The regular season is nearly done, and it seems like we just got started! With teams now finalizing their lineups, peaking their training and fine-tuning their routines, here are some observations as we hit the final stretch of the 2011 season. In these last few weeks, a lot can happen that will impact a team's postseason chances...
I recently had 3 athletes I am advising receive verbal athletic scholarship offers from 3 different college coaches. Obviously the families were thrilled with the opportunity for their children to be recognized and awarded well before the senior year in high school.
As an advisor, I am asked many questions about the college quest and lately the area of verbal commitments seems to top the list. I would like to share my personal thoughts on what has become a popular recruiting strategy that is used by prospects and college coaches alike.
As you would expect, Florida remains at the top of this week's Troester.com GymInfo National Rankings. They lead all events but BB, where Stanford retains the top spot.
Individually, frosh Mackenzie Caquatto of Florida takes over the top AA spot after her debut. UGA frosh Lindsey Cheek remains atop the UB standings (she has competed just once). Utah's Kyndal Robarts leads the VT, although she has not competed since her injury. Oregon State Leslie Mak leads the BB once again, after hitting again this weekend. On FX, Stanford's Shona Morgan debut performance joins teammate Ashley Morgan and Florida's Ashanee Dickerson at the top of the standings.
The Hornets travelled over to the Bay Area and edged the Bears at home. Sac State used a consistent effort throughout, taking advantage of Cal's problems on BB. Lissa Zamalo of the Hornets tied with Cal's Nicolette Lew for the BB title. Frosh Alicia Asturias led Cal, posting a 38.8 to win the AA and tying teammate Alexandra Leggitt for the VT title. Frosh teammate Dallas Crawford won the UB while Cal's Mariesah Pierce won the FX.
Link: Cal Release
Rutgers Frosh Luisa Leal-Restrepo led her team to a tri-meet win. She captured the AA (38.775), VT, UB and FX. Yale's Stephanie Goldstein won the BB.
Link: Yale Release
Sophomore Sarah Nadrowski was dominant again for SUNY-Cortland, winning the AA, UB, BB and FX while finishing 2nd on the VT.
Link: Cortland Release
Penn used a strong FX rotation to overtake Ivy League foe Cornell. Dana Bonincontri led Penn, winning the VT, UB, and BB. Kirsten Straubaugh added a win on the FX. Cornell's McKenna Archer won the VT.
Link: Penn Release
Oklahoma defeated traditional rivals Nebraska in a matchup on Super Sunday. For Oklahoma, Megan Ferguson won the BB outright while three others tied Huskers for event titles. NU's Erin Davis and OU's Sara Stone tied for the VT title. NU's Janelle Giblen tied with OU's Natasha Kelley for the UB title. And NU's Lora Evenstad tied with OU's Kayla Nowak for the FX title.
Link: NU Release
PSU was led by Madison Merriam's win in the AA with a 38.875. Teammate Natalie Ettl took the UB with a 9.95 while Sharaya Musser won the BB with a 9.925. WVU's Chelsea Goldschrafe won the FX title while WVU frosh Hope Sloanhoffer took the VT title with a 9.95.
Link: PSU Release
Kent State defeated host Bowling Green in handy fashion, 194.925 to 188.975, despite counting a fall on VT. Frosh Marie Case took the AA (39.125) and FX while senior teammate Christina Lenny added wins on VT, UB and BB.
Link: BGSU Release