Flipstar Gymnastics Academy: Growing the Next Generation

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flip Star Gymnastics Academy is helping shape the next wave of gymnastics talent in Illinois, building a program centered on both athletic development and personal growth. With an emphasis on supporting each gymnast's individual journey, the academy strives to create a positive, encouraging environment where athletes can develop their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential. At Flip Star, success is about more than what happens in the gym; it's about fostering a supportive community that helps gymnasts grow both as athletes and as individuals. Let's take a closer look at what their optional gymnasts have been working on as they prepare for the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["99502"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae80be05849f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Level 9 gymnast [player_tooltip player_id='99502' first='Nicole' last='Vander Zanden'] is putting in the work for an exciting upcoming season, showcasing upgrades across multiple events. On beam, she has been training a gainer full and back handspring layout 1.5 dismount while continuing to impress with her beautiful back handspring layout step-out series. Her power and precision shine on vault with a new Yurchenko layout full, featuring impressive amplitude throughout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On bars, Vander Zanden recently caught her first Ray and is already competing a double layout dismount. She is also gaining consistency with her tumbling passes on floor with a stellar round-off whip to layout double full on floor and Rudi, highlighting her dynamic tumbling and difficulty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4776"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae80be0584dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Level 10 gymnast [player_tooltip player_id='4776' first='Claire' last='Bazan'] is building exciting momentum heading into the upcoming season, with upgrades across all four events. On floor, Bazan stands out for her dynamic tumbling and has been training a front double full to punch front, front layout to double full, round-off layout 2.5, and double Arabians into the pit. She shows her depth as a gymnast by training two separate vaults over the off season, a front handspring tuck full and front handspring pike half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beam upgrades include a front walkover to Barani connection and side aerial to tuck 1.5 dismount. On bars, Bazan has gained consistency with her Ray release and added a clear hip blind change to double front tuck dismount, showcasing her continued progression and growing difficulty. She will be one to keep an eye on this season with so many upgrades in the works!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4375"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae80be0584ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='4375' first='Frankie' last='Kissane'] is continuing to make strides across her routines as she enters her final club season. She has gained consistency over the off season on vault with a Kaz layout full that highlights her impressive power and form. On bars, she is working toward a toe on tuck full dismount, upgrading from last season's toe on front tuck, while also developing her Shaposhnikova skills and staying consistent with her pike Gienger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kissane looks to carry her floor success into this season after claiming the Regional title last year with a 9.65. She has continued to raise the difficulty, training a front double full to punch front, round-off double backs, and round-off triple fulls into the pit as she works to build on an already strong foundation. With Kissane's upgrades and power she will be one to watch in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae80be05851e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='4765' first='Abigail' last='Laird'] brings a combination of power, precision, and athleticism to every event. During the off season, she has been training a toe on front pike half dismount, upgrading from her previously competed toe on front tuck, while also adding a Van Leeuwen to her routine, which is an excellent E element to add to her repertoire. Laird continues to shine on floor, where she is building on her strengths with an impressive lineup of upgrades, including a double layout, full-ins, layout 2.5 to front punch, layout 1.5 to front full, and front through to round-off layout 2.5, highlighting her dynamic tumbling and athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is also making upgrades on beam with a triple series and back handspring 1.5 dismount, while adding a Yurchenko layout 1.5 on vault. With her increased difficulty, explosive power, and attention to detail, Laird is poised for an exciting season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["99506"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae80be05853b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Level 9 gymnast [player_tooltip player_id='99506' first='Samantha' last='Gad'] is gearing up for an exciting season, bringing increased difficulty and impressive upgrades to her routines. On vault, Gad has upgraded from a Yurchenko layout to a Yurchenko full, showcasing excellent height off the table. Her previously competed beam routine featured a back handspring-back tuck series with excellent landing execution, a switch leap-switch leap connection, and a round-off full dismount. This season, she is working to add a front tuck and a round-off double full dismount to elevate her routine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On floor, Gad has previously competed a Rudi and a round-off 1.5 to layout. She continues to push her difficulty, training a front double full, a front full-front full connection, and a round-off double full. With her growing difficulty and continued focus on execution, Gad is poised to make an exciting impact this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["99536"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af102d672c77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='99536' first='Audra' last='Smith'] is coming off an impressive Level 9 season, highlighted by a season-high all-around score of 38.150. Smith stands out on vault with her power, clean form, and excellent landing execution. Last season, she competed a Yurchenko layout, earning an impressive personal best of 9.775 at Regionals, where she stuck her landing to claim first place. Over the summer, Smith has made exciting progress on an upgraded Yurchenko full, adding even more difficulty to her vault lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On beam, Smith showcased a back handspring to layout step-out series and a round-off full dismount last season, both performed with excellent control and landing execution. She has been working toward an impressive triple series featuring a front aerial to back handspring layout step-out. Her offseason upgrades extend across multiple events, including a Tkatchev and blind full on bars, as well as double pike and double layout on floor. With so many exciting upgrades in progress, Smith is one to watch as she heads into the upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["62634"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af102d672ca6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='62634' first='Charlie' last='Lubbers'] is entering her first season as a Level 10 gymnast, bringing impressive power, amplitude, and dynamic tumbling to the upcoming season. On vault, Lubbers competed a Tsuk layout last season, showcasing excellent amplitude and landing execution. She has been training Tsuk fulls and Tsuk double fulls over the off season, further highlighting her power and potential for increased difficulty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On beam, Lubbers competed a stellar back handspring to back tuck and a round-off tuck full dismount, both reaching impressive height. On floor, she showcased a round-off double back and a front through to round-off 1.5, demonstrating exceptional power and control throughout her dynamic tumbling passes. With her impressive skill set and continued progression, Lubbers is one to watch as she makes her Level 10 debut!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->