All American Invite - Hartland, MI
3-27-10:  Hartland Gymnastics Academy played host to the All American Invite this past weekend.  This Invitational/State Qualifier was attended by Lady Flames levels 4-7.  The level 4 team captured the 1st place session award, as did the level 5 and level 7 teams.
     The Level 4 Ladies were headlined by Larissa Bowles' 37.925, with supporting performances by Annabelle ONeil (37.250), Julia Jones (36.950), Cassidy Daugherty (36.900) and a trio of 36+ All Arounds by Robbel, Tomlanovich and Scheffler.  The Level 5 Team was spotlighted by Kendall Leverenz' 36.975, Daijah Medrano's 36.775 and Mekenna McLean's 36.075.  The Level 6 girls had a rough team performance making Sophie Jackson's 37.075 shine that much brighter.  The Level 7 ladies received top-billing on the podium with quadruple 37+ all around performances from Sam Smith, Rita Koenigbauer, Brooke Konik and Mackenzie Shell.  Great team effort prior and during the meet was recognized at the end.  Keep it up ladies!
    

STATES Levels 8, 9, 10 - Grand Ledge, MI
3-20-10:  The yearly run to Nationals began this past weekend in Grand Ledge, MI, as Gedderts' Twistars played host to the Levels 8, 9, 10 State Championships.  The two Lady Flames level 10's each completed the first step towards the big dance with Jessica Leadbetter's 35.925 and Amanda Stepp's 36.475.  Senior Leadbetter managed a 5th on Beam and a 6th place medal on Floor.  Stepp captured Michigan's Level 10 Junior B Vaulting Gold Medal with a 9.7.  She also placed 4th on Floor and 5th in the All Around.
     Level 9's Delina Phillips and Samantha Pennazoli also qualified for the Regional stage with solid performances of 36.850 and 36.350, respectively.  Phillips tied for 1st on the Vault 9.675, placed 5th on Floor, and brought home the bronze medal in the All Around.  Pennazoli landed a 4th place on bars, a surprising 2nd place Beam routine, and a solid 4th place All Around finish.
     The Level 8 girls nailed a couple untimely injury/sickness petitions to manage a chance at Regionals.  Earlier in the week Holderby suffered a mild concussion during a miss on the beam (Tsuk timers in the middle of a beam series do NOT work).  Karadjoff picked a less-than-perfect weekend to spike a fever.  This left Breanna Goggin (coming off a broken ankle) to go it alone in front of the judges.  Goggin made a valiant effort which was just enough to squeak out the minimum qualifying score of 34.500.


    

Motown Madness - Auburn Hills, MI
3-7-10:  GTC Classics played host to the Motown Madness held at Oakland University in Auburn Hills, MI.  Three full days of gymnastics competition.  Each level from the Lady Flames participated.  Here are some of the details:

Level 4 Team placed 1st, led by Larissa Bowles (37.650).  Larry had a great meet and stuck out like a sore thumb!
Level 5 Team placed 1st, led by Kendall Leverenz (36.675).  Kendall had a rebound meet after taking "leave" of herself for a couple weeks.
Level 6 Team placed 3rd.  Down a man doesn't help placement matters... unless it's helping you in the wrong direction.  Time to "cowboy up!"
Level 7 Team placed 1st, led by Rita Koenigbauer (36.650).  Rita led a solid roster of proven winners to victory - not that she wanted to lead, it just happened that way.

The level 8's had the privilege of breaking in a couple of rookies as Level 7's Alyssa Keller and Sam Smith got to "play 8" for a day.  Sam rocked out a 9.3 tucked tsuk, while Alyssa performed a 9.275 balancing act.  Their impact was immediately felt by the team score, which landed the typically frail L8 score into the 4th place spot.

The level 9 news is Jessica Leverenz' 1st meet of the season, attempting to qualify for States.  She squeaked in by a quarter of a tenth.  Her first L9 season has been plagued by an arm injury which is taking its time to recover.

Amanda Stepp finally made her bar routine!  That's right... made!  Her most glorious dream has been achieved!  She can now die happy - just not during training.  Finally a respectable all around (36.775).