Auburn Gymnastics Academy NewsWire

Auburn Gymnastics to Hold Intrasquad Sunday

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:01:00 GMT

AUBURN - The 2009 Auburn gymnastics team will be on display Sunday with an intrasquad meet starting at 2:30 p.m. in the McWhorter Center. The intrasquad meet is open to the public and is free of charge.

“Having an intrasquad gets the gymnasts out of their everyday workout and gives them a chance to compete head-to-head,” associate head coach Rachelle Thompson said. “We have seven freshmen on our team and it’s important to get them into a competitive atmosphere unlike our daily practices to prep them for the season.”

Fans will be able to walk throughout the gym as the Tigers compete on each event. Following the intrasquad, the Auburn gymnasts will be available to sign posters.

The Tigers open the season on the road against Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 4, and return to Auburn for the home opener on Jan. 9, against Alabama in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m.

Auburn Gymnastics Signs Three for 2010

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:04:00 GMT

Tigers gain gymnasts from California, Florida and Maryland

AUBURN - Lindsay DiSalvatore, Carlyn "Toi" Garcia and Petrina Yokay have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Auburn University and participate in gymnastics starting in the fall of 2010, head coach Jeff Thompson announced Wednesday.

"All three of these young ladies have trained their entire lives to reach this goal," Thompson said. "They know what it's like to train hard every day and never quit. We are excited about the possibilities with the three of them on our roster and can't wait to start coaching them next year."

DiSalvatore, who trains at Orlando Metro Gymnastics, is coached by Jeff Wood and Christi Barineau and was the 2008 USA Gymnastics Level 10 Regional floor exercise champion and also finished as the runner-up on both uneven bars and balance beam. At the 2008 Junior Olympic National Championships, DiSalvatore finished fifth on vault and 16th in the all-around competition.

"Lindsay is a great kid from a great family," Thompson said. "Her training at Orlando Metro has her ready to be a great all-arounder at Auburn. It has us even more excited now because Lindsay has taken her gymnastics to an even higher level in her home gym since this summer."

DiSalvatore is a senior at Wekiva High School in Orlando, Fla., and is the daughter of Tony and Cheryl DiSalvatore and is the granddaughter of Margaret DiSalvatore of Brewer, Maine.

Garcia, who trains at Docksider's Gymnastics in Millersville, Md., is coached by Bob Ouellette. In 2008, Garcia was named the alternate to the USA Gymnastics Level 10 national team after finishing as the floor exercise runner-up and placed fifth in the all-around at the 2008 Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships. Garcia was also named to the Region 7 All-Star team and is scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico to represent her Region in late November.

"We are very proud and excited that Toi has chosen to represent Auburn University for the next four years," Thompson said. "Not only is she a beautiful gymnast; but her energetic and courageous spirit is contagious and will surely lead to her becoming a crowd favorite."

Garcia is a senior at Severn School in Severna Park, Md., and is the daughter of Carlos and Gwen Garcia.

Yokay is coached by Lisa Poarch and trains at Technique Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova, Calif. In 2008, she tied for 11th in the all-around and placed third on balance beam at the Level 10 National Championships. Yokay was honored as the all-around and floor exercise national champion at the Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships in 2007. She was also the runner-up on uneven bars, placed fifth on vault and fourth on balance beam.

"Petrina is exceptional on both vault and floor," Thompson said. "When we saw her this summer, she warmed up with a double layout on floor. Most kids need to work up to a double layout. It was the very first thing she did that day on tumbling. Her explosive style and sheer power will be an asset to Auburn on every event. She is such a great athlete and is amazing to watch."

Yokay attends Ponderosa High School in Cameron Park, Calif., and is the daughter of John and Angie Yokay.

Getting to know Auburn Gymnast Leah Vining

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

A unique look at the 2009 Tiger gymnasts

We want to start the preseason out by introducing the gymnasts to Tiger fans. Every Monday throughout this upcoming year, we will uniquely get to know one of our gymnasts by asking them interesting questions about themselves.

By doing this, everyone can get to know them a little better-- not just as an athlete, but as a student, a family member and a friend. This week, the spotlight is on Leah Vining from Woodstock, Ga. Vining is currently a sophomore at Auburn majoring in chemistry.

1. Name:
Leah Vining

2. What is your hometown best known for?
Coca-Cola

3. What is your fondest childhood memory?
Going to Sanibel Island with my entire extended family

4. What do you like to do in your spare time other than gymnastics?
Read and play Ultimate Frisbee

5. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you (not related to gymnastics)?
I want to be able to speak German someday

6. What is one out of the gym talent that you have that few people know about?
I can play a mean Ultimate Frisbee

7. What is your favorite room in your house/apartment and why?
My room because it has my books, my favorite things and my bed

8. What are the top songs in your iPod?
Anything by Rascal Flatts or Casting Crowns

9. What is the best movie or DVD you have seen recently?
The Dark Knight

10. What is the one luxury item that you could not do without?
My laptop

11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
Bible, cell phone and extra pair of clothes

12. Who is your favorite athlete?
Roger Federer

13. What is your favorite food?
Any type of fruit

14. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Disappear and reappear anywhere at anytime

15. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Smiling, quiet and sarcastic

16. Why did you choose Auburn?
My mom went there, and I wanted to do gymnastics; it was also in the south and close to home

17. What is the best thing about being a gymnast at Auburn?
The team

18. What is your favorite thing to do during practice?
Swing bars

19. What do you like to do while the team is traveling-- homework, read, watch movies, etc.?
Watch movies and do homework

20. What are your favorite classes at Auburn?
Calculus, World History, World Literature and American Government

21. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The whole campus is pretty

22. What do you envision doing as a career after earning your degree at Auburn?
Teach or be a physical therapist

23. What do you enjoy about the town of Auburn?
Small and southern

24.What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
Saying "War Eagle" about everything

Getting to Know Auburn Gymnast Rachel Inniss

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:58:00 GMT

A unique look at the 2009 Tiger gymnasts

By doing this, everyone can get to know them a little better-- not just as an athlete, but as a student, a family member and a friend. This week, the spotlight is on Rachel Inniss from Rio Rancho, N.M. Inniss is currently a sophomore at Auburn majoring in accounting.

1. Name:
Rachel Inniss

2. Nickname:
Ray

3. What is your hometown best known for?The Balloon Fiesta

4. What is your fondest childhood memory?
Family gatherings on holidays

5. What do you like to do in your spare time other than gymnastics?
Hang out with friends

6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you (not related to gymnastics)?
I was one of the top track runners at my high school

7. What is your favorite room in your house/apartment and why?
My room and kitchen, because both rooms are my taste and also very comfortable

8. What are the top songs in your iPod?
Last year's top songs, because I am slow at updating it

9. What is the best movie or DVD you have seen recently?
Pineapple Express

10. What is the one luxury item that you could not do without?
Gum

11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
Gum, queso and phone

12. Who is your favorite athlete?
Dominique Dawes

13. What is your favorite food?
Italian

14.If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Teleportation

15. What was the most defining moment in your life?
Getting a scholarship

16. What is your motto?
Everything will work out how it is supposed to

17. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Sarcastic, energetic and outgoing

18. Why did you choose Auburn?
It was completely different from home, and I loved the environment

19. What is the best thing about being a gymnast at Auburn?
The team unity

20. What is your favorite thing to do during practice?
Dance to random songs

21. What do you like to do while the team is traveling-- homework, read, watch movies, etc.?
Catch up on some much-needed sleep

22. Who is the funniest gymnast on the team?
Claire Seiffert

23. What is your pre-meet/pre-event ritual?
I like to watch old gymnastics meets on my iPod

24.Why should other gymnasts consider coming to Auburn?
The experience is great, and you gain a family in the process

25. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The new student union, because they have good food

26. What do you envision doing as a career after earning your degree at Auburn?
I am not sure yet, but I may do accounting

27. What do you enjoy about the town of Auburn?
I like the small town feel and the sense of tradition

28. What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
I love the video that they show before football games

29. Why do you like Auburn?
It is completely different from what I am used to

30. Why should others consider coming to Auburn?
Who does not like wearing orange and blue?

Auburn Gymnasts Get Into the Halloween Spirit

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:54:00 GMT

Photo Album

AUBURN - Auburn gymnasts are getting into the Halloween spirit this week. The Tigers kicked off the week with the first of three events on Oct. 26 with a Big Sis/Lil' Sis pumpkin-painting event and will participate in the Downtown Trick-or-Treat event on Oct. 30 and will dress up for practice on Oct. 31.

The Tigers hosted a Big Sis/Lil' Sis pumpkin-painting event on Oct. 26, to open the week's festivities. The pumpkins will be given to various groups in the community.

For the past four years, the Big Sis/Lil' Sis mentor program has matched Auburn gymnasts with young gymnasts from the Auburn Gymnastics Academy, owned by Auburn coaches Jeff and Rachelle Thompson.

"It's a great program because the college gymnasts provide the younger gymnasts with encouragement in both academics and gymnastics," said associate head coach Rachelle Thompson.

"We had so much fun painting pumpkins with our little sisters," said senior gymnast Claire Seiffert. "It's always nice when we get together. They really look up to us as role models."

Auburn gymnasts will then team up with the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department to help with the seventh annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 30. The gymnasts will be handing out candy and signing autographs from 6-7 p.m. near J&M Bookstore.

"We are really looking forward to helping with the trick-or-treat," said senior gymnast Lindsey Puckett. "We've had so much fun handing out candy and meeting the children in the past. We hope for a good turnout this year."

On Oct. 31, the Tiger gymnasts are celebrating Halloween by dressing up for practice. Each class will come dressed in costumes and the best class of costumes is excused from conditioning.

"They will do anything to get out of conditioning," said Thompson. "It's a good time of the year to bring some competitive fun into the gym that does not revolve around the sport."

AGA Gymnasts Compete at Pirates of the Cahaba

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:18:00 GMT

The Auburn Gymnastics Academy compulsory team competed at the 2008 Pirates of the Cahaba meet, hosted by Mountain Brook Gymnastics, this past weekend in Birmingham. In all, twenty AGA gymnasts competed and half of them brought home at least one top-3 finish.

AGA Level 4 Gymnasts
Ivey Jacobs – Beam 3rd place
Janie Oelmann – Beam 3rd place; Floor 2nd place
Kaylie Patterson – Vault 2nd place; Bars 3rd Place; AA 3rd place
Sara Hitt – 2nd place Floor; AA 3rd place Jada Floyd – Beam 3rd place

AGA Level 5 Gymnasts
Julia Ganangeli – Vault 1st place; Bars 3rd place; Beam 2nd place; Floor 1st place; AA 2nd place
Lowrey Stucky – Vault 2nd place
Alex Teague – Vault 2nd place

AGA Level 6 Gymnasts
Jessica Perry – Vault 1st place; Bars 2nd place; Beam 3rd place
Sarah Holland – Vault 2nd place

The team returns to action next weekend when they will compete at the Turkey Tumble in Woodstock, Ga.

Getting to Know Auburn Gymnast Katie Hurley

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:46:00 GMT

A unique look at the 2009 Tiger gymnasts

By doing this, everyone can get to know them a little better-- not just as an athlete, but as a student, a family member and a friend. This week, the spotlight is on Katie Hurley from Wrentham, Mass. Hurley is currently a sophomore at Auburn majoring in exercise science.

1. Name:
Katie Hurley

2. Nickname:
Hurls or Hurley

3. What is your hometown best known for?
Wrentham Premium Outlets

4. What do you like to do in your spare time other than gymnastics?
Shop

5. What is your favorite room in your house/apartment and why?
My room, because it is a place where I can get away and do whatever I want to

6. What are the top songs in your iPod?
Justin Timberlake songs

7. What is the best movie or DVD you have seen recently?
Baby Mama

8. What is the one luxury item that you could not do without?
Cell phone

9. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
Cell phone, laptop and music

10. Who is your favorite athlete?
Tom Brady

11. What is your favorite food?
Steak

12. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Be able to fly

13. What was the most defining moment in your life?
Being offered a scholarship

14. What is your motto?
If you don't try, then you'll never know the great things you can achieve

15. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Caring, outgoing and trustworthy

16. Why did you choose Auburn?
I love the atmosphere and the small town

17. What is the best thing about being a gymnast at Auburn?
My teammates

18. What is your favorite thing to do during practice?
Tumble

19. What do you like to do while the team is traveling-- homework, read, watch movies, etc.?
Go shopping

20. Who is the funniest gymnast on the team?
Claire Sieffert

21. Who is the most under-rated gymnast on the team?
Krissy Voss

22. What is your pre-meet/pre-event ritual?
Take a nap before I get ready and listen to loud music

23. So far, what is the most defining moment you've had as a gymnast at Auburn?
Competing at SEC championships

24. Why should other gymnasts consider coming to Auburn?
We are a team on the rise, and we have a goal that we are working to achieve

25. What are your favorite classes at Auburn?
Kinesiology

26. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Jordan-Hare Stadium, because it is always a lot of fun at football games

27. What do you envision doing as a career after earning your degree at Auburn?
Being an athletic trainer

28. What do you enjoy about the town of Auburn?
It is a small town that thrives on Auburn University sports and spirit

29. What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
Rolling Toomer's Corner

30. Why do you like Auburn?
It is different from home, and it is a small town

31. Why should others consider coming to Auburn?
It is a great community filled with amazing people

Getting to Know Auburn Gymnast Lauren Brzostowski

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:47:00 GMT

A unique look at the 2009 Tiger gymnasts

By doing this, everyone can get to know them a little better-- not just as an athlete, but as a student, a family member and a friend. This week, the spotlight is on Lauren Brzostowski from York, Pa. Brzostowski is currently a sophomore at Auburn majoring in apparel merchandising.

1. Name:
Lauren Brzostowski

2. Nickname:
Stows

3. What is your hometown best known for?
York Peppermint Patties

4. What is your fondest childhood memory?
Disney World

5. What do you like to do in your spare time other than gymnastics?
Read

6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you (not related to gymnastics)?
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan

7. What is one out of the gym talent that you have that few people know about?
I can play the violin

8. What is your favorite room in your house/apartment and why?
My room, because it gives me peace and quiet

9. What are the top songs in your iPod?
"Disturbia" by Rhianna, "Buzzin'" by Shwayze

10. What is the best movie or DVD you have seen recently?
Vantage Point

11. What is the one luxury item that you could not do without?
My cell phone

12. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
Water, food and one other person

13. Who is your favorite athlete?
Michael Phelps

14. What is your favorite food?
Grilled shrimp cooked by my dad

15. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Lightning speed

16. What was the most defining moment in your life?
Getting into Auburn University

17. What is your motto?
Focus and dedication is the key for everything in your life

18. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Personable, dedicated and caring

19. Why did you choose Auburn?
The people and the unified atmosphere

20. What is the best thing about being a gymnast at Auburn?
The opportunities

21. What is your favorite thing to do during practice?
Getting a "good job" from my coaches

22. What do you like to do while the team is traveling-- homework, read, watch movies, etc.?
Watch movies and sleep

23. Who is the funniest gymnast on the team?
Claire Seiffert

24. Who is the most under-rated gymnast on the team?
Krissy Voss

25. What is your pre-meet/pre-event ritual?
Visualize routines before competition

26. So far, what is the most defining moment you've had as a gymnast at Auburn?
The first time I competed as an Auburn gymnast

27. Why should other gymnasts consider coming to Auburn?
Great team chemistry

28. What are your favorite classes at Auburn?
Global Consumer Science class, Marriage and Family class

29. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The new Foy, because it is a great place to just chill

30. What do you envision doing as a career after earning your degree at Auburn?
Buying clothes for a major department store

31. What do you enjoy about the town of Auburn?
The unity

32. What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
Rolling Toomer's Corner

33. Why do you like Auburn?
Everything about it

34. Why should others consider coming to Auburn?
The community and the great education

2009 Auburn Gymnastics Season Tickets Available

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:48:00 GMT

The Tigers will have six home meets during the 2009 season

AUBURN - Season tickets for Auburn gymnastics are available through the Auburn Athletic Ticket Office. The Tigers will have six home meets during the 2009 season.

"We have a great home schedule and have added an additional home meet," head gymnastics coach Jeff Thompson said. "I think our 2009 home schedule is the best we have ever had for Auburn fans. Every night will be exciting and every meet will come down to the wire."

Adult season tickets are $25 and youth season passes are $10. Family packs of four passes are available for $60. Season tickets for Auburn faculty are $12. Auburn opens its home schedule by hosting in-state rival Alabama on Jan. 9. The meet has been selected as the "Pink Meet" for breast cancer awareness.

"We hope that our fans will come out for the first meet versus Alabama and return for every meet after that," Thompson said. "Fans have a chance to see some very exciting competition with some of the best teams in the nation."

The Tiger gymnasts will have a two-meet home stand in late-January by first hosting Iowa State on Jan. 23, and LSU on Jan. 30. The meet against the Cyclones marks the return of former Auburn assistant gymnastics coach Jay Ronayne.

Auburn will again have two weekends at home in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum during the month of February for contests against Arkansas on Feb. 13, followed by a Feb. 20, meet versus Kentucky.

For the sixth and final home meet, the Tigers will play host to Ohio State on senior night on March 13.

All home meets begin at 7 p.m. at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. For more information, please call the Auburn Ticket Office at 1-800-AUB-1957.

Getting to Know Auburn Gymnast Kristina Voss

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:37:00 GMT

A unique look at the 2009 Tiger gymnasts

By doing this, everyone can get to know them a little better-- not just as an athlete, but as a student, a family member and a friend. This week, the spotlight is on Kristina Voss from Paradise Valley, Ariz. Voss is currently a junior at Auburn majoring in chemistry.

1. Name:
Kristina Voss

2. Nickname:
Krissy

3.What is your hometown best known for?
Heat-- Phoenix is known as the Valley of the Sun, and it reaches 115 degrees in the summer

4. What is your fondest childhood memory?
When I was five, my gym did the half show for Phoenix Suns. I did a round-off back handspring, and afterwards Charles Barkley patted me on the head

5. What do you like to do in your spare time other than gymnastics?
Sleep and hang out with friends

6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you (not related to gymnastics)?
I am a science nerd

7. What is your favorite room in your house/apartment and why?
My bedroom because I can relax so easily

8. What is the best movie or DVD you have seen recently?
Not necessarily a recent movie, but I always love Anchorman

9. What is the one luxury item that you could not do without?
Cell phone

10. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
Food, water and a sailboat

11. What is your favorite food?
Strawberries

12. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Super endurance to get through floor conditioning

13. What was the most defining moment in your life?
Leaving home

14. What is your motto?
"Die trying"

15. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Thoughtful, dedicated and true

16. Why did you choose Auburn?
My choice was instinctive, because I felt at home here

17. What is the best thing about being a gymnast at Auburn?
The thrill of a home meet

18. What is your favorite thing to do during practice?
Lots and lots of beam routines

19. What do you like to do while the team is traveling-- homework, read, watch movies, etc.?
Homework is a necessity, but back of the bus conversations with my teammates are my favorite

20. Who is the most under-rated gymnast on the team?
Carmen Nelms

21. What is your pre-meet/pre-event ritual?
I take a 30 minute nap, then I get ready, then I tell my parents that I love them and I pump up with music on the way to the arena

22. What superstitions do you have?
None

23. So far, what is the most defining moment you've had as a gymnast at Auburn?
Competiting all-american as an Auburn gymnast has been a great accomplishment for me

24. Why should other gymnasts consider coming to Auburn?
Because I believe in Auburn and love it!

25. What are your favorite classes at Auburn?
I enjoy undergraduate research in organic chemistry, because I run challenging experiments and learn research techniques and procedures first hand

26. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The new student union

27. What do you envision doing as a career after earning your degree at Auburn?
The medical field

28. What do you enjoy about the town of Auburn?
The friendly people

29. What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
The eagle's flight

30. Why do you like Auburn?
Auburn is charming, beautiful and friendly

31. Why should others consider coming to Auburn?
Education, sports, friends