The search for a boys coach replacement has ended and we are proud to announce the addition of TOM BUESE to the Twistars Staff. Tom comes to us from the University of Iowa where he was a varsity athlete and letter winner Tom just graduated this past spring with a degree in sports fitness. His passion for gymnastics extends back to his club days in Gainsville, Florida where he was an accomplished club athlete. During his senior year Tom was named to the All American Scholar Athletes team, All Academic Big 10 Team and was Captain of the Year for Iowa this past season. As part of the interview process we were searching for a knowledgeable and passionate person. One who would sink his heart and sole into continuing the development of our boys program. I think we have found that person. Obviously, being a collegiate athlete provides a great base of knowledge about the various techniques and skills involved in coaching gymnastics, but application is key. Tom has served in many capacities as a coach while working his way through college. We are looking forward to the new leadership for our boys program. Welcome aboard Tom.

Twistars USA junior standout Caitlyn Ciokajlo has accepted a full-ride gymnastics scholarship offer to the UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY. This comes after a long drawn out process where many of the nations top universities had been recruiting this talented level 10 national qualifier. Schools such as Utah, Nebraska, Arizona, Pittsburgh and more had their hats in the ring.
Caitlyn has impressed the nation not only with her gorgeous lines and presentation, but also her academic accomplishments as well. In fact she has done so well with her schooling that she will be graduating one full year early and thus joining the WILDCATS in the fall of '09. Although this certainly is a loss for Twistars USA, its an incredible gain for coach Mo Mohammad's Kentucky team.
While visiting UK, Caitlyn simply fell in love with the campus, the academic structure, the location, the team and the coaching staff. UK is a perfect fit for Caitlyn and we are quite confident that she will make an immediate impact on their program with not only her skill level but her work ethic and leadership in the gym.
Caitlyn is the daughter of Stacey and Jay Ciokajlo and resides in Brooklyn Michigan. She was the 2008 level 10 national qualifier and the 2008 Region 5 All Star Team Member representing her club and region in Costa Rica last fall. Congratulations Caitly, we are all so very proud of you!

Senior Nicole Dayton recently accepted the much anticipated offer of a FULL RIDE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP to one of the worlds most prestigious universities … Stanford University. Although there were many of us that would have preferred that Nicole stay within shouting distance of home, few can argue the alluring draw of STANFORD UNIVERSITY… after all … It’s STANFORD! I know the decision was well attended to and not one easily formed so in the end we know it is the right one for Nicole. Stanford offers the best of both of Nicole’s worlds. First and foremost Nicole is a gifted student that will thrive with the educational opportunities and challenges that Stanford will provide. Secondly, Nicole is a gifted athlete heading to a gymnastics program that ranked number 3 in the nation in 2008. An unbeatable combination for someone as driven, focused, and talented as NICKO. We are obviously proud of her but can you image the beaming pride coming from the Dayton household these days. Congrats Mom and Dad (Margi and Rick). FANTASTIC! Nicole gets Stanford BUT in the opinion of this slightly biased gymnastics coach, more fittingly STANFORD gets Nicole! They not only get a great athlete (3 time national Vault Champion, 4-time Region 5 All Star Team Member, 4 Time National Qualifier), a wonderful role model and mentor, an outstanding student, incredible leader and teammate, but simply one of the sweetest kids in the world. Congratulations NICKO!

It what will undoubtedly go down in gymnastics history as one of the most amazing “coming out parties” for any USA athlete ever, Jordyn Wieber dazzled a near capacity crowd at the 2009 Tyson American Cup. “Dazzled” is an understatement, SHE WON THE ALL AROUND becoming the youngest AA champion since Tracee Talavera in 1980 and the second youngest ever.
NBC television alluded to her having the brightest of futures for USA Gymnastics and emphasized the comparisons to past American Cup Champions, the likes of Mary Lou Retton, Nadia Commaneci, Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. To be considered in the same conversations with these gymnastics icons is an honor that goes beyond description.
Twistars Gymnastics could not be prouder of her performance, a performance that displayed great skill but more importantly the greatest of composure and maturity. Often times youthful talent crumbles in the national spotlight. Handling the media, the cameras and the crowd is not an easy task. Jordyn was oblivious! She remained focused on her performances and simply ROCKED THE HOUSE on every event.
American Cup teammate and 2008 Olympian Bridgette Sloan called her a “little gymnastics machine” paying a complement to Jordyn’s ability to perform. NBC television called her the “face of the future” for USA Gymnastics. Incredible and amazing was the entire experience.
Humbly she handled the press fully realizing that her road is just beginning, BUT what a beginning it was. Fantastic job Jordyn! You made us all so proud … Twistars, Michigan gymnastics, Region 5 gymnastics, USA Gymnastics, coaches, friends and family alike. You were simply amazing!

Twistars USA junior elite national team member Kamerin Moore captured the all around title and led her team to victory over a veteran and seasoned Japan national team squad. This competition was a prelude to the American Cup and held at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois Friday February 20th.
The USA team was young and inexperienced featuring three athletes in their very first international competition. Kamerin was the “veteran” of the group with this assignment being her 2nd international event. The Japan team however was loaded with talent and experience including no less than three 2008 Olympians (members of the 5th place Olympic team in Bei Jing). To outdistance a team of this quality really signifies the depth of the up and coming USA talent.
The U.S. Team of Moore, Mackenzie Caquatto of Naperville, Ill., Bridgette Caquatto of Naperville, Ill., and Hallie Mossett of Los Angeles, Calif., bested Japan, 169.850 to 159.300.
Kamerin led a U.S. sweep of the top four all-around spots with a score of 56.350. Mackenzie Caquatto was second and Bridgette Caquatto was third with scores of 56.250 and 55.800. Mossett was fourth at 55.600. Congratulations Kamerin!

Jordyn Wieber, was recently named REGION 5 ELITE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR by USA Gymnastics. The award was presented at the Regional Coaching Congress Banquet held in Indianapolis on September 29th. Jordyn’s outstanding accomplishments during the 2007-08 competitive season earned her this much deserved recognition. Included in her accolades from this past season are winning the All Around title at the Visa Championships of the USA (which also included national titles on Vault and Floor), winning all 5 events (Vault-Bars-Beam-Floor and All Around) at the 2008 US Classics, winning the AA Title at the Italy Grand Prix, and winning Team, Bars and Beam Gold at the Junior Pan American Games held in Guatemala last November. That is quite a year! Congratulations Jordyn!