can UCLA win 2017 Championships?

Leading up to the 2016-2017 school year, the Bruins had one of the most impressive incoming classes in NCAA history, with commitments from Kocian, Ross and Simone Biles.

While Biles ultimately gave up her NCAA eligibility by turning professional shortly before her five-medal performance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Kocian, who helped lead Rio’s Final Five to team gold and won an individual silver medal on the uneven bars, and Ross, who earned a gold medal as part of the Fierce Five in London in 2012, remained committed to the program. …

UCLA is one of just three schools (along with Oklahoma and LSU) to have achieved a team score of 198 or better (out of 200) this season. The Bruins are an underdog to win, with Oklahoma and LSU as the favorites, but the team title is a possibility. …

UCLA’s Olympic gymnasts wagered fortune and fame against college eligibility

That’s a great article.

In the process, (Jordyn Wieber) learned just how much she loves coaching. After graduating in May, she is tentatively planning on remaining with the team while she works on her master’s degree. She hopes to one day be the UCLA head coach — a move Kondos Field is firmly in agreement with. “I’ll be sitting in Pauley Pavilion watching her coach in 20 years,” she said.

NCAA Men’s Gymnastics update

Logan Bradley posted his usual excellent photo / video review of last weekend’s MAG competition. It’s all you need to stay informed.

#NCAAMGym Conference Championships Recap

U.S. Center for SafeSport

Only three weeks since opening its doors, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is investigating 21 cases involving sexual misconduct or abuse in Olympic sports.

The center’s website offers a hotline and an online reporting form for those who have been victims of abuse or know of such cases. …

The organization operates independently from the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizations governing Olympic sports. The USOC and the 47 national governing bodies help fund the center — about $13.3 million over five years — but do not have any say over how it operates or the cases it investigates.

The center opened March 23 …

New US athlete protection group tells AP of reports of abuse

A step forward, for sure. But how well will SafeSport work?

That’s yet to be seen.

NCAA Championships LIVE on ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNU

Friday & Saturday. Click through for broadcast times.

NCAA Gymnastics Set to Air Live on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU

Jim Holt’s letter to the USAG Board

Jim Holt posted An Open Letter to the Gymnastics Community of America on March 31, 2017.

And followed up with a more specific missive to the USAG Board on April 11th:

The Board must go public with an apology.

“USA Gymnastics is profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering the victims of child abuse in our sport have suffered, and deeply apologize for whatever organizational shortcomings have led us to these circumstances. USAG vows that this will be rectified and that never again can this happen on our watch.”

A new CEO must be identified, hired, and installed with all urgent deliberateness. …

USAG needs to identify what it stands for. …

USAG must make a REAL commitment to service, not just corporate blather! …

STEWARDSHIP …

An Open Letter to the USAG Board of Directors

Click through for the details. A good read.

Sean Senters – YTT

Recall that Sasha Artemev competed Yurchenko Triple Twist. He never quite landed it, however. Sean’s is much better.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

(via Jeff Robinson)