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

2008

Jan

2007

Jan

1-28-07:  Gymnast/Pilot: "Welcome aboard Winterfest Flight 809, with non-stop service to Farmington Hills, MI.  Please be advised that we may experience some turbulence prior to reaching our destination." 
The Lady Flames optional teams (8's & 9's) competed at the Winterfest Invitational hosted by Farmington Gymnastics Center in Farmington Hills, MI.  <roger... flight 809, you're cleared for takeoff on runway U.B.1.>  What ended with a 1st place team finish for the level 8's nearly crashed in-flames prior to takeoff.  The first "traditional format" competition of the season brought with it some interesting challenges.  Below-average execution of the uneven bars routines preceded lackluster balance beam performances.  <Flight 809... you're flying too low... pull up... pull up!!!>  The ladies were able to jerk the yoke of the spiraling plane just in time to preserve the flight, and the victory, by waking from their slumber as they began the floor exercise.
Gymnast/Pilot: "...ummm ...that was a close one..."
Though the turbulence was nauseating, Winterfest Flight 809 continued to gain altitude throughout the vaulting apparatus, regaining cruising height and securing a safe return-trip for the first place trophy. 
Gymnast/Pilot: "This concludes Winterfest Flight 809.  We hope you enjoyed your flight!"

~gurgle, gurgle~

Go Flames!
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1-23-07:  This past weekend the Lady Flames boarded Spirit Airlines for a summer-like destination; leaving the icy grip of old man winter (+10F) into the welcoming arms of sunny Orlando, Florida (+80F).  Orlando's most notable gymnastics club, Orlando Metro, played host to the 10th annual Sand Dollar Invitational, held at the Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports Complex.  The Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invite is rumored to be the country's second largest gymnastics competition, boasting approx 2200 competitors from across the country and abroad.
     The Lady Flames' teams stood up well against those in attendance.  Level 8's (5th/27teams - 1st vault), Level 5's (5th/15teams - 1st vault), Level 4's (5th/21teams - 1st vault).  The run of 5th places seemed to be the Lady Flames destiny until their final session of competitors - Level 6.  The 6's captured the silver (2nd place) team award right behind the host club Orlando Metro.
     The Level 9's (Leadbetter/Stepp) also brought home some hardware:
Jessica Leadbetter (Sr. Div) (2nd Br, 3rd Bm, 1st FX)
Amanda Stepp (Jr.B Div) (1st Vlt, 3rd Br,Bm,FX, 2nd AA)

Go Flames!  Go Michigan! Go Region 5!
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1-08-07:  A trip to Niagara Falls met with unusually warm weather as the Lady Flames traveled to the Niagara Falls Conference Center to compete in the 2007 Graffiti Invitational.  The warm weather proved symbolic at the completion of the competition.  Niagara's "2.5 billion gallons of water/hour" could not douse The Lady Flames, who scorched their way to the top in each level where they met the "team" criteria (5+ gymnasts).  Levels 8, 6, 5, and 4 each claimed their respective team championship banner.  The only other level the Lady Flames competed in (L9 - 2 gymnasts) brought home 1st and 3rd place individual all-around awards.  Some amazing individual performances were rewarded with equally amazing results.  Mackenzie Shell (L4) performed two near perfect routines on bars & vault (9.95) and received a searing 39.025 all-around score. 
Three Lady Flames captured a 38+:  Holly Manter (L6), Madison Brosky (L4), and Ciera Weaver (L4).
Ten other Flames received an explosive 37+:  Delina Phillips (L8), Ashley Bennett (L6), Katie Karadjoff (L5), Brooke Konik (L5), Jessica Konik (L5), Colleen Lantz (L4), Bailee McAfee (L4), Anelise Merchant (L4), Lindsay Stoutenburg (L4), and Nicole Wettlaufer (L4).

Go Flames!  Go Michigan! Go Region 5!
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