On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams, as well as the others who lost their lives that fateful day.
Former NCAA champ and Michigan star Sam Mikulak took a big lead on Day 1 of the US Championships. He's chasing after his sixth title. He posted the day's top scores on FX, PB and HB, plus 2nd on PH.
Incoming Wisconsin-Lacrosse frosh Maddie Grobmeier has passed away, according to a Facebook post from the team. She suffered complications from a severe asthma attack. Our condolences to her family, friends, coaches and teammates.
SPU has hired former Oregon State star Kaytianna McMillan as an assistant coach.
Arkansas has announced the hiring of Chris Bogantes and Chris Brooks as assistants. Bogantes has been an assistant at Illinois and Utah State, in addition to stints with SEMO, Ball State, TWU, and LSU. Brooks has been an assistant with the OU Men and the Nebraska Women's squads.
Link: Arkansas Release
Former CSUF Hall of Famer and AIAW All-American (BB, FX) Carol "Lefty Johnson" passed away Saturday, according to a tweet by Cal-State Fullerton. Johnston's pioneering achievements are especially notable as she lacked a complete right arm but that challenge did not prevent her from becoming a top AAer. She had been battling early onset Altzheimer's.
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Event champions were crowned on Sunday at the USAG Collegiate Nationals on Sunday. UIC's Kayla Baddeley won the VT. Air Force's Anna Salamone and Brown's Mei Li Costa tied for the UB title. Cornell's Kaitlin Green was victorious on BB, the second title for the senior. On FX, US Air Force's Tyler Davis posted a 9.95 to win the crown.
Link: Results
OU (198.475) and UGA (198.075) advanced to the NCAA FInals with top two placements at the Athens Regional. OU's Magggie Nichols and UGA's Marissa Oakley tied at 10.0 for the UB title. UGA's Sabrina Vega won the FX and tied for first on BB with Nichols, UGA's Rachel Dickson and Rachel Bauman, OU's Brenna Dowell, Nicole Lehrmann, Anastasia Webb and Cal's Cassidy Keelen. UGA's Sydney Snead and UK's Mollie Korth shared 1st on VT. OU's Webb was the top AAer at 39.675.
Link: Results
Link: UGA Release
The NCAA announced the seedings and placements for the NCAA Regionals in two weeks.