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 Volleyball Stars Heading to Chosen Colleges

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This year, EVO Athletics 18 Select team proudly boasts not one, but two players moving on to play at the college level after graduation. Hannah Crum and Lilly Meadows were both recruited to play college volleyball, have both earned guaranteed spots on their college teams and have both received academic scholarships to their chosen colleges.

An accomplished leader and player, team Setter Hannah Crum will be attending Hollins University in Virginia. She has been homeschooled for the last two years and graduated from high school early, in February of this year. Crum plays for Bayshore High School’s volleyball team in addition to playing at EVO. In 2017, she was both the MVP and captain of her Bayshore team, the captain of her EVO team and was recognized with the EVO Coaches Award. This year Crum is once again her team captain at EVO and has been volunteering her time two nights a week to assist with coaching EVO’s 11-year old team. Crum will be majoring in Biochemistry. Her future plans include securing a highly sought-after internship with Estee Lauder Cosmetics and eventually creating her own skin care line.

A highly-successful multi-sport athlete, team Libero Lilly Meadows will be attending Clark University in Massachusetts. A senior at Braden Christian School, which she has attended since she was three, Meadows is set to graduate with honors and a GPA over 4.0. She competes in swimming, tennis and weight lifting in addition to volleyball. She has earned awards for Most Improvement in Tennis at BCS, and for Best Defensive Player at Suncoast Volleyball, which is now a part of EVO Athletics. Meadows will be majoring in Environmental and Conservation Biology and Spanish, with goals of earning her Master’s Degree and eventually working internationally.

Coach Katie McDonald couldn’t be prouder of her players, and says she is not at all surprised. A former top-level college volleyball player herself, the coach feels that the sport attracts some of the brightest young athletes because it is an intensely mental game – challenging them to outthink their opponents on every play.  McDonald sees her players learning not only the physical game, but a lot of transferrable leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills, that she knows from personal experience will serve them well throughout their lives. After graduating from Missouri University of Science & Technology with her degree in Biomedical Engineering, McDonald turned down multiple offers to coach volleyball at the college level and settled in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. She accepted a position as the office manager for a three-office dental practice and, in less than three years, not yet 30, has already been promoted to Marketing Director.

Coach McDonald says Crum is a natural-born leader and a hard worker; a player who always shows up early and stays late, a natural at working with the gym’s younger athletes. She sees Meadows as one of the most mature and reliable players she has ever coached, asking for feedback to improve her game and truly listening, taking both praise and constructive criticism equally well.

Both athletes are excited to start the next chapter in their lives but had the same answer when asked what they will miss about playing at EVO: they will miss their teammates and Coach McDonald. Crum praised McDonald as the best coach she has ever played under. Meadows says she cannot imaging playing without this team and without Coach McDonald.

EVO Athletics offers Volleyball programs for all ages, starting with toddlers, and all skill levels, both recreational and competitive, for women/girls and men/boys.

 

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

EVO AAU Kick Off Classic Winning Team

EVO Athletics hosting the AAU Winter Classic Tournament THIS WEEKEND!

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The EVO family and the public are invited to come watch the future stars of Volleyball compete this weekend! EVO Athletics Volleyball will be hosting its second AAU sanctioned tournament of the season, the EVO Athletics AAU Winter Classic, February 24th and 25th.  Thirty-six teams from across the region will be competing. The tournament will be held in two locations, EVO Athletics and The Out of Door Academy, Middle & Upper Schools.

In just its second year as a Sanctioned USA Volleyball Club, EVO Athletics volleyball teams already rank amongst the best in the state of Florida, with all EVO travel teams placing in the highly competitive USA Volleyball Tournaments. The 11 and under team has won two tournament, placed second in another tournament and is currently ranked #4 in the Florida Region.

Over 400 families are expected this weekend, patronizing Manatee and Sarasota businesses, restaurants and hotels.  This is the second of four AAU sanctioned events that EVO Athletics is hosting this season.  EVO Athletics will also host the EVO Athletics AAU March Madness the weekend of March 17th and the EVO Athletics AAU Spring Classic the weekend of April 14th.

 

Tournament Schedule and Details:

 

Saturday, February 24th:

Doors: Open at 7AM

Price: $5 Cash Only, 5 & under: FREE!

Locations:

  • EVO Athletics – 7188 East 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34243
  • The Out of Door Academy Middle & Upper Schools Campus – 5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240

 

Sunday, February 25th:

Doors: Open at 8AM

Price: $5 Cash Only, 5 & under: FREE!

Location:

  • EVO Athletics – 7188 East 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34243

 

Refreshments available all day at both locations!

 

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.”

AAU EVO Kick Off Classic Winning Team

EVO Athletics Hosts First AAU Volleyball Tournament of 2018 Season

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Sarasota, Florida   January 20 and 21, EVO Athletics Volleyball proudly hosted their first AAU Tournament of the 2018 season, the EVO Athletics AAU Kickoff Classic..  Three EVO Athletics Volleyball teams, 11 Florida, 12 Select and 16 Florida earned Gold Medals.  The EVO Athletics AAU Kickoff Classic was of considerable benefit to our area, bringing nearly 400 families, from 35 teams, to our local hotels, restaurants and other service providers.

This is the first of four AAU sanctioned events that EVO Athletics will host this season.  EVO Athletics will be hosting the EVO Athletics AAU Winter Classic the weekend of February 24th with 36 teams attending; the EVO Athletics AAU March Madness the weekend of March 17th with 42 teams attending; and the EVO Athletics AAU Spring Classic the weekend of April 14th with 27 teams attending. EVO Athletics is proud to share its one-of-a-kind, elite facility for athletes and their families with teams from across the region.

In just its second year as a Sanctioned USA Volleyball Club, EVO Athletics volleyball teams already rank amongst the best in the state of Florida, with all travel teams placing in the highly competitive USA Volleyball Tournaments. The 11 and under team has won two tournaments, finished second in another, and is currently ranked #4 in the Florida Region.

EVO Cheerleaders win National Championship

Senior All-Star Cheerleaders Earn Two National Championships

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Orlando, Florida – EVO Athletics All Star Cheerleaders proudly represented the Bradenton-Sarasota area at The All Out Nationals. EVO Athletics brought home a total of seven top three prizes, including National Championships for their Senior 1 and Senior 2 teams! The Senior 1 team also won the Level 1 Grand Championship!

The All Out Nationals, a qualifying event for the U.S. All Star Federation’s World Cup Race, were held February 3 & 4 at The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.

All-Star Cheerleading is the most competitive level in the sport of Cheerleading, combining jumps, stunts, pyramids, dance and gymnastics into awe-inspiring shows of athleticism.

EVO Athletics and IMG Academy Announce New Partnership

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