With the 2014 P&G Championships just a week way, it’s a great time to learn more about some of the amazing competitors we’ll be watching! Full Twist contributor Anna Rose Johnson caught up with Shilese Jones, Adeline Kenlin, Maggie Musselman, Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, MyKayla Skinner, Deanne Soza, and Macy Toronjo to discuss their goals for P&Gs.
Shilese Jones of Auburn Gymnastics is 12 years old and placed 14th at the 2014 Secret Classic. Previously, she tied for 4th on vault at the 2014 American Classic. She is also the first gymnast ever to compete a 1 1/2-twisting double tuck on floor exercise. “My goal is to finish in the top 10 in the all-around and go 8 for 8,” Shilese told Full Twist.
12-year-old Adeline Kenlin of Iowa Gym-Nest placed 40th in the all-around at the 2014 Secret Classic. She also tied for fifth on balance beam at the 2014 American Classic. “My goals for P&G are: doing my best on each event, and not worrying about my scores or anybody else’s scores,” Adeline told us. “I want to be really confident and do what I practiced.”
Maggie Musselman is a 14-year-old gymnast from Hill’s Gymnastics in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She finished 2nd at the 2014 American Classic and 26th at the 2014 Secret Classic in the junior division. “I am really excited to compete at my first P&G Championships,” Maggie told Full Twist. “My goal for this competition is to be consistent and hit 8 events. I’m very happy to be competing in Pittsburgh because I’ve never been there!”
Sydney Johnson-Scharpf is 14 years old and coached by her mother, 1988 Olympian Brandy Johnson-Scharpf, at Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics. “My goals for P&G championships are to hit 8 for 8,” Sydney told Full Twist. “I am going for my personal best. I hope to make the National Team. My motto: with God all things are possible.” Sydney placed 31st in the all-around at the 2014 Secret Classic, where her highest score came on balance beam.
MyKayla Skinner, a 17-year-old national team member from Desert Lights Gymnastics, told Full Twist that her biggest goal for P&G Championships is to hit her routines on both days. She wants to prove that she can be consistent and help the USA wherever they may need her. MyKayla won the vault title at the Jesolo Trophy in March with an incredible score of 15.634.
Deanne Marie Soza tied for the bronze medal in the all-around at the 2014 Secret Classic with a score of 56.450. The 12-year-old gymnast from Orem, Utah trains at Arete Gymnastics with her coaches Dan and Jana Coleman. “I am very excited to compete at the P&G U.S. Championships for the second consecutive year,” said Deanne. “I am happy with the results at the Classics, but I need to keep improving and work on consistency going to the Championships. My goals are to place on every event and remain in the top 5, and to make the Junior National Team.”
17-year-old Macy Toronjo trains at Texas Dreams Gymnastics in Coppell, Texas. She competed on two events at the 2014 Secret Classic and scored 23.950. “My goal for P&Gs is to go out with confidence, and know that I can hit my routines with confidence,” said Macy. “And enjoy every minute of this amazing experience.”
Good luck to all the gymnasts at P&Gs, and special thanks to Shilese, Adeline, Maggie, Sydney, MyKayla, Deanne, and Macy for chatting with Full Twist!