Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Oklahoma ready for the post season

Teens need motivation ➙ e.g. Sport

I’ve always felt the average teen competitive gymnast is psychologically safer — on average — than their classmates.

Spending 20+ hours a week on a sport or activity has risks. BUT staying home scrolling TikTok and other social media may be even more damaging.

The Gym is one place in a teen’s life where profanity is rare. Structure is clear. Rules in place.

The culture of a Gymnastics club is far healthier — on average — than school or the mall.

Sadly, this is increasingly true in the USA according to a new study.

Of course this is even more true of teens identifying as — or confused about — being LGBQ+. One American political party is targeting those young people for attack.

Bottom line for coaches and all adults is to be patient and supportive of teenagers. It’s a difficult time of life for many.

BEST ‘perfect’ 10s 😀

Judge Rhiannon Franck has been re-evaluating perfect 10 routines from the 2023 season on College Gym News.

As we all know, no routine is perfect. The 10 is mostly used as a marketing device for WAG NCAA. And it works!

Here are 3 sets Rhiannon would be happy to see be awarded an actual College 10.

LOUD NCAA competitions

If you are going to Utah, LSU and some other venues in 2023 — it‘s going to be loud. You might not be able to hear your Floor music, for example.

West Virginia head coach Jason Butts:

“I have this obnoxious crowd noise music. It’s got Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then I mixed in some smooth jazz just to really get on [the team’s] nerves. We blared it as loud as it could go in the gym to get them ready,” Butts explained …

Carlee Nelson:

… I hate that music, but thank you for doing that to me,” Butts recalled with a laugh. “I think the prep worked.” …

Unconventional Methods Prepared West Virginia for LSU Environment

SEC Championships 2023

Session 1:
VT: No. 5 seed Auburn
UB: No. 6 Arkansas
BB: No. 7 Missouri
FX: No. 8 Georgia

Session 2:
VT: No. 1 seed Florida
UB: No. 2 LSU
BB: No. 4 Alabama
FX: No. 3 Kentucky

When OKLAHOMA joins next season, this competition will change radically.

The championship will move from a one-day event to a two-day format. The semifinals will consist of two sessions of four teams each.  The top seed will receive a bye to the championship.  The top seed plus the two session winners in the semifinals and the team with the next highest score in the semifinals will advance to a four-team championship.

#respect Janelle McDonald

Coach Janelle McDonald has been with UCLA gymnastics for less than a year, but the program can feel her impact already. After finishing the regular season at No. 18 in the country a year ago, the Bruins now sit at No. 4 …

“If it wasn’t for Janelle, we wouldn’t be the Bruins we are today,” said sophomore Jordan Chiles. …

“It feels like it’s a dream come true,” (Margzetta) Frazier said. “It’s too good to be true that Janelle is here, and she’s done nothing but lift and empower and learn.” …

Daily Bruin

2023 AAI Award Finalists

Maile O’Keefe (Utah), Luisa Blanco (Alabama), Sierra Brooks (Michigan), Lynnzee Brown (Denver), Trinity Thomas (Florida) and Raena Worley (Kentucky) are finalists for the 2023 AAI Award!.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’d have to vote for Trinity.