Category: NCAA

Tia Kiaku quit Alabama

Tia is no longer on the roster

Read her story on Instagram.

Bill Lorenz is the Vault coach, by the way.

The athletic department did post this general support of the protests against racism.

Derek Galvin retires from UNC

Derek Galvin, head coach of the University of North Carolina gymnastics team for the past 39 years, is retiring at the end of June. …

Dana Duckworth:

“I am absolutely honored to share my appreciation for Derek Galvin because he’s one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. His integrity, respect for others and class are noticeable in everything he does. …

“His retiring is a huge loss for the collegiate gymnastics community, but at the same time, I think he’s been a Tar Heel for 50 years between his time as an athlete and his time as a coach. He’s left a legacy for the Tar Heel Nation and I’m so excited for his new chapter in life – to be a grandfather and to spend more time with Debra.”

UC Davis’ Alexis Brown interview

Today Alexis is a student at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London.

But in 2017 she began taking a knee during the national anthem prior to competitions as a symbolic protest of police brutality against black and brown bodies.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8OF-Qp60t/

Though some athletes and organizations praised her courage, Alexis recalls now the disapproval of coaches and teammates, and harassment from fans. In 2017 she was overall outstanding female athlete of the year in all sports at UC Davis.

The only black athlete on her team.

Listen to her on GymCastic #427:

Black Lives Matter

 
The Chancellor made a personal support of the protests.

Utah on protests against racism

I’ve seen dozens of messages from gymnasts, clubs, organizations and Federations.  All wanting to be part of change for the better.

Here’s one from the University of Utah.

Some organizations are blacked out today in support of protesters.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Ella Douglas interview

In appreciation of LGBTQ Pride Month, June in the USA, I’m linking to an entertaining interview on the Half In, Half Out LGBTQ+ Podcast.

Listen to out Canadian gymnast Ella Douglas who was Co-Captain of the MSU team in 2020, her Senior year.

https://twitter.com/MSUgymnastics/status/1236438930867851267

Ella was totally accepted by her team after announcing her girlfriend. Coaches, friends, everyone.

Ella will be a volunteer coach with MSU next year now that she’s graduated.

Of course there have been other Lesbian WAG gymnasts in College Gymnastics. And some have been open with that to friends and teammates while still competing.

Click through to listen.

Courtney McGregor has retired

2016 Olympian and fan favourite Courtney McGregor from New Zealand has decided to hang up the grips.

With NCAA Gymnastics up in the air, Courtney won’t be returning to Boise State University. The uncertainty of the 2020 Olympics happening in 2021 is another factor.

Instead, Courtney will stay home in Christchurch and hopes to continue into Medicine.

Click PLAY or watch a career highlights montage on YouTube.

Hana Říčná and her kids

Hana, David and Sandra were, where else, at home for Mother’s Day.

FIG posted an interview. David is graduating from Stanford. His sister Sandra is headed to The Farm.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

QUIZ – Do you know what the Říčná Salto is on Bars?

Hana Říčná … represented Czechoslovakia at the 1988 Summer Olympics, finishing seventh in the team final and 29th in the all-around final. She won two medals at the World Championships, a silver on beam in 1983 and a bronze on the uneven bars in 1985. She also won a silver medal on beam at the 1985 European Championships.

Říčná moved to the United States in 1994 and is the head coach at Rise Gymnastics in Coventry, Rhode Island. Her son, David Jessen, is an elite gymnast who represented the Czech Republic at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Amelia Hundley would make a great coach

Just saying’.

Experience. Leadership. Team. 

Amelia‘s attitude reminds me of Courtney Kupets.

I’ve been a big fan since seeing Amelia’s first international competition — Japan Junior International 2011.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

 

 

 

Gators 10.0 for frontline workers

Florida Gators were killing it in 2020. Undefeated in the SEC.

Jenny Rowland – NCAA Coach of the Year

A huge bounce back after not qualifying for 2019 Nationals.

But rather than being bitter about the COVID-19 season being cut short, they send thanks to everyone flattening the curve, reducing deaths and bringing back the economy as quickly as safely possible.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.