The Stars of YouTube. The Stars of the Future..

With the 2012 Olympics quickly approaching, we can't help but wonder who's next? Who will be the stars of the next generation? YouTube is one of the few sites that allows you to follow a young gymnasts journey to the elite or college level. We talked with several level 8 and 9 YouTube gymnasts who not only have big talent, but big dreams. Welcome the stars of 2020...

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(Photo belongs to Jackie)

Name: Jacqueline Terpak or Jackie

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/JackieTerpakgym1

Age: 12 (Jacqueline is eligible for 2016!)

Grade: 6th

Gym: Prestige Gymnastics

Level: 9

Age Started Gymnastics: 3 years old

Hours: 20 hours, 5 days a week

Biggest Acomplishment: Learning my front tuck on beam!

Future Goal: Become an elite, earn a college scholarship, and become a athletic trainer

Idol: Courtney Kupets and Alicia Sacramone

Favorite Event: Bars and Beam

Hobbies: Singing, Drawing, shopping and hanging out with friends!

What do you love the most about gymnastics?: Learning new skills and making my coaches happy/proud!

Website: http://www.gymdivas.us/profile_terpak.htm

(All photos belong to Jackie)

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(Photo belongs to Mickayla's family)

Name: Mickayla or Mick

Gym: Prefection Gymnastics School

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mls857

Age: 10

Level: 8, training level 9/10 (HOPES)

Age Started Gymnastics: She took her first class at 15 months because her mom was teaching the class. She started competing when she was 5 years old.

Hours: 29 hours a week

Biggest Accomplishment: Ohio State Level 7 All Around Champion (highest AA of all age groups) & TOPS Diamond Team in 2009.

Future Goal: To have successful seasons each year and eventually to become an elite, and then do college gymnastics. She would love to go to the Olympics or be on a World Team and wants to eventually be a Georgia Gym-Dog.

Idol: Lexie Priessman and Shawn Johnson

Favorite Event: Floor

What do you love the most about gymnastics?: The challenges of gymnastics and the feeling of accomplishing new skills and success.

(Photos belong to Michelle)

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(Photo Credit: Ruth Judson)

Name: Emily Zeng

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/susansutx

Age: 13

Gym: WOGA

Level: I competed level 9 last year, I am now training level 10 after my two elbow surgery's.

Age Started Gymnastics: 5 and a half

Hours: About 20 hours a week.

Biggest Accomplishment: Getting a perfect 10 at Level 7 States.

Future Goal: To compete level 10 at a healthy state.

Idol: Carly Patterson

Favorite Event: Bars

What do you love most about gymnastics?: I love that gymnastics has taught me to be tough and self disciplined.

Website: http://www.gymdivas.us/profile_zeng.htm

(Photo Credit: Heather Maynez)

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(Photo belongs to Sage's family)

Name: Sage

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/supergymnastsage

Age: 9
Level: 8
Age Started Gymnastics: 6 and a half
Hours: 20-24 hours a week
Biggest Accomplishment: TOP's National Team Member and 2012 Level 8 State Champion. (Qualified to her states Regional team, which are the top 6 finishers at states)
Future Goal: She wants to be a elite gymnast, score a perfect 10, and be an All American on one of her favorite college teams. The Olympics would be her ultimate dream.
Idol: On bars, Gabby Douglas and Nastia Liukin. On beam, Katelyn Ohashi and Shawn Johnson.
Favorite Event: Beam
What do you love most about gymnastics?: Being brave, especially on beam. Sage likes excitement and adrenaline rushes and since she can't go to amusement parks and ride roller coasters every day, gymnastics is the next biggest adrenaline rush because she gets to throw crazy trick and spin in the air!

(Photos belong to Sage's family)

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(Photo Credit: Cienna's Family)

Name: Cienna

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/shardels?ob=0&feature=results_main

Age: 9

Level: 8

Age Started Gymnastics: 5 years old

Hours: 20 hours a week

Biggest Accomplishment: Making TOP's National Team 3 years in a row! (2009- Diamond Team 2010 & 2011- National A Team)

Future Goal: To become an elite gymnast

Idol: Nastia Liukin

Favorite Event: Uneven Bars

What do you love most about gymnastics?: Cienna loves competing at meets so she can see the results of all her hard work!

(Photos belong to Cienna's family) 

Check out these other future stars!

Norah Flatley (Level 10) http://www.gymnastike.org/video/603236-Chows-Gymnastics-Norah-Flatley-9700

Irina Alexeeva (Level 9) http://www.gymnastike.org/video/623153-WOGA-Irina-Alexeeva-9925

Kyrie (Level 8) http://www.youtube.com/user/flynga

Madison Leistra (Level 8 ) http://www.youtube.com/user/leistrafamily?ob=0&feature=results_main

(Retired due to a severe back injury)

Riley (Level 9) http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperRiley82

*Some last names and gyms have been left out by request

Ashley Lambert-A Second Chance

Just recently, seventeen year old Ashley Lambert from Virginia announced that the University of Nebraska has offered her a full ride scholarship. In May of 2011, Ashley suffered from what she was sure was a career ending injury- she broke her neck while training and would have to sit out from gymnastics for a full year in order to recover.

                    

In August, Ashley verbally committed to LSU, but in November her scholarship was taken away because of her injury. Luckily for Ashley, she has a second shot at the sport she loves....with the University of Nebraska. This is what courage, hard work, and determination looks like. Any other gymnast with an injury this severe would have most likely called it quits. Ashley Lambert sends a strong message all around the world to never give up.

(Photo Credit: Lloyd Smith)

Triple Twist: After your injury, did you ever consider calling it quits?

Ashley: When I first broke my neck, I definitely called it quits right then and there. My doctors where telling me that 80% of the people who break their C1 are paralyzed from the neck down or die from their respiration being cut off. I broke my C1 in two places and my C6 in one place. So I thought it was best for me to stop at that moment because I was really scared to do ANYTHING!

Triple Twist: What was it like being out of the gym for so long and was it hard to get back into shape?

Ashley: It was kind of depressing being away from all my gym girls. I did visit the gym a couple of times because I needed to see them. I was exiled in my house for a while, so I didn't get to see any of my friends really. But I'm pretty much an all american athlete, so getting back in shape wasn't much of a problem for me!

Triple Twist: How happy were you when you realized you could still do gymnastics...and at the level that you are doing it? 

Ashley: I was super happy that I was able to do gymnastics again. When I first broke my neck, the doctors were telling me I may never be able to to do gymnastics again, but I healed up and just went for it. I'm so amazed that I was able to get back to the level I was at when I left, because not many people can become as good as they were, but I did. 

Triple Twist: What are you looking forward to most with college gymnastics?

Ashley: I'm definitely looking forward to the college experience. All the girls that graduated come back from their breaks and vacations and tell us how much fun college gymnastics is and how its worth all the crazy training hours now. So I'm very excited.

Triple Twist: Describe the moment when you found out Nebraska was offering you a full scholarship. 

Ashley: When my coach told me, I instantly got super excited! I didn't know if any colleges were going to recruit me because of how bad my injury actually was. But Nebraska is willing to take chances and I'm so thankful for that.

Triple Twist: What advice would you give to a young gymnast who is dealing with an injury? 

Ashley: Just keep your head up and keep on following your dreams and goals. I've put in 11 years of hard work for a full scholarship to a school and I'm not letting anything get in my way. So for a gymnast dealing with a serious injury, just keep your head up because its not the end...

(Photo Credit: The Lambert Family)

                 
   Check out Ashley at her most recent meet! She is slowly but surely getting her old self back!

Click here to view Ashley's website!

Thank you Ashley, we wish you all the best!

Quick Thoughts on the 2012 Pacific Rim

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics) 

Jordyn Wieber took the title as expected. This was by far her best senior international meet all around! Her routines were a lot cleaner than they were at the American Cup and she did a better job with her connections on beam and floor.  This is the Jordyn Wieber we all know, a consistent and fierce competitor.  We can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Kyla Ross made her senior debut and in a big way! She placed 2nd to Jordyn with only a few bobbles. Her amanar was super high, clean, and powerful...which caused her to almost land off the podium. On bars, she competed her new transition, a shaposh half. She also showed off a new floor routine with Phantom of the Opera music. The nice thing about Kyla is her lines, she's so beautiful to watch and she is so consistent. 

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Katelyn Ohashi won the all around in the junior division. She did what looked like the best beam routine of her life scoring a 15.850 which helped her secure a strong 60.000 for the entire night. If she was competing in the senior division, she would have bested Kyla Ross for 2nd! I loved the way all the other girls would gather around the chalk bucket and watch her routine in training. Everyone was so amazed by her, and I thought that was cute! 

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Gabby Douglas didn't perform as everyone expected. She botched her amanar, really only doing a double twist and fell to her knees. However she was beautiful on bars, performing sky high release skills. On beam, she fell on her switch ring and even had to count a fall when she fell down onto the beam. She supposedly tweaked her ankle on vault and decided not to compete on floor to prevent any injuries from happening.  

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Amelia Hundley placed 3rd, although she did not get to accept her medal due to the 2 per country rule. But she was all smiles as usual! She did a great job and handled the pressure well, for it only being her 2nd International Competition!

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Lexie Priessman who placed 2nd all around, had a great meet. She is super powerful and showed great tumbling on floor! Her form can be a little bit sloppy at times, but overall she is a pleasure to watch!

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

It was refreshing to see some new faces on our TV screens. We got to see some of the adorable girls from the New Zealand gymnastics team. (Who wore the overly popular zig zag leotard that many US girls have wore. See our repeat offenders post!) They brought with them, a very young team but they were a joy to watch! The kids on that team have alot of potential!

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

China sent a team of unknown (with the exception of Tan Sixin), but adorable young girls. They went on to place 2nd in the team final. 

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics) 

Way to go team USA! Congratulations to everyone!

Also, our prayers go out to Australia's Georgia Simpson, who injured her ankle on floor during her first pass. We wish you a speedy recovery!

11 juniors to watch for in 2016

With so much young talent rising in the USA every year, the next quadrennium could easily be one of the bests yet! We take a look at some juniors athletes who names you may want to remember!


1. Katelyn Ohashi

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

This tiny 14 year old has already put her name on the gymnastics radar! She has accomplished many things at such a young age, including her win at the 2011 Junior National Championships last August. It's a shame she won't turn senior until 2013! She has all the big tricks, including a back handspring, back handspring, full twist on beam where she has an incredible 17.0 start value (which tops World Champion Sui Lu by four tenths of a point!) Katelyn is truly an All Around gymnast and she exudes confidence in every meet she competes in.  Katelyn will certainly be one to watch in the upcoming years!

2. Lexie Priessman

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Lexie Priessman is another name you may want to familiarize yourself with. She is 15 years old and full of power. She is one of the few junior gymnasts that competes an amanar on vault. She also has some big tumbling passes on floor including a double double and a tucked full in. Lexie is another one of those girls we won't see on the senior stage until 2013, but she has already started to make a name for herself by placing 1st at the 2010 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup and 4th All Around at the 2011 Junior National Championships!

3. Madison Kocian

(Photo Credit: RWS Photography)

Madison decided to take a break from elite gymnastics in early 2011, but she is back in the game recently placing 2nd All Around at the 2012 WOGA Classic. She is great on all 4 events but truly shines on beam and bars where she has a 16.0 start value. She trains at WOGA Gymnastics where the past 2 Olympic Champions have trained, perhaps Madison will have a similar future? 

4. Amelia Hundley

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Amelia is one of those girls that when you watch her, you can't help but love her! She has lots of energy and a great smile. Not to mention she's a great dancer and really gets into her choreography which is not something we usually see in elite gymnastics. Amelia placed 2nd All Around at the 2011 Supergirl Cup and took 5th All Around at the junior national championships and qualified to the 2011-2012 Junior National Team. She has been upgrading tremendously through out the years and will defiantly be a contender in the future.  

5. Lizzy Leduc

(Photo Credit: Heather Maynez)

Many of us have watched Lizzy progress over the years on her parent's youtube channel.  It's hard to believe she has already come this far! Lizzy is known for her adorable smile and friendly personality, but she is also a star on the gymnastics scene. Beam is her best event where she can score up to a 16.3. With a few upgrades, Lizzy can easily make herself apart of the future of USA Gymnastics! 

6. Polina Shchennikova

(Photo Credit: Polina Shchennikova) 

Polina is like Nastia's mini me! Both blonde, graceful, photogenic, born in Russia, and coached by a parent. Not to mention, Polina placed 2nd all around at the 2012 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup. She has improved a lot from last year and is proving herself to be a contender for the future. 

7. Simone Biles 

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Simone may be tiny but she is a powerhouse! She currently has a 15.8 start value on beam and a 15.4 on floor, but is continuing to improve. She recently started competing an amanar on vault and many people think she is capable of a triple twisting yurchenko. Only time can tell! 

8. Nica Hults

(Photo Credit: Scott Hults) 

Nica is another one of those girls that grabbed everyones attention as we watched her training progress over the years on her parent's youtube channel. Beam is her best event, where she has a 15.9 start value. She won the beam title at the 2011 Covergirl Classic and placed 5th on beam at the Visa Championships. She only turned elite last year, but she is proving to be a key player for the future.

9. Bailie Key

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Bailie became a favorite this year after her performance at the Visa Championships where she placed 9th All Around and made the Junior US National Team.  Although she may not have all the difficulty yet, remember she is only 12 years old! (Will be 13 on March 16th!) Bailie trains with many other talented young gymnasts at Texas Dreams under Kim Zmeskal Burdette.

10. Madison Desch

(Photo Credit: Chalk Bowl)

Maddie caught our eye at the 2010 Covergirl Classic. She is tiny, graceful, and has been improving tremendously in the past year. She placed 5th on Floor at the 2011 VISA Championships and qualified onto the National Team. Maddie trains at GAGE with coach Al Fong and rest assured he is working with her on upgrading her routines! Only time will tell how far she will go!

11. Nia Dennis 

(Photo Credit: Greg Long)

Nia really caught our attention at the 2012 Nastia Liukin Cup! She has amazing lines, lots of power, and overall she is a super clean gymnast. She placed 5th all around at the Nastia Cup and won the all around title plus every event final at the Buckeye Classic. (The meet that qualified her to the Nastia Cup) Nia is a great bar worker, although she is truly an all around gymnast!

Ashlee's Gymnastics Autograph Collection

Click here to view some tips on how to successfully start your own collection! 

*Some of the photos/letters have personal information on them so I put a black box over it. Also I included the names underneath some of the pictures that may be hard to read!

 

                                                              (Shannon Miller)

(Kim Zmeskal) 

(Phoebe Pummarachi)

(Elizabeth Price)

(Kayla Hoffman)

(Alysse Ishino) 

(Reema Zakharia)

(Laurie Hernandez)

(The 2013 team)

(Liang Chow)

(Sam Ogden)

(Grace Quinn)

(Mackenzie Barile)

(Stacey Ervin and Sam Mikulak)

2014 Classics

Mckayla Maroney

Mykayla Skinner

Michigan Calander

Michigan poster