



Link your results to your videos! Videos automatically attached to your results. Want more info? Click the Youtube banner above.
In late 2006, Karl Stubsjoen, MSO’s Founder and technical Guru, challenged MSO to find the oldest meet in America. Being intimately familiar with large meets, such as the Arizona Sunray’s Sweetheart Invitational (now the Hard Rock); MSO knew some big meets had been going on for years. However, oldest? And, oldest how?
The first meet?
Longest running?
Consecutive years?
It was not until almost two years later that MSO finally sent out the word that MSO was looking for the oldest (longest and consecutive running) meet in the country. In order to ensure the help of America’s gymnastics club community, MSO went looking for the meet in the form of a contest. The Meet to meet MSO’s requirements would win a free banner on MSO for a year. Dozens and dozens of meet names were received by MSO, many with impressive histories. Meets so famous, almost all of the big gymnastics clubs from around the country have participated in them at one time or another. Others so obscure, even clubs within their own states had never heard of them, in spite of the fact the meet had been going on for years. Optional meets, Compulsories. Men’s, Women’s, USAG and non-USGA meets.
The irony of MSO’s efforts were that after spending over two years looking, it was Dan Witenstein, Owner and Head Coach of the Arizona Sunrays, who pointed MSO in the right direction, and it was a meet just down the road from him.
The winner of the MSO contest: The longest, consecutive running, “oldest” meet, and therefore
Do you remember 1973? Were you even born? There was talk of a Beatles reunion, Paper Moon made 10-year-old Tatum O’Neil a star, Nixon fighting to stay in the White House; and Roe Kreutzer, Owner and Head Coach of the Arizona Twisters, held the first Fiesta Bowl.
Roe Kreutzer is a gymnastics living legend that for over 50 years has done it all: Produced State, Regional, National, and Olympic Champions, National Team Coach, Olympic Team Coach. Roe’s U.S. team earned the Silver Medal, and that year MaryLou Retton won the All Around. Roe has also served as Chairman of the prestigious Women's Program Elite National and International committees, sat on the USAG Board of Directors, and USAG Executive Committee. Today, Roe is the Grand Dame of American gymnastics.
In 1973 meets were truly invitationals, and much different from the meets of today. Back then, you had to be “invited” to participate. For the first Fiesta Bowl only eight teams were invited and the teams were only allowed to bring a maximum of four gymnasts. Each team had to have at least one Elite level gymnast on the squad. Since there were not that many Elites at that time, not many teams could participate. The original purpose of the Fiesta Bowl was to create a competitive experience for those high-level gymnasts, as there were not many competitions available for Elites at the time. “Over the years there have been many Olympians, National Team Members, and future NCAA stars in the Fiesta Bowl,” Roe Kreutzer. Olympians Amy Chow, Kristen Maloney, Keri Strug, Tracy Talavera, Michelle Dussere, and Tasha Schweikert are among those that have competed in the Fiesta Bowl. Of course, at the time they were competing in the Fiesta Bowl, their status as Olympians and Hall of Famers was not yet established. However, it is a testament to the reason the meet was first held that over the years, Elite level gymnasts that have competed in the Fiesta Bowl, have gained fame in the sport. Moreover, the Fiesta Bowl continues to attract top talent.
An interesting thing about the first Fiesta Bowls, as well as many of the top Invitationals of those days, was a dance competition, complete with costumes and awards. Each team had to create their dance number, and performed it in a session separate from the gymnastics competition. The Fiesta Bowl carries on that tradition to this day. The Desert Lights Team performs a dance number during the competition, but just for fun. The girls love it and look forward to doing it all year. Perhaps if enough teams request it, the Fiesta Bowl committee might be persuaded to bring back the dance session competition involving other clubs? The early Fiesta Bowl meets also had Finals through the 1980's - another tradition of many of the early Invitationals.
Think about what it would be like to compete in a meet, and years later, be a nationally known and respect gymnastics club Owner and Head Coach hosting that event. While Lisa Spini believes, and credits Roe Kreutzer as the reason for the longevity of the Fiesta Bowl, the fact remains it is Lisa, the Owner, and Head Coach of Desert Lights Gymnastics, and the Fiesta Bowl’s Meet Director, who continues to drive and direct the prestigious event. During the course of its 36-year run Lisa, actually participate in the Fiesta Bowl as a competitor.
The name of the meet has always been the Fiesta Bowl Invitational. It is part of the Tempe; Arizona based Fiesta Bowl - associated with the annual football game. The Tempe Fiesta Bowl has a group of sporting competitions and community events that it manages; the Desert Light’s Fiesta Bowl Invitational is a part of that.
Unlike many big meets of today, the Fiesta Bowl, was never held in Desert Light’s gym. The first Fiesta Bowl was held at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to several other local high schools, the Fiesta Bowl had been held at PE West and the Wells Fargo Arena, two facilities on the campus of Arizona State University. (MSO note: PE West for years was a location for many Phoenix area meets. Today the building is no longer used for athletic competitions but houses the School of Dance).
As one might imagine the Fiesta Bowl has experience many firsts in its long history, and in 2010 the event was honored by being included in the Inaugural Nastia Liukin Cup. Two gymnasts from participating Nastia Liukin events are selected to compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup that is intended to provide a competitive opportunity for the country’s top Junior Olympic gymnasts. “For 2011, we will be holding the Fiesta Bowl at the Rawhide Western Town. We feel this provides Western flavor and atmosphere for our out of state competitors.,” Lisa Spini.
Most club owners will tell you that in addition to being a competitive platform, gyms hold meets as fund-raisers for their competitive teams. Since moving to their present location, Rawhide Western Town, in Phoenix, Arizona the event has been a financial success. For 2011, the Fiesta Bowl Committee again hopes to be a part of the Nastia Liukin Cup Series and to become a National Elite Qualifier. Of course, for the 37th anniversary, Desert Lights’ Fiesta Bowl will also now be known as
Outstanding Gymnastics Accomplishments – Check
Academic Achievement – Check
Community Involvement – Check
One Supportive Family – and, Check
MSO receives lots of nominations for MSO’s annual Gymnast of the Year Award, but the ones MSO loves the best are the ones submitted by the gymnast’s coach. For who else can truly attest to someone’s attitude in the gym? It is easy to check gymnastics scores, review school grades, confirm community participation; but how does one attest to behavior? What record can you check on whether or not a gymnast is a role model to others?
The MSO 2009 Gymnast of the Year, Jordyn Wieber, is a young lady who loves to compete, but it is in gym where she is truly in her element. For it is in her every day behavior that Jordyn shows what it means to be a champion. An Elite level gymnast at Geddert’s Twistars Gymnastics (#1 on MSO’s 2009 Women’s Club list) the 14 year-old is a straight A Honor Roll student at Dewitt High School in Dewitt Michigan; perhaps more important from MSO’s perspective, Jordyn Wieber is a role model to gymnasts everywhere.
“Here is a kid who wants to be coached. Ask her to do something and she does it. Boom. Ask her to do it half a dozen times, and she still does it. You just love coaching someone with such a desire to develop their skills” Jordyn’s coach, John Geddert- Geddert’s Twistars Gymnastics.
Mom, Rita, recalls Jordyn’s early days: “Jordyn was always very muscular, even as a baby. As a 3 year old in dance class, people would comment on her biceps-- it was hilarious”.
Jordyn stared gymnastics at age 4 and today the 9th grader keeps company with some of the best gymnasts in the world. Jordyn was fortunate to room with Maddie Larson in Guatemala- and room with World Champion Bridget Sloan at the Tyson American Cup last year. As part of the US National Team for the past 3 years, she has had the opportunity to train with Olympic and World Champions such as Shawn Johnson, and Nastia Liuken. This is one aspect of gymnastics that any gymnast can relate to; meeting and competing on a team with other gymnasts who share the same passion for the sport.
The straight A student’s intensity is not limited to gymnastics. Jordyn is active in charity work, such as her church’s annual Giving Tree Christmas project. She has volunteered at the Kellie Sebrell Memorial 5K for many years. Last year in lieu of gifts or a birthday party, Jordyn chose to collect donations for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Next month, Jordyn is selling all of her old gymnastics apparel at the gym and donating the money to St. Jude Hospital. She hopes to be a sports psychologist someday.
As the 2009 MSO Gymnast of the Year, Jordyn Wieber of Geddert’s Gymnastics* met all the requirements of the award: Top gymnastics results, straight A student, involved in her community, and as testified to by her coach; a role model to other competitors. She also brought something every gymnast needs in order to reach her true potential: The support of her family.
*MSO NOTE: In the nine years since MSO started ranking clubs in America, and recognizing the MSO Gymnast of the Year, this is the first time both the #1 club and gymnast have come from the same gym.
This is the final call for all nominations for the 2009 MSO Gymnast of the Year. Qualifications: The gymnast must have competed on either a USAG, USAICG, or a sanctioned High School Athletic program, be a superior academic student, and a role model to their team. There are no level or age requirements.
When MSO has 83 teams that make the first cut of our nation’s top ten teams, MSO knows it is going to be a long night. Add gymnasts that had a superior year even as the team around them falters and identifying America’s top clubs becomes a weekend project; make that a long weekend project.
Does MSO look at last year’s standing in determining this year’s Top Teams?
No, last year is history. In determining America top clubs MSO looks at only the results of individual gymnasts from Levels 8-10 for the current Optional competitive season. This year it means January 2009 to 2009 JO Nationals. Two years ago MSO also started taking into consideration a club’s size. A team that has 60 gymnasts and sends 2 to JOs is not ranked as high as a team that only has 21 team members and 4 qualify to Nationals. After reviewing National’s results, MSO looks at Regional standings, Westerns/Easterns, and if necessary (and it almost always is for tenth place) we look at state championships results.
As is the case every year in ranking the nation’s top teams there are individual gymnasts who catch MSO’s attention and this year MSO’s Honorable Mention’s list recognizes (limited to only ten due to space limitations) such gymnasts:
When dealing with results it is easy to get to that one score that determines the 10th team over the 11th…not really. Because it never fails that there are usually a group of clubs bunched near the 11th spot and MSO has to looks closely at every score to try and get it right. This year 13 awesome gyms were within one score of making either the Men’s or Women’s lists.
#10 - Xtreme (Extreme) MSO finds is spelled both ways; from the Black Jack Invitational on these guys started getting it done, in a region that did well overall this year.
#9 – Azarian is an Orange County powerhouse, and being trained by a former World Champion and Gold Medal winner shows.
#8 – Cypress Academy, Tom Meadows produced some fantastic gymnasts and this team could move higher next year.
#7 – Champion; MSO was not exactly sure where Katy, TX was, but Jordan Valdez found his way there and help his team make a solid landing on year’s list.
#6 – WOGA; Over shadowed by a girl? Not these guys. They made last year’s list and then gave the country a repeat performance.
#5 – FLIPS; with so many teams called Flips, make no mistake that this is the Region 3 (and another Texas power) club MSO is ranking.
#4 – Hocking Valley; MSO has said it before, Mike Serra and Tim Saxton produce winners; lots of them.
#3 – San Mateo; this club is starting to make a tradition of sending top kids to UC Berkeley. But not before helping the team move into the top five men’s club programs in the country.#2 – New Hope; Guess being number 5 nationally was not good enough for these guys; this year…..#2!
#1 – Swiss Turner; you’re the gym manager, competitive director, girls’ team coordinator, Head Coach for the men’s team, and on top of that you coach your boys (make that MEN) to the top spot on the top ten men’s list for club gymnastics in the country. Congratulations to Stacy Maloney and the Swiss Turner, the Number 1 Men’s club in the country.#10 – Dynamo; Coach Shannon Harrison produced so many state champions this year MSO lost count.
#9 – Phenom is losing some incredible talent to the Universities; can Coach Jess do it again next year? MSO sees young talent in the wings and thinks this Illinois gym should stay in the top, if not the top ten.
#8 – Oakland Gymnastics of Walled Lake Michigan has ties to one of MSO’s favorite people in the sport; Steve Whitlock. Coaches Ruth and Chris Miller muscled aside some of the better known clubs in Texas, and that “ain’t” easy.
#7 – Twin City Twisters: “They’re Back”, as in back on the list. The club had some fantastic gymnasts at all levels.
#6 – GymCats of Nevada has produced some great gymnasts and this past season puts them in the middle of this year’s top teams.
#5 – WGA Texans; in a state full of talented clubs (did you watch the VISA Championships?) this club from the Houston area put together some impressive gymnasts with really impressive results.
#4 – Orlando Metro; a club full of great Level 10s, with an even more impressive group of up and coming Level 9s.
#3 – Illinois Gymnastics Institute. At first MSO thought maybe MSO had mixed several Illinois clubs under the same name as there were simply too many champions; but there is only one IGI. Nice job.
#2 – Docksiders; with names like Ouellette, Barrows, and Fleming is it any wonder this gym produced some serious gymnastics this year? And those are the coaches. A Maryland power that is established, and sure to produce again next year.
#1 – Twistars; if Michigan is a machine in club gymnastics, Geddert’s is the engine. To truly admire this club look at their teams at any level; and then peek behind the curtain at the compulsory kids being developed. Although only the Optionals were considered in this ranking, the young ones are destined to be champions in John’s hands. Geddert’s Twistars Gymnastics Club USA, the 2009 Number 1 Women’s club in the nation.
Imagine a Bars routine so beautiful it reminds people of the Chinese gymnasts, and it earns you the nick name: Mao. Her coach calls Mao a solid gymnast, and yet she has also been described as extremely flexible. While these two terms are seemingly anomalous, they can and should be used in the same sentence when one is describing MSO’s 2007 Gymnast of the Year: Madison Estell.
MSO’s selection of the academic All-American is an example of a well rounded individual who can serve as a role model to every gymnast across the country regardless of gender, level, or achievement. Recognized for her poise (she is known as “non-flappable” in tough competitive situations), her intelligence (Mao is extremely well-read), and her quiet demeanor (“…she just gets it done”), Madison is what MSO feels all gymnast should strive to be.
Madison is currently training Level 9 at Kansas Gymnastics and Cheer (KGDC) in Olathe, KS. Since starting at KGDC in 2004 she has placed 2nd All-Around at State as a Level 4, went undefeated her Level 5 season (2005), which also includes placing 1st All-Around at the State qualifier. There is no record of her ever having competed Level 6, and in 2006 as a Level 7 she qualified at the Kansas Judges Cup to represent Kansas at the National Judges Cup. Among her many Level 7 accomplishments is her 2nd place All-Around at State. As a Level 8 she qualified to Regionals her first year. In addition to training Level 9 Madison is also testing Elite. Please note that this phenomenal gymnast is only in the 7th grade.
Madison is active in extracurricular activities and has received 3 consecutive Community Service Awards at school. A recipient of Exemplary Academic Awards in Math, Science, and English, twice named as Student of Week, and a member of the school’s prestigious Ambassador Program, Madison school credentials are as solid as her gymnastics ones. Perhaps what best exemplifies Madison as worthy of being named MSO’s 2007 Gymnast of the Year is this anecdotal of a meeting between Madison and the school counselor. In reply to the question “What is the hardest part of gymnastics?” Madison replied, “Its’ hard when I win because that means someone else loses”.
MSO would be remiss if in honoring Madison for being such a wonderful student-athlete we did not recognize the support of her parents, teacher, and coaches: Three of the main reasons she claims to be so successful.
Congratulation toThis year is no different. While looking for the top clubs MSO came across specific gymnasts that impress: Frederick Gymnastics’ Kayla Sienkowski, Diamond Elite’s Kristin Furukawa, Azarian’s Donothan Bailey, and Gym Nevada’s Jake Dalton.
MSO also took note of the large number of Florida teams that dominate meets they compete in. IF, and that’s IF with a capital “F”, MSO were to name the nation’s top state for gymnastics; the “F” would stand for Florida.
No Ohio, MSO did not overlook you. Thanks in large part to Ohio the top region would have been: FIVE!
Honorable Mention: For a relatively small and young club Carter’s of Arizona (Women) again put on a notable run to the Top Ten Teams list. Let by gymnast Christina Woods every Carter gymnast that made it to national level competition did well.
Also Rans: Normally this term carries a somewhat negative connotation. Not in this case. All of these clubs just missed being named #10 and rightly so. Producing strong competitors with great results all year long, good showings at Regional and National level events; these women’s teams are noteworthy: DeVeau’s, Midwest Twisters, Gym East, and Texas Tumblers. For the Men: Houston Gym, OSU, and Golden Bear.
Private note to OGA and Coach Matt: MSO is watching.
MSO has been asked if MSO has results showing who the top teams in the East and the West are. Yes. In fact based purely on results MSO could list the top teams per region, state, etc. However, due to MSO’s limited resources it won’t be this year.
The Top Ten Teams in America are chosen by results. MSO starts with Nationals and work backwards via Regionals, Easterns/Westerns, down to the state qualifiers. MSO then looks at those teams, 40+ teams total, and then reviews individual results, overall club results for the entire year, and how each level did. Not an easy task. Along the way we are distracted by individual gymnasts, specific Levels, and in one case a club’s amazing record of placing competitors into collegiate level gymnastics. Here they are:
MSO’s 2007 TOP TEN TEAMS LIST
MEN
#10 San Mateo
#9 Cypress Academy
#8 Premier
#7 World Cup
#6 Buffalo Grove
#5 Hocking Valley
#4 Black Hills
#3 SCATS HB
#2 WOGA
#1 Universal - Thanks to Danell Leyva and Edward Mesa (MSO’s 2006 Gymnast of the Year) Universal did very well all season long.
WOMEN
#10 – Byers (Sacramento)
#9 – Cincinnati
#8 – La Fleur’s Tampa
#7 – Colorado Aerials
#6 – WOGA
#5 – Arena
#4 – Airborne
#3 – Great American
#2 – Hills
#1 – La Fleurs (WI) - La Fleurs could be a dynasty in the making. This family of gym owners knows how to develop champions, and the granddaddy is in Wisconsin.
Karl Stubsjoen founded MeetScoresOnLine.com, also known as MSO, in 2000. Karl a former gymnast and coach is married with three children and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. It was shortly after Karl built the MSO software that Karl asked Del Ruiz to join him in launching MSO for general public use. Del a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona is also married and also a father of three, one of which is a gymnast. Del’s contribution is a strong background in business development and new product launch.
MSO started as a web-based software application for displaying results on the internet. From the start MSO has been a free service for any club wanting to post men’s or women’s scores on the internet. From 2001 when a handful of gyms used the service to today when over 1000 meets get posted annually, MSO has grown to become the leading website for club gymnastics. In the past seven years as MSO has moved from compiling basic scores to comprehensive analytics of overall results and standings, MSO has been able to identify America’s best performing programs with MSO’s Top Ten Teams List. The MSO Gymnast of the Year Award is recognition of exemplary gymnastics and is truly the only award in the sport that looks at over 5000 clubs and 35,000 gymnasts to find the competitor that is a role model to others.
As our fans base matures and moves into collegiate competition, MSO is committed to continuing to support the club program while following our best gymnasts to the university level. And, it will remain a free service.
We hope this write-up gives you some understanding of MSO. Please visit the site often and see for yourself why gymnastic fans love MSO.
’s best performing programs with MSO’s Top Ten Teams List. The MSO Gymnast of the Year Award is recognition of exemplary gymnastics and is truly the only award in the sport that looks at over 5000 clubs and 35,000 gymnasts to find the competitor that is a role model to others.As our fans base matures and moves into collegiate competition, MSO is committed to continuing to support the club program while following our best gymnasts to the university level. And, it will remain a free service.
We hope this write-up gives you some understanding of MSO. Please visit the site often and see for yourself why gymnastic fans love MSO.
It never fails. Just as MSO finishes the list of the Top Ten Teams in the country (a separate list for the Men’s and Women’s programs), someone will raise their hand and ask, “What about us?”. Coaches, if MSO does not have a good representation of your club’s results for the previous competitive season, there is simply no way to verify your accomplishments. It is incumbent upon you to ask the computer desk at any Meet you compete in to post the scores on MSO.
Every year MSO will highlight gymnasts who stand out from the crowd. MSO finds them during the team rankings process. A tip of the proverbial MSO hat to gymnasts David Jessen (RISE), Timothy Wong (South Coast), and Wynter Childers (Spearfish), all of whom had an outstanding year.
MSO would also like to welcome Coach Jessica Brown of the Arizona Sunrays to the MSO Young Guns list. A young gun is an up and coming coach. This young lady was recently named Rookie Coach of the Year in Arizona; congratulations Jess.
While it is true that MSO was the first to nationally highlight names like Maddie Larson, Danell Leyva, and Desi Borgese (all three are former MSO Gymnast of the Year award winners) MSO does not have an eye for talent or a crystal ball. What MSO does have is results. Spotting a future legend in gymnastics is easy when you can see a gymnast moving up in levels, and performing consistently. Being an All-Around champion for four years at the same level is not as true of an indicator of future talent as one who moves up and always manages to finish in the top three. Finally, who are they competing against? The quality of your competition is a direct measurement of how good you are really getting to be.
With that said, MSO would like to introduce Lauren Farley (WOGA) to America. Lauren not only had a great competitive season, but finished the year with a score of 9.975 (not a typo) at the Region 3 Level 8 Regional Championships. MSO predicts she has the foundation to achieve long-term success.
Sometimes MSO wonders if people realize how difficult it is for a team to land on the Top Ten List. Our database has over 5000 clubs, and many more if you separately count the Men’s and Women’s programs. Every year we narrow the list down to 25 or so teams, and then the work really begins. In determining the best clubs in the country we have to answer such questions as:
1. Is the gymnast still with the club they started the season with?
2. Are SLG and South Lake Gymnastics one and the same team?
3. Five team members went to National but how good is that out of 13 eligible gymnasts?
And, the list of questions and considerations goes on and on.
Here then are MSO’s 2010 Top Ten Women’s and Men’s teams. The best in America:
10. A first for MSO! A club takes two spots on the Top Ten List. Here we name WOGA’s Level 8s.
9 . Not sure where Covina, CA is? Look for a sign that points to “Champions”: Charter Oak Gliders
8. This team has two gymnasts nominated for this year’s MSO Gymnast of the Year: Texas Dreams
7. MSO made sure to only consider gymnasts from Jeff & Judy’s location: Le Fluer’s Tampa
6. Known as IGI, they send girls to college squads, and do well at qualifiers: Illinois Gymnastics
5. The Twistars always seem to finish in the top five nationally: Gedderts’
4. Al, MSO would love to visit your club, such history: Great American Gymnastics Express
3. A very large club with almost 1000 gymnasts, and lots and lots of champions: Twin City Twisters
2. Not only their Level 8s, look at their results across all levels and qualifiers: WOGA
1. Out of nowhere they come on strong? Not really. The club showed balance this year, and MSO has seen this particular group of gymnasts getting stronger. This year they click, and finished as the top women’s gymnastics club in the country: GymCats of Nevada
10. Barely edged out #11, but the Michigan club made it: Mills Gymnastics USA
9. Another honor to add to Coach Guonian’s impressive resume: New Hope
8. Tim’s guys are young and impressive: Daggetts
7. OK, MSO was wrong as this club placed three teams on the Top Ten Lists: WOGA
6. A home to World and Olympic Champions: Swiss Turner
5. Three strong coaches head this equally strong men’s team: Hocking Valley
4. Yin seems to keep finding (or is the right word “developing”) talent: Universal
3. Not the first time MSO has noted Tom Meadow’s success, or that of his guys: Cypress Academy
2. For years they sent the best females to Florida’s top universities; not come the men: Orlando Metro
1. Montes, Mancini, & Anderson; sounds like a law firm. But add the Glenns, Mikulak, and de Los Angeles and clubs everywhere will know there’s a new sheriff in town. Plus the lineup has Oyama, Yoshizuka, Pasillas, and Gaarenstroom and these are only the Level 10s. MSO has to ask: Is Grigor building a championship team….or a dynasty? The top men’s team in America, for the second time in three years: SCATS Gymnastics of Orange County - California.
MSO is looking for a limited number of investors for their next gymnastics related website. If you would be interested in participating in a new internet related venture MSO is about to launch please contact Del Ruiz: del@meetscoresonline.com