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2018-2019: Black to WVU
Mackenzie Black, a L10 from United Sports Academy, has committed to WVU for 2018-2019. In 2015, she finished 8th AA at the Region VII L10 Regionals, and qualified to the JO NIT Meet, where she won VT and placed 3rd on FX. She also finished 17th AA at Regionals in 2014.
2017-2018: Bastardi to WVU
Jessie Bastardi, a L10 at Centre Elite, has committed to WVU for 2017-2018. She is the daughter of former PSU assistant and standout Jessica Bastardi. In 2015, she tied for 13th AA at the Region VII L10 Regionals.
Link: Videos
OU Leads Women's Preseason Poll
Oklahoma tops the Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll, with Florida 32 points behind in second. Bama is third, just four points ahead of Utah. OU amassed 29 first place votes, while Florida has 15. Utah has 14 first place votes. The Poll is now administered by RoadToNationals (replacing Troester.com).
SEMO Signs Two
SEMO has signed Megan Dennis and Courteney Taylor for 2016-2017. Taylor's commit was covered in a prior news item.
Dennis is a L10 who trains at Achievers in Denton, TX. In 2015, Dennis qualified to the JO NIT after placing 10th AA at Regionals. She was also 11th AA at Regionals in 2014.
Link: SEMO Release
2017-2018: Alfaro to SUU
Morgan Alfaro, a L10 from Gym Max, has committed to Southern Utah. At the 2015 L10 JO Nationals, she tied for 26th AA. She also finished 2nd AA at the 2014 JO NIT meet.
Link: Videos
2017-2018: Johnson to CMU
Kennedy Rae Johnson, a Level 10 from Gymstars in Tennessee has committed to Central Michigan University. In 2015, she placed 11th AA and 9th(t) on BB at Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals. In 2014, she finished 2nd on VT, 4th on BB and 15th AA at the Region VIII L10 Regionals.
Link: VIdeo
PSU (M) Welcomes Four
PSU will welcome four frosh for 2015-2016: Matthew Bunke (KMC), Chris Sands (Prestige), Alex Thomason (Champion) and Wyatt Tyndall (Taiso).
Canadian Tyndall is a member of the Canadian Junior National Team and a three-time provincial champ. He signed in April.
Link: PSU Release
Pan Am Games, Event Finals Part 1
The first day of Event Finals at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto are now complete.
On Women's VT, Cuba's Marcia Jiminez easily won Gold.
On Men's FX, Guatemala's Jorge Lopez won the Gold. Ex Michigan star Sam Mikulak won bronze, with the USA's Donnell Whittenburg in 2nd.
On Men's PH, the USA's Marvin Kimble and Colombia's Jossimar Moreno for the Gold. Mikulak was fifth.
On the UB, Florida commit Rachel Gowey won the Gold. Future teammate Amelia Hundley was 3rd, with former DU star Jessica Lopez Arocha in the silver position. Washington commit Madison Copiak of Canada was 7th.
On the Rings, Olympic Champ Arthur Zanetti won the Gold. Whittenburg won the silver. Former PSU star Tommy Ramos of Puerto Rico was 4th, while teammate and current PSU star Alexis Torres was 6th.
Link: Results
Pan Am Games: Women's AA
To the delight and thunderous cheers of the home crowd, Canadian Ellie Black won the gold medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games, held in Toronto. She became the first Canadian woman to win the AA title in 36 years. Using a solid 58.15, she easily outdistanced runnerup Madison Desch (Bama commit), who suffered a hand touch on BB and an out-of-bounds on FX. Rising Cuban star Flavia Lopes Saraiva won the bronze. Florida commit Amelia Hundley was 4th after a fall on UB.
Link: Results
Florida Hires Field as an Assistant
Florida has announced the hiring of Owen Field as an assistant. Field has been a volunteer assistant or manager for Nebraska the last six seasons. He also served as a volunteer coach for Southern Utah.
Link: UF Release