EASTERN NATIONALS Level 9  -  Kissimmee, FL
5-12-07:  With nothing to lose, Jessica Leadbetter, 15, traveled to Kissimmee, Florida, for the experience of a lifetime - to compete at USA Gymnastics Level 9 Nationals.
Jessica, who has been working on getting to Nationals for the past 3 years, finally scored well enough at Regionals to earn herself a spot.  Only the top 17 in her age group qualified to compete at Nationals.  Unfortunately her overall score (35.175) was not her best, but she definitely learned some lessons and gained some experience for next year.  Leadbetter said, “It was worth the hard work.”  Her first trip to Nationals will be something that she will always remember.  Her coaches are very proud of her and hope that next year will bring even more success.  Great Job Jessica!


 

STATES Levels 5  - Harper Creek H.S. - Battle Creek, MI
5-6-07:  The 2007 Level 5 State Championships, conducted under the new 3-tier format, were very competitive. This new format separated all of Michigan’s (487) Level 5 gymnasts into three different divisions based on accomplishments at the previous qualifying meets. The evenly divided “thirds” were entitled the U.S., American and National Divisions. The lower third (U.S. Div.) started off the Championships on Saturday. The Lady Flames did not qualify any competitors into the U.S. Division.
     The middle third (American Div.) saw 4 of 13 Lady Flames participate. These four athletes represented their club well as they accomplished a 108.025 team score (13th of 28 teams) along with 3 individual event State Champs (Katie Bielecki–vault, Emily Graham-vault & bars). “Aside from these accolades, watching Micayla Meyers get 3 medals, and Megan Lynch receive her very first 9.0 on the vault were highlights for me,” states coach Joe Scheible.
     Sunday evening finished off the Championships with the “cream of the crop” competitors – the National Division. The majority of the Lady Flames (9 of 13) sprouted in this division. “An extremely tough group of athletes to compete against,” states an emphatic Scheible, “everyone was exceptional on every event.” This “exception”ality was no exception when it came to the Flames. “Our Nationals were prepared and fired-up to demonstrate their best at their biggest meet.” No Lady Flames member demonstrated her best better than Katie Karadjoff. Besides dominating her age group, Karadjoff’s 38.200 All-Around performance was the 2nd highest score awarded to the 487 athletes who participated in the 3-Division Championship event. Of the 18 teams participating in the National Division, Karadjoff’s stellar performance help lead her team to the Bronze Medal (3rd Place) finish.

Individual Accomplishments
National Division:
Katie Karadjoff (2nd Vault / 1st Bars, Beam, FX, A.A.)
Jessica Konik (1st Vault / 3rd A.A.)
Abby Godwin (1st Vault)
Katie Kennedy (1st Bars)
Brooke Konik (2nd Vault)
American Division:
Emily Graham (1st Vault / 1st Bars)
Katie Bielecki (1st Vault)

Go Flames!