Information regarding All American Flames Gymnastix Teams,
The Lady Flames and Men's Fire Squad.

2008

Jan

2007

Jan

REGIONALS Levels 8  - Indy Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN
4-28-07:  Over 500 of the best Level 8 gymnasts from our 5-state region competed this weekend in the "Level 8 Olympics." This regional contest is USAG's pinnacle competition for this optional level.  These 500+ athletes were split into 10 separate age-divisions for this competition.  Each separate division was broken down into State Teams (Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky) with each State Team represented by their top 7 athletes, as determined earlier by each state's individual State Championship Meet.  The State Teams and other regional qualifiers squared-off to determine individual accolades as well as bragging rights for the best state in the region.  Michigan, led by dominating performances in the Jr. divisions, exacted the victory, with both Illinois and Ohio coming in a very close second. 
     The Lady Flames were privileged to send 8 of 9 qualifiers to help Team Michigan secure this win.  Of those 8 gymnasts, Delina Phillips (Jr C) and Courtney Paeth (Jr D) were crowned Regional Champions.  Phillips (Regional Floor Champion)  brought home the gold medal in the Floor Exercise and the bronze (tie) on the Vault.  Paeth led Team Michigan to victory in the Jr D. division with a silver medal (2nd) vaulting performance (9.60) and a gold medal (37.600) all-around, crowning her the overall (4-events) Regional Champion.

Go Flames!  Go Michigan!
 

STATES Levels 6  - Bay City Western H.S. - Auburn, MI
4-22-07:  The Lady Flames Level 6's finished their 2007 competitive season in Auburn, MI.  Focused individual preparation led to inspired individual performances as each gymnast played their important role, perfectly!
     The Banner - an often untouchable, unreachable trophy, unattainable by most and only awarded to the top 3 teams in the state. This fragile accomplishment often hinges upon such minor errors as a missed landing, bend at the elbow, or even a flexed foot. While each year 30+ teams long for a shot at owning one, they are only awarded to the most diligent.
Diligent, "characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort," is the perfect term to describe the Lady Flames Level 6 Team. The challenge was issued - reward yourself for all your hard work. The goal - to bring home one of the three State Championship banners. This goal could only be met through attention to details, grueling workouts and often pounding frustration.
Distractions lurked around every corner, vying for the competitors' attention, and longing to consume the simple hope of accomplishment these girls were planting, even before the seed had a chance to sprout.  But when the final routine was finished, and the initial applause subsided, the conclusion pointed the 3rd Place Banner in their direction!

Individual Accomplishments:
Holly Manter (37.750) – 1st Vlt / 2nd Brs / 1st Bm / 1st A.A.
Jessica Leverenz (37.375) – 2nd Vlt / 3rd Bm / 3rd FX / 2nd A.A.
Kali Perry (37.175) – 1st Vlt / 3rd Brs / 2nd FX / 3rd A.A.
Breanna Goggin (36.875) – 1st A.A.
Abbi Meldrum (36.750) – 1st Vault / 2nd Brs / 2nd A.A.
Ashley Bennett (36.725) – 3rd Vlt / 3rd Bm
Kendra Easton (36.000) – 2nd Vault
Cortney Kelley – 9.00 Vault

Keep the fire burning Ladies.
Go Flames!
 

STATES Level 4  - Bay City Western H.S. - Auburn, MI
4-21-07:  The Level 4 Ladies participated in this year's State Championship competition hosted by Mid-Michigan Gymnastics at Bay City Western H.S. in Auburn, MI.  This 2007 conclusion ended in similar fashion to how the season started - great effort and great accomplishments.  Level 4 has been considered a non-competitive level, in Michigan, for the past few years.  As such, individual and team placements are not awarded at many competitions, including States.  Individuals do, however, receive recognition for their All Around performances.  The Lady Flames team score of 114.400 unofficially appears to be one of the top team scores accomplished at this 4-session performance.  Great work girls!

Keep the fire burning Ladies.
Go Flames!
 

Level 9 Regionals - Northwood University - Midland, MI
4-21-07:  Jessica Leadbetter and Amanda Stepp, All American Flames Level 9 gymnasts, competed in the 5-state Regional Competition held at Northwood University, in Midland, MI.  Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan all were represented, with only the top placements receiving the nod towards Nationals held in Kissimmee, FL.  While Stepp narrowly missed this years trip, Leadbetter, 15, earned her very 1st visit to the Level 9 "Olympics" after barely missing it, herself, a year ago.  "Only those close enough to her will recognize just how hard Jessica worked to overcome her personal disappointment from last year," states one of Leadbetter's coaches, "I've never seen someone so dedicated at accomplishing such a specific goal over such a long period of time."  Not only did Leadbetter hit her mark of the 2007 Nationals, she did it while capturing the gold medal on the Floor Exercise in her age division (Sr. A).

Go Flames!
 

Level 5 SQM - Mill's Gymnastics USA - Southgate, MI
4-14-07:  The Level 5 squad of Lady Flames participated in this year's largest L5 State Qualifier held at Mill's Gymnastics USA in Southgate, MI.  A total of 33 Michigan teams clamored to qualify to their State Championships throughout the course of this 6 Session Level 5 event.  With L5 States only 3 weeks away, and the new Championship format making its debut, this final State Qualifier was likely to be the last time that each individual team would compete as an entire squad representing their home club**.  The Lady Flames lit up their session with a 1st place team score of 112.100 - securing the 1st place session award.  At the conclusion of the 6-session qualifier the Lady Flames discovered that a 2nd place overall finish (out of 33 teams) was their unofficial reward.  Great work girls! MEET SCORES

**The new Championship format will separate Michigan's Level 5's into 3 different divisions by SQM All Around scores.  Each of these divisions will have an opportunity to bring home team gold to their respective club - in essence, 3 separate Level 5 State Championships.  The previous format broke L5 into 2 divisions.

Keep the fire burning Ladies.
Go Flames!
 

STATES Levels 8-9  - M.A.G - Westland, MI
4-1-07:  The first of April was no place for the foolish, as the Lady Flames optional gymnasts competed in the 2007 State Championships at their respective levels.  Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Westland, MI, played host to some incredibly talented gymnasts from across the state, all vying for Team Gold, Individual Gold and a trip to Regionals.
     The Level 8 "Ladies" just missed team medal (banner) contention by placing 4th out of 25 teams.  Thoughts of what could've been were tapered, however, with realizations that were.  Such realizations as Individual Medal (Top 3) Placement and Regional Qualifying.  "This has been the most successful Level 8 season that I have ever been involved with," states Joe Scheible, Lady Flames coach.  "Each girl who was able to compete, qualified to the Region 5 Championships," the final stage of competition for Level 8's and the next step toward Nationals for both Levels 9 & 10.  "We only had one girl not make it, due to an injury suffered 3-weeks prior."  Individually 9 out of 11 Lady Flames optionals medaled (Top 3) on at least one event.  The other two still received individual awards and a trip to Regionals.

Individual Accomplishments:
Courtney Paeth (37.850) – 1st Vault / 3rd Bars / 3rd A.A. / Reg. Qual.
Delina Phillips (37.050) – 1st Vault / 1st Floor / Reg. Qual.
Grace Wypasek (36.900) – 2nd Vault / 2nd Floor / 2nd A.A. / Reg. Qual.
Kristen Patchel (36.600) – 3rd Bars / Reg. Qual.
Sarah May (36.425) – 1st Vault / Reg. Qual.
Chelsea Todd (36.000) – 3rd Floor / Reg. Qual.
Lauren Allen – 2nd Vault / Reg. Qual.
Madison Hamilton – Reg. Qual.
Kathleen Duemling – Reg. Qual.

Jessica Leadbetter (L9) – 3rd Bars / Reg. Qual.
Amanda Stepp (L9) – 3rd Beam / Reg. Qual.

Next stop... Regionals
(Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky)
L8 - Indianapolis, IN
L9 - Midland, MI

Keep the fire burning Ladies.
Go Flames.. Go Michigan!