Davis Diamonds Brilliant at States

Davis Diamonds gymnasts Lilly Wolfe, Brianna Sperry, Irene Whalen, Lillian Krovoza and Alex Levine each had a successful USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Northern California Level 5 State Championships. This years Championships were held November 19-20 at Pioneer High School, San Jose, hosted by Almaden Valley Gymnastics. Gymnasts had to qualify in their respective zone championships and a total of 331 gymnasts competed in 13 age divisions and composed 48 teams. Judging was strict from several of the most senior judges in the State. Competing Saturday afternoon in the Child C division, Davis Diamond Lilly Wolfe scored over 8.0 on all four events despite starting her championships with a fall on beam. This was Wolfe's first State Championships but her all-around score of 32.75 was her next highest all year. This division was won by Hannah Hitchcock of Diablo-San Ramon with a sensational 37.00. In the Junior E division Sunday morning, Brianna Sperry had her best meet of the year. Sperry hit her routines on all four events to total 35.05, her next best result this year and good for eleventh place. Along the way, Sperry scored 9.175 for a strong bars routine that placed her sixth in this event. Sperry attends the Davis Waldorf School. This division was won by Emily Ohara of San Mateo Gymnastics with 37.40, one of the highest of the meet. Teammates Irene Whalen and Lillian Krovoza followed up with their next highest all-around totals of the year among respectively the Senior A and B. Only a concentration lapse on her bar dismount kept Whalen out the top ten all-around. Whalen continued her series of top beam performances and mounted the medal podium here with a routine that included spectacular arabesques, rewarded with 9.025 and fourth place. Whalen totaled 33.975 and fourteenth place all-around. Lillian Krovoza hit all her routines, scoring over 8.0 on all four events to total 33.625 all-around. This included a new personal best of 8.575 on vault. Like their teammates, Whalen and Krovoza were also competing in their first State Championships ever and first time in level 5. In the Senior D division Sunday night, Alex Levine also hit all her routines to a new personal best of 34.55, twelvth, in her most important meet. Levine also added another top finish on the floor exercise event to her others this year. The judges rewarded her flying leaps, jumps and tumbling and graceful dance with 9.15, good for the third place medal, 0.05 from first. At an age when many girls quit sports, Levine is working harder than ever and improving all the time. Levine, a ninth grader at Emerson Junior High, has only done gymnastics for three years and this is her first at level 5. Davis Diamonds Wolfe, Sperry, Whalen, Krovoza and Levine have all qualified to compete level 6 next year.

Davis Diamonds' Chang Brilliant at States

Over the November 11-12 weekend, Lani Chang, Maya Giannetti, Chloe Shorts, Emma Shorts and Kasia Shebloski represented Davis Diamonds Gymnastics in the 2005 Nor-Cal USA Junior Olympics Level 6 State Championships. These Davis Diamonds were among 184 gymnasts from all over northern California who qualified for this meet in their respective Zone Championships. Just qualifying for this State Championships is a great accomplishment for any gymnast, the high point of the year. USA Gymnastics Level 6 routines are very demanding, involving back flips on bars and floor, two handstands and a back walkover on beam among other spectacular acrobatics. This State Championships was held in the Rohnert Park Civic Gym, hosted by Redwood Empire Gymnastics. Competing Saturday in the younger ten year old division, Lani Chang started the Championships as the very first competitor on bars, never an advantage. But Chang competed agressively and hit all four events without a fall to total 34.30, her best result in level 6 ever, and in the most important meet. Chang placed sixth on vault and eigth all-around. Chang's age division was won by Isabelle Castillo of Bay Aerials-Fremont with a powerful total of 36.925. Castillo's all-around score was the highest of this Championship of all age divisions. Also competing Saturday among the older ten year olds, Maya Giannetti had an unusual fall on her first and usually best event, beam, and then nerves gained the upper hand. Giannetti totaled 31.825 all-around (26th). Sunday morning, competing among the older eleven year olds, Chloe Shorts also did all her routines without a major error but clearly inhibited by a sore heel. Shorts totaled 31.975 all-around (25th). In the thirteen year old division, Emma Shorts and Kasia Shebloski totaled respectively 31.725 (20th) and 31.50 (21st) all-around. Highlights were Shorts sticking her back walkover on beam for the first time this year and Shebloski sticking beam despite a week off. November 19-20, five Davis Diamonds gymnast will participate in the Junior Olympic Level 5 State Championships in San Jose.

Davis Diamonds Qualifies 10 to States

Davis Diamonds Gymnastics qualified a record 10 gymnasts to the Northern California State USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Championships in the 2005 Zone 1 Championships on Saturday, November 5. Davis Diamonds competed a huge team of 27 girls in levels 4, 5 and 6. The Davis Diamonds included Mallory Barnes, Maggie Gilbreath, Kelsi Silva, Sonya Hendren, Emmi Koivunen, Amanda Braun, Nicole Sands, Natalie Serdahl, Sydney Six, Kiki Solano, Maya Kuppermann, Megan Aube, Bryanna Perry, and Lindsey Trimmer. These zone championships were held in the beautiful Oroville Gymnastics Academy gym in Oroville. Zone championships are the only qualifying meet for the State Championships and the Davis Diamonds had their best meet of the year. Among the ten year old and younger level 6 gymnasts, Maya Giannetti had the best meet of her career, highlighted by 9.10 and second place for her beam routine. A level 6 routine includes two handstands and a back walkover on a four inch wide beam, four feet above the floor. Giannetti's all-around score of 34.525 was a personal record, qualified her to the State Championships, and to compete level 7 this winter. Despite a fall on bars, her best event, Lani Chang didn't give up and fought back on her remaining two events with personal bests on beam and floor to score a personal high all-around of 34.35, winning a ticket to the State Championships too. Among the junior level 6s, Chloe Shorts hit every event solidly to total a personal record of 34.70 all-around. Chloe's 8.90 on vault (fourth) was a recognition of her improvement on that event, previously her weakest. Big sister Emma Shorts also had her best meet ever, including record scores of 9.05 and 8.95 on vault and bars respectively, to total 34.10 all-around. With these scores, both Shorts sisters are going to the Level 6 State Championships November 12-13 in Rohnert Park. But the best Davis Diamond level 6 was Kasia Shebloski, a Harper Junior High seventh grader, who placed third on beam and third all-around with another personal best of 34.80. In the nine year old and younger level 5 division, Lily Wolfe had the meet of her life, including a 9.05 on bars and 34.60 all-around. This performance sends her to the level 5 State Championships November 19-20 in San Jose, her first State Championships. At the same time, among the junior level 5s, fellow Davis Diamond Brianna Sperry was also setting records. Sperry placed second on bars (9.45) and beam (8.925) to set a record 35.10 all-around. But teammate Irene Whalen was right behind with 35.05 all-around. Whalen danced and tumbled a beatiful floor routine that was rewarded by the judges with 8.925, good for second place. Lillian Krovoza hit all her routines too, including a 8.975 on bars, to score 34.45 all-around. Meanwhile, among the seniors, Alex Levine did the best bar routine ever (8.90) to score a record 34.375 all-around. However, Levine is also Zone 1 level 5 floor champion, rewarded with a spectacular 9.35 for huge leaps and tumbling as well as elegant dancing. Consequently, Wolfe, Sperry, Whalen, Krovoza and Levine all qualified for the State Championships. Teammate Sydney Six missed the cut-off by 0.05, less than one flexed foot, despite a beautiful beam routine that scored a personal best 8.85. Zone Championships are the high point of the season for the level 4 gymnasts who do not have a state championships. Among the eight year old level 4s, Brooke Rosenblum was Zone 1 champion on vault, bars (9.45) and all-around (36.20). Rosenblum was also second on beam and third on floor, culminating a series of top results all season. A future star is born? Teammate Jessica Winger scored a big 9.60 on bars, a Davis Diamonds record, and placed second all-around with 36.0. Their fellow level 4 Diamonds all set personal best all-around scores as well as some high scores on individual events. Davis Diamonds was the third placed level 4 team.

Davis Diamonds Spooktacular

Saturday, October 29, a big Davis Diamonds Gymnastics team of 14 girls traveled to Oroville for the annual Halloween Jamboree. "Next week we have zone championships in Oroville again so we wanted to try the equipment. But everyone improved, including many personal records. Besides, this is always a fun meet with judges and coaches in Halloween costumes," noted head coach Hilde Aune. The Halloween Jamboree is a USA Gymnastics sanctioned Junior Olymic meet held in the spatious and modern Oroville Gymnastics Academy. This year teams came up from Lodi and Stockton, as well as all over northern California. Among the older level 5s, Irene Whalen won beam for the second time in two meets. Whalen was steady and poised as she danced through a routine that includes a handstand and a cartwheel on a four inch wide beam, four feet high, for 8.875. Improved vaulting, bars and floor routines gave Whalen 33.50 all-around, new personal best and sixth place. Alex Levine was second on floor with an excellent 8.95, seventh on bars, but falling off the beam kept her ninth all-round (32.575). Sydney Six place sixth on vault and thirteenth all-around (31.975). In the younger level 5 division, Lily Wolfe gave a glimpse of her bar talent and was rewarded with 8.3, sixth. Other strong scores by Wolfe totaled 31.50 all-around, eigth. Nicole Sands bombed a big handspring vault for third place and tenth all-around. Teammate Natalie Serdahl was right behind in fourth place on vault and eleventh all-around. Davis Diamonds Kiki Solano was just in her second meet ever, but placed third in level 4 bars in the youngest division. Other strong scores gave Solano 34.325, fourth place all-around. Zoe Juanitas did well on vault and floor to place tenth all-around. In the older level 4 meet, Bryanna Perry placed fourth on bars (8.90) and eigth all-around (34.375). Kasia Shebloski scored over 8.0 in every event, placing seventh all-around among the older level 6 gymnasts with a strong 33.125. Maya Giannetti finally put it all together in one meet to score 33.35 all-around, seventh place among the younger level 6s, including an 8.825 on beam. In the middle group, Mallory Barnes had her best meet ever, placing fourth on floor and seventh all-around (32.275). Kelsi Silva set a new personal best of 31.20 all-around, right behind Barnes in eigth. Maggie Gilbreath was eigth on floor and ninth all-around. Saturday, November 5, 27 Davis Diamonds gymnasts will compete in Oroville in the Zone 1 championships, attempting to qualify for the State championships. In 2004, Davis Diamonds were Zone 1 level 5 team champions.

Davis Diamonds Tumble in the Jungle

Sunday, October 16, sixteen Davis Diamonds gymnasts competed in the annual Tumble in the Jungle meet. Despite the stiff competition, they had many exciting results. Marin Elite Gymnastics Academy hosted this competition for almost 400 gymnasts from teams from all over northern California over two days in the Redwood High gym in Larkspur. This was a USA Junior Olympics sanctioned event for girls levels four, five and six. Competing in the morning level 5 session among the Tigers aged 10 and 11, Irene Whalen's first event was beam. Last up of the Davis Diamonds, Whalen danced quickly and cleanly along the four-inch wide beam in a sensational performance. The judges' score came up 9.40, the highest beam score of the meet, regardless of age or level, and a new personal best for Whalen. Whalen was also seventh on floor and tenth all-around (31.05). Davis Diamond Brianna Sperry also had a sensational meet, consistently among the best. Sperry placed third on vault and beam (8.90) to score 33.35 all-around, also third. Teammates Nicole Sands and Natalie Serdahl was just behind Whalen in respectively thirteenth and fifteenth all-around. Among the Cheetas aged 9 and 10, Amanda Braun was solid on all events, including ninth for her floor routine and twelvth place all-around. In the youngest Monkeys aged 8 and 9, Lily Wolfe placed third on vault and eigth all-around (31.10). In the Lions aged 12 and older, Alex Levine continued to improve, placing third on vault and fourth on floor. Levine's strong total of 33.20 all-around was also good for fourth. Lillian Krovoza did her best bar routine ever to place second on that event. Other top places lifted Krovoza to sixth all-around with 32.70. The Davis Diamonds level 5s placed as fifth team. At the same time, the Davis Diamonds level 4 gymnasts were also hitting their routines. Among the Cheetas aged 7 and 8, Brooke Rosenblum also did her best bars ever and was rewarded with 9.10, first place, by the judges. With no score below 8.4 and no place below fourth, Rosenblum totaled a sensational 34.85, good for second palce all-around. In the 9 year old Tigers, Layla Hanson had another good meet, placing third on beam and fifth all-around (32.80). Maya Kupperman made her front-hip circle for the first time in a meet and placed eleventh all-around (31.20). Among the age 10 and older Lions, Lindsey Trimmer scored 8.65 (third) for her best beam routine and 33.65 all-around, good for fifth place. Bryanna Perry was right behind with 33.10, sixth. With just a team of five gymnasts and four counting, these Davis Diamonds still placed second in the team standing. Later that afternoon, the level 6 gymnasts were also strong. In the youngest Monkeys division, Lani Chang attacked all her routines. Chang fell on her full turn on beam but roared back with a fourth place on vault (8.975) and third on floor (8.80). Chang totaled 32.575, good for fifth all-around. Maya Gianetti was fifth on floor and ninth all-around after a fall on bars. Kelsi Silva continued to improve, placing in the top ten on three events, but a fall on bars kept Silva in eleventh all-around. The Davis Diamonds compete next October 29 in the Halloween Jamboree in Oroville.

Davis Diamonds in Compulsory Classic

Twenty-five gymnasts from Davis Diamonds Gymnastics participated October 2 in the annual Compulsory Classic, hosted by Byers Roseville Gymnastics in the Hornet Gym of Sacramento State University. Davis Diamonds was one of the largest teams. There were many good Davis Diamonds results, as well as crashes, in this two-day meet with tough competition from all over northern California. The Compulsory Classic is a USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic sanctioned meet. Despite starting with vault at 8 am, Davis Diamond Brianna Sperry won bars, beam and the older level 5 all-around with a strong score of 33.425, a personal best. Teammate Alex Levine tumbled and danced an exciting floor routine to win that event with 8.90. Levine was also second to Sperry on bars and fourth all-around (32.125). Third on floor with 8.55 and fifth all-around was yet another Davis Diamond, Lillian Krovoza. Sydney Six was third on beam with a steady performance to place seventh all-around (31.025). Irene Whalen placed second on beam and floor with beautiful form. A weak bar set kept Whalen in eigth place all-around. Astrid Aune did another good beam routine to place fourth on that event, finishing ninth all-around. In the younger level 5 division, Lily Wolfe had to count a fall on bars again, but a solid fourth on beam helped Wolfe up to fifth place all-around (31.85). Nicole Sands was sixth on vault and beam and placed seventh all-around. Eigth all-around was Amanda Braun, continuing to improve in every meet. Just behind Braun was Natalie Serdahl in ninth, despite falls on bars and beam. Also competing early Sunday morning in the level 4 division, Brooke Rosenblum had another sensational meet in her first season competing gymnastics. In the youngest division, Rosenblum won floor and placed second on bars, beam to a sensational all-around score of 34.10. Brooke was just a pointed foot or bent knee from first. Zoe Janitas continued to improve with a seventh place vault and ninth all-around. In the intermediate age division, Layla Hanson was second on vault, sixth on bars and seventh all-around with 32.875 in just Hanson's second meet ever. Maya Kupperman also improved to eleventh on bars and thirteenth all-around. In the oldest division, Bryanna Perry performed beautiful routines again to fifth place on bars, beam, floor and all-around. Perry's total of 34.275 is a very strong score. Megan Aube was in just her second gymnastics meet but vaulted to a score of 9.225. Other strong performances placed Aube just behind Perry with 33.675, sixth. Performing in the afternoon in the level 6 youngest division, Lani Chang did three strong performances. Despite a fall on bars, Chang totaled a strong 33.45, good for seventh all-around. Maya Gianetti was fourth on beam (8.70) and fifth on floor (8.90) but two big falls off the bars kept her twelvth all-around. In the intermediate age division, Chloe Shorts again had four consistent performances that included a sixth place on bars to finith eigth all-around with a strong score of 33.15. Mallory Barnes continued her steady improvement to finish fifteenth all-around, including a 8.275 (seventh) on beam, a personal record. Kelsi Silva was right behind in sixteenth place all-around, like Barnes with three scores above 8.0. In the older division, Emma Shorts had her best meet ever. Shorts was fifth on vault (8.65), sixth on floor with a great score of 8.85, to total 32.60, eigth all-around. Kasia Shebloski had some uncharacteristic wobbles and form breaks but still totaled 32.125, good for tenth all-around. Emmi Koivunen had her best level 6 meet, placing sixth on beam and fourteenth all-around. "The girls made some great performances today," concluded head coach Hilde Aune. "We also see where we can improve. But the atmosphere in the gym these days is really fun. Everyone is really working hard to get ready for the zone and state championships next month." A Davis Diamonds Gymnastics team will travel on October 16 to the Marin Elite Invitational in San Rafael.

Davis Diamonds in High-Tech Invitational

Sunday, September 18, thirteen Davis Diamonds gymnasts participated in the 14th annual High-Tech Invitational meet held in the gigantic Technique gymnasium in Rancho Cordova. This Junior Olympic sanctioned meet was attended by 654 gymnasts from all over northern California. In level 5 meet, the Davis Diamonds started on beam and every gymnast stayed on, an exciting start. Among the older gymnasts, Alex Levine tumbled and danced to a score of 8.575, second place on the floor event. Other solid scores gave Levine a 33.075 and fifth all-around. Davis Diamond teammate Sydney Six had her best meet ever, including fourth place on beam, fifth on bars and seventh all-around (32.85). Astrid Aune also had her best meet ever, highlighted by a wonderful 8.925 on beam, good for second there. Other solid scores placed Aune ninth all-around with 31.375. In the intermediate age level division, Lillian Krovoza continued to improve on every event, also placing ninth all-around with 32.050. Irene Whalen danced a beautiful beam routine, scoring 8.85 (fourth) and 31.55 all-around (eleventh). Among the youngest level 5s, Lily Wolfe scored a 31.275 all-around (tenth) despite counting three falls. Nicole Sands scored above 7.0 on every event to 30.425, thirteenth all-around. Natalie Serdahl scored her first 8.0 on beam and 29.65 all-around, just behind Sands. With these results, Levine, Six, Aune, Krovoza, Whalen and Wolfe all qualified for level 6 next season. In the level 6 meet, Lani Chang was top ten on every event in the youngest division, including third on floor and eigth all-around (31.85). Among the intermediate age gymnasts, Mallory Barnes had a good meet, including her first 8.0 on beam (ninth). Barnes totalled 29.375 all-around (thirteenth), marking steady improvement. Davis Diamond Kelsi Silva was unsteady and placed fourteenth all-around. Kiki Solano and Bryanna Perry represented Davis Diamonds in the level 4 meet. Solano had another solid meet, scoring 32.60 all-around, good for ninth. Perry was fourth on bars (8.675) and thirteenth all-around (32.675). Both Solano and Perry will compete level 5 next year. "The girls made some good scores but most important, also showed great potential in this meet," concluded head coach Hilde Aune. "For example, Lani, Lily and Bryanna didn't have great meets but still got high scores. We are still early in the season so we are on track for our zone and state championships later this fall. We are very excited by all these gymnasts. All of them are really trying hard." The $250 cash prize for best over-all team went to Airborne, San Jose. Sunday, October 2, the Davis Diamonds team will compete in the Compulsory Classic, hosted by Byer's Roseville Gymnastics in Yosemite Hall on the Sacramento State University campus.

Vacaville American Pride Gymnastics Meet

Davis Diamonds Gymnastics participated in the American Pride Gymnastics Meet on Sunday, September 11, with a big team of 23 gymnasts. This meet was hosted by Aerials Gymnastics in their brand new 27,000 square foot facility in Vacaville. A moment of silence was observed for the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. "Many of our team did the warm-up meet in Sacramento two weeks ago, but for some, here in Vacaville was their first competition in their lives," explained head coach Hilde Aune. "This is the start of their season and they did very well. For all of them, this was their first time competing the new routines which we just got in June." The American Pride Meet was a USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics sanctioned meet for girls levels four, five and six. Among the younger level 4 girls, Brooke Rosenblum won bars, floor and the all-around, scoring a high 33.575. None of her scores were below 8.0. Teammate Zoe Juanitas was fifth all-around in her very first meet. In the middle age division, Jessica Winger also won beam, with a beautiful, graceful performance (8.45), as well as floor and the all-around (32.825). Layla Hanson was in the first meet of her life, but placed second to Winger all-around (32.10), second on vault and third on beam and bars. Maya Kupperman was also in her first meet. Maya's solid ballet technique got her an 8.0 and second on beam despite the nerves, and fourth all-around. Among the older level 4s, Bryanna Perry danced and tumbled an elegant floor routine that recieved 8.8 and first place from the judges. Perry placed third on bars and all-around (32.625). Also in her first meet ever, Megan Aube placed second on floor (8.475), third on beam (8.20), totalling an excellent 32.525 (fifth place all-around). Yet another debutant, Lindsey Trimmer placed second on vault (8.90) and seventh all-around. "I am so proud of these eight gymnasts," exclaimed coach Lauren Gendler. "They have been trying very hard in the gym since last spring and now they have all done so well in their first meet. Five of them even passed off level 4 the first time they tried and are ready for level five next season. The Davis Diamonds level 4s were the second placed team. This was fun!" In the younger division level 5 meet, Davis Diamond Lily Wolfe did an excellent vault, scoring 8.0 and third place. Lily had a fall on bars, her best event, but still finished sixth all-around. Amanda Braun placed tenth all-around in her first level 5 meet. Among the middle level 5s, Brianna Sperry won beam with a clean routine that was awarded 8.525 by the judges. Brianna was even higher on bars, 8.725 (second) and placed second all-around (33.30). Fellow Diamond Courtney Meyer placed second on beam with 8.40, despite a fall! Other high scores helped Meyer to 31.275 all-around, fifth. Nicole Sands performed a beautiful floor routine that scored 8.525 (third) and finished seventh all-around. Lillian Krovoza swung bars to fifth place on that event, sixth all-around. Natalie Serdahl had some uncharacteristic misses but placed eleventh all-around. In the older division, Alexandra Levine performed another big floor routine to 8.55, third place. Levine placed seventh all-around with 31.50. Astrid Aune wowed the judges on beam, who gave her 8.55, good for third. Aune finished tenth all-around. Sydney Six also did a good beam to 8.225 (sixth) and eleventh all-around. "With these all-around scores, Sperry, Meyer and Levine are ready for level 6 next season. The others look like they soon will be too," observed coach Aune. Level six routines include saltos on the floor and off bars and other difficult, dangerous skills. In the younger level six division, Chloe Shorts won bars, placed second on vault, third on floor and third all-around. Chloe's all-around total of 32.15 qualifies her for optional level 7 this winter. Kelsi Silva was sharp on beam to score 8.50 (third) and fourth all-around, improving her score an incredible four points in two weeks. Mallory Barnes' powerful vault earned third place and Mallory placed sixth all-around. Among the middle level 6s, Kasia Shebloski was solid on all four events, including second on beam and third on vault and bars, to place second all-around with 32.175. Kasia is thereby also qualified for optional level 7 this winter. Placing second on floor, Emma Shorts was third with 31.40. In her first meet after a long break, Emmi Koivunen had some falls but finished fourth all-around. The Davis Diamonds level 5 and 6 team placed third. "The girls had some problems focusing, which is normal in the first meet. But we got positive feedback from the judges and now we now what we have to do better for the rest of the season. We are very proud of the gymnasts who qualified to optionals. This is going to be a fun year with these girls," concluded Aune. Davis Diamonds Gymnastics is the only competitive gymnastics program in Davis but has classes for pre-schoolers to adults. The teams' next meet will be Sunday, September 28 at Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova.

Davis Diamonds Open House

Davis Diamonds Gymnastics is celebrating its fourth annual Open House on Saturday, September 10, 2005. From 12:30 to 4:30 pm there will be free open gym, exhibitions and demonstrations of gymnastics and acrobatics. Admission is free and there will also be games. "Thanks to the support of our members, we have been able to make big investments in new equipment. We have also remodeled the gym with a new pre-school area," noted Davis Diamonds director Hilde Aune. "We would like to invite everyone, young and old, to come and play in our new gym." Davis Diamonds is located in Suite 200, 2795 Second Street in Davis. Parking and the front of the gym are in the back of the building off Pena Ave. Davis Diamonds Gymnastics is a USA Gymnastics member club that is beginning its fourth year of business.

National Gymnastics Day 2006

Saturday August 6, Davis Diamonds Gymnastics will be celebrating National Gymnastics Day with exhibitions all morning in Central Park, Davis, during the Farmer's Market. Five different groups of girls and boys will perform routines and acrobatics out on the park grass starting at 9:15. "National Gymnastics Day has become a celebration of active children in our community," observed Davis Diamonds director Hilde Aune. "We have a lot of fun. This year we are very excited because we are starting with USA Gymnastics' new Junior Olympic Program and curriculum." National Gymnastics Day annually attracts participation from nearly 60,000 gymnasts and supporters nationwide. Recognized by a Governor's Proclamation by Gov. Schwarzenegger, as in all 50 States, National Gymnastics Day also has the sanction of the United States Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Davis Diamonds Gymnastics has over 1,100 members taking gymnastics and cheerleading lessons, aged from walking to adult, and is now beginning its fourth year.

Davis Diamonds in Bunny Hop

Three Davis Diamonds gymnasts did well in the annual Bunny Hop Invitational Junior Olympic meet hosted by Byers Sacramento on May 21. Besides Davis and Sacramento, teams traveled from Salinas, Richmond, Roseville, Grass Valley for this level 4,5 and 6 gymnastics meet. In the older level 6 division, Diamond Emma Shorts had the best meet of her career despite starting her meet with three falls on beam. But instead of getting discouraged, Shorts bounced back with strong tumbling and 8.05 (6th) on floor. Next on the vault, Shorts performed powerful, clean handsprings that were rewarded with 8.45, a personal best good for first place. Finally, Shorts tied for second place with her big bar routine (8.10). Emma's all-round total of 31.70 (fifth) qualifies her for level 7 next season. In the middle level 6 age group, younger sister Chloe Shorts also did the vault of her life with clean lines and a stuck landing. The judges put up 8.85, a personal record and second place on this event. But unfortunately, this came after falling on beam too. Nice dance in her floor performance got Chloe 8.15 and 30.80 all-around. In the level 5 meet, Diamond Kelsi Silva did all four events with just one fall in her first meet. Despite starting with a fall from the beam, Silva fought back with good scores on the other three events. Her last event, bars was the high point, scoring 8.15 and second place. Kelsi's all-around total of 31.30 qualifies her for level 6 this fall after just her first try.

Ria Rocks Regionals

12 year old Ria Domier did her best gymnastics ever in her first USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Western Regional Level 8 Championships on Saturday, April 23. Domier finished in the top ten in her age division, medaling in three events. The Davis Diamonds gymnast received her highest ever scores in vault and all-around, in the biggest meet of her career. "I am so happy I could do my best in my first Regionals," exclaimed Domier, a Harper Junior High student. "There were so many good gymnasts here. I was really nervous but I was able to keep my focus when it counted. I am so happy I could do all four events without a fall. I barely qualified but I did much better here with my grandparents watching." This Championships was held in the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, hosted by AGA. There are just over 5,000 level 8 gymnasts in the entire USA, but Regionals is the biggest meet for this level, the high point of the year. Gymnasts from California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah had to qualify for this Regionals in their respective state championships. A level 8 gymnast has typically been doing gymnastics for over 5 years and trains over 20 hours per week. Domier had to start on beam where nervousness almost caused a fall. Despite loosing her balance, Ria stayed on the beam, stuck her front flip dismount and scored 8.725, good for eigth place. On floor, small form breaks lowered her score to 8.70 (17th). But next, on vault, Ria came back and did the best vaulting of her life and was rewarded with 9.35 by the judges. Domier vaulted a Tsukahara vault in a piked position, the most difficult vault permitted in level 8. Finally on bars, Ria swung a clean set with a stuck landing to 9.05, ninth place. Her all-around total of 35.825 was good for twelvth place, just 0.05 from tenth and another medal. This age division was won by Elideth Guerrero, of SCEGA-Los Angeles. "The competition was extremely tough there were so many exceptional athletes and great gymnasts," commented Davis Diamonds head coach Hilde Aune. "That Ria could so well in her first championships attests to her strength of character. She has gone through the levels very fast, just taking two years for what usually takes a very talented girl four or five years. So Ria is still very inexperienced. We are all very proud of her." There are so many good gymnasts in California that USA Gymnastics divides the state into two. The Southern California team won with the Northern California second in the team standings. Arizona was third.

Ria to Regionals

Harper Junior High student Ria Domier qualified to the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Region 1 level 8 Championships last weekend. Qualification was in the level 8 Northern California championships, hosted by Almaden Gymnastics in the San Jose State University arena. "I just wanted to qualify to regionals, so I didn't focus as well as I could have," explained Domier. "But I will be ready for regionals." Competing in the youngest age session, Domier started her meet on floor. She did her comical routine to a 8.85 with clean tumbling but two hops on landings. Then Domier earned a strong 9.175 from the judges for her piked Tsukahara vault, good for seventh place. Next, she swung a big bar routine with just a few form breaks that was rewarded with a score of 8.95 for fifth place. Despite falling twice off the beam, Domier still passed the qualifying score of 34 points with a total of 34.825 all-around. "Northern California is one of the strongest states in Region 1 so these state championships are very tough. Ria is our first Diamond ever to qualify to regionals. We are all so proud of her," commented coach Aune. The Region 1 level 8 Championships will be held in the Long Beach Convention Center April 22-24, 2005.

Chang has Best Ever States

Davis Diamonds gymnast Kelly Chang had her best ever State Championships on Saturday, March 19. Chang scored 35.425 in the all-around, a new personal best and good for ninth place. Chang is an eigth-grader at Emerson Junior High School. Competing in the older thirteen-year-old division, won by Airborne-Santa Clara's Jenny Knall, Chang had to start on beam. Nervousness caused some small wobbles but Chang stayed on for 8.65, eleventh place. Then she tumbled a strong beginning to her floor routine, but later mistakes on leaps lowered her score to 8.6 (16th). But Chang stuck her second vault attempt and was awarded 9.325 by the judges, fourth. This score was better than the absolute winner's, Emma Craig of Almaden Valley-San Jose. Finishing on bars, Chang swung a big routine with small form breaks for 8.85, a new personal best and seventh. "In one year, Kelly improved over five points from her last states," observed head coach Hilde Aune. "Kelly has grown up a lot as a gymnast and she will be an even better level 8 than she was at 7. This season Kelly won one meet, was third and fourth in others and now she has had a good state championships. And all of this among the best in the country because Nor-Cal is the strongest state in the nation in level 7. We are very proud of her," concluded Aune. This years Nor-Cal USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics level 7 Championships were held in Visalia, hosted by Central California Gymnastics Institute.

Davis Diamonds Boys in State Gymnastics Championships

Sunday, March 13, Davis Diamonds Gymnastics' Raymond Long and Arwin Domier participated the Nor-Cal Level 4 State Championships, their first state championships ever. This was a USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic event hosted by Top Flight Gymnastics in Fremont. Boys teams from all over northern California competed totaling hundreds of gymnasts. In arguably the toughest age division, Arvin Domier scored 46.275 all-around, good enough for 52nd place. Highlights were Domier's pommel horse routine, 36th place and vault, 40th. In the ten year old division Raymond Long totaled 46.10 all-around, seventh. However, Long mounted the podium in second place for his vault that scored 9.15. "Half of our team was sick today so that was disappointing," said Davis Diamonds coach Dashiel DeMarco. "But this was Arvin and Raymond's first big meet and we are very proud of what they have done. Now they know what this is about and all the boys are inspired to get back in the gym, learn lots and have lots of fun." Davis Diamonds currently has over 100 boys doing gymnastics.

Davis Diamonds Boys in Golden State Classic

Sunday morning, March 3, the Davis Diamonds boys' team of Raymong Long, Patrick Long, Jeff Whalen and Arvin Domier participated in the annual USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Golden State Classic. This is a big event that turns away teams every season, this year assembling over 400 boys from all over Northern California. "All four boys improved their all-around scores from their last meet," noted Diamonds coach Nick Raubitschek. "Since then they have been really trying hard to improve and now they see the rewards. They all improved and they all placed." The meet was hosted by San Mateo gymnastics in Belmont. Patrick Long had a great meet in the eight year olds' level 4 division. Long got top scores for his strong ring routine (9.25, fourth) and parallel bars (8.90, sixth). For the first time, Long cracked the 50 point barrier, scoring 50.30 all-around, eleventh. Teammate Jeff Whalen had another great vault (9.35, ninth) in the same age division. Whalen also improved in the other events to score 47.05 all-around placing fourteenth. In the division for seven year olds, Arvin Domier made good scores on pommel horse, rings and parallel bars. But low scores on floor, vault and high bar kept him down in 18th place all-around. However, his all-around score of 49.05 was a new personal best. Among the age 10 and older, Raymond Long did six clean routines. He got notably high scores on both parallel bars and high bar (8.60) for sixth place in both of those events. Raymond also scored over 50.0 for the first time, totalling 50.05 for tenth all-around. "This was a fun event. I was very proud to take these guys back to my old gym to compete. All four boys are really excited to prepare for next weeks state championships," commented coach Raubitschek.

Diamonds on Fire in Spirit of the Flame

Sunday February 27, Davis Diamonds gymnasts Ria Domier, Kelly Chang and Elizabeth Fung made top results in the annual Spirit of the Flame Challenge. Held over three days, the Spirit of the Flame is one of the biggest meets of the year, hosted by West Valley Gymnastics in the San Jose Civic Auditorium. Gov. Schwarzenegger sent an official greeting to the participants, who came from all over California as well as Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Illinois, Colorado and Maryland. Competing in the level 7 junior division, Kelly Chang had another top all-around performance of 35.40, a new personal best and enough for third place. Chang started on floor where her dramatic dance to "Pirates of the Caribbean" and flying acrobatics got her a first ever 9.0 in this event. Vaulting next, Chang's powerful handspring recieved 9.225 from the judges, third place. Kelly also placed third on bars and fifth on beam. "These are excellent scores for Kelly, but she also lost almost 1.0 just in landings," observed Diamonds coach Sarah White. "We know Kelly has even more in store for the state championships in three weeks." In the children's division, Diamonds teammate Elizabeth Fung started off her meet with 8.35, a best by over 1.0. Fung placed seventh on vault, bars and beam to finish sixth all-around (30.80). Despite three falls, this was a new best for Fung. "If Elizabeth tries hard for the next couple weeks, she will qualify to the state championships for the first time. We think she can do it," said coach White. Later that evening in the level 8 junior division, Davis Diamonds Ria Domier powered to another high score of 35.725, fourth place all-around. "This is a sensational result for a first year level 8 like Ria," commented coach White. Domier was also awarded her first 9.0 on floor for a comic routine with high tumbling that gave the judges smiles. Then, despite crashing her first attempt at her piked Tsukahara, the most difficult vault permitted in level 8, Ria stormed back with a good second vault. On bars, Domier swung a clean routine to a strong 9.125, second place tied with the all-around winner Emily Gong of Byer's Sacramento. Finishing on beam, Ria danced cleanly through her routine and tumbling, only having problems with her leaps. Domier placed fifth on beam with 8.95. "This was really fun. We like competing in these big meets in the bay area." explained the Davis Diamonds trio. "Down here we have to earn our scores. Now we know what to clean up before states and regionals."

Another Chang, Another Win

Saturday afternoon, February 10, Kelly Chang from Davis Diamonds Gymnastics won her age class in the level 7 2005 Orient Gymfest. "Little sister Lani won three meets last season," commented head coach Hilde Aune. "Big sister Kelly has been competing in gymnastics for two years, but this is Kelly's first win ever. We are so proud of her." The annual Orient Gymfest is a Junior Olympic sanctioned event held on the San Jose State University campus. Top teams from all over northern california participated in the meet, held over two days. "The competition was very tough and the scores correspondingly sky high," observed Aune. "For example host Almaden's Emma Craig, winner of beam, floor and the all-around at the National Judges Cup two months ago, also won the youngest division here with an exceptional 38.025. The Northern California team has won the Judges Cup five of the last seven years. So in a meet like this, you are seeing many of the best level 7s in the country." In the older level 7 division, Kelly Chang started on floor. A step backwards out of her required turn lowered her score to 8.375. But Kelly put that behind her, vaulting to 9.075, fourth. Next on bars she performed her set to 8.8, third. Finishing on beam is always nerve-wracking, but Kelly performed her best ever and was rewarded by the judges with 8.85. Chang's all-around score of 35.10 was enough for first place and is a new personal best. "For a Davis gymnast to win a Bay Area meet like this is sensational. Kelly is so athletic, and she is so focused in the gym, that others may come," concluded Aune about this Emerson Junior High 8th grader. Davis Diamonds teammate Ria Domier also competed earlier in the day but in the session for level 8s. The competition was also fierce in this level with high scores. For example, Ria's age group was won by Penninsula-San Mateo's Molly Denzel with a sensational 37.00 all-around. Ria started on vault, but a low landing from her Tsukahara was penalized by the judges with 8.45 (ninth). Next on bars, small form errors held Ria down to 8.825, a high score, but less than Ria has done. Domier had fallen on beam in the last two meets, but this time she hit her routine for a new personal best of 8.85. Ria finished her meet on floor with 8.525. Her all-around total of 34.65, ninth was also a new best. "My goal in this meet was to hit beam and I did," exclaimed Ria.

Davis Diamonds in Top Flight Invitational

Last Sunday, January 30, the Davis Diamonds Gymnastics boys team traveled Fremont for the annual Top Flight Invitational meet. This was a Junior Olympics sanctioned event organized by Top Flight Gymnastics, one of the strongest men's gymnastics teams in California. Eleven teams from all over northern California competed in the level 4 session. Representing Davis Diamonds were Arvin Domier, Patrick Long, Raymond Long and Jeffrey Whalen. They were coached by Dashiel DeMarco. In the level 4 seven year old division, Domier scored 8.8 on vault and a strong 8.5 on rings. But a mistake on parallel bars kept him in 11th place all-around (45.7). In the eigth year old division, Patrick Long was in his first gymnastics meet ever. Nevertheless, Long scored 9.1 on vault and 8.8 for his ring routine. Patricks all-around total was good enough for a sensational sixth place. In the same division, Jeffrey Whalen also had a strong vault (9.05) but low floor and pommel horse scores held him back in tenth place. Raymong Long was also in his very first gymnastics meet in the oldest division. Long had strong scores on vault (9.2) and rings (8.7) and placed tenth all-around. "These boys have just started to get experience competing. Their vault and rings scores show that their leg and upper body strength is already good. Now they are improving and they are really excited to get in the gym and practice for the State Championships," noted coach DeMarco.

Davis Diamonds Teaghan Philips wins Golden State Classic

Sunday, January 30, four gymnasts from Davis Diamonds Gymnastics competed in the annual Golden State Classic hosted by Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova. Over 400 gymnasts from all over northern California and Nevada competed over two days in the gigantic Technique facility, a USA Gymnastics sanctioned Junior Olympic event. From Davis Diamonds, Kelly Chang, Teaghan Phillips and Elizabeth Fung competed in the level 7 division and Ria Domier in the level 8. The Davis Diamonds level 7s started on vault where Phillips, Fung and Chang each set a new personal record. Chang's second vault recieved a 9.1 for second place. On bars Chang scored another personal best of 8.675 and another second place on that event. On beam, all three scored over 8.0 with beautiful, fluid back-walkover series. Phillips' score there of 8.5 was good enough for second place with Chang third (8.225). Competiting in the younger division, Fung's beam score of 8.0 placed her fourth. Phillips also finished second on floor (8.925). "Teaghan has only competed in five gymnastics meets in her entire life, less than most gymnasts do in a single season. Despite her inexperience, Philips hit all four of her routines with just one small error on bars for an all-around score of 34.675, first place, commented coach Hilde Aune. Teammate Kelly Chang also finished with a beautiful floor routine but recieved a low score of 7.725. "My choreographer and I had changed my routine a little, but I can't believe I forgot my pirouette! Still, we had a lot of fun," exclaimed Chang. Forgetting this special requirement was a automatic 1.3 deduction without which she would have scored over 9 on floor and the all-around victory. Chang finished fourth all-around with 33.725. Phillips, Chang and Fung all set new personal best all-around scores. Later that evening, Davis Diamonds' Ria Domier was in the session for level 8s. A typical level 8 gymnast has been training for 8 or 9 years and now practices 6 times a week for 3 to 4 hours. There are only 5,000 level 8 gymnasts in the entire USA. Domier started her meet on floor where she recieved 8.85 (fourth) from the judges with high, clean acrobatics. On vault, Ria got a new best mark of 8.9 for her piked Tsukahara vault, the most difficult vault permitted in level 8. But gymnastics is a three hour marathon and Domier began to tire. Still Ria scored 8.95 on bars despite some small rhythm and form breaks. Beam is always nerve-wracking, particularly as a last event: Ria stuck her acrobatic series of two, connected back handsprings, but fell on her full turn. Nevertheless, Domier's all-around score of 34.65 was good enough for seventh in the younger division and was a new personal best. "In this meet, these optional gymnasts showed what they do every day in our gym. We can build on these performances for the State Championships," concluded coach Aune.

Davis Diamonds Boys in High Tech Invitational

Over the weekend of January 15 and 16, 551 boys competed in the High-Tech Invitational USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic competition. These boys represented over 35 teams from California and Nevada and ranged from the entry level 4 to the top level 10. This was the first meet ever for the boys from Davis Diamonds Gymnastics. Arvin Domier and Jeffery Whalen were in their first gymnastics meet and they were coached by Dashiel DeMarco and Nick Raubitschek. This huge meet was hosted by Technique Gymnastics in their enormous gym in Rancho Cordova. In fact, Technique ran two meets were simultaneously, so even though the boys performed routines on floor, pommel horse and mushroom, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar, the meet ran smoothly and fast. Arvin Domier competed in the youngest age division of level 4, scoring a 9.0 on vault (17th) and 7.9 (17th) on rings. Domier finished 22nd all-around (43.40). Teammate Jeffery Whalen competed in the next youngest division of level 4. Whalen scored a 9.1 on vault (8th) for his top performance. Whalen finished twentieth all-around (42.90). "I am really proud of these two. They remembered their all their routines and to salute the judges, even thought his was their very first meet. Now we know what to do and the boys are excited to get back in the gym," commented coach DeMarco. The Davis Diamonds boys will be back in action on Sunday, January 30 in the Top Flight Junior Olympic Invitational in Fremont.

BOYS GYMNASTICS IS BACK IN DAVIS

Competitive gymnastics for boys is back in Davis. There used to be a program but it wasted away a few years ago and boys have not had an opportunity to do competitive gymnastics in Davis since then. On Saturday, January 15, a boys team from Davis Diamonds Gymnastics will participate in the High Tech Invitational hosted by Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova. Arvin Domier, Jeffery Whalen, Patrick Long and Raymond Long are entered in this USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics meet as level 4s. They and the other boys are coached by Mick Martin, Dashiel DeMarco, Nick Raubitschek, Joe Helfrich, Bryan McCarthy and James Major. "We are very proud of what these boys have accomplished in a short time. As anyone could see during the Athens Olympic Games, gymnastics is a great sport for boys. Why should the girls have all the fun?" remarked head coach James Major.

RIA ROCKS IN ROSEVILLE

Last Sunday, January 9, Davis Diamonds gymnast Ria Domier put in extraordinary performances at the Roseville International hosted by Byers Roseville Gymnastics. Ria, a seventh grader at Harper Junior High School was in her first ever USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics level 8 competition. "Ria was certainly nervous, but she was able to keep her focus and do her routines," observed Davis Diamonds coach Hilde Aune. Domier started on floor where she did her new routine to 8.225 and never looked back. On vault, Ria did a piked Tsukahara, the most difficult vault of the meet, to 8.875 and fourth place. Then on to bars where she scored a fabulous 9.225, second. Always nerve-wracking, Ria finished on beam where she scored 8.225 for fifth. These four solid scores put Ria in sixth place all-around with 34.55. In her first meet, Ria qualified for level 9 next season and for the Nor-Cal state championships. "Ria has been practicing very hard since last spring for this season and all her hard work shows," concluded Aune. On Saturday morning, Ria's Davis Diamonds teammates Krista Anderson, Kelly Chang and Elizabeth Fung were in the level 7 meet. Unfortunately, their meet was spoiled by a gym that was very cold. Krista was only able to do two events. Elizabeth finished eigth all-around. Kelly did a good vault for 8.575 and sixth place. Chang finished seventh all-around. "But they were a nervous bunch and couldn't show what they could do," remarked Aune. "Now we have three weeks before the next meet and the girls are really motivated to get in the gym and practice."