John Orozco took the lead after Day 1 at the P&G (US) Championahips. Former OU star Jake Dalton is close behind in 2nd, with Danell Leyva in 3rd. NCAA champ and ex Michigan standout (and current undergraduate assistant) Sam Mikulak had a few problems to stand in fourth. Former Sooner Alex Naddour is fifth. Former Ohio State standout Brandon Wynn posted the top ring score to place 7th, while current Buckeye Sean Melton was 8th. Former Illini Paul Ruggeri was 9th while Illinois' CJ Maestas and Stanford's Akash Modi are tied for 10th. Under the new rules that place a greater emphasis on specialists, the much deeper men's field has a number of gymnasts pursuing spots on the National and World Championship teams.
In the Junior Men's 17-18 division, Illinois frosh Bobby Baker is in first, ahead of OU frosh Hunter Justus in 2nd. Kiwan Watts is third. In the Junior Men's 15-16 division, Michigan frosh Marty Strech is in first.
Link: USA Gymnastics
World Champion and UCLA commit Simone Biles took a bit early lead after Day 1 of the P&G (US) Championships. OU commit Maggie Nichols was 2nd and Florida commit Alyssa Baumann was third. Kyla Ross was fourth while Utah commit Makayla Skinner was fifth.
Only 8 gymnastics competed AA and 13 gymnasts competed overall.
Link: USA Gymnastics
Two events involving the NCAA could potentially change the face of NCAA sports.
First, the NCAA Board of Director approved a proposal to allow the Big 5 Conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) more autonomy in setting rules, especially with regard to increased compensation, expanded benefits (e.g. meals), staffing and time demands. It is widely believed that the non-Big 5 schools will face financial pressure to keep up. Link: ESPN
Second, in the landmark "O'Bannon et al" court case, US District Judge Cynthia Wilkins ruled that the NCAA unreasonably limits trade with respect to player compensation. The scope of this case was limited to football and basketball. Specifically, the ruling deals with compensation regarding the use of "Names, Images and Likenesses" (NIL). This particulaly relates to TV broadcasting rights, and the use of NIL during the broadcast. Other cases are pending and this one may be appealed. Link: USA Today Article
Arizona has hired former Utah standout Meredith (King) Paulicivic as an assistant. She has been coaching since 1997 at SCEGA in Southern California, where she was the head coach.
Link: Release
Alabama has announced the hiring of Bill Lorenz as an assistant, replacing and joining newly promoted Head Coach Dana Duckworth. Lorenz comes to the Tide after an extensive stint at Ohio State, where he netted National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2012.
Link: Bama Release
Pittsburgh has announced the hiring of Rob Drass as an assistant. Drass is the former Head Coach at Missouri.
Link: Release
World Champion Simon Biles won the Secret US Classic this weekend, with Olympic Gold Medalist Kyla Ross in 2nd. They lead a pack of young gymnasts seeking spots on the World Team.
OU commit Maggie Nichols was third while Sooner signee Brenna Dowell competed one event. Florida commits Rachel Gowey, Amelia Hundley, Alyssa Bauman and Ashton Locklear were 4th, 6th, 7th and 11th. Utah commits Mykayla Skinner and Melissa Reinstadler were 5th and 8th, respectively. DU commit Samntha Ogden was 9th.
The rest of ths small field did not compete four events. UCLA commit Felicia Hano was 10th while commit Madison Kocian was 12th. Bruins Macy Toronjo and Nica Hults were 14th and 15th.
Rising junior Jordan Chiles won the junior session. She is not age-eligible for Rio.
Videos from USA Gymnastics and full results are at the link below.
Link: USA Gymnastics
England's Claudia Fragapane won the gold medal in the women's AA at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Former Oregon State standout Olivia Vivian, competing for Australia, was fifth. In ninth was Florida commit Meghan Chant.
Link: Results
Jacob Lee has been hired as an assistant coach at Illinois. He previously coached at Iowa.
Aryn Bell is a former team member and assistant coach.
Iowa has hired Jennifer Green as an assistant, after spending three seasons at Missouri. The former LSU standout and All American also served as a club coach.
Link: Iowa Release
PSU has added Kera (Bolen) Molinaro as a volunteer assistant. The former Oregon State standout has been as assistant at Rutgers.
Link: PSU Release
Sarah Patterson has stepped down from the Head Coach position at Bama. Read her open letter.
Dana Duckworth steps into the head coach position: Announcement
WVU has promoted Travis Doak to Associate Head Coach. He has been an assistant for the last six seasons.
Link: WVU Release