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

2008

Jan

2007

Jan

Crowder Cup  -  GTC - Rochester, MI
1-26-08:  The Fire Squad had a great outing this past weekend at the Crowder Cup hosted by G.T.C. in Rochester, MI. Robert Blandino (L5) had a near-flawless high bar routine, scoring a 9.3, and taking 1st place. He had a solid meet and ended up 2nd in the all-around. Hunter Davidson also had a good meet. Davidson scored a 9.25 on vault, earning him a top-ten placement. The Level 4 boys had a much improved showing this time around. Most of the level 4 all-arounds showed improvement from their prior competition. Noah Camm finished in 4th place (A.A.) and was excited to do so well. Congrats to our young men!

Sand Dollar  -  Disney's Wide World of Sports - Orlando, FL
1-25-08:  While the weather may not have been warm enough to play in the sand, or the price affordable enough to make change for everyone, the Sand Dollar Invitational held in... ahem... sun..ny.. Orlando, Florida was worth the trip.  From a parent's perspective, you probably can't find another area with nearly as much stuff to do with your kids, as Disney World.  From a coach's perspective, this is as good as any I've seen... weather, facilities, competition, equipment, organization.  Now if we can combine the two, without compromising one or the other, then this would be the perfect venue.  Alas, the reality of the Magic Kingdom Syndrome.  Sensory overload detracting from athletic focus is hard to overcome with a group of 10yr olds.  Top that with a healthy scoop of jet-lag (travel time workout redux) and a side order of "un-affordability" for critical performers, and you have enough excuses for poor team performance.
     Excuses aside, the Lady Flames showed some remarkable individual performances enroute to their team finishes.  A long-forgotten stud vaulter re-emerged in an heroic attempt at revitilizing  her Level 8 squad, as Kristen Patchel won vault (9.5) in her first attempt at Tsuking in over a year.  Way to go Kris!  Both of our Level 9's, Jess Leadbetter and Amanda Stepp captured the gold on vault and balance beam.  The Level 4's put forth a valiant effort in trying to overcome the evil emperor Zurg as they buzzed to the silver on vault and floor.  The 5's, unable to match a dominating Splitz Gymnastics performance the night before, had to settle for the 2nd place team award.  The Level 6 girls all but experienced a routine to remember as Amanda Holderby nearly perfected her front handspring vault for the judges (9.95 - slight hop on landing).

A slightly new format for viewing pictures.  Click the thumbnails to the left for a flash-album to popup.  Each level should be represented within the album.

"...but, can she dance" (1.5 mb)

Olympia's Candy Land SQM  -  Shelby Twp, MI
1-19-08:  Not very often is a trip to the dentist requisite to concluding a gymnastics competition.  However, after the sugary-sweet victory that the Lady Flames tasted during Olympia Gymnastics' Candy Land State Qualifier, one may be in order.  The Level 6 girls began their trek to find the lost Candy King on Saturday night.  They easily vaulted over the Gum-drop Mountains and swung through the Candy-cane Forest, all in search of the distraught King.  Their pursuit was nearly cancelled as they lost their balance in the Molasses Swamp.  Thankfully, they found enough resolve to tumble out of the sticky syrup and across the finish line first.
     The Level 5's used a divide-and-conquer performance to surround the fictional confectionary world, as they en-mass, stormed into Candy Land, seized the directionally-challenged patriarch of sweetness (lost king), and assisted his prompt return to his throne.
     Congrats to each of the competitors as they made measurable progress toward their goals, while capturing two 1st Place Team Awards!  Toothbrush anyone???

Twistars' Invitational  -  Lansing, MI
1-13-08:  "Arrrrr... ya maties!  Are ya scrubbin' the poop deck or walkin' the plank?"  All American Flames Fire Squad participated in the Caribbean Pirate Adventure hosted by Gedderts' Twistars at the Summit, in Lansing, Michigan.  The inaugural competition of the season was also the first time 6 out of 9 of the Fire Squad tasted gymnastics competition, so naturally, it was their turn to man the mop handles.  And man-up they did!  Congrats to both the Level 5's and Level 4's for representing the Port city on the high-seas.  Arrrrrrrr!

13th Annual Graffiti Invitational  -  Niagara Falls, NY
1-4-08:  The writing was on the wall this past weekend as the Lady Flames officially kicked off their 2008 competitive season.  An estimated 800+ athletes participated in the 13th annual Graffiti Invitational, hosted by Flips Gymnastics & Sport, held at the Niagara Convention Center in Niagara Falls, NY.  While the powerful torrent of water poured over "the second largest falls on the globe," mere steps from the competitors, the firestorm raged within the Convention Center.
     Overwhelming individual performances helped the entire Flames girls' squad represent Michigan and Region 5 well in the Empire State.  Each level the Lady Flames participated in brought home the team gold (levels 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9) by a sizeable margin!  Too many great performances to mention them all, without getting carpel-tunnels syndrome:)  With that in mind, the top performers were:  L9-Amanda Stepp, L8-Holly Manter, L6-Katie Karadjoff, L5-Mackenzie Shell, L4-Sophie Jackson.

     Click on the thumbnail pics to the left for a slideshow of each level's performance.  Below is a cute video clip which looks as though gymnastics is secondary to finding the correct answer to a question.

"The Answer" (940 kb)