A look inside Gedderts Twistars (Preview)

           
                

The full video will be released sometime next week.

Looking Back At "a Fairytale Season" and More- Interview with Alina Weinstein

While doing my portfolio for my journalism class, I decided I wanted to write an article about the Illinois women’s gymnastics team making it to Nationals for the third time in the program’s history. I thought it would be great if I could get quotes for the interview, so I interviewed my favorite Illini gymnast, Alina Weinstein. Since this article was only being written for my final portfolio, and not the actual school paper, I thought it would be awesome to put these answers in a blog post so people who love gymnastics, and not just my journalism teacher, would be able to read Alina’s answers.

Photo Credit: FightingIllini.com

  At regionals, what were your thoughts on ending the competition on beam while Nebraska, who you were competing with for the second spot, was ending on vault?
It's a funny thing because I knew that we were going to be able to do it. The past two times we went to nationals it was because we had such an impressive showing ending on our last event which was beam. So I was confident in the fact that we would do it again.

When you went anchored beam at regionals, what were your feelings since it could have been your last routine in an Illini leo?
I didn't think that there was any way Nebraska could come back. Call it foolish but at that moment I was just completely confident that we would pull through. There were times where going into that meet I considered that it might be my last routine but once we got going it just wasn't going to happen that way.


            


At regionals, you won three titles and the Regional Gymnast of the Year award. How did it feel to end the meet with several accomplishments?
Honestly those accomplishments in the grand scheme of things were just bonus. I promised to set the standards high and take my team back to nationals and that was the driving force that propelled me to do my absolute best for the team.

Describe your Nationals experience this year in one word.
Emotional. It was such an amazing experience to be there again. [It] didn't go out the way I had planned but I guess [it never] really does. But I have comfort in the fact that I took my team there and I showed the [underclassmen] what it was like and I am proud to continue the Illinois tradition that was once placed on me.

You've once said that you wanted to join Cirque. What are your plans after graduation?
I am sure that I want to be a college coach and stay in this world. So that's what I will be working on now.

The Illinois gymnastics program is obviously one of the up and coming collegiate programs in the nation. What do the Illini need to do in the future to be even more successful and make the Super Six?
The Illini can continue to improve their status in the NCAA by believing in themselves. Their potential and talent is incredible but they need to continue to push the envelope and continue to improve their consistency and small detail work. Their talent is what sets them apart from other teams and as soon as the Illini can really realize and take advantage of this then they will really take off.

At Nationals, you had an uncharacteristic fall on beam. What were your thoughts during that time? What occurred for you to bounce back from your fall and score a 9.9 on floor to tie for first and make event finals?
It was really hard. I hadn't fallen on a beam routine since nationals in 2010 so it had been almost two years. It was really upsetting and at my last meet at nationals that's not how you want to you want your experience to be. At that point I was an emotional wreck and I have never cried at a meet before because I was upset and it really took a lot for me to be able to go out there and do one last routine. I guess it was fate that I saw my athletic director in the hallway who was there by chance and he told me that he was proud of me as my head coach really helped me in the moment as well.

Photo Credit: Erin Long

Although the team's score at Nationals was below the season high of 196.475, the team scored a 195.700 to earn the highest score the women's program at Illinois has ever produced at the National Championships. You and the rest of the team have continually made history throughout the season, so how did it feel to end the season making history as a team?
At that moment I didn't know what our score was or what we had done as a team. I was just happy - it took a lot for us to get there and it took a lot of convincing and believing in ourselves. It's a lot harder as an underdog to accomplish the feats that people don't expect and I'm grateful for the ability to take advantage of an amazing opportunity - the one that we had at regionals. That was the moment that I will remember for the rest of my life and I'm happy for having that memory.

What will you miss most about gymnastics?
What I will miss most is the rush of doing something to the best of your ability and being able to share that special moment with the people you care about. The emotions that you feel at meets are incredible and that is what I will always remember and miss the most.

Throughout your entire gymnastics career, what do you wish you would have done differently?
I think every experience whether good or bad has taught me something and has shaped me into the athlete that I was. I don't think I would have changed anything - I am grateful for the career I have had.

The Pro Gym Challenge is unlike any other competition. Why did you decide to participate in it?
I wanted to enter the Pro Challenge because it was one last chance for me to do gymnastics and compete again. It was also an opportunity to meet some amazing people and be able to do skills I haven't done in years and just have some fun with it.

Team USA! Photo Credit: Pro Gym Challenge

How did training for the PGC differ from training for a normal meet?
Training for PGC was different because I worked on all the skills I had done in my career that I wasn't able to put into routines. It was a lot of fun because I love playing around with skills and I am definitely a daredevil so that's a lot of fun for me.

What was the best part of the PGC?
The best part of PGC was meeting new people and working out with people from around the world. It was like an adult gymnastics camp which was awesome.


          

  I would like to thank Alina for allowing me to interview her despite her busy schedule. I appreciate it very much. Congrats to Alina for graduating and on the season!

Interview done by: Amanda

My Favorite NCAA Floor Routines

What makes a floor routine stand out in such a large field of college gymnasts? There is something about some of the top floor routines in the NCAA that draws the audience in and makes you want to watch them. This is what I like to call 'the wow factor." A combination of incredible tumbling and presentation,  the wow factor is the ability to perform and draw the crowd into your routine. It's those routines that you just can't help but smile while watching and you just want to keep watching them again and again. Below I've listed all my favorite floor routines from last season.

Bridget Sloan- Florida


Vanessa Zamarripa- UCLA


Emily Wong- Nebraska

Lloimincia Hall- LSU


Sophina DeJesus- UCLA


What were some of your favorite routines? Comment below! 

10 Questions with upcoming junior gymnast- Vanasia Bradley

Meet Vanasia Bradley- she's 14 years old, an 8th grader, and one of the newest junior elite gymnasts. Vanasia trains at Splitz Gymnastics in Canton, Michigan and is already proving herself to be one to watch with some of her big skills. Vanasia is eligible for the 2016 Olympics in Rio and will turn senior in 2015. We caught up with Vanasia to talk about qualifying to elite, skills she's working on in the gym, and her plans for the future.

Triple Twist: How did you get started in gymnastics?

Vanasia: My kindergarten teacher noticed me doing cartwheels and stuff during recess, so she told my parents that I would be a really good athlete and that I should try recreational gymnastics. So I did and  when I was on the team, I moved through the levels a lot faster than anyone else so my parents knew I could be really successful. 

Triple Twist: You are the first and only elite gymnast to come out of your gym, how does that make you feel?

Vanasia: It's definitely helped me gain my confidence and I was very proud of myself, but one of the most important things was that I could be a good example for the upcoming little one's who want to be elite, so they can see that hey, it really can be done. 

Triple Twist: Who are some of your role models in gymnastics? Who do you look up to?

Vanasia: In the gym I look up to Isabell Hutchins because she's been through so much bad stuff, yet she comes in the gym everyday with a positive attitude and pushes through all the obstacles that come her way. Outside of the gym I look up to Rebecca Bross. I love the way she presents herself at competitions. She never gives up and is really mentally tough. 

Triple Twist: What skills can we expect to see from you this season? Walk us through your routines.

Current routines: 

Vault- Yurchenko full

Bars- Toe up, stalder, tkachev, blind half, jaeger, toe hand, bail, stalder up, double tuck dismount

Beam- Switch ring, back handspring layout step out, full turn, front aerial-sheep jump, side aerial, switch leap-back tuck, split jump-sissone, round off- 2 1/2 twist dismount.

Floor- Double pike, round off-1 1/2 to a full twist, switch ring, strug, double full turn with leg at horizontal, double twist, 2 1/2 twist

Working on:

Vault- 2 1/2 (amanar)

Bars- Shaposh half (watch here.), inside stalder, toe full, stalder full, and full out dismount

Beam- Back handspring layout step out-layout step out and triple twist dismount

Floor- Changing first pass to double double or full in (watch here.), 2nd pass to round off 1 1/2 to double twist, 3rd pass to 2 1/2 to punch front or full twist, 4th pass to triple twist.

You can see many of Vanasia's upgrades below or click here.

               

  Triple Twist: There is video of you training a triple twisting double, was that just for fun or do you plan on competing it? 

Vanasia at age 13 working on triple twisting doubles. Watch below or click here.

             

Vanasia: I won't be competing that, haha. But I should compete the double double. 

Triple Twist: Besides for qualifying to elite, what has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

Vanasia: The next biggest thing I did was at level 9 nationals. I got 2nd all around and first on bars. 

Triple Twist: What do you like to do when your not in the gym?

Vanasia: Well, I like to coach if I can. But other then that I love hanging out with friends, going shopping, painting my nails, you know..normal people stuff. 

Vanasia coaching younger girls at the gym.

Triple Twist: What grade are you in and do you home school or go to public school?

Vanasia: I'm in 8th grade and I go to public school. 

Triple Twist: After watching the London Olympics, what was your favorite moment? Did anything stand out to you?

Vanasia: I didn't really have a favorite part, but watching the whole thing helped me realize that I really wanted to go elite. 

Triple Twist: What are some of your goals in gymnastics? 

Vanasia: This year I want to make the National Team and down the road I want to make it to the 2016 Olympics. 

You can learn more about Vanasia by visiting her Gym Diva's site here.

Thank you Vanasia and we wish you the best of luck in the future! 

15 Celebrities and Their Gymnastics History.

Many gym fans can name a plethora of current gymnasts, from elites to collegiate to Junior Olympic. Many gym fans also know of former gymnasts, mostly those who were elites, collegiate, or JO, but there are, of course, many who are not known for their gymnastics. While flipping through several issues of Glamour Magazine, a feature on celebrity secrets revealed that actress Salma Hayek was an elite gymnast in Mexico who hoped to compete in the Olympics. From the discovery of this knowledge, an internet search was conducted to find other celebrities who were gymnasts.

• ·         Nicole Anderson, best known for being on Disney’s JONAS LA and ABC Family’s Make It or Break It, was a competitive gymnast for ten years. She quit the sport after suffering too many injuries during her last year of competition.
• ·         Mississippi native Katherine Bailess began gymnastics when she was four years old. She was also a cheerleader and dancer. Bailess portrayed Erica Marsh, a recurring character in the CW/WB’s One Tree Hill, and Coleen Lipman, a role in Bring It On Again.
• ·         One of Make It or Break It’s actresses, Candace Cameron Bure, who plays Summer on the gymnastics teen-drama, took gymnastics classes for about a year around the age of four. Bure claims that she did not possess much flexibility or talent in the sport, but it is her favorite Summer Olympic sport. Her father was also a gymnast, who competed in high school. Although Bure was a main character of MIOBI, Bure is most famous for playing DJ Tanner on Full House.
• ·         English actress Alison Carroll, the “Official Lara Croft” of the Tomb Raider series, is very familiar with gymnastics. Carroll has 20 years of gymnastics training and has represented Great Britain in several international competitions.
• ·         Nina Dobrev, star of Gabby Douglas’s favorite show, The Vampire Diaries, was actually a rhythmic gymnast in Canada. Dobrev represented Canada and competed internationally. 

                                 

• ·         Actor Richard Gere received a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for men’s gymnastics but only attended college for two years to pursue his acting career.
• ·         Mexican actress Salma Hayek was an accomplished elite gymnast for Mexico and was chosen to be on the Mexican National Team. Hayek wanted to be in the Olympics, but never achieved her dream because her father did not want her to travel worldwide for international competitions.
• ·         Olivia Holt, a young adult actress for the Disney Channel, first appeared on the youth channel in a short commercial segment called My Life that highlighted her cheerleading and gymnastics skills. Holt was a competitive gymnast for five years and was also a competitive cheerleader. 

            

• ·         One Tree Hill’s Bethany Joy Lenz also participated in gymnastics as a child, like former co-star Katherine Bailess. Like Bailess, she was also in the sequel to the popular cheerleading movie Bring It On Again.
• ·         Victoria’s Secret Angel and model Miranda Kerr had hopes of becoming a gymnast and used to compete, but Kerr says she grew too tall for the sport. Her love of yoga, exercise, and fitness stems from her gymnastics career. Though she was unable to become an accomplished gymnast, she can pass those hopes on to her child, Flynn, who is enrolled in gymnastics classes.
• ·         Josie Loren, another MIOBI star, was a gymnast as a child, but says the only event she excelled at was floor. Loren believed she could not be a successful competitive gymnast due to lack of talent on the other apparatuses, so she used her talent to become a competitive cheerleader and was the main tumbler for her team.
• ·         True Blood’s Anna Paquin has been active for a large part of her life. She currently enjoys taking gymnastics-like fitness classes, such as trapeze classes. Her interest in gymnastics-like class stem from her childhood gymnastics training.
• ·         Singer Pink expressed her love for the Fierce Five and the sport of gymnastics on her most recent appearance on the talk show Ellen. Her adoration for the athletes and sport is due to the fact that she is a former gymnast. Pink even performed on silks during a performance once.
• ·         As a main character of both Bring It On: In It to Win It and MIOBI, it is no surprise that Cassie Scerbo did gymnastics when she was seven or eight. Despite being a former gymnast, Scerbo hardly remembers it.
• ·         Before her infamous days on MTV’s Jersey Shore, Snooki was a gymnast for 10 years, from the ages of three to 13. Her gymnastics background assisted her in becoming a cheerleader later on in life. The reality star stated that her favorite and best events were floor and vault. She despised the uneven bars.

Written By: Amanda

From Golden Girl to Golden Coach- An interview with Kim Zmeskal

In 1991 Kim Zmeskal-Burdette performed an energetic and upbeat floor routine in the All Around at the World Championships to secure her place at the top of the All Around podium, being the first American woman to do so. With her feat, she captured the hearts of Gymnastics fans around the world, and became an inspiration to gymnasts everywhere. Two decades later, her performances on that day are still spoken about, and continue to impress gymnasts and gymnastics fans alike. Now, Kim along with her husband Chris Burdette have opened their own gym - Texas Dreams. She is a coach training some of the top elite gymnasts in the country, several of whom are currently on the USA National team, all while maintaining a humble yet exciting personality. She can often be seen on the sidelines of meets clapping, dancing with, and cheering for her gymnasts just like she is one of them, a rare sight for a coach in the world of elite gymnastics. Patrice, a contributor for Triple Twist got a chance to ask Kim Zmeskal-Burdette about her career as a gymnast, a coach, and what’s in store for the future.

In 1991, you became the first American to the win the All Around title at the World Championships. What was that experience like and how did it change your life?

Winning the All Around title in '91 was a defining moment in my life.  After scoring a 10.0 on vault in my last event during the team competition and getting to stand on the podium with my friends/ teammates for our silver medal WIN, I was very confident and ready for the All Around Final.  The competition was on a Friday the 13th which was also Bela's birthday… irrelevant details, but certainly makes this date stand out in my mind even more.  I started the competition on vault and tried my best to not know the standings throughout but I couldn't help but look at the large score board between each event. I competed on floor last, which was my favorite event to compete.  I remember the energy in the arena for that routine more than any other in my career.  It felt like the most effortless, fun routine I had competed!  I couldn't even hear my music from the cheers from the crowd after my final pass.  I remember running off the podium to Bela who lifted me up for me to wave to the spectators.  That moment is one of the most vivid and special moments of my career!  Although I didn't know the score yet, in that moment, I felt that I had won.  Before walking out for the awards ceremony, my teammate Hilary Grivich just shook me saying, "You just won the World Championships!" repeatedly. This day in my life has actually become more special as time has passed.  Over the years, watching how many truly talented and hardworking gymnasts there are throughout the world, I realize how many details had to go just right for me to get to experience this moment and allow me this title.  As a coach working with gymnasts who aspire to represent the USA, I am reminded how amazing the process was to achieve that goal.  

Photo Credit: Mike Conroy

Looking back at your gymnastics career, is there anything you wish that you had accomplished before getting injured?

Yes, there were goals unreached during my athletic career.  Going into the Olympics as the reigning all around, beam and floor champion and then having the highest score in the qualifying optional round, I certainly hoped to leave Barcelona with individual medals.  But I have contentment in knowing that I truly "played my game" with the hand I was dealt at that moment.  I am fulfilled in the fact that I made the attempt to achieve every goal I imagined.  I don't have any "what could've happened" feelings.  I know there are no set outcomes for anyone in any sport or any aspect of life, regardless to the effort put in to reach our goals.  I have certainly learned to appreciate the process and the journey.  I think the fact that I always wanted more was how I achieved what I did.  That feeling of wanting more in gymnastics is still in me.  

What have been your proudest moments, as both a gymnast and a coach?

I have two proudest moments as a gymnast.  Although I am grateful and proud of winning the all around title in '91, being able to dig down deep to get myself out of the hole I'd put myself in after falling in compulsories on my first event to qualify to all around finals with the highest optional score is one of my most proud moments.  The other most proud moment that I have is making the National Team in 1999.  It was a personal struggle for me to have the courage to compete.  I shied away from competition for several years afraid to not be battling for first place since that is how I left the competition scene 7 years prior.  It felt so amazing to be prepared and compete on that stage again!

As a coach, having Chelsea Davis make the bar and floor line-up at 2010 Worlds was incredibly rewarding.  She fought and never gave up through more obstacles than seems fair.  Besides being very happy for and proud of her, it was my first experience being on the floor at a World Championships as a coach too.  

Photo Credit: Kim Zmeskal

One of Texas Dreams’ former gymnasts Lloimincia Hall has been getting a lot of recognition recently for showing her personality in her floor routine. How do you think that her contributions to the NCAA scene will affect how routines are choreographed in the future? 

Lloimincia is the best of the best performers!  She always strives to make her performances memorable.  It is not necessarily the steps in her choreography that make the difference in my opinion.  No one could or should try to be what she is.  Every gymnast should strive to be memorable and entertaining to showcase their strengths.  


Do you have any up and coming gymnasts who are not yet elite that you think have potential?

Yes, we currently coach a few young optional gymnasts who train alongside our elites. There are also some very promising younger, beginning level gymnasts who it will be interesting to see where their paths take them.  It is great that there is no wondering what it takes to compete at the elite level for all these girls.  They see it in front of them each day.  And in some areas, they lead our current elites.  That is the beauty of training with a very driven team, each one has strengths that keep the others striving to compete with even in training.  

What are some qualities do you think an elite gymnast and coach need to have in order to be successful together? Have you learned any do’s or don’ts along the way?

I've learned and continue to learn do's and don'ts.  It is a never-ending learning process because times change, rules change, and most importantly, every gymnast and situation are unique.  There are certainly some absolute do's and don'ts I believe are essential.  Honest communication and trust between athlete and coach are number one.  Discipline in preparation on both parties is essential too.  The coach has to have a game plan and the gymnast must be on board with the plan and take ownership of things she is being guided to do.  And DO enjoy the process together.  One "don't" that comes to mind… Don't over-react.  Bad days will happen.  Missed skills and opportunities will happen.  Both the gymnast and coach need to solution minded.  

What can we expect to see from the Dream Team at Classics and Nationals this year? Do you or your athletes have any specific goals you can share with us?

As a whole, the game plan includes increasing difficulty, improving execution and confidence of current skills, and growing as an artistic performer.  Making the National Team is obviously a goal for each of them.  For our seniors, being a part of the World Selection procedure is also a goal.  We're happy that Peyton finally has had a chance to get her feet wet internationally and hope she continues to grow through higher international success.  Bailie has moved up in ranking each season and has her sights on continuing that.  As for an event goal, I've been impressed with skill development for the girls on bars in particular.  The question will be timing of when skills will be competitively ready to do well and with confidence.  With execution deductions being taken so severely, skills must be done with great precision in order for the gamble to benefit their scores.  We are hoping to see more "hindorf" family releases in many of our girls routines. 

Photo Credit: Scott and Emer Hults


What have you learned from your career as a gymnast that has helped you become a better coach?

I hope I never forget what it felt like from an athlete's perspective… physically, mentally and emotionally.  When I coach, I typically imagine putting my body through the movements my gymnasts are doing to "feel" what should change to make skills better. Mentally and emotionally, I can still connect with what it felt like in their shoes.  


You are known for being one of the best elite coaches in the USA. What does that mean to you? Did you ever imagine that one day you would be coaching some of the top elite gymnasts in the country?

It is an honor to hear that stated. I have so much respect for the very top coaches in the world and am motivated each day to play at that level with them.  I've learned and continue to learn so much for those around me as well as experiences that have been put in front of me and my gymnasts.  It had not been a goal of mine to pursue coaching until I had an opportunity to coach while we lived in Cincinnati.  Mary Lee gave me both the opportunity to coach alongside her at the elite level as well as to test the waters coaching with Chris and his TOPs group when I was in my early 20's.  I instantly felt a passion for this side of the sport.  It has been amazing to me how much more there was to the game I thought I knew so well before I started coaching.  As for coaching the number of elites we do now, I am very thankful for the opportunity to shape and guide these girls' lives through the sport we all love.

Screenshot from Gymnastike's Workout Wednesday 

In London, the Fierce Five won the Team Gold medal, inspiring the entire nation, and undoubtedly many young gymnasts. What kind of advice would you give to young gymnasts and athletes who now share the Olympic dream?  

On the wall at Texas Dreams, we have the saying, "Have a dream so big you could never achieve it, then become the gymnast who can."  That 's what it's all about to me.  The journey, the process, the life we live pursuing our dreams.  Then when the moments come when we have a shot at reaching our dreams, truly LIVE those moments.  Be present.  Be aggressive.  Be confident.  Have no regrets.  




Do you have anything to add that I haven’t asked? 

I just want to thank the gymnastics community around the world for continuing to make our sport develop while appreciating the contributions of past participants.  With the ever-growing interest in social media, I look forward to the darling sport of the Olympics to reach more people throughout each quad!

Triple Twist would like to thank Kim Zmeskal-Burdette for her time. We, along with many members of the gymnastics community, undoubtedly have a high regard for her as both a coach and gymnast, and are excited to see what the future holds in store for her, her gymnasts, and her family. We wish her the best of luck this year, and hope to see her at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, alongside the USA team. 

Watch Kim’s 1991 All Around Floor Routine here: 

                           

Confirmed gymnasts at training camp for April 26-30, 2013

I posted this on our tumblr, but I'm going to post it here too because it will be easier to update as I find out more information. These are only the gymnasts that are confirmed at camp, I'm sure we'll find out more soon.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Seniors
Simone Biles - Bannon's Gymnastix
Elizabeth Price-Parkettes
Kyla Ross - Gym Max
Maggie Nichols - Twin City Twisters
Madison Kocian- WOGA
Sabrina Schwab - WOGA
Lexie Priessman - CGA
Mykayla Skinner- Desert Lights
Rachel Gowey- Chows
Brenna Dowell- GAGE
Kennedy Baker-Texas Dreams
Peyton Ernst-Texas Dreams
Abby Milliet- Denton

Juniors

Amelia Hundley- CGA
Nica Hults- Texas Dreams
Grace Quinn- Texas Dreams
Bailie Key- Texas Dreams
Alexis Vasquez- Chows
Nia Dennis- Buckeye
Ragan Smith- Northwind
Ashton Locklear- Everest
Laurie Hernandez- Monmouth
Polina Shchennikova- Tigar
Megan Skaggs- Gym Academy of Atlanta

Confirmed not at camp:
Jordyn Wieber
Sabrina Vega (Had shoulder surgery)
Katelyn Ohashi (Recovering from shoulder surgery)
Mckayla Maroney (Was going, decided not to go last minute.)
Sarah Finnegan (Was going, decided not to go last minute.)