The most detailed overview yet of the main candidates for the US Women’s Olympic Team. Well worth a read.
I don’t agree with many assumptions made about the selection process which will be used by Martha Karolyi and the committee. Trust me. Their motivation will be to put the team on the floor who can hit the highest A-start routines. Confidence and consistency will decide it.
But I completely agree with this bit:
Courtney Kupets and Ashley Postell
… Less we repeat the mistakes of 2004, Martha Karolyi should keep all doors open for Kupets and Postell to return to elite competition. Although she says she won’t try, Kupets is in fantastic shape and has upgraded bars, beam and floor. Prior to her announcement, Kupets was training routines with 7+ A-scores on bars and beam that were designed by Kelli Hill.
If NCAAs are successful, don’t be shocked if either makes a late bid. Kupets would only have to add her toe on+ tkatchev to her NCAA bar routine. Her bid is more likely than Postell’s because of her long history of good favor with USAG, her mental toughness, competitive consistency, leadership, and prowess on the Uneven Bars—USA’s weakest event.
Both girls are hesitant to try, which is likely due to wariness about their political standing with USAG. Sacramone was discouraged from competing in the NCAA and the national team staff is unlikely to name two team members who have forgone the traditional camp system. Kupets’ bid was curtailed after she was unable to secure an academic waiver for a lightened course load. In 2004, Kate Richardson benefited from UCLA’s quarter system, which allowed her to withdraw from her courses after the NCAA Championships.
NCAA trains confidence and consistency. Right?
The pressure of the Olympics is no greater than that at NCAA Championships.
Here’s Courtney on Bars in Athens 2004. Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.
Kupets finished 2nd in a narrow win for her Dogs over Florida tonight.
Postell will be inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In conjunction with Olympic Trials. (Or will she be competing?)
Gymnastics Coaching.com 