A "Perfect 10" With Erika Fasana

Erika Fasana was born on February 17, 1996. (Making her eligible for the 2012 Olympic Games) She lives in Como, Italy and trains at Brixia Brescia Gymnastics under coaches Enrico Casella and Laura Rizzoli. At the 2010 Junior European Championships, Erika helped her team win the bronze medal. Individually she earned a bronze medal on vault and placed 5th in the all around. At this years European Youth Olympic Festival, Erika contributed to Italy's team gold medal. She went on to place 2nd in the all around, 3rd on vault, and 3rd on bars.

(Courtesy of Erika Fasana)

1. How did you get your start in gymnastics and how old were you?

I started gymnastics when I was 4. My mum decided to take me in a gym because I was very lively.

2. When you were growing up, what gymnast(s) did you look up to?

My favorite gymnast is Shawn Johnson, but the gymnast that inspires me most is my teammate Vanessa Ferrari. She always trains very hard and she never gives up!

3. What was the best advice you were ever given?
Always try my best and I can do it! 

4. What keeps you motivated through tough days in the gym or in competitions?
I'm very focused on my goals which are the test event in January in London and, of course the Olympics.

5. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
 My biggest accomplishments are the medals that I won at the Europeans in Birmingham and at the EYOF in Turkey.

6. What are some of your specific goals for 2012? 
My 2012 goals are the test event, the Italian Nationals and hopefully the Olympics.

7. Are there any upgrades that your working on that you are willing to share?
 I'm working on some new skills on beam and on floor.

8. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I love to surf the net (facebook, twitter), and go out with friends!

9. What was the hardest skill for you to learn?
Every single skill on uneven bars, I'm a bit afraid of!!!

10. What would you like to do when you are done with gymnastics?
I haven't really thought about that... but I have time to think too!

(Courtesy of Erika Fasana)

                               

Watch Erika in action at the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festival

Watch this impressive beam routine from training (Reminds us of Ally Raisman!)

Good Luck to Erika in 2012!!!!

Interview With Madison Kocian

Q: You didn't compete at Classics or Visas this summer and there were rumors that you were competing level 10, is that true?

A: No, I'm still elite! My next meet will be the WOGA Classic.

Q: Who are your coaches?

A: I have two coaches- Laurent Landi and Natasha Boyarskaya.

Q: Are you training any new skills for the upcoming season?

A: Yes, I'm training a few new skills on bars.


Q: What's a typical day like for you?

A: During the school year I train in the morning from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Then I go to school from 12:30pm till 3:00pm and come back to the gym from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I like to swim and hang out with my friends when I'm not in the gym.

Q: Do you have a favorite leotard from any previous competitions you've been to?

A: I don't really have a favorite leo! 

Q: Out of all the country's you've traveled to, what has been your favorite so far?

A: Italy! I went there for 12 days during spring break for the Jesolo meet and I had so much fun!

Q:  What is your favorite event?

A: Bars! It's also my best event, If you couldn't tell that already!

Q: What's it like training along side Nastia Liukin, and how is her training going?

A: It's wonderful training with Nastia! She is a great, hard worker and very inspirational. Her training is going wonderful!

Q: What are your goals for the future?

A: Just to train hard and get ready for this season!

(Photo from Madison Kocians Offical Website)

Former Elite Gymnasts....Where'd They Go?

Shantessa Pama

Junior Elite from 2003-2006

Age Now: 20

Shantessa sat out the 2007 season due to injuries. She dropped back down to level 10 in 2008. Her plan was to compete at the level 10 states, regional's, and nationals. Then she wanted to try and qualify to elite again her senior year of highschool. Shantessa failed to qualify to the J.O. Nationals and decided to stay level 10 and train for college. She wanted to compete for UCLA, Georgia, or Standford. There were rumors of Marta Karolyi not liking her because she had boyfriends and did things she didn't like. Marta stopped inviting Shantessa to training camps. In an early 2007 interview, Shantessa said Marta was disappointed in her decisions. She decided to quit gymnastics to be a normal teenager... or so everyone thought. Although Shantessa never competed again, she continued to train up until 2010 when she officially quit. She later enrolled at a community college and starting coaching at Gym Max. During the summer of 2011, Shantessa mentioned making a comeback in the gym, but it never happened.

Then:

Now:

Bianca Flohr

Junior Elite from 2003- 2006

Senior Elite in 2007

Age Now: 20

Bianca missed the summer of 2007 because of a back injury. She dropped down to level 10 in 2008 to train for college. She received a full scholarship to the University of Michigan, but it was taken away after she failed to recover after a few years of being injured. She decided to retire in 2009. She now goes to Kent State, but she is not on the gymnastics team. 

Then:

Now:

Jenna Rachels

Junior Elite in 2007

Age Now: 17

In late 2008 Jenna qualified to the US Classic, but had to withdraw due to injury. She dropped to level 10 in 2009 and had knee surgery in April. She is currently a level 10 a Gwinnetts Gymnastics and an 11th grader at Union Grove Highschool where she is a varsity cheerleader.

Then:

Now:

Kamerin Moore

Junior Elite 2007-2009

Age Now: 16

After competing in a few international meets in early 2009, Kamerin had to have shoulder surgery. While on the road to recovery she also had hip surgery in the beginning of 2010. (A non gymnastics related injury) After a rocky 2 year road to recovery Kamerin decided to retire from elite and focus on level 10 and earning a college scholarship. She is now attending public school as an 11th grader after being homeschooled her whole life. Kamerin watched her teammate Jordyn Wieber win the 2011 National Championships and later tweeted this: "Realized this weekend that I'd given up on the dream I've had since I was 6. I'm ready to work for it again. I want it more than anything <3" She later confirmed on her formspring that she was training to qualify to elite this year, but changed her mind and decided to stay at level 10. Just recently Kamerin verbally committed to the University of Nebraska.

Then:

Now:

Petra Matthies

Junior Elite 2006-2007

Age Now: 18

Petra competed in 1 meet as an elite in early 2007. She competed as a junior pre elite in 2008. She suffered from no injury's during her gymnastics career, it is said that she just burnt out. She graduated from Highschool in 2011 and is currently coaching at Exxcel Gymnastics.

Then:

Now:

Madison Turchin

Junior Elite in 2006

Age Now: 17

Madison placed 23rd all around at her first and only meet as an elite gymnast, the 2006 National Championsips. She retired shortly after to become captain of a highly competitive and well know cheer team, the Orlando All Stars. (The 2011 UDA National Champions)

Then:

Now:

(First one on the right in the front row)

Gabrielle Swart

Junior Elite 2006-2007

Age Now: 19

Gabrielle dropped down to level 10 in 2008 after switching to Brestyans Gymnastics. She attempted to qualify to senior elite in 2010 but just missed the cut. She committed to LSU but transferred to Maryland after the fall semester.

Then:

Now:

Click here to read part 2!

And here for part 3!