Leah concluded her J.O. career at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Cincinnati, OH. She competed in Olympic order finishing her club career on floor, one of her favorite events. Leah placed in the top 10 on floor (9.550 8th) and all around (38.150 9th), and placed 11th on bars (9.600) and 14th on vault (9.625). Also Leah’s scores contributed to her Region 5 Dream Team team winning 1st place in the Senior D age group. Here is a video of J.O. National Championships: 2018 J.O. National Championships (3:33)
Leah Clapper’s Newsroom
At the Saline High School Compass Award Banquet, Leah was awarded “Highest Honors with Distinction” in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement during her high school career. The award is given to the top 5% of the graduating class. Leah completed her high school career with a 4.00 unweighted grade point average. She selected her coach, Claudia Kretschmer, as her honored educator to accompany her to the banquet.
Here is a video and link to Leah’s Saline Post Interview: Saline Post Interview (12:21) Saline high schools top graduating seniors honor their most influential teachers
Last weekend at the Region 5 Championships Leah qualified to J.O. Nationals. Leah won the all around title (38.300) and was the bars champion (9.700). She also took second place on floor (9.625), 3rd beam (9.450), and placed 5th on vault (9.525). Leah will compete with the Region 5 Dream Team next month in Cincinnati, OH. Congratulations, Leah! Here is a video of the Regional Championships: 2018 Region 5 Championships (3:32)
Leah began her Senior year post season at the Michigan State Meet at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, MI. Leah won the state title on vault (9.775) and took second place on bars (9.650), beam (9.575), and all around. Here are event videos from the state meet: Vault Beam Bars
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider Videos:
2018 Michigan Senior Class Goodbye 2018 Michigan Senior Class
In her final regular season club meet, Leah won vault (9.750) and took second place in the all around (38.425) at the Tim Rand Invitational. She also placed 3rd on beam (9.575), and 4th on floor (9.475). Here is a video of the Tim Rand Invitational: 2018 Tim Rand Invitational (3:26)
Leah won the all around at the City of Lights Invitational with a career high (38.575). She placed 1st vault (9.775), 1st floor (9.625), 2nd bars (9.625), and 2nd beam (9.550). Here is a video of the City of Lights Invitational: 2018 City of Lights Invitational (3:14)
Leah won the all around at the Buckeye Classic in Columbus, OH. She placed 1st all-around, 1st vault, 2nd bars, and 2nd floor.
Leah wins all-around at the Buckeye Classic
Leah opened her senior season with a strong start at the Twistars Invitational winning all four events and all-around title at the Twistars Invitational in Dimondale, MI.
Leah competed her first meet of the season and had some new personal bests on beam and vault. Leah placed 1st all around (38.275), 1st vault (9.800), 1st beam (9.700), 1st floor (9.475), and 1st on bars (9.300). Note Leah in December had decided to move back to Level 10 for her senior season from Elite. Here is a video of the Twistars Invitational: 2018 Twistars Invitational (3:13)
Additionally, Leah made the Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “best of” video (on VT/BB/FX) from Twistars Invitational: Region 5 Gymnastics Insider 2018 Twistars Invitational ‘best of’ Video (2:13)
Last week Leah had the opportunity to travel to Trinidad & Tobago as a member of the 2017 Region 5 Elite Ambassador . This years Region 5 Elite Ambassador team members included: Emily Gaskins, Cincinnati Gymnastics, Lillian Lippett, Cincinnati Gymnastics, Shania Adams, Buckeye Gymnastics, and Leah Clapper, Gym America. In addition to attending practice and learning sessions with Olympia Gymnastics Club in the capital city of Port-of-Spain the group had the chance to explore Trinidad by hiking, kayaking, enjoying time on the beautiful beaches, and enjoying local culture. To see the Region 5 Gym Insider article/picture gallery follow the link here… R5 Gym Insider Elite Ambassador Team Trip
Leah with Region 5 Elite Ambassador Team
Leah signs her National Letter of Intent with the University of Florida and is set to join the Gators for the 2019 season! (Full Article)
Leah with Coaches and Family on NLI Signing Day
Happy 17th Birthday, Leah!
Leah has been selected to the Region 5 Elite Ambassador Team! She is extremely honored to be one of the 4 gymnasts that will travel internationally to Trinidad and Tobago this December. (2017 Region 5 Honors)
Region 5 Elite Ambassador Team Lillian, Shania, Leah, Emily
Leah took 15th at the 2017 P&G Senior Women’s all-around in Anaheim, California. Leah had a great experience at her first P&G Championships and is now looking forward to working on new skills and upgrades for next season. Here is a highlight video from P&G Championships: P&G Championships Highlights (4:16)
Leah Clapper at the 2017 P&G Championships
Leah Clapper is less than 24 hours away from the biggest gymnastics competition of her life. Clapper, a 16-year-old senior from Saline, qualified for the P&G Championships in Anaheim, California… (Full Article)
Leah Clapper poses for a picture after a training session at the P&G Championships
As we approach the 2017 P&G Championships this weekend in Anaheim, California we are going to focus on one of our Region 5 Elite’s who will be coming at this years championships… (Full Article)
21Q Tuesday Leah Clapper
Leah qualified to P&G Championships as a Senior Elite at the American Classic in Huntsville, TX. She placed 2nd all around (52.100), 3rd floor (13.550), and 3rd beam (13.300). Here is a highlight video of Leah at the American Classic: American Classic 2017 (3:19)
Leah with Valeri Liukin at the American Classic 2017
Interview by Triple Twist Gym Blog featuring Leah:
For 16 year old Leah Clapper, gymnastics is simply about having fun. Relatively new to the elite scene, Clapper brings an energetic and refreshing vibe to the competition floor every time she competes. Her smile just lights up the room and you can tell she’s enjoying every moment. Those qualities are hard to find in the world of elite gymnastics…(Full Interview)
For 16 year old Leah Clapper, gymnastics is simply about having fun. Relatively new to the elite scene, Clapper brings an energetic and refreshing vibe to the competition floor every time she competes. Her smile just lights up the room and you can tell she’s enjoying every moment. Those qualities are hard to find in the world of elite gymnastics…(Full Interview)
Leah is excited to announce that she has verbally committed to the University of Florida on a full-ride scholarship. She will join the Gators gymnastics team in the 2018-2019 school year.
Leah competed at the KPAC Elite Optional Qualifier on Thursday night in the Greensboro Coliseum. She hit all four events and tallied a season high all-around score of 52.250. It is her best all-around score under the new code of points thus far. She placed first all-around in her session and had the second highest score among all four elite sessions. Here is a highlight video from the KPAC meet: 2017 KPAC Elite Optional Qualifier (3:55)
Leah on Bars at 2017 KPAC Elite Optional Qualifier
Leah had a great day competing in her second Elite meet of the season. She added some new skills on multiple events, Maloney 1/2 on bars, a pike full-in on floor, and new connections and a round-off double pike dismount on beam. Here is a highlight video from the City of Lights Elite Meet: Elite Optional at 2017 City of Lights (1:23)
Papa, Leah, and Mom at 2017 City of Lights
At her first elite meet of the season, Leah qualified to Classics as a Senior Elite posting a score of 51.300 and placing 3rd on bars, 4th floor, and 4th all around (all sessions). Here is a video of her at the Brestyan’s Elite Optional Qualifier: Elite Optional Qualifier at 2017 Brestyan’s Las Vegas (3:52)
Leah had a great season opening weekend winning the all around title at the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
Leah competed her first meet of the season in the open and had some new personal bests on vault, floor, and all around. Leah placed 1st all around (38.300), 1st vault (9.750), 1st floor (9.750), 1st beam, and 2nd on bars. Here is a video of Metroplex Challenge Highlights: 2017 Metroplex Challenge Highlights (0:39)
Additionally, Leah and her teammate McKenna made the FloGymnastics highlight video from Metroplex Challenge: FloGymnastics 2017 Metroplex Challenge Highlight Video (1:24)
Leah on Bars at Metroplex Challenge
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “Coaches Wired” features Gym America coach Claudia Kretschmer while Leah is on beam at 2016 JO Nationals. As always coach Claudia creates a calm positive feeling bringing out the best in Leah. Check out the video below.
Happy 16th Birthday, Leah!
We are so proud of Leah for all her hard work in the classroom and the gym. In May, Leah received the “Gold Honor Roll Award” in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement during the school year. Leah completed her sophomore year with a 4.00 grade point average.
Leah had a great experience and really enjoyed her first podium meet at the Secret U.S. Classic in Hartford, CT. Leah started on beam with a solid routine, and had one of her best routines of the year on bars and vault, but unfortunately she had a fall on floor. Therefore, she was a bit short of qualifying to P&G Championships. The Secret U.S. Classic was a fun and exciting experience and a wonderful close to the season. She is looking forward to working on new skills and upgrades for next season. Here are videos from the meet: Vault Bars Beam Floor
Gym America’s Leah Clapper competes against world’s best gymnasts at Secret U.S. Classic by The Livingston Post.
http://thelivingstonpost.com/gym-americas-leah-clapper-competes-against-worlds-best-gymnasts-at-secret-u-s-classic/
Leah earned a spot on the Region 5 All Star Team! She is extremely honored to be one of the 12 gymnasts that will travel internationally to Costa Rica this fall.
http://www.region5gyminsider.com/insider-news/2016-region-5-all-star-team/
Region 5 All Star Team
Leah traveled back to Texas to compete in the American Classic at the Olympic Training Center in Huntsville. She did well at her first elite meet as a senior elite. Here is a video from the meet: 2016 American Classic Highlights (3:01)
Leah with Region 5 Elites
Leah finished off her J.O. season with a successful meet at Nationals. She placed 4th on floor (9.600), 5th on beam (9.550), and 7th all around (37.950)! Leah’s scores contributed to her Region 5 team winning 1st place in Junior D. Here is a video from the meet: 2016 J.O. National Championships (3:34)
Leah had a great Regional meet. Leah placed 3rd all around with a 37.575 and qualified to J.O. Nationals! She was rock solid on beam placing 2nd with a 9.525, and placed 4th on vault (9.550) and bars (9.200). On floor (9.300), she took a bit of a walk out-of-bounds on her double Arabian, but nailed her other passes. Leah is on the Region 5 Dream Team which will compete next month in Fort Worth, TX. Congratulations, Leah! Here are some video clips from the meet: 2016 Region 5 Championships (3:25)
Leah and coaches at 2016 Region 5 Championships
Here is a link to a Q&A interview by Inside Gymnastics featuring Leah:
http://www.insidegymnastics.com/#!QA-Leah-Clapper/
http://www.insidegymnastics.com/#!QA-Leah-Clapper/
Leah took 2nd place all around (37.275) at Michigan State Championships and qualified to Regionals. Leah had great routines on vault and bars, placing 2nd on vault with a 9.600 and 2nd on bars with a 9.425. She left some room for improvement on beam and floor, where she had a rare fall on beam, and on floor took a few steps on her last pass which had a little too much power. Best of luck at Regionals! Here are some video clips from the meet: 2016 Michigan State Meet Highlights (2:49)
Leah on Vault at 2016 Michigan State Meet
At the Wolverine Classic Leah posted a Level 10 personal best all around score of 37.925. It was fun to see her compete against some of her fellow 2015 JO Team members. Here is a video of the Wolverine Classic Highlights: 2016 Wolverine Classis Highlights (3:23)
Leah had a sweet Valentine’s Day hitting all her routines and posting a Senior Elite Qualifying score of 53.000! You display such a positive attitude and have worked so hard to accomplish your goals! Congratulations Leah! We are so proud of you! Here is a video of the Elite Optional Qualifier: Elite Optional Qualifier at 2016 Brestyan’s Las Vegas (3:45)
Leah had a good competition this weekend at Buckeye Classic winning vault, floor, and all around. Leah started on floor and then moved to vault, where she posted personal bests on both apparatus, scoring a 9.650 on floor and a 9.700 on vault! On bars she had a rare miss on her Jaeger, but she wrapped things up with a solid beam routine, placing 2nd with a 9.450. Leah tallied a 37.550 all around score for 1st place.
FloGymnastics was on site to interview the session winners, and here is Leah’s interview Leah Clapper on achieving several personal bests en route to AA win 2016 Buckeye Classic (1:43)
Here is a video of her Buckeye Classic Highlights: 2016 Buckeye Classic Highlights (3:16)
Leah had quite a successful weekend. First, she qualified her elite compulsories at CGA in Cincinnati, OH. The next morning, she had a great level 10 meet at CGA Coaches Spectacular, placing 1st all around with a 37.725. Her level 10 team placed 1st as well. Leah earned Gym America’s level 10 team spot to compete in the CGA Coaches Spectacular Showdown that evening. She performed beam with a full house, dim lights, and a spotlight on her and nailed beam once again, earning a 9.550. Congratulations Leah! We are so proud of you!
Here is a video of the CGA Coaches Spectacular: 2016 CGA Coaches Spectacular (3:23)
Here is a video of the CGA Compulsory Elite Qualifier: Compulsory Elite Qualifier at CGA (3:53)
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider features Leah in a new “Eye on 5”. Check out the video below.
Leah had her first meet of the season in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She competed new routines with a bunch of new skills. She won vault and bars and placed 2nd all-around and 3rd on beam. On vault, she competed a Yurchenko full for the first time at a meet and received a 9.475 (a personal best). Leah qualified to event finals the next night on every event, (but her coaches felt it wasn’t necessary to compete vault again). At event finals, she won beam (9.600) and floor (9.400) and placed 2nd on bars. Here is a video of the highlights: 2015 Gymnastics on the Grand (5:15)
Region 5 “Transformation Tuesday” highlights Leah working hard this summer upgrading her floor tumbling. Coming soon in December Leah will be the featured in “Eye on 5”. Region 5 Transformation Tuesday (0:51)
Happy 15th Birthday, Leah!
Over the last few weeks, Leah has appeared in a few video highlights from around the web.
Leah has a spot in the Gym America promotional video for the gym titled, “Character for Life.” Character for Life (1:32)
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “Transformation Tuesday” features Leah’s tumbling progress from 2013 Level 9 Nationals to 2015 Level 10 Nationals. Region 5 Transformation Tuesday (1:26)
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “2015 J.O. Nationals Review | Strong, Brave, Unstoppable” A look back at the 2015 J.O. Nationals in Des Moines Iowa.
2015 JO Nationals Review | Strong, Brave, Unstoppable (5:35)
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “Best in 60s: J.O. Nationals | ‘BIG AIR’ Releases” features high flying releases from the 2015 Dream Team. Leah’s Jaeger is at the 35 second count down. Best in 60s: JO Nationals | ‘BIG AIR’ Releases (1:23)
Region 5 Gymnastics Insider “Best in 60 | Michigan Level 10 State” has a look at the best from the 2015 State Meet. Leah’s Full-In on floor is in the last 11 seconds on the count down. Region 5 Best in 60 | Michigan Level 10 State (1:18)
Leah had a blast competing for Region 5 at the Junior Olympic National Championships! Leah had a very good meet, and her Region 5 Junior B team placed 1st with the highest team score of the entire competition (153.650)! On bars, Leah scored a season high with a 9.525 (5th place). She also rocked floor with a 9.500 (9th place). Beam had a wobble but she held on and placed 15th all around with a season high all around score of 37.525. Congratulations Leah on a great Level 10 season! We are so proud of you! Here are some video clips from J.O. Nationals: 2015 J.O. National Championships Highlights (2:27)
We are so proud of Leah for all her hard work in the classroom. In May, Leah received the “Gold Honor Roll Award” in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement during the school year, as well as the “English Department Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.”
Leah completed her freshman year with a 4.00 grade point average, finishing 1st in her class of 421.
Leah qualified to the Junior Olympic National Championships with a great meet at the Region 5 Championships in Niles, OH. At Regionals, Leah placed 2nd on beam (9.475), 6th all around (37.300), 9th floor (9.400) and bars, and 10th vault. Leah is on the Region 5 Dream Team which will compete next month in Des Moines, IA. Congratulations, Leah! We are so proud of you! Here are some video clips from the meet: 2015 Region 5 Championships Highlights (2:09)
Leah qualified to Level 10 Region 5 Championships with a 37.450 all around (4th) at the Level 10 Michigan State Meet! She also placed 4th on beam with a 9.525. Here are some video clips from the meet: 2015 Michigan State Meet Highlights (0:57)
Leah qualified her elite compulsories at the Tim Rand Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She had a great meet and placed 2nd all around with a 36.825. Congratulations Leah! We are so proud of you.
Leah Qualifies Elite Compulsory at 2015 Tim Rand Invitational
Leah traveled south with her Gym America team to compete at the Gasparilla Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tropicana Field made for an impressive gymnastics meet venue. Leah hit all four events, won floor (9.550), placed second on beam (9.525), and second all around (37.125). Leah had a great time visiting Florida, despite some uncooperative weather. A Segway tour in Clearwater was a highlight, along with fun at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, miniature golf, visiting with relatives, and, of course, the beach. Here are some video clips from the meet: 2015 Gasparilla Classic Highlights (0:57)
Leah won all around, bars and beam and placed second on vault and floor at the Wolverine Classic. It was a fun home meet, and the whole family pitched in to help set up and work the sessions over the weekend. Here are some video clips from the meet: 2015 Wolverine Classic Highlights (0:57)
Leah wins all around at 2015 Wolverine Classic
Leah at 2015 Wolverine Classic
Leah was interviewed by Region 5 Gymnastics Insider following the Wolverine Classic meet. Leah’s smiles and positive energy come through so nicely during her interview. Please click on the YouTube link below to see her R5 Spotlight interview:
Leah won the Buckeye Classic level 10 all around with a 37.300! She finished off her three days of competitions winning all around, beam, and floor, and placing second on vault and bars at the meet on Saturday. Great job, Leah! Here are some video clips from the meet: 2015 Buckeye Classic L10 Highlights (0:50)
Leah wins all around at Buckeye Classic
Leah competed in her first elite qualifier at the Buckeye Classic. Compulsories on Thursday were a great first experience, and she went 4/4 at optionals on Friday. At the Elite Optional Qualifier she placed 2nd on beam (with the highest execution score), fourth floor, and fourth all around. Here is a video of Leah from optionals: Buckeye Classic Elite Optional Highlights (1:20)
Leah competed (and hit) a full-in on floor for the first time this weekend at the CGA Coaches Spectacular! She won floor and beam, and placed second all around. Here are video clips from the meet CGA Coaches Spectacular Highlights (0:52)
Gym America has moved into a new gymnastics facility. Leah and her teammates will now enjoy a much bigger space (18,500 square feet) with new equipment, more pits, and separate areas for the competitive teams, recreational classes, and dance classes. Special thanks to coaches Claudia and Ed for building such a wonderful facility! To learn more visit Gym America Gymnastics
Leah attended the Make It Right Gymnastics Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada. She had a great time working with the USAG national staff. Leah plans to return again to the next camp in June. Make it Right Gymnastics
This past weekend, Leah competed in her first meet of the 2014-2015 season at Gymnastics on the Grand. Leah had a good meet, competing many new routines and skills for the first time. She qualified to event finals on all four events, competed a Jaeger for the first time, hit her floor routine, and placed 2nd all around. Here are some video highlights of the meet Gymnastics on the Grand Highlights (1:08)
2014 Gymnastics on the Grand Event Finals
Happy 14th Birthday, Leah!
Leah was recognized at the annual Southeastern Conference Academic Awards Night for ranking at the top of her class. She received a Southeast Michigan Middle Level Administrators’ Association (SEMMLAA) Award for being named one of the outstanding 8th grade students at Saline Middle School. Congratulations Leah!
2014 SEMMLAA 8th Grade Award
Leah completed her season in Jackson, Mississippi at the Junior Olympic Level 10 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). As a Junior A she placed 7th on floor (9.500), 10th on bars, and 12th AA. Congratulations Leah on a super first year Level 10 season!
2014 JO-NIT Beam
2014 JO-NIT Bars
Congratulations Leah for qualifying to JO NIT in Jackson, Mississippi! As a first year level 10, Leah competed solid routines in Lansing, scoring a 36.500 AA even with a rare fall on beam. Her age division was the largest of the meet, consisting of 40 competitors in the Junior A division. Vault (0:15) Bars (0:36) Floor (1:43)
2014 Region 5 Championships
Congratulations to Leah for qualifying to Level 10 Region 5 Championships. She competed in Battle Creek, MI at the State Meet and placed 6th AA (36.725) and 7th on Beam.
2014 Michigan State Championships
Leah placed 1st on the balance beam (9.400) and 2nd AA (36.450) at the Tim Rand Invitational meet in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Leah and her teammates also got to enjoy some fun in the sun, a nice break from the harsh Michigan winter. Beam (1:22)
Leah competed at Gym America’s host meet, the Wolverine Classic “Top Secret” in Ann Arbor, MI. Leah placed 1st on Floor (9.450), 2nd AA, Vault, Bars, and 3rd Beam at the Wolverine Classic in Ann Arbor, MI. Floor (1:47)
Leah competed in Chicago at the UGA Super Invitational, placing 2nd AA (36.675) with 3rd on Floor and 4th on Vault and Bars. It was an exciting competition to watch with some great competitors, and it was also nice to see family in the Chicago area. Vault (0:26) Bars (0:34)
In Lansing, MI Leah competed in the Region 5 Championships and qualified to Eastern National Championships. Leah had a great meet placing 2nd AA (38.050), 2nd Floor (9.650), 3rd Beam (9.500), 6th Vault (9.550). Congratulations Leah! Level 9 Region 5 Championships (5:28)
