As a parent, it would make sense that if your daughter has several teammates are graduating the same year the competition would be there to scoop up the first offer or opportunity especially if you are all looking at many of the same schools.

Hopefully I can put you at ease. The odds of a college coach looking at the very same gymnasts for the same scholarship do not happen that often and here is why. 

Each gymnast has different strengths and weakness’s and each coach has different needs for their teams. Yes, a college coach could see two or more Level 10’s for example from the same gym and decide they all could be the right fit at first. As the college coach narrows down exactly what they need, usually only one gymnast will be the right choice. It is very rare that two gymnasts from the same gym have the exact same technique, skills and academics. Then the coach evaluates personality, body type, injuries and many other factors.

The best way to work through this situation is to encourage your daughter to keep focused on what she needs to do in the recruiting process. Remind her that the right fit will come along and that comparing herself to others in her gym will do no good. The college coach really has much of the control at this point in his or her hands. The outcome of being the final pick, is out of the gymnasts control once she has sent her information and done her part to be recruited. Focusing on what your daughter can do and not what she can't control is the key. 

The gymnasts should keep working on upgrades, reaching out to coaches and staying on top of academics which is what she can control. The best piece of advice is to stay positive and see each step in the process as an opportunity to the finish line. The recruiting journey has many peaks and valleys and the  gymnasts who stays steady typically finds the right fit and can look back with having learned more about herself then she ever thought possible.

About Jill Hicks:

Jill Hicks is a former elite gymnast, Division I college athlete, club coach and Division I college gymnastics coach and the owner of JH Consulting, JH Consulting is an advising business for parents and club gymnasts. Parents hire Jill to help  them navigate the college recruiting process. You can call her for a FREE consultation by going to www.jhicksconsulting.com for contact information.

Editor's Note:  Publication of this article is not an endorsement of any recruiting service.  Always check with the NCAA or your school's compliance officer for any questions regarding recruiting rules, the latest timelines, or other issues.