J.O. Nationals - Seattle, WA
5-16-09:  There is nothing more exciting then bringing your 1st year level 10’s to Nationals.  At the beginning of the season we were hoping to survive level 10, but instead our 2 girls did much more than simply survive.  Jessica Leadbetter was given a spot on the national team competing for region 2 and Amanda Stepp did well enough to go to the NIT meet.  Seattle, Washington was the site of this amazing competition.  Jessica did a great job on Vault, Beam and Floor and had a rough go of it on bars.  Amanda had a fantastic meet hitting all 4 events placing 3rd on vault, 6th on beam and 4th in the all around.  Both girls did great showing off all they had to more that 60 colleges that were there watching.  This was definitely an eye opening meet for coach Melinda, “everyone there was amazing.”  Seattle is beautiful and a great job was done by Auburn Gymnastics.

Level 9 Eastern Nationals - Tupelo, MS
5-9-09:  Level 9 Eastern Championships were held in Tupelo, Mississippi. Besides the "Level 9 Olympics;" Elvis’ birthplace and the best flea market in the country were worthwhile destinations.  Courtney Paeth placed third at Regionals and earned her spot on the Region 5 National Team.  She started out a little rough; having to compete beam 1st and being the 1st competitor.  She did a much better job on floor, placing 7th, and on Vault where she medaled with a 6th place finish.  She ended with her favorite event, bars.  She had a beautiful routine going until the dismount, over rotating her double layout.  She contributed to the Region 5 team score and helped her team place 1st for the team competition.  Great job Courtney at your 1st national competition.

States Level 5 - Kalamazoo, MI
5-16-09:  The State Championships for Level 5 were hosted by KidsSports USA in Kalamzoo, MI.  Level 5 is separated into 3-tiers for these Championships.  The bottom third of the qualifying gymnasts compete in the U.S. Division.  The middle third qualifiers compete in the American Division.  The top third "best of the best" qualifiers compete in the National Division.  Each division is appropriately competitive and very entertaining.  The Lady Flames sent Layla Samman to the U.S. Division; where she brought home a gold medal on vault.  They also sent Sarah Farnsworth (1st FX), Rebecca Miller (2nd Vault), Kendall Leverenz (2nd Bars), Lindsay Stoutenburg (2nd FX) and Daijah Medrano to the American Division.  The American Division representatives finished tied for 8th Place, but received the 9th Place trophy.
     It was the National Division competitors who competed against the "best of the best" at level 5.  The Lady Flames reps Sophie Jackson(1st Vault/FX/AA) , Jessica Jones(3rd Vault/Bars), Colleen Lantz, Bailee McAfee(2nd Beam, 3rd FX/AA), Breezy McEntee, Carly Messina, Savannah O'Neil(2nd Vault, 1st FX, 3rd AA), Sarah Thompson and Nicole Wettlaufer(3rd Bars) held on through the wave of incredible scores to survive with a 3rd Place Team finish.  This surprising finish comes on the heels of their last competition where they finished 2nd in their session, but 7th overall.  Congrats to all the girls in each division as they prepared, and performed, like champions!

States Level 4 - Midland, MI
5-9-09:  The State Championship for Level 4 was held at the Northwood University campus in Midland, MI.  The four-session Level 4 competition featured some fine athletic accomplishments.  The Lady Flames put forth a flametastic effort for the 1st Place Team Award, but fell just short of it to Gedderts' Twistars by a score of 114.100-to-113.950.  The 2nd Place Award followed great performances on all four apparatus.  Many Top-3 Banner-makers will be hoisted to the rafters this summer.  Congratulations to all the girls on your outstanding performances!  You worked very hard, and performed when it counted!  Great season!

States L6/7 - Auburn Hills, MI
5-3-09:  The State Championships for Levels 6-7 were held at Oakland University in Auburn Hills, MI.  Two Lady Flames competed in the Level 7 Championships.  Amanda Holderby, unable to fulfill a Level 8 season due to scholastic requirements, settled for her shot at Level 7.  Holderby also settled for a pretty successful competition; landing the gold on Vault and the silver on Bars and the All Around.  Karadjoff, hampered by a near-season ending elbow injury, recovered just in time to participate.  Karadjoff tied for the gold on Vault, and won the gold out-right on the balance beam.
     The Lady Flames Level 6 Team sprinted to the finish of their season; capturing the 2nd Place State Championship Team Banner.  This first for All American Flames was a true team effort as 11 of 15 gymnasts placed in the Top-3 of their age-group in at least one event.  This team previously won the 2nd place award at the Fall States, but with 3 times the amount of teams in the Spring Season, faced down their toughest task of the year.  The Lady Flames worked hard and received an award to be proud of for years to come.  Top scores for the 6's include Jessica Konik on Vault (9.7 - highest of all Clubs), Katie Kennedy on Bars (9.65), Samantha Smith on Beam (9.35), Mackenzie Shell on Floor (9.225) and Brooke Konik in the All Around (37.425).  Your coaches are very proud of how you finished your season.  Congratulations to you!