Author: Rick Mc

by site editor Rick McCharles

On this site I try to give you a choice between watching videos on the same page. Or by jumping to YouTube or another site.

It’s faster to watch the embedded video. AND embedded YouTube videos normally do not have those annoying overlay ads.

If you’re in a hurry, just watch the embedded video.

But when you jump over to YouTube you have the option of watching a higher resolution version. You can comment. Rate videos. And see more links to related videos.

It’s nice to have a choice.

The future looks bright. YouTube and Vimeo have begun replacing “memory hog” Adobe Flash format videos with the new HTML5 standard.

The sooner that happens, the better.

Here are your top 4 College Women’s Gymnastics Teams after weekend #3.

full list

LSU’s Susan Jackson’s had a near perfect season, so far. She stay’s #1 in the all-around.

full AA list

Note: These lists seems to be up early. Perhaps there are a few more scores to be added before Monday morning.

Both teams had a good meet. But both teams made errors.

Falls on Floor Exercise for UCLA was their downfall this time out.

Carly Janiga, with the top score on two events, helped the Cardinal defeat the #1 ranked team in the NCAA.

Anna Li won the all-around for the Bruins.

• Stanford Gymnasts Topple No. 1 UCLA

• UCLA Loses To Stanford

1. Stanford – (VT- 49.075; UB- 49.325; BB- 48.450; FX- 49.575; FINAL- 196.425)

2. UCLA – (VT- 49.300; UB- 49.200; BB- 49.300; FX- 48.025; FINAL- 195.825)

Alabama is now the #1 ranked team, I believe.

This season looks to be the most competitive it’s been in years.

From @theallaround on Twitter:

Current USA tumbling champion, Kalon Ludvigson, to compete in MAG at 2010 Winter Cup with Olympians Horton, Aremev and Tan.

That would be awesome.

But can a super back tumbler actually put together an FIG Floor Routine?

Click PLAY or watch Kalon on YouTube.

UPDATE: Confirmation on USAG.

It has no “name” in the Code of Points:

UPDATE: Marcus points out it is named on another page of the Code. Click on the thumbnail image below to see the full list including Ezhova. (Ejova)

Liudmila Ezhova 2004 Athens Olympics Team Qualification Uneven Bars.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’d forgotten what stiff swing she had on this apparatus. Great bar transfer, though.

I got thinking about this skill after reading that Petrina Yokay (Auburn) is competing it in the NCAA.

Update: One Romanian commenter recalls that Ana Balanca competed this skill earlier than Ezhova, but not successfully in a major international competition.

The 25yr-old 2006 Olympic silver medalist finished 4th at trials U.S. Nationals.

fan site – sasha-cohen.com

The U.S. will now be represented in Vancouver by two comparatively inexperienced teenagers: Mirai Nagasu and Rachael Flatt.

We think the judging in Artistic Gymnastics is problematic. Figure skating is still worse.

The story of the American Olympic Trials was, as usual, criticism of the judging system.

This is Brian McKeever, winner of seven medals at the Paralympics in Salt Lake City and Turin.

He’s just made Olympic history.

… The 30-year-old cross country skier from Canmore, Alta., who is legally blind, was one of six men and five women named to the Canadian Olympic team Friday, making him the first athlete to compete in both the Winter Games and the Paralympics.

He’ll also be the first Canadian – winter or summer – to do so in the same year.

McKeever, who will race in the 50-kilometre event, won the Canadian trials last month. …

Vancouver 2010 – Blind skier makes Olympics history

Do you think he should withdraw from the 2010 Paralympics, having now qualified for the Olympics?

Should he have to choose between the two? … Or be allowed to compete both?

Brett MacAulay linked to this inspiring sports video.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

There’s a new show landing on the Style Network called What I Hate About Me. The show claims to offer, “brutally honest expert advice and practical tips to help women who are trying to gain confidence and improve their lives.” …

TV.com

shergymrag saw our uber confident Olympian on one episode. Note that the link below has upgraded her medal to GOLD.

Olympic gold medalist Alicia Sacramone shows Amanda how to dress her athletic body in feminine clothes that flatter.

What I Hate About Me

Even better, I noticed Alicia Sacramone is listed as one of the gymnasts headed to camp at Karoli Ranch. She must have something to show.

Gymnastic Examiner has a good wrap-up of the Friday night meets.

By Monday it looks like Alabama will be ranked #1. Coach Sarah Patterson is smiling. Her team had it’s highest score since 2007, 197.450.

Senior Morgan Dennis used a career-high 9.975 to win the vault and a 9.95 to win the floor exercise, she also came away with the all-around title, posting a 39.675, just .050 off her career-best score.

“I think tonight is just the beginning and everything just clicked for us,” Dennis said. “It was a huge improvement from last week and I am just really excited for where the season is going.” …

Gymnastics Beats Arkansas, 197.450-195.500

UCLA scored only 194.425 Friday night but competes again Sunday at Stanford. The Bruins will need to put up a HIGH number if they want to hold the #1 team ranking.

… Mac, in the comments, points out UCLA used this meet to get some new routines into the meet. It wasn’t their top line-up.

Still … this season is getting interesting!

Susan Jackson (LSU) is #1 in the All-around. She scored 39.525 last night and won or tied for first place on all four events. This girl’s on a mission.