| AAU September-October Update |
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September 7, 2005 - TEAM FLORIDA GYMNASTICS NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005
www.tampagov.net/gymanddance
FROM THE PRESIDENT
One month ago, I was in the great city of New Orleans for the AAU Junior Olympic Games. There was the usual big contingent of athletes, coaches and families who represented Team Florida. The event was awesome, not only because our team did extremely well, but because New Orleans offered so many unique, interesting and fun things to do on the off time. While I knew I would not have much down time at all, I promised myself to at least go down to the French Quarter and visit Café’ Du Monde, famous for those wonderful beignets. On the night before we were to leave, Louise Wynn, her daughter Stacey, my college gymnast Michelle Bourque, my Georgia AAU friend Peg Adams and I walked towards the French Quarter even though we were extremely tired and really didn’t want to make the trip. Louise and I left Stacey, Michelle and Peg at the casino, got on the streetcar and traveled to Café’ Du Monde. We saw a group of the gymnastics judges and joined them. For about an hour, we enjoyed the atmosphere of the French Quarter, spending only about $10.00 for all of us. We then boarded the streetcar in the pouring rain. Louise and I decided to walk back to our hotel just to get in one last evening in the city, rain or not. As we strolled along, we commented on how glad we were that we decided to take the time to see New Orleans one last time. Little did we know that indeed, it would be the very last time we would ever see New Orleans in this way again. This city, devastated by hurricane Katrina, opened it’s doors and hearts to over 20,000 AAU athletes for two weeks for the largest amateur sports competition in the world. Now, it’s people, land and very spirit has been changed forever. I feel so fortunate that I took that last evening to see the city.
Coming from an area hard hit by Charley, I know that somehow the Gulf Coast will rebuild just as my area has, but it will never be the same again. I know everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with the families, communities and businesses as they begin the process of starting over. The AAU has urged its members to contribute to the charity of your choice and has listed several on its website (aausports.org). Team Florida will make a donation to the Red Cross as they were a godsend in our area.
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JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES WERE AWESOME!
The JO Games in New Orleans were spectacular! Florida’s athletes were invited performers in the Celebration of Athletes opening ceremonies. Several gymnasts and cheerleading squads performed as part of the totally rocking Mardi Gras atmosphere of the opening ceremonies. Our athletes also got to ride on the floats that were paraded around the New Orleans Arena. Beads and T shirts were fired at the audience and everyone went nuts! It was one of the liveliest and charged up celebrations I have been to since the first one I attended in 1989. Another reason to remember the excitement that was New Orleans. Next August, the city of Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach, Virginia will be host to the JO Games. I hope many of you plan to bring athletes! JO Games info is posted on the aausports.org website.
The gymnastics competition saw many Florida gymnasts on the podium in both the intermediate and open optional divisions. For all results, log onto aausports.org and go to the Junior Olympic Games. A big congratulations to Kaylyn Oaks, 14, of Horizon Gymnastics and Dance. Kaylyn competed in both cheerleading and gymnastics, did awesome in both and won the prestigious Joel Ferrell award for the sport of Cheerleading. This year marked the 11th year Kaylyn has competed in the JO Games, beginning at age 3 in trampoline and tumbling. Also, congratulations to the following Florida gymnasts who won the AAU national All American Award for placing in the top 6 open optional all around regardless of age divisions: Carly Crosby-Horizon Gymnastics and Dance (37.375); Lisa Taylor,-Tampa Gym and Dance (36.625); Brittany LaMattina-Stars and Stripes (36.575); Lauren Pacetti-Tampa Gym and Dance (36.550).
NEWSLETTER WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE
This will be the last newsletter that will be mailed to clubs. From this point on, all information will be available at the following website:
www.tampagov.net/gymanddance
There is already much information available on this website such as sections for each club, the last newsletter, AAU modifications to the USAG compulsory routines, level 2/3 AAU deductions, etc. Make sure that you keep this website address somewhere that you can easily see it or commit it to memory. Before calling me or a board member, check the website. Then, if you still can’t find the answer that you need, feel free to call or email me or a rep. They are-
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Heather Erickson, (Heather.Erickson@ci.tampa.fl..); Shelly Proa, (tumbleathorizon@aol.com); Louise Wynn (HAWAIILWYNN@aol.com); Arnold or Cindy Gwinn, (agwinn1@aol.com); Tim Keckler, (lcgymnasts@aol.com); Kathy Stuenkel (teamflorida@comcast.net).
FALL SEASON IS UPON US
The new compulsory routines will be a challenge but I know that as the season progresses, the kids will get better and better. Make sure you enter the qualifiers at least 3 weeks before the meet date. Check the website for dates and locations. For now, the qualifying scores and ability division scores will remain the same until we see how the gymnasts are scoring. If there is a need for a change, this info will be up on the website.
GYM ACHIEVERS PROGRAM OFF TO A GREAT START
Our newest program, Gym Achievers, already has over 80 athletes registered! Check out the information regarding this great new program on the website. Registration forms are available on the site. GK will be the official supplier of the Gym Achiever leotards for girls and step ins for boys. This program will help to introduce your most beginner athletes to the world of competitive gymnastics in a fun, inexpensive, positive way. The Gym Achievers Fall Friendship meet will be held as part of our state championships at Lightning City in December. The spring Friendship meet will be held as part of the State Championships at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in April. Anyone with any questions regarding Gym Achievers, please give me a call or email me. I will be happy to give you all the information you need to get started.
2006 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE AT DISNEY
The spring ’06 State Championships will be held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Many thanks to Tampa Gym and Dance for agreeing to provide a backup sight. Remember, the calendar for meets can be found in the last newsletter posted on the website.
TEAM FLORIDA EXTENDS A HELPING HAND TO SAMANTHA
As most of you are aware, Samantha Slusak, a level 10 gymnast from Suncoast Gymnastics suffered a serious injury while training. As a result, Sam will be involved in extensive rehab for some time. As a gymnast of Arnold and Cindy Gwinn, Samantha competed as an AAU gymnast and attended the JO Games
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as a member of Team Florida. It was decided by the Team Florida board that the entry fee for all qualifiers for 2005 and 2006 would be raised $2.00 with those monies going to Samantha’s recovery fund. In this way, we all are helping Sam on an ongoing basis. Our best wishes go to Sam for a recovery and very bright future.
UPCOMING INVITIATIONALS
November 5/6 2005: C. Gene Stowe Scholarship Invitational: hosted by Tampa Gym and Dance, Tampa. Proceeds to benefit the Gene Stowe scholarship foundation which benefits our graduating senior gymnasts. Levels 2-6, AAU and Levels 4-6 USAG. Contact Heather Erickson for further info.
January 14/15 2006: The 7th annual Princess Classic, hosted by Horizon Gymnastics and Dance Academy, Port Charlotte. Wonderful awards, great judges, positive competition and the fabulous tiaras! AAU levels 2-10 with Gym Achiever “Future Princesses”; USAG levels 4-10 with prep optionals. Email teamflorida@comcast.net for info.
February 3/4/5 2006: Magical Classic hosted by Brown’s Gymnastics, Orlando. Great AAU awards and free t-shirts! AAU level 2-8. USAG level 4-10. Contact Brown’s Gymnastics for info.
If anyone else has an AAU sanctioned invitational, please forward me the info for publishing in the newsletter.
The above notice is archived content and may contain information that is no longer valid. This includes URL's that were valid when originally published, but may now link to sites or pages that no longer exist.
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