Utah has officially accepted an invitation to join the Pac-10 Conference, further strengthening an already strong gymnastics conference. They currently compete as part of the WAC, which does not sponsor a conference championship. Eight teams currently now support the Women's sport in the Pac-10. Utah will begin Pac-10 competition for the 2011-2012 school year.
Colorado had previously announced it's intention to join the Pac-10 after NU moved from the Big 12 to the Big 10. Shortly thereafter, Boise State moved to the MWC. This all started a chain reaction of negotiations between schools, conferences (Big 10, Pac 10, and Big 12) and television networks. In the end, the remaining schools in the Big 12 decided to stay together as a conference after a new television deal was assembled that satisfied Texas. Some pundits speculated that the major sports television networks had a vested interest in preventing the spread of mega-conferences, each with their own television channels.
However, there is speculation that although the activity has settled down, it is not yet completed. Some schools, and more importnatly, boosters are still seeking out the best options for their schools.
Link: SLC Tribune Article and Utah Press Conference Transcript
Steve Shephard has stepped down as Head Coach at Penn State to pursue other career opportunities, according to a school release. He said in a statement, "I have decided to retire from coaching after a 30 year career in gymnastics, to pursue other career opportunities. It has been my great honor, and privilege, to work with all of the gifted young people associated with this program over the last 21 years."
Link: PSU Release and Daily Collegian Coverage, Including Interviews
Vicki Chliszczyk has been named the Head Coach at Towson, replacing Dick Filbert, who retired. Chliszczyk has been an assistant for the past five season at Maryland and is a native of Canada, where she competed in gymanstics. She is just the fourth Head Coach in the 43 year history of the program. The full Towson release follows below.
DU has hired Jay Hogue as an assistant. Hogue has been coaching at Broadway Gymnastics in Florida, and was a previous long-time staff member at Orlando Metro. He replaces Nilson Savage.
Link: DU Release
UCLA's Vanessa Zamarripa qualified to the VISA (US) Championships with her performance at the second elite qualifier held at Bieger's this weekend. She won her optional session and the compulsary section. Several incoming recruits and NCAA athletes were in action this weekend.
2011 Michigan commit Annettte Miele won this session and posted a VISA Championships qualifying score. LSU incoming frosh Gabrielle Swart and 2011 Michigan committ Morgan Steigerwalt competed in this session.
Incoming Minnesota transfer Justine Cherwink competed in this session.
Session 3 included Zamarripa and former Arkansas athlete Casey Jo Magee.
Conference re-alignment is shaking up the NCAA, driven by revenue sports like football, TV contracts and of course, money. So far, schools with gymnastics programs have already been affected. Nebraska has proposed a move to the Big 10 and Boise State is heading to the WAC. Other schools may also be changing conferences, so stay tuned to the changes this summer.
See this local Omaha station and their quote from NU Head Coach Dan Kendig. Link.
Gymnastics has the highest school average APR (Academic Progress Rate) among all Men's NCAA sports, according to a report released by the NCAA. Men's teams averaged 979. 925 is the minimum before penalties begin to be considered at any given school. Gymnastics is tied for third at 985 among Women's sports with Crew, with Field Hockey and Lacrosse leading the way. Three men's squads achieved APRs of 1000 (perfect), while 14 women's programs hit that mark. Only one team has failed to hit the 925 hurdle, but no penalties have been assessed.
Link: NCAA
An elite qualifier was held at ASU this past weekend, and several uncommitted recruitables were in action. Also competing was Casey Jo Magee, formerly of Arkansas and representing NAAG at this meet.
Link: Results
The results for the AA and Event Finals in the National Open Category, Age 16+ of the Canadian Championships are finally available. Competition concluded on Saturday. Sasha Vedenin of Gemini won the AA and FX. Sarah Fleet of Springers powered to wins on VT and FX. UB was captured by Champion's Brittany Ekstedt. Of the commits and signees, SUU commit Rochelle Bernier led the way in 3rd. Iowa State signee Camille Santerre was 12th, while Iowa signee Nicole Pineau was 24th.
Link: Results
Women's event final champions:
VT:
Kristina Vaculik
UB:
Vaculik
BB:
Vaculik
FX:
Dominique Pegg
Link: Results
That being said, the majority of the prospects looking for a home on a college campus and as part of a varsity team are NOT the blue chip kids. Firstly, this needs to be understood and realized. Secondly, these prospects need to develop and execute a separate plan of attack and begin to tackle what I call the “grey areas” of recruiting. When I speak of grey areas, I am alluding to alternative tactics that could strongly assist families and their children reach a little higher and with a better chance of success in the college search.
Stanford-bound Kristina Vaculik won the Canadian Championship last night in Kamloops, BC. Vaculik defeated preliminary leader Madeline Gardiner. UIC signee Catherine Dion was 9th and Utah signee Nansy Damianova was tied for 11th. UCLA incoming frosh Sydney Sawa was 14th while San Jose State Spartan signee Cassandra Harrison was 16th.
In the Men's competition, Nathan Gafuik claimed the title.
Women: Results
Men: Results
The Canadian Championships continue with the National Open preliminaries earlier today. Several future collegians were in action, including Iowa signee Nicole Pineau and SUU commit Rochelle Bernier.
Link: Results