Author: Rick Mc

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

Covergirl Suni Lee

“Marta” or “Martha”

When unsure of a name, I typically use the Wikipedia spelling — which is Márta in this case.

The simplest way to explain it, both “Martha” and “Marta” are correct spellings of her name. “Martha” is how her name is spelled in America, while “Marta” was her original name in Europe. This difference wasn’t a change forced upon Martha, but a change Martha herself openly embraced. …

When Did Marta Karolyi Become “Martha?”

National Letter of Intent DAY

To review:
NLI = National Letter of Intent

The National Letter of Intent is a document signed by future college athletes confirming their intent to attend and compete for a particular school. Signing the NLI signals the end of the recruiting process—i.e., all other schools must immediately cease recruiting that gymnast. The NLI is accompanied by the athletic aid (scholarship) agreement. Gymnasts can’t sign NLIs if they are not receiving athletic aid.

Wednesday marks the beginning of this year’s signing period, during which schools will finally reveal to us which gymnasts have signed on to join their programs for the 2023 competitive season (and some for the upcoming 2022 season). …

Balance Beam Situation

Click through to see updates of who signed where. Spencer is adding names as they are released by NCAA teams.

Lilly Lippeatt to LSU

Kyra Cato (Canada) to San Jose

Nile Wilson – ‘My Story’

I’m looking forward to Nile’s autobiography.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Simone’s YDP

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Emma Slevin (IRL) – Floor

Best ever AA finish at Worlds for Ireland. Congratulations to Emma and everyone at Renmore Gymnastics in Galway.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch her interview following the AA final on YouTube.

remembering Dianne Durham

Tributes from gymnasts, family and friends poured in Saturday during a celebration of Durham’s life at the West Side Leadership Academy emceed by radio broadcaster Felicia Middlebrooks who attended church with the Durhams and once babysat for the family.

Durham died Feb. 4 in Chicago after a brief illness at age 52. The family delayed the memorial because of the coronavirus pandemic. …

Gymnast Dianne Durham vaulted through barriers, remembered in Gary as coach, mentor with big heart