The track record of success at Twistars USA is long and impressive. Twistars takes great pride in the accomplishments of it’s national caliber competitive team program. For years, the fantastics staff at Twistars USA has been producing record numbers of national qualifiers, national team members, state, regional and national champions along with an remarkable list of full ride athletic scholarship recipients. For years Twistars has ranked with the countries elite gymnastics clubs..... but now we have added another notch in the belt. TWISTARS USA IS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED WOMANS GYMNASTICS CLUB IN THE USA
according to meetscoresonline.com (MSO...the nations only available club ranking resourse). Twistars advanced up the charts from its forth place ranking in 2008. What a phenomenal accomplishment for a small town club! The ranking system used by MSO considers the number of state, regional and national qualifiers a club has at levels 8 and higher. They also take into account the team scores and results from various competitions throughout the competitive season. This is something the coaches, athletes, management and parents of Twistars USA can take great pride in.
JOHN GEDDERT INDUCTED INTO THE
REGION 5 HALL OF FAME
How do you even begin to recognize and reward someone who has achieved thirty- two years of INCREDIBLE SUCCESS as a gymnastics coach, and who has contributed countless hours...no, YEARS of volunteer time to Region 5 and the gymnastics community as a whole? You honor him with induction into the Region 5 Hall of Fame.
This year John Geddert, owner and head coach of Twistars USA, has the distinct honor of being the sole inductee into the class of 2009. Last year, the inaugural class of 2008 had six inductees. This is an enormous honor to say the least.
As John noted in a recent Team Newsletter: "I'm not old enough to be in a Hall of Fame, I thought, I'm not done coaching. Why not Dick Mulvahill (coach of 16 Olympians), Bill Sands (Olympic Coach and research extraordinaire), Steve Whitlock (God Father of Michigan gymnastics and educational wizard). Perhaps this is a mistake. These are some initial thoughts I had before feeling downright good about myself...WOW what an honor."
Shortly following his notification that he was being inducted, John also received notice that Twistars USA has been ranked the Number 1 women's gymnastics club in the Nation. What a Year! John's sheer dedication to coaching coupled with his desire to be the best at what he does has certainly been recognized and rewarded as he takes his well deserved place in the Region 5 Hall of Fame. Congratulations John!
JOHN AND KATHRYN GEDDERT RECEIVE THE
2009 REGION 5 ELITE COACHES OF THE YEAR AWARD
Twistars USA is proud to announce that owners and head coaches, John and Kathryn Geddert, have been presented with the REGION 5 ELITE COACHES OF THE YEAR AWARD for 2009. This is a great honor for our highly decorated coaches. This award follows on the heels of earning the 2007 NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC COACHES OF THE YEAR AWARD, a particularly coveted award as it was the first year that USA Gymnastics ever presented such an award at the NATIONAL level. In all, John and Kathryn have been presented with the Coach of the Year award at the State, Regional or National Level for 15 of the past 21 years. An outstanding achievement unmatched by any othergymnastics club in the region.
Congratulations John and Kathryn!
When senior Alexys Aben sets her sights on something, she will eventually achieve the goal. Sometimes it takes longer than expected but there is something to be said about stubborn determination and perseverance. When a challenge is laid before this senior from Saline, the outcome becomes even more inevitable. She will achieve! In this case the challenge was in the form of nay sayers and doubters in her ability. Some made mention that perhaps she didn’t have D-1 scholarship potential. We assured her otherwise and advised that she simply stay the course. Her athletic ability would be noticed. Well the course had many obstacles ... untimely injuries .... a bout with mono ... a car accident. Many would have thrown in the towel long ago. Not Alexys. Her dream of becoming a collegiate scholarship athlete has been realized in the form of a Full Ride offer from Southern Utah University. SUU is a small school with a big gymnastics history and one that consistently ranks in the top 20 in the nation. Additionally SUU is known for its outstanding emphasis on academic excellence. This is going to be a great fit for Alexys Aben. Congratulations goes out to her and her family. Well deserved!
Twistars USA is proud to announce that one more of its outstanding junior collegiate prospects has accepted a full ride scholarship offer. This time it is Holt High School Junior Maci Sump, the daughter of Dan and Lisa Sump. Maci has been a productive gymnastics standout for Twistars USA for many years. She was an exceptional compulsory gymnast who trained hard, honed her skills and remained focused and determined to accomplish her ultimate goal.... a full ride scholarship. Maci recent acceptance announcement came after careful consideration of offers from several schools .... most notably Southern Utah, Western Michigan and the University of West Virginia. WELL THE WINNER IS.... THE MOUNTAINEERS from the University of West Virginia. Maci's academic interests played a major role in her decision making process (as it should for all collegiate athletes). She would like to pursue a career in education and WVA has an outstanding under grad and masters program for aspiring teachers. This along with the fact that WVA has a strong a stable gymnastics coaching staff, a great training facility, and great team members, finally pushed the pendulum in favor of UWV. We are all so very proud of Maci's accomplishment. The recruiting process is sometimes a very stressful time for athletes and parents alike. With this life changing decision behind her, Maci can now focus on upping her gymnastics game and placing a few more notables on her resume.
ATTA GIRL MACI!
It may seem like the University of Pittsburgh has found the recruiting pipeline to Twistars USA with the 3rd signing in 3 years. (Brewer in 2009, Ketner 2010). Be that what it may, in this case it is just what the doctor ordered. University of Pittsburgh has long been a major consideration for Brianna Hogan. What a great reward it is when years of dedication pay off in the form of a free post high school education. It is even better when your school of choice comes calling. Bri is relatively new to the Twistars family, but her impact was felt immediately. She joined our team after the 2008 season with the goal of improving her gymnastics skills in hopes of landing the ultimate goal ... a full ride athletic scholarship! Although the mission has been accomplished, this by no means indicates that it was an easy task. Bri has set the pace when it comes to admirable work ethic in the gym. A phenomenal attitude, combined with daily determination usually leads to good things... in this case amazing things! With 2 full competitive seasons left in her Twistars career, Bri now hopes to build on her club gymnastics resume prior to joining the ranks of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fall of 2011. We will enjoy every minute that she has left! Congratulations Bri! Well earned, well deserved!
Sweet satisfaction is when patience and perseverance, hard work and dedication pay off in the form of receiving a full ride gymnastics scholarship to your number one school of choice. Complete and utter fulfillment comes when you know the reward is rightfully deserved.
Twistars USA Junior standout Maya Ketner had her sights set on University of Pittsburgh ever since the recruiting process started, (actually since former Twistars coach Mike Rowe accepted the assistant coaching position 3 years ago). She waited patiently for her offer, never once standing pat on her current credentials. Instead she labored to improve, add difficulty, enhance competitive performances and polish her resume of skills. This approach earned her great respect and in turn, the eventual offer of a free collegiate education at the UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH!
Maya is a delightful teammate, friend and leader in the Twistars program. Her humor keeps the training sessions fun and enjoyable. Her work ethic provides a grand example for the next generation to follow. She is sincerely a sweetheart and we at Twistars could not be happier for her and her family as they reap the rewards of quality athletics.
Congratulations Maya!
It is a true sign of indisputable greatness when any athlete is named to a list of TOP ATHLETES. It is more remarkable when you gain this recognition by the age of 14. Twistars pride and joy, Jordyn Wieber is simply that .... “indisputably remarkable.” The year end edition of the Greater Lansing Sports Magazine called SPORT, recently named Greater Lansing’s TOP 150 Athletes from the past 150 years. From nearly 300 nominations a committee of sports experts whittled the field to the final 150. Jordyn cracked into this impressive list of athletes as the youngest named. Considering that most of her resume has yet to be completed makes the statement ... “incredible achievement” ... seem lacking in descriptive substance. With names like Magic Johnson, John Smoltz, Charlie Gehringer, and Brad Van Pelt topping the list of Mid Michigans finest athletes ever, being honored in their company is something truly special. Jordyn is in the 9th grade at Dewitt High School and the daughter of Dave and Rita Wieber. She has 2 sisters (3 if you count her dog Lucy) and one brother. Her sights are set on 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics in London. Jordyn has shown she is willing to do whatever it takes to make those dreams become reality so that when the next edition of Lansings Greatest Athletes is produced, her name will remain etched in history. Congrats Jordyn.
TWISTARS CAPTURE STATE CROWNS
The Twistars USA Level 5 and 6 teams recently earned respect and recognition as the 2009 STATE CHAMPIONS for the state of Michigan. Both squads turned in strong team efforts in order to outdistance a very strong and competitive field. The Level 5 team finished ahead of Port Hurons All American Flames and Shelby township’s Olympia Gymnastics in a hard fought battle. Leading the Twistars were several state All Around Champions in the various age groups including Brooke Hylek (37.275- 1st UB and Fl), Kalleigh Grimes (36.725- 1st V, UB, Fl), and Talyor Stevens (36.175 1st UB, B). There were also several State champions on the four individual events including Jordan Valley on Bars ( 2nd AA with a 36.625) Payton Young on Bars (3rd AA with a 36.525), Jori Jackard on Beam (2nd AA with a 37.05), Alexandra Parks on Beam, and Genevieve Sampson on Floor. Also contributing to this State Championship title were Alexandra Alacantra (4th B, 5th V), Lidia Clarizio, Amanda Motts (2nd B, 3rd UB), Megan Dechatelets (2nd B, 3rd UB), Lynea Darling (2nd B) and Alyssa Murphy (5th UB). Great Job Ladies!
The Level 6 team ran into a little stiffer competition and managed to eek out a victory by a .4 margin over All American Flames. Michigan Academy of Gymnastics from Westland placed 3rd. Leading the way for Twistars were State AA Champions Hannah Kinzler (35.85- 1st B, 2nd Fl-V), Mamie Rodriguez (36.4- 1st B, 3rd UB) and Abby Mealy (36.85- 1st B, 2nd V-UB-Fl). Individual event state champions included Jade Brown on Vault (3rd UB), and Alexis Van Dussen on Beam. Also turning in strong performances were Erin Neely (2nd V-UB-B), Kelsea Anderson (3rd V, 5th UB), Wren Anderson (4th B), Sarah Stine (3rd V), and Amanda Peterson (4th UB, 5th B). This is an accomplishment that all members should be proud of. Congratulations to the Twistars USA Level 5 and 6 STATE CHAMPIONS!
NOW AVAILABLE! "Success Videos" by John Geddert
"Pirouettes and Dismounts" $20 (produced 2008) This DVD covers the lead ups, progressions and drills for proper pirouetting skills like Handstand Pirouettes, Giant Blind Pirouettes and more. It also covers the progressions for developing strong flyaway dismounts from the basic tuck through the advanced E level dismounts
"Shaping for Uneven Bars"$30 (produced 2009) Great for all events. Highlights the various conditioning Skills and Drills used to develop quality shapes in gymnastics. Great Conditioning and Idle Time station ideas.
"Round Off Entry Vaulting"$30 Lead ups and progressions for the Round Off Entry (Yurchenko) Vaults. Tons of round off and board drills, Rotations and Air sense Drills, Pre-Flight Alignment and Blocking Drills as well as examples of Tuck through Layout Fulls.
"Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced Bars"$30 5 Part DVD that covers shaping drills and conditioning, Level 5 and 6 routine development, drills and progressions, Intermediate Skills (Toe Shoots, Bails, Straddle Backs, Front Giants etc) and Advanced Bars (D level releases and dismounts)
To reserve your copy now, send an email to successvideos@twistarsusa.com Include your name, gym name, quantity requested
and preferred payment method (cash, check or credit card)
Video can also be mailed upon request($5 S&H)
RECREATIONAL BULLETIN BOARD
Winter Term recreation schedules are now available online and at the office upstairs
