On September 11th, 2001, newly hired UCSB Head Coach Mari-Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, lost her life during the events of that fateful day. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dream.
Our original tribute page: Link
According to GymnasticsCoaching, Canada is moving towards the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic systems (e.g. Level 10). Canada's current development system is aligned towards the FIG system, with the development (pre elite) levels topping out at National Open, the rough equivalent of USAG Level 10. The NCAA rules are derived from the USAG Level 10 rules. The FIG and USAG systems have diverged over the years, with the former emphasizing difficulty and start value, and with different special requirements (e.g., no two salto requirement on floor). Canadian athletes have faced some greater challenges in adapting to the NCAA rules. This should ease the transition.
Link: Gymnastics Coaching
Alaska has hired former Rutgers standout Alyssa Straub as an assistant.
Link: Release
Ohio State has hired former NC State assistant Todd Henry as an assistant. He is also a former Arkansas assistant and a former Buckeye competitor.
Link: Ohio State Release
Former Missouri standout gymnast Adrianne Perry has joined the staff as a volunteer coach.
Bauer brings both club and collegiate coaching experience.
Three time NCAA champ and former Michigan star Sam Mikulak came from behind and captured the Men's AA title at the P&G Championships. The defending champion overtook John Orozco (2nd) and ex-OU star Jake Dalton (3rd). Donnell Whittenburg was 4th while Danell Leyva was 5th. Former OU star Alex Naddour was sixth.
Those six were named to the World Championships team, along with alternate Paul Ruggeri (ex Illinois, 7th AA).
Another ex OU star, Jonathan Horton, finished 8th, rebounding from a tough Day 1. Ex Ohio State star Brandon Wynn placed 9th AA while current Illini CJ Maestas was 10th. Horton, Wynn and Maestas will be joined by Marvin Kimble (Michigan), Sean Melton (Ohio State), and Eddie Penev (ex Stanford) on the Pan Am Games team. Stanford's Akash Modi will be the alternate.
Link: Release
UCLA commit Simone Biles won her 2nd consecutive US title this evening, capturing the AA over Kyla Ross. The World Champion was dominant throughout the competition, posting the top total on FX and VT. Ross had a strong 2nd evening, posting over a 60 after troubles on Day 1. She had the highest mark on BB. Ashton Locklear, a Florida commit, had the highest two day total on UB.
OU commit Maggie Nichols was third, while Florida commit Alyssa Baumann was fouth. Utah commit McKayla Skinner was fifth, ahead of Florida commit Amelia Hundley in sixth.
UCLA commit Macy Toronjo competed four events, while future teammate Felicia Hano was the only competitor to do three events. Right behind, leading the two event competitors, was future Bruin Madison Kocian. Another future UCLA gymnasts, Nica Hults, was 12th while OU frosh Brenna Dowell competed just one event.
Link: USA Gymnastics
WVU has added three gymnasts for 2014-2015: Brittney Harris, Audrey Tolbert and Jordan Gillette. Harris is a fifth year senior who competed for Pitt but has a season of eligibility remaining. Tolbert transfers to WVU from Ohio State. Gillette is a frosh, whose commitment was covered at the site last December.
Link: WVU Release
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