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

2008

Jan

2007

Jan

STATES - Boys -  Hartland, MI
3-29-08:  The All American Flames Fire Squad had an impressive State Meet outing at the Bounce House in Hartland, Michigan. For the first time all season the Level 4 boys all made their chin up pullover with no help and also all scored mid nines on vault. Noah Camm was the bright spot this meet with one of his best meets ever. He had all mid 8 and 9’s for scores with an impressive 52.75 all around which earned him a fantastic 6th all around. Other highlights from the level 4 team were 9.5 from Abraham Davidson on vault, Aaron Honeman grabbed a well deserved 8th place on pommel, Noah Laskowski pulled off a fantastic feat by doing his first ever chin up pullover in competition. I could hear the other boy’s excitement when he made it and it was such a great feeling as coach to hear the team acting like a team and being excited for others. Jack Wettlaufer stuck his vault and was awarded a 9.5 which was good for 7th place. Keegan McAfee who is always in a positive mood had a great meet. He scored a 6.6 on pommel horse and that may seem low but it earned him a 7th all around. That pommel routine was a big step in pommel horse for Keegan.
     The level 5’s were just as successful. Hunter Davidson finally made his handspring on floor without falling and the parents were exuberated. Hunter was also 6th on Vault with a 9.6 and tenth on the High Bar with an 8.3. Robert Blandino and Kevin Thompson were head to head for the whole meet and did great. Great routines, great form, great attitudes and very encouraging to each other. Kevin was 2nd on Parallel bars with an 8.9 and 2nd on High Bar with a 9.3. Robert was 2nd on Still Rings with a 9.05 third on Parallel Bar with an 8.85 and was no lower than 7th on any other event that day. Kevin’s All Around score was a 52.85 for 5th place and Roberts was a 53.1 which is a difference of only .25 and that earned him 4th place honors.
 

Dream Big Invite  -  Kalamazoo, MI
3-30-08:  The Lady Flames compulsory gymnasts wiped the sleep from their eyes just in time to participate in their final competition prior to states.  The Dream Big Invitational, hosted by KidSports USA was the last stop along the aspiration highway.  Though brief, as it was, it was in full-color!  The entire spectrum of color washed through the Level 5's fantasyland as they edged-out a slightly undermanned Splitz team, for the 1st place team award.  Led by Samantha Smith's 37.175, the "Fives" are looking good heading into their State Championships.  The Level 6's also played gymnastics with two other teams they will be hoping to top in two weeks at their State Meet.  The Flames "Sixers" woke up with a 1st place trophy in-hand.  Led by Amanda Holderby's 37.125, the girls look to be on-track toward their goals.  The event was highlighted when Katie Kennedy ended her tumbling nightmare by successfully completing her FX routine without any hesitation.
Congrats Ladies!  Congrats Katie!

Who's THAT girl? (756 kb)

Mills Michigan Open  -  Southgate, MI
3-16-08:  The Fire Squad had a great meet at Mills Gymnastics in Southgate, MI.  Noah Camm (L4) was a big surprise when he placed 2nd in the All Around with a 52.000.  Jack Wettlaufer and Keegan McAfee were great on vault with an impressive 9.50 for each of them.  Level 5 Robert Blandino was 3rd (A.A.) while his teammate Kevin Thompson placed 5th.  Blandino also placed 1st on P-Bar (8.9).  The Michigan Open was the biggest boys invitational in Michigan, this season.  All the boys are continuing to improve, and will be ready for the State Championships, held at the Bounce House (Hartland, MI) March 29-30th.  Good job boys!

Wolverine Classic  -  Ann Arbor, MI
3-15-08:  The Optionals' final hunt prior to States took place this past weekend just south of Ann Arbor, MI.  Saline Middle School was the locale for the 2008 Wolverine Classic hosted by Gym America.  The Lady Flames Optionals, loaded for bear, had to settle for those pesky vermin... wolverines.  While they may not supply much meat, they do make cute little fur hats.  That sums up the overall performance of the Lady Flames - not much meat, but some stylish rewards nonetheless.  The 3-girl team of Level 9's performed very well as they took-aim toward Nationals.  Amanda Stepp led the Flames, and nearly brought home the "snow-globe" with her 36.525 A.A., as did Leadbetter with her 36.075.  The Level 8's brought home the 5th place team award, along with some individual placements:  (Wypasek 1st Vault, Patchel 1st Bars, Pennazoli & Phillips 1st FX)  Keep shootin' Ladies.

Luau In Leos  -  Sandusky, OH
3-8-08:  Any normal person from a northern state would think nice thoughts about traveling south during the winter months.  Furthermore, when the destination promises a luau, even us northern folks drop our parkas in lieu of the grass skirts.  So it was with eager anticipation that the Lady Flames saddled-up, and headed for the balmy, southern resort of the Kalahari, in sunny Sandusky, O...HI..Ohhhh!  However, what greeted many of the Lady Flames crossing the southern border, was anything but balmy, as the Blizzard of '08 buried most of central Ohio in upto 2ft of snow.  Couple that with 30mph winds, and you have the makings of an excellent Eskimo Pie... err... pig-roast.
     Regardless of the crazy weather, the Lady Flames brought the heat to the Luau in Leos, hosted by New Heights Athletics.  1300 gymnasts registered for the 3-day event held at the Kalahari Resort.  The Lady Flames levels 4, 5 & 6 each took turns cranking the spit while they roasted the pig - cooking the gym meet (meat) until it was well done.  And well done it was!  1st place for all those involved.
     The Optionals also faired pretty well, but liked their meet (meat) a little more rare... 2nd place suited their tastes.
     Congratulations Ladies on a job well done.  Keep cookin'

Arnold Classic  -  Columbus, OH
3-1-08:  The Fire Squad competed this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio, at the Arnold Fitness Expo.  They had a great meet and many received awards.  Some of the highlights included:  Noah Camm tying for 1st place on the FX.  Robert Blandino placing 2nd in the All Around, missing 1st place by .15.  This was the 3rd meet in-a-row he placed second, and he keeps working hard at the gym to earn the top spot.  All, but one of the Fire Squad, came home with medals.  Each of their All Around scores continue to escalate as the season progresses.  They're right on-track to peak at the State Championships, which takes place March 29, 2008, in Hartland, MI.  This was the best meet for the Fire Squad this season.  Congrats boys!

WildFire Challenge  -  Port Huron, MI
3-1-08:  The Lady Flames played host to 20 teams and nearly 400 athletes from across Michigan at the 2008 WildFire Challenge.  This year's "Challenge" was a State Qualifier for both levels 5 & 6, as well as a fun meet for pre-teams.  The fun, the flames, the fallout... heat exhaustion...?  Well, not really, but it sure was a lot of work :)
     The Fun-Meet Flames consisted of both the Travel & Home Team-ers.  It was a nice opportunity for the Home Team to perform for family and friends - some for the very first time.
     Led by Katie Karadjoff's 2nd place finish (36.750), the Level 6's placed 3rd as a team, falling, once again to Geddert's Twistars (Dimondale, MI) and Splitz Gymnastics (Canton, MI).
     The spirited Level 5 session that the Lady Flames participated in concluded with the largest team score to-date (114.025).  This score is generally good enough for 1st place, unless you're facing off against the Canton team.  Splitz fired-up a 115.275 and took home the gold.
     In conclusion, the 2008 WildFire Challenge featured some excellent young talent, keeping it competitive and exciting! 

Hats-off to each participating team:

AGA Gymnastics -  Flint, Michigan
All American Flames Gymnastix - Port Huron, Mich.
Alpine Gymnastics - Grand Rapids, Mich.
Cassell Gymnastics - Muskegon, Mich.
Geddert's Twistars USA - Dimondale, Mich.
Grand Blanc Gymnastics - Grand Blanc, Mich.
Gymnastics Training Center (GTC) - Roch Hills, Mich.
Huron Physical Arts Center (HPAC) - Port Huron, Mich.
Livonia Gymnastics Academy - Livonia, Mich.
Michigan Academy of Gymnastics - Westland, Mich.
Mid Michigan Gymnastics - Freeland, Mich.
Midland Gymnastics Training Center - Midland, Mich.
Mills Gymnastics USA - Southgate, Mich.
Olympia Gymnastics Academy - Shelby Twp, Mich.
Phenomenal Flips Gymnastics USA - Lansing, Mich.
Phoenix Gymnastics - Fenton, Mich.
Riley's Gymnastics Center - Waterford, Mich.
Southern Michigan Gymnastics - Coldwater, Mich.
Splitz Gymnastics - Canton, Mich.
Sports Club of Novi - Novi, Mich.