a lot of woods and animals! 

Do you have any funny stories from camp? 

Ari: I don't have any because I've only been there once, but I'm sure I will experience some in the next few camps! 

Laurie: Polina and I watch a lot of movies and we crack jokes on some of the lines! 

What movies do you watch? 

Laurie: Mean girls! 

Photo Credit: Triple Twist Gym Blog

Okay, now what's something that not may people know about you? Do any of you have any hidden talents? 

Laurie: I like to do my nails and write poems! 

Ari: The goldfish trick!

Oh is that the one you mentioned in the gymnastike interview? (Putting a goldfish on your forehead and sliding it into your mouth.) 

Ari: Yes! We can all do it! 

Jazmyn: I brought up that trick in Texas and showed it to them! So now we can all do it! 

Okay, now if you could have the career of any gymnast who would it be? 

Jazmyn: Hmm, maybe Jordyn or Mckayla. 

Laurie: I would love to be Shawn Johnson for a day! 

Ari: Alicia Sacramone!

What about a dream skill? If you could compete any skill what would it be?

Laurie: A tucked double double on floor! 

Ari: A yurchenko double back

Jazmyn: Full twisting geinger

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? 

Laurie: Making national team! 

Jazmyn: Making international elite!

Ari: Making it to the P & G Championships! 

Photo Credit: Coach Maggie

Now I know you girls are way too young to even start thinking about college, but do you think that one day you would like to compete in college gymnastics?

Laurie, Jazmyn, and Ari: Yes!!

If you could compete for any college gymnastics team who would it be? 

Jazmyn: Florida or UCLA

Ari: Yeah, UCLA! 

Laurie: Florida Gators!

Do you guys follow NCAA Gymnastics? 

Laurie: A little, but not too much! 

Okay now have you ever had an embarrassing moment in competition or training? Spill the beans! 

Laurie: Once I went to jump from a mat onto the high bar, and the mat was too far and I face planted! 

Jazmyn: I tripped on my beam mount at the beginning of my routine and fell on one knee! 

Ari: When I was warming up on bars at the Parkettes meet, I tripped on the mat and landed flat on my face! 

What is your long term goal? What is the main thing you want to accomplish? 

Laurie: To be in the 2016 Olympics! 

Ari: To be named to the national team and go on international assignments! 

Jazmyn: To get on the national team and someday get an assignment! 

Okay and lastly, what is one thing you'd like to say to all the fans out there? 

Laurie: I love all the gymnastics edits they make us! It's really thoughtful! <3

Jazmyn: I love them and thanks for all the support! 

Ari: I love all you guys! <3

Photo Credit: Coach Maggie

We would like to thank Laurie, Ari, and Jazmyn for staying up late and talking with us! We wish you girls the best of luck with everything in the future. 

Make sure you follow Laurie, Jazmyn and Ari on Twitter! (Click their names for links!) 

Brittany (left) and Ashlee (right) with Jazmyn, Ari, and Laurie

Ernst earning her way to the top.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

16 year old Peyton Ernst from Texas Dreams is quietly but quickly making a name for herself in the gymnastics world.  In her first year as a senior elite, Peyton has done extremely well and her efforts should not go unnoticed. At Jesolo, which happened to be Peyton's first international meet ever, she placed 4th all around. At the USA vs. Germany/Romania tri meet, she placed 2nd all around and got an event medal on bars, vault, and floor. Peyton was then selected to represent the USA as an individual at the Tokyo World Cup where she also managed to get 2nd all around and win the vault and floor titles. On May 15, Peyton had surgery on her elbow and only returned to training last month. Peyton worked very hard and was able to not only compete at Classics, but she ended up placing 2nd all around, just 4 tenths behind Olympic champ Kyla Ross. Peyton also placed 4th on bars, 1st on beam, and 2nd on floor. Not bad for a first year senior! As you can see, she has a lot of potential and is definitely one to watch the next few years. The next step for Peyton is doing well at Nationals and remaining on the national team so she can vie for more international assignments and maybe make the Worlds team one day.

Watch Peyton on floor during the all around competition of the Tokyo Cup:


Watch Peyton on vault at the 2013 Secret Classic:


For more information on Peyton visit her website here
Follow Peyton on Twitter

Also please check out our entries for the USA Gymnastics montage contest. If you like them please vote for us here and here! We appreciate all the votes!