EVO Athletics’ Gymnast Becomes Junior Elite After Only 3 Years

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To say that Emily Golden is exceptional would be an understatement. For barely 4 years now, Emily has trained for competitive gymnastics. A goal that starts at compulsory levels 2-5 gymnastics, then moves into optional levels 6-10 and then to elite level, whose goal is for the Olympics. Only 0.0005% of gymnasts actually make it to the Olympics. Emily, after only 4 short years, has surpassed levels 2-10 and entered the junior elite level USA Gymnastics training track with her sights set on gold!

“Emily Golden’s hard work and dedication is the hallmark of her success. She continues to push her limits and the results speak for themselves. I couldn’t be more proud of her!” stated Head Coach Jose Morales.

EVO owner Lydia Lawton said “This sweet girl came to us 3 years ago. She was only 11 and had only been doing gymnastics for one year but already training to compete in level 8. I remember asking myself ‘how is  that possible!’  Then I watched her practice, when she was asked to do 10 reps, she would do 12 because 2 of them were not perfect! That takes discipline and dedication, and the result shows. If her gymnastics doesn’t win you over, her silly giggly, personality and dance moves will! I just love her and her family.”

Not only do Emily’s coaches and the entire EVO staff see her potential, but MeetScoresOnline.com, a company that compiles data from all meets and all scoring software, awarded Emily the “Athlete of the Year!” This award is based on her impressive performance during the 2018 level 9 competitive season.

Congratulations on all of your achievements Emily! EVO couldn’t be more proud!

 

Esteemed Coach Serves Our Country

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After 4 years coaching USAG compulsory men’s gymnastics at EVO Athletics, Clayton Spencer will be joining the United States Coast Guard starting at the end of July.

Clayton has been part of the EVO family long before EVO’s founding in August 2016.   He has always gone out of his way to make each and every one of the athletes feel welcome and valued. Clayton coaches from years of experience in the competitive gymnastics arena. He placed 10th on level 10 floor during the 2017 National Championships and even out scored Danell Leyva who represent the United States in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

“EVO has been my home away from home for the last 4 years. I have loved nothing more than to work with and train your kids,” said Spencer.

“We are extremely excited for Clayton, and we will miss him so much! We are so grateful for his dedication and love for our gym and our kids and we can’t wait to see what his next chapter brings.” stated EVO’s owner Lydia Lawton.

A banner will be hung at EVO to honor Coach Clayton and his contributions to the gym and it’s members. EVO is extremely confident that Clayton’s generous and hard working nature will be an asset for an amazing career in the US Coast Guard.

EVO Adds Two Champion Coaches to Their Staff

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EVO Athletics is proud to announce the addition of not one but TWO new amazing coaches to their staff!  Adrian Bynum and Grant Brittain will be joining the all-star cheer program and men’s gymnastics program respectively.

“Adrian brings with him a championship pedigree, unique creativity and progressive choreography” said EVO Athletics’ cheer director Jimmy Lassiter. Adrian is a 4 time collegiate All American and 4 time NCA collegiate National Champion. His teams have won 10 NCA all-star National Championships and 19 UCA National Championships. He has performed at the 2007 Super Bowl with Cirque De Solei as well as been featured on Australia’s Got Talent.

Grant has been head coach of the Men’s Gymnastics program at Apollo School of Gymnastics for the past 8 years. He has had athletes qualify for the USA Gymnastics’ National Championships and Junior Elite qualifiers for the past 5 consecutive years and was awarded the Florida Men’s Gymnastics 2019 Compulsory Coach of the Year. “We are beyond excited for Coach Grant to join the EVO family! Grant has been there for EVO since the beginning when we needed a space for the men’s team to practice before our gym was ready. He welcomed us and we now welcome him with open arms!” said owner and CEO Lydia Wong.

Both of these coaches are a great addition to serve EVO’s mission of providing the Manatee/Sarasota area with the highest quality athletic training in a fun and family friendly environment.

From EVO to Yale!

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Jason Collins, EVO Athletics’ Chief Athletic Officer and Director of our men’s gymnastics program, and women’s elite coach has accepted a position to the full time women’s team coaching staff at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

“We are extremely excited for Jason’s evolution to collegiate coaching!  He has created an elite training program from scratch for men’s youth gymnastics here in Sarasota, Florida and we are honored to be a part of his legacy. Our athletes, coaches and parents have been blessed to work with him and learn from his expertise and we cannot wait to cheer on the Yale Bulldogs in the upcoming seasons!”

Collins started his coaching career in South Carolina as soon as he could drive at age 15. Collins attended the Juilliard School in New York where he obtained his Bachelors of Voice and then attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA for his Masters in Opera Performance. 

His first career was as a professional opera singer, and classical musician while traveling the globe to sing in front of crowds as large as 80,000 people. He came back to gymnastics later in life with a passion for the artistic side of the sport, a passion that was spurred from his formal training at The Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute.

His knowledge in helping his athletes train not only physically and technically but also mentally makes him stand out as a coach. This, along with his deep love for coaching makes Collins an asset to any program.

Collins has developed numerous National Champions for the YMCA  and South Florida Gymnastics (where he started in Sarasota) and for USAG men’s and women’s programs. 

He was awarded 2015 USAG Coach of the Year for the state of Florida.  He served as a coach for the United States Olympic Developmental teams 2015-2018, where Evo currently now has 2 Jr. National Team Members.  Mr. Collins has been honored  to train along side with partner and friend Aimee Boorman, 3 time World’s Gymnastics Coach, and Head Olympic Coach in Rio 2016 and  Olympian Simone Biles at the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas.  Collins was also  instrumental in negotiations to have the United States Women’s National Team train at EVO.

Although retired now from the director of the men’s and elite women’s programs, Collins remains a partner of EVO and hopes to help advise athletes and coaches and is still committed to the success of EVO and all of its endeavors.

“It is an honor to be part of this legacy and to be allowed to have a voice as a Partner at EVO. The greatness of the EVO Gymnastics Program has guided me through many tough times, brought me unending joys, and it is the bravery and dedication of your children along with your support and belief in me that gave me the bravery to accept this new career and reach my goals. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” – Jason Collins

Hannah Joyner Signs with Rutgers University

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EVO Athletics is proud to announce that our level 10 team member Hannah Joyner will be joining the Rutgers University competitive gymnastics team on a full athletic scholarship in the Fall of 2019.

During the 2018 USAG National Junior Olympics in  Cincinnati, Ohio, Hannah placed 2nd on beam and 6th overall. She took home gold at the 2017 Brestyan’s Las Vegas Invitational, placing 1st in all apparatus except beam.  She has been training under Aimee Boorman, the United States Women’s Olympic team coach for the 2016 Rio Olympics and EVO Athletics Women’s Program Director & Elite Coordinator since 2015.

A press conference and signing party will take place on National NCAA Signing Day November 14, 2018 at 4:45 PM at EVO Athletics, 7188 15th Street E. Unit 2, Sarasota, Florida 34243.

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Brings Home the Gold

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Orlando, Florida – EVO Athletics Gymnastics teams recently returned home from the 20th Anniversary Presidential Classic at Walt Disney World and they brought home the gold! Both the Men’s and Women’s teams dominated at every level, earning 101 Individual Trophies and 5 Team Trophies. EVO Athletics’ nationally and internationally recognized, award winning coaches are training tomorrow’s gymnastics stars. Check out the results from the Classic!

Women’s Gymnastics Results

Xcel Gold
Mel Q. – 2nd on Uneven Bars

Level 6
Lissenda S. – 3rd on Uneven Bars, Beam and Floor & All-Around Champion
Allie R. – 3rd on Floor, 2nd on Beam and All-Around & Uneven Bars Champion
Ava G. – 3rd on Floor, 2nd on All-Around & Beam Champion
Mia A. – 2nd on Uneven Bars

Level 7
Izzy Rose W. – 3rd on Beam & 2nd on Vault

Level 8
Asia R. – 2nd on Bars and Beam, Floor Champion & All-Around Champion
Lydia D. – 2nd on All-Around, Vault Champion & Bars Champion
Kate R. – 2nd on Vault, Beam, Floor and All-Around
Kaijah M. – Vault Champion, Floor Champion & All-Around Champion

Level 9
Maddie L. – 3rd on Beam
Emily G. – 3rd on Vault, 2nd on Bars, Beam Champion, Floor Champion & All-Around Champion

Level 10
Hannah J. – 3rd on Beam

Teams
Level 6 – 2nd place team
Level 8 – Team Champions

 

Men’s Gymnastics Results

Level 4
Kristopher W. – Pommel Champion, Rings Champion, Vault Champion, Parallel Bars Champion, High Bar Champion & All-Around Champion
Diego D. – 3rd on Pommel and All-Around & 2nd on Vault
Nick C. – 3rd on Floor, 2nd on Vault & Rings Champion
Oliver Y. – 2nd on Vault, Pommel Champion, Parallel Bars Champion & All-Around Champion
Brady S. – 3rd on High Bar

Level 5
Alexander B. – 3rd on Vault, 2nd on Parallel Bars, Floor Champion, Pommel Champion, Rings Champion, High Bar Champion & All-Around Champion
Bryson D. – 2nd on Vault & High Bar Champion

Level 6
Jakson K. – 2nd on Parallel Bars, High Bar and All-Around, Floor Champion, Pommel Champion, Rings Champion
Kody L. – 3rd on Parallel Bars, Rings Champion, Vault Champion, High Bar Champion & All-Around Champion
Trevor O. – Parallel Bars Champion
Jacob C. – 3rd on Floor & 2nd on High Bar
Jake M. – Pommel Champion & All-Around Champion
Walker S. – Floor Champion & Parallel Bars Champion

Level 7
Sammy H. – 3rd on Pommel and Parallel Bars & 2nd on Rings, High Bar and All-Around
Felipe J. – 3rd on Floor and All-Around, 2nd on Pommel & Rings Champion

Level 8
Carson S. – 3rd on Vault & Floor Champions

Level 9
Garrett S. – 2nd on Vault, Floor Champion, Pommel Champion, Rings Champion, Parallel Bars Champion, High Bar Champion & All-Around Champion
Sebastian M. – 3rd on High Bar and All-Around & 2nd on Floor and Pommel
Colson G. – 3rd on High Bar, 2nd on Rings and Parallel Bars, Pommel Champion & All-Around Champion
Logan K. – 3rd on Floor and All-Around, Parallel Champion & High Bar Champion

Teams
Level 4 – Team Champions
Level 6 – Team Champions
Level 9 – Team Champions

 

 

EVO Athletics Women's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Women's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

EVO Athletics Men's Gymnasts at the 2018 Presidential Classic in Orlando Florida

Winners on the stand at Judge's Cup USGA competition

EVO Athletics’ Men’s Gymnastics Program Soars

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Sarasota, Florida – EVO Athletics Men’s Gymnastics program has already established itself as a top training facility for elite gymnasts, and is now building its reputation as a top host for elite men’s competitions and training camps. In the past year, EVO Athletics has hosted three USAG sanctioned competitions: The Region 8 Future Stars, The Eleventh Hour and The SGGA Judge’s Cup.  Right now, EVO Athletics is preparing to host the Florida State Elite Camp in July. EVO Athletics is honored to host this camp for the nation’s top ranked men’s gymnasts for the second year in a row!

EVO Athletics is always enthusiastic to share its one-of-a-kind, elite facility for gymnasts and their families with athletes from all over the United States.  EVO Athletics is proud of the impact they are having on Manatee and Sarasota counties.  These gymnastics tournaments and camps have brought in over 800 athletes and their families from across the nation in the past year!  That’s an estimated 1,200 hotel rooms for 2,000 people patronizing our local restaurants and retailers.  These numbers only represent men’s gymnastics impact!  EVO Athletics currently hosts athletes in three separate sports and will be adding more in the future.  As EVO Athletics continues to grow, so will its positive economic impact on the community.

US Olympic Coach Aimee Boorman

US Olympic Coach and EVO Athletics Executive Director of Women’s Gymnastics & Elite Coordinator, Aimee Boorman’s Official Statement on the future of USA Gymnastics

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“Without a doubt, we are all outraged by the situation at USA Gymnastics.  Today, we must decide what comes next.  We need to ask ourselves: Do we give up on an organization that was founded on honorable values; an organization that has been positively impacting young athletes since 1963; or do we put in the time and effort to rebuild it, to take back what is rightfully ours?

I do not believe that the reprehensible decisions of a few should be permitted to erase the positive impact that USA Gymnastics has had in the past and can absolutely have again. There is no doubt that we will face enormous challenges, but I believe that there is immense value in restoring USA Gymnastics to its past dignity and greatness, and I stand behind that challenge.

First and foremost, the governing board must be filled with morally and ethically sound members, willing and able to put our athletes first, above all else.  Only then can we move towards the future.

Rebuilding our organization will set an excellent example for our athletes: an example of pride, an example of leadership and most importantly, an example of standing up for what is right.  We can and will take back the organization we have invested our time and passion in.

As leaders in this industry, we have a great opportunity before us to teach our athletes that even though evil exists in this world, evil will not win.  We can teach them that injustice can be used as fuel for change and that positivity can and will grow again, even after the darkest of hours.”