Men’s Team Head Coaches:
Mike Trevino,trevinome@hotmail.com
Marc Yancey, mlyancey@sbcglobal.net
Assistant Coaches:
Bryan Powell, bryan.starcenter@yahoo.com
Ben Riley, benjaminriley80@yahoo.com
Star Center Men’s Team Coaching Updates
September 8, 2011
2011-12 Competition Schedule and Fees
Fees
Fees are set based on the total coaches’ expenses for the season for all meets and then divided equally among the total team members. Marc then makes minor adjustments based on the expense burden for each level (6-10’s have two out of State meets for Championships). Then, the Booster Club Officers determine the amount of subsidy affordable to bring cost down (this is a benefit related to the amount of profit we make in meets hosted and fundraising).
At Star Center, we do not, and will not use a system in which each level pays fees only for the meets they attend. We are a “one for all and all for one” organization that honors the achievements for all our athletes and families by spreading the cost of upper level athletes across the entire team. Every level athlete has a vested interest in the success of all others. Upper level athletes serve as role models and training partners for lower athletes. Information gained by coaches at upper level meets is disseminated down to athletes at all levels. The reward for years of training is additional support when athletes reach higher levels, travel farther and have fewer teammates to share costs.
This is the first season Star Center will have athletes in the Jr. Olympic National Championships. We will have more next year and from now on. One day, if they train hard and continue to progress, every athlete will have this opportunity. It has been the long stated plan that the Booster club will help insure that families of National qualifiers will never be faced with having to send a son to a National Championship without at least one parent being able to attend. To that end, in this inaugural season of National Championship participation, Mike and Marc requested that the Booster Club Board approve the purchase of one (1) airfare per family of National Qualifiers. This will help families afford to send a parent along with an athlete to these meets.
Regionals-Norman, Oklahoma
This year’s Regional Championships (Lv 6-10) is in Norman, Oklahoma. It is being held in conjunction with the NCAA Division 1 National Championships, at the University of Oklahoma. It will be a great event (thought the Regional Venue is un-air-conditioned) and they guys will get to experience the very best of Collegiate gymnastics. This is a drivable meet, though based on the schedule, and due to the fact that for the Level 9-10’s this is the qualifier for the National Championships, we may decide to fly the 9-10’s and coaches up for a day of training and rest before their competition. The flight would be to Oklahoma City, and then drive South 18 miles to Norman.
Nationals-Cincinnati, Ohio
This year’s Jr. Olympic National Championships is in Cincinnati, Ohio. The meet is May 8-13th (Mother’s Day weekend every year-plan on it). W travel on Tuesday, Train on Wednesday, Compete on Thursday, Friday, Saturday (if on the Regional Team), and Sunday if qualified for Individual Event Finals (top 8 on each event at each Level). We return home Sunday afternoon/evening. Athletes and Coaches will travel and stay together, parents are on their own.
Training Update and Season Outlook
For those who trained this summer, there was great progress in strength and endurance as well as skill basics and new routine skill achievement. Attendance for a lot of the guys was still spotty, but now that school is back in session, the guys are training more consistently and are showing great progress.
Our new team members at Level 4-5 are VERY talented and really attacking their strength, and basic body positions. Ben and Bryan are really excited about the prospect for the coming season. Last years’ athletes continue to progress and should likewise have very successful seasons this coming Spring.
I do want to stress that while our program is considered the flagship Level 4-5 program in the State, it is not realistic this season to expect a 3rd Undefeated Level 4 Team Season, or as many top Team finishes at Level 5. Our depth is diminished and our new team members will need a year to grow. Please allow the coaching staff to set the goals for the season both for individual gymnasts and for our Team as a whole. These things go in cycles and next year, we will have the depth and maturity needed to once again be the Top Team in the State. Be patient!
We have 3 athletes who will compete in the Fall Future Stars Regional Championships here in Austin. Oliver Zavela, Zachary Gonzales, and Ezra Esquivel will all have a chance to be designated Region 3 Developmental Team Members. They could well win the competition in each of their age groups. Next year, all three will be age eligible to qualify to the National Future Stars Championships at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and potentially make the US National Future Stars Team.
Our Level 6 gymnasts are really beginning to look very good. All should easily qualify to Regionals and several have the great chance of making the Region 3 Team and qualifying for a Training Camp with the Regional Coaching Staff. In particular, our newest Level 6 gymnast, Alekzandr Popper has made gigantic leaps and strides in his strength, form and technical execution and is really looking great.
Our Optional Level gymnasts (Lv 8-10) are really beginning to grow physically. They are getting much stronger and psychologically, much more aggressive with skill learning. In particular, John Anges, who was initially slated to move from Lv 7 last year to Level 8 this season, has improved so much that he has now made the move to Level 9 and will be eligible for qualification to the National Championships along with Nathan Cootes and our sole Level 10, Connor Lewis. Not coincidentally, John Anges has the best attendance record for training of our entire Optional Team. Consistent training is always rewarded with great progress. Congrats John. By the way, John has been selected as this year’s Sr. Team Captain.
Jared Rodriguez (Level 8 or 9), Nathan Cootes (Level 9), and Connor Lewis (Level 10) are really making progress on strength and making major gains in their skill achievement. Jared may well be able to join his training partner John Anges as a Level 9 by October if he continues his current progress.
All of this to say, the season outlook for all our Teams is very bright. All the coaches are extremely pleased and excited about the potential of our athletes and are really looking forward to competition.
New Uniform policies and training attire for gymnasts
Just a reminder that we are asking ALL level boys to purchase a pair of Pommel Pants for daily training. This is really necessary for the guys to be able to work effectively on the skills we are doing.
Also, this year, all athletes will be responsible for purchasing their COMPETITION Shorts and Pants (Levels 5-10). The Booster club will supply competition uniform tops. All shorts and pants for training and for competition can be purchased through the gym. Order them through Marc.
Next year we will be changing uniforms completely. We will also change our colors. Our uniforms for the 2012-13 through 2015-2016 Olympic Cycle will be Saphire Blue, White and Gold. Test designs have been ordered and are being tried out currently.
New Pommel Horse
The Booster club purchased one of the first available NEW Olympic Specification Pommel Horses in August. The new Horse is softer and wider with greater range of adjustment for the Pommels. This helps both our young and older athletes and is the horse design they will be training on for the rest of their careers. Thanks
Request for iPad2 for Training and Competition
I am requesting that the Booster Club purchase an iPad2 with Video capture/playback capability. Both our Level 4-5 and Level 6-10 athletes need desperately to be able to see skills during training in real time. Our coaches also need to be able to analyze skill work in slow motion and frame by frame both during training sessions and afterward in order to properly direct the progress. After discussions with other coaches around the Region and from their information regarding the new Apps available that relate to training, we are absolutely convinced we are really in need of this tool for daily training and competition performance evaluation.
That is all for now. Welcome to our new Team members and parents. It looks like another great competitive season will be very rewarding for our entire program and all our athletes.
Marc Yancey
For Mike Trevino, Ben Riley, Bryan Powell