inside this issue wow! . . . what an incredible usa

Fall/Winter Edition 2008

Inside this issue

Page 2 R5 Chair letter andLetter from John Geddart

Page 3 - 5 State Updates

Page 6 Technical GymnasticsCorner and JudgingUpdates.

Page 7 Elite Update andmessage from USAGymnastics.

Attachment R5 Committee MeetingMinutes

Photo to the right: Olympians Bridget Sloan and Samantha Pezeck at the Region 5Banquet

WOW! . . . WHAT AN INCREDIBLE USA

GYMNASTICS REGION 5 CONGRESS!!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Congress. I hopeyou enjoyed all of the great speakers and fun activities.

I do have to acknowledge the Regional Committee for theirtime, hard work, energy, and enthusiasm throughout theentire Congress. They made the Congress special for YOU!!!

“Party” highlights of the Congress –

Auction entertainment by Hilary Carlson and Kristin Moore

Banquet:

Decorations – Kittia Carpenter and Kristin Moore Master of Ceremonies – John Geddert and Dan Miller Photographer – Bret Norman First Inaugural Region 5 Hall Of Fame – Augusta

Lipsey Olympic Athletes and Coaches

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A BIG Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Inductees

●Amanda Borden ●Cap Caudill ●Leonard Isaacs

●Jaycie Phelps ●Mary Lee Tracy ●Erna Wachtel

Please put on your calendar the 2009 Region 5

Congress. The Congress will be in Schaumburg,

Illinois, September 18 – 20, 2009, at the

Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention

Center. Our goal is to make it even better!!

Please take time to thoroughly review this newsletter and read theminutes from the last Regional Committee. The minutes willanswer a lot of your questions for the season. As always, visit ourweb site at Region-5.com.

Have a safe and successful season. Please feel free to e-mail meat R5Bobbi @aol.com with questions, concerns, and feedback.

Go Region 5!!

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

SEARS CENTRE

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL

The 2008 Region 5 All Star Team traveled to the beautiful country ofCOSTA RICA. The dates of the trip were October 29 through November 4th.Our 30 person delegation included athletes and coaches from 11 differentclubs and our wonderful Regional Judging Director Hilary Carlson.Attending athletes were Hannah Toussaint from Olympic Dreams, NicoleDayton and Caitlyn Ciokajlo from Twistars USA, Michelle Ikoma and KaylanEarls from Arena, Emma Stevenson, Katie Zurales and Stephanie Colbertfrom Phenom, Lindsay Offut from Oakland Gymnastics, Sarah Fiedler fromLibertyville, Taira Neal from Gym Etc., Shanthi Teike and Meredith Magjukafrom Wrights, Chelsea Drooger from Champion USA, Ellen Pitluck andMeaghan Biros from IGI, and Brittani Price from United.

The itinerary for the trip was exciting. First there was a uniqueopportunity for our attending coaches to serve as master clinicians at a 3day training camp featuring athletes from our host club in Costa Rica alongwith invited guests from other local clubs and teams from Panama andGuatemala. The objective of these camps was to help improve theirgymnastics training. This was very enlightening.

Following the training camp we participated in an EXHIBITION designedto highlight our talented athletes and to show top notched gymnasticsability.

After the gymnastics we blended in some cultural experiences, afriendship banquet, shopping, sightseeing, white water rafting, rain forestzip lining, and a catamaran trip to Tortouga Island for some sun and fun.

Does hard work pay off in REGION 5? It certainly does!

Letter from John GeddartR5 JOPC

One of many standing ovations at the banquet

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Illinois INDIVIDUAL EVENT SPECIALIST2008/2009 Event Specialists will use February 1,

2009 as the date to declare their intent to competeat a State Meet.

• The qualifying score will be set at 8.975.• The last date to qualify for Level is to be

consistent with the State Calendar.

2009 AMERICAN CUPCHICAGO, ILLINOISFEBRUARY 21, 2009

SEARS CENTREHOFFMAN ESTATES, IL

There will be many volunteers needed for this pleasekeep your eye on the Illinois website for updates

Preview of 2009-2013 JO CodeEnter coaches only area - link on left

(If you have not signed up yet follow the directions listed)

2009 - 2010 Season Questionnaire

A coach’s questionnaire will be posted online from November 1stto December 1st.

The Committee is soliciting possible questions for the survey,from coaches in Illinois. These questions may be used!

Please submitted to Norbert Bendixen, ([email protected]) byOctober 25, 2008. Thank you

Level 4 North -Level 7 State Meet awarded to Energym,DeKalb, IL

Level 8,9,10 State Meet awarded to Energym, DeKalb, I

Competitive Meet Summary has been update please go to theleft or the illinois website under Rules & Policy.

THE IL-USA GYMNASTICS ADMINISTRATIVE

COMMITTEE AND

USA GYMNASTICS REGION V ADMINISTRATIVE

COMMITTEE

Wish to thank the following companies and individuals fortheir contributions to the 2008 Region V Auction, “Basket

of Goodies”:

• Isabel McPartlin – ISZI STUDIOS www.iszistudios.com

• Stephanie Jones – JOOKT www.jookt.com

• Debra Gano – HEARTLIGHT GIRLS www.heartlightgirls.com

• Tessa – PRE-WRAP www.pre-wrap.com

• GL Hoffman - JOBDIG www.whatwoulddadsay.com

• Laura Silverthorn – MOTHER INK www.motherink.com

• Michelle Michaud www.myparklane.com/mm

• Laurie Gray – TOKENS OF CHANGE www.socraticparenting.com

• Melissa Walker – AUTHOR www.melissacwalker.com

• Cyndee Woolley – VERVE & VEMMA

www.myverve.com/cyndeebiz

• Rik Feeney – AUTHOR www.GymnasticsTrainingTips.com

• HERSHEY – www.hersheys.com

• JIM BEAM – http://www.jimbeam.com/ourbourbon.aspx

• MASTERLOCK www.masterlock.com

And a special thank you to Peter Shankman at

www.helpareporter.com

~Norbert Bendixen~As always have a "Happy Handstand"

President Gym SpotIllinois USA Gymnastics Women's Administrative

Committee ChairmanMeet Director St. Valentines Classic

Illinois at the Regional Congress Banquet where Leonard Isaacs and Irna Wachtel were inducted into the Region 5 Hall of Fame, and Beth & Dan Millerwere awarded the JO Coaches of the year. Athlete of the Year went to Kaylan Earls. We in Illinois would also like to recognize Don and PatriceMcPherson for placing an athlete in the Olympic Trials. We would also like to recognize Mackenzie Caquatto for making it to the Olympic Trials.

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We hope the competitive season has started out wellfor all. I would like to go over a few things that need tobe reminded to make the year run smoothly.

1. Coaches keep your roster updated at igss.org2. DL Hosts- Meet results have to have the

placements used at the meet. If you would liketo have these posted so you don't have to mailthem out. Please send to Geoff at (igss.org)The results should be in a format that has thisinformation. If you are able to send it in a(.pdf) format along with the data base formatthe pdf file can be linked to your meet. If youare unsure how to do this please contact me [email protected] .

3. Prep-Optional information can be found at theregion-5.com web site click on the Indiana linkto this. Each state has slightly differentoptions as to age and other items. The rulespertaining to skills is consistent in each state.

4. The drop back date for all levels is Feb.1st . Ifyou compete in a meet after this date in adifferent level, that is the level you must finishthe season in regardless if you qualify or not.

5. There are no late entry dates for State meetsthe dates listed are when the entries are due.

The season is about to kick into high gear! KY JudgesCup will be held on October 25-26 in Lexington, KYhosted by Legacy Gymnastics Club.We held our annual Coaches and judges clinic at All-American Gymnastics in Lexington, KY. We had over100 Coaches and Judges attend this all day event. Thatevening 27 gymnastics of all ages received a trophy forbeing the highest scorer in the State Meet in each event.Thanks to University of Kentucky and their staff ofcoaches for hosting this great banquet. 127 parents,coaches, judges and guests enjoyed a great meal with lotsof smiles and clapping.KY state committee is trying a new schedule this year.We’re holding a Winter State Meet on December 13-14.The meet will be Hosted by Bardstown GymnasticsBoosters and the Meet director will be Vicki Smith. Themeet will be held at Nelson County High School inBardstown, KY. There will be a Spring State Meet onMarch 28-29th 2009.I want to thank all of the Region 5 people for electing meto the first Region 5 Hall of Fame. What a great honor!Thanks to ALL my former gymnasts and assistantcoaches for helping me attain this level in the sport that Idearly love.Thanks to all the great coaches from KY and Region 5!!

~Ed Gibson~

Indiana State Administrative Chair

~Cap Caudill~

USAG Kentucky Administrative Chair

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USAG-Michigan Annual State Training Clinic & CoachesConference

The Michigan USAG State Committee held the 2008State Training Clinics for Level 4 & Pre-Team onSaturday, October 11, AND a Level 5 & 6 Clinic onSunday, October 12, 2008.

Congratulations to the Committee, Dave Begian fororganizing the clinic, Jim Comiskey for handling thecoaches responsibilities, for Al Scharns for the facilityorganization and food services.

Congratulations to “ALL of the CLINICIANS” for theoutstanding work and information you provided.Thank you to: Jason Bahleda, Cassie Davis, TamiJacobs, Lori Koch, Beckey Burden-Cuddeback, ClaudiaKretschmer, George Young, Augusta Lipsey, TrevaAlofs, Nicole Berands, Lubo Gueraskov, Jim Slavich,Joy Meadows, Ann Walker, Mel Eades, ValarieMailloux, Carylyn Baase, Lexie Cathcart and ShelbyGribeck. This was “TEAMWORK’ at its finest.Congratulations Michigan Coaches!

Congratulations to 2008 USAG-MI State Awardrecipients. This will also be posted on the StateWebsite.

~Douglas Rowe~

Michigan Administrative Chair

~Nina Dent~

Ohio Administrative Chair

Hey everyone! Just a quick update on thehappenings in Ohio ……

By Thanksgiving (hopefully sooner) we will belaunching a newly designed website! We are veryexcited to have a website that will serve a lot ofpurposes and be interactive for coaches, clubs,judges and parents. A huge thanks is extended toEd Gibson who has hooked us up with his “webguy”, Geoff. We look forward to the new site andhope you will too!

Level 4,5,6 Fall State Championship meet isDecember 6-7, 2008 hosted by Ohio GymnasticsInstitute in Austintown , Ohio . Call 330-652-4386for more information. Don’t miss the registrationdeadline or you will be charged $25/athlete!

Ohio Compulsory Clinic – Ohio coaches and judgeswill be hosting a one-day workshop for your Level3-6 athletes on Sunday December 28th at IntegrityGymnastics in Plain City (just north of Columbus ).The details are just now being confirmed. Watchfor emails and the new website to learn more aboutthis event and how to register your athletes.

For those of you who attended the Region 5Congress we thank you…it was a great event!Special thanks to Bobbi Montanari and all theclinicians and staff that made the event what itwas. We hope more of you will join us next year inSchaumburg , Illinois . Mark your calendars now!

Hope you all have a happy and safe season!

Region 5 Women's Technical Gymnastics Corner

by

Char Christensen, Region V RTCC

A special thank you to Bobbi Montanari, our Region V Chair, for her leadership with our Region V Congress thisAugust. It has to be our best ever with great feedback from coaches and judges. Without Bobbi's timetable, e-mails,communication and over all leadership, we would not have had the top level of success that we did. A very specialthank you to Bobbi!

Coaches' attire at State and above competitions has been covered at State, Regional, and National Congresses.Please check your state web site to see if your State Committee has adopted this for your Invitational meets. Itincludes closed toe athletic shoes, pants that are warm-ups or docker style ( no jeans), athletic or tailored shortsthat are a reasonable length, shirts that are collared or business casual or T- shirts with gym logos ( no spaghettistraps, low- cut tops or midriff revealing shirts), and no hats or visors. Thank you for sporting a professional look forour sport!

Specialists: The Region V Committee passed that a specialist needs to score a 9.0 on her event or events to beeligible to go to Regionals. Please read this motion in the Region V Minutes. It is important to know that anindividual specialist may compete amongst the all-around competitors, may be counted in the team score, andwould receive duplicate awards for the event placement. (Rules and Policies -page 35) Please check your Stateweb site for the State criteria for entering your state meet as a specialist. This allows any gymnast to compete in oursport that wants to specialize in 1, 2, or 3 events rather than the all- around for any reason that she and her coachbelieves is best for the athlete.

Prep Optionals- Region V Committee has one set of rules for Region V with 4 levels of competition. It is up to eachstate to determine the age of the athletes that can compete in this program. If an athlete goes to another state withdifferent age groupings, the gymnast must compete with the appropriate age for the host state. Thank you toClaudia Kershner for her leadership with this program and all questions and feedback should be directed to her oryour state Prep Optional representative.

Good luck for a great competitive season and thank you for the many coaches and judges that assisted Region Vwith our highly successful training camps. Region V Rocks

Judging Updates from Hilary Carlson

Just a reminder to all that the Optional score range has changed for our 2008-2009 Season. It is as follows:

9.50 - 10.0 = .20 ◊ 9.0 - 9.475 = .50 ◊ 8.0 - 8.975 = .70 ◊ 7.975 and below = 1.0.

The current range in our JO Code of Points will remain for compulsories and for NCAA's. The reason the JO andWTC Committees made the change is to allow the judges scores to be in range when their start values differ due tothe .50 special requirement which may be different for both judges. If the start values are the same, the judges maywant to conference even if the difference in scores fits the new range which is wider than in the past.

Another reminder to judges and coaches is we can stay up- to -date by ordering the newly printed 2nd Edition ofthe JO Compulsory Programs if you have not updated your current book. You can also go onto the USAG web siteand print out the new pages for the penalties which have been updated also. Lastly, I will be writing an article forafter my return from the Region V International Trip to Costa Rica.

I am looking forward to traveling and seeing the comparisons of gymnastics between our two countries. Thanks forthe opportunity to go on this Region V trip.


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Hello All Region 5 !!

Good Luck to:Jordyn Wieber & Kamrin Moore , they will represent to

USA at the TOP Gym Competition in Charleroi, Belgium(November 28-30)

Cassie Whitcomb and Amanda Jetter will represent USAat the International Artistic Gymnastics Challenge,Woluwe Saint-Lambert, Belgium

(December 13-17)

Congratulations to the 2008 TOP National TeamMembers:

9 yr olds

Nia Dennis (Buckeye)Haven Lanzador (Buckeye)Jenna Swartzentruber (Buckeye)Olivia Ference (MEGA)Mckenzy Kleinholz (CGA)Faith Leary (CGA)

10 yr oldsBrynn Vinicky (Buckeye)Amelia Hundley (CGA)

11 yr oldsLexi Priessman (CGA)

CGA Will be hosting the 2009 Region 5 Pre Elite/TOPTraining Camp. Entry fee is $200. There will beoutstanding and very experience Staff (Tammy Biggs,Mary Lee Tracy, Marvin Sharp, Allison Arnold, amongothers). The dates of the Camp are Monday December28 to Wednesday December 31 (finish by Noon). Formore information about Camp, email:[email protected]

Pre Elite / HOPEs Regional Qualifiers for 2009:

Friday March 13th at CGA

Friday July 10th at CGA (tentative)

Background Check Verification Forms No LongerBeing Issued!

Effective December 1st, 2008 USA Gymnastics will nolonger be providing background check verificationforms to those Professional members who are in apending status for the background check requirement.

Professional members will NOT be released frompending, and therefore no membership benefits will bereleased until the final result of the background checkscreening has been received by USA Gymnastics fromthe National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI).

Mandatory background check screening went intoeffect on December 1st, 2007. The verification formswere implemented to allow Professional members tobecome acclimated with the new membershiprequirement. The verification forms were only issuedto those Professional members who had started thebackground check process, but the final result had notyet been received by USA Gymnastics.

It is vitally important for those Professional memberswho have not yet begun the background check processto start immediately. In addition any new/expired/orlapsed Professional member should begin the processof paying for membership and attaining membershiprequirements (background check and safety/riskmanagement certification) as soon as possible so thatthey will not be prevented from participation at USAGymnastics sanctioned events.

If a current Professional member has not completed thebackground check requirement by December 1st, 2008,meet directors are directed to not allow theseindividuals onto the floor at USA Gymnasticssanctioned events.

Any new Professional member will remain in a pendingstatus and therefore, be ineligible for participation inUSA Gymnastics sanctioned events until the

background check has been fully completed.

Please note the normal processing time required forthe background check is 3 to 4 weeks. Rush processingis not available.

For more information regarding the background checkrequirement please visit the USA Gymnastics website

at: http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/Story.aspx?tabid=496

If you have started the background check and have notyet received the results please contact NCSI at 866-833-7100 to inquire of the status of your background check.

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inside this issue wow! . . . what an incredible usa

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