Skyler Memmel – Beam

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Clair Kaji is back

Clair had an Achilles tear last season. But I couldn’t have guessed today when she went 9.875 on Floor. That injury can heal stronger than new.

Click PLAY or watch her story on YouTube.

Clair’s younger brother Chris is a new Senior on the Canadian Men’s National team.

Iowa moves on to top 32

[32] Iowa v [33] Arizona are closely matched as teams. Either could have won today.

Sadly Arizona had to count a fall on Beam. Iowa was very good. In fact, Iowa was the highest scoring team of the eight who competed today.

Congratulations to coach Larissa Libby and staff.

Gill arena at OSU is charming. Steep. Old fashioned. A nice atmosphere. Unfortunately the crowd was small at 3pm on a Thursday.

Iowa was louder than Arizona from the start. And they seemed to build on that energy through the competition.

Certainly Iowa will be a bit tired day two. On the other hand, they know the equipment, lighting, sound system, etc. That could be a slight advantage.

Nick Ruddock calls those competition factors the 3 Ds: Distractions, Disruptions, Differences.

If they hit again like they did today, I’m predicting Iowa could surprise.

Watch for Guerin and Kaji on Floor.

___ P.S.

Ticket prices at the Regional hosted by OSU:

  • Single session = $9
  • 3 days = $27 + $15 NCAA fee (!?)

Yep. It’s cheaper to pay 4 x $9 = $36 than ALL SESSIONS $42. #NCAAthings

Over the years I’ve had both media credential and VIP credential at NCAA meets. Both were way too much hassle. Too many rules. I’d much rather pay to be a spectator.

Postseason NCAA Gymnastics began today

The New Postseason Format, Explained

Eight teams competed today – April 4th. The winners advance to compete again tomorrow.

Ann Arbor (Michigan)

Illinois 195.325 ADVANCES

CMU 195.275

Athens (Georgia)

NC State 195.150 ADVANCES

New Hampshire 194.900

Baton Rouge (LSU)

George Washington 195.200 ADVANCES

Lindenwood (Div II) 194.750

Corvallis (Oregon State)

Iowa 195.850 ADVANCES

Arizona 194.550

Lindenwood v George Washington

Eight years ago, Lindenwood did not even have a gymnastics team. Now, five MIC Championship titles later and a berth to compete at Regionals secured- only the second NCAA Division II gymnastics program to ever qualify to regionals …

Head Coach Jen Llewellyn has been part of the gymnastics program from the start …

At the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional play-in meet between Lindenwood and George Washington on Thursday, April 4th, expect the underdog Lions to be throwing a giant party, as they always do, on the competition floor, with Henry stating the goal is just to “leave it all out there and having a great time.”

Historic season for Division II Lindenwood gymnastics sees Lions at regionals, but it means far more than that

Click PLAY or watch Lindenwood headed for the BIG SHOW on Facebook.

Umme Salim-Beasley at Rutgers

Salim-Beasley took over as head coach at Rutgers in May of last year.

Salim-Beasley and her coaching staff—Michael Rosso and Anastasia Halbig, who previously worked with her during her head coaching stint at Temple—set out to work on something that is at first intangible but makes a visible impact in the long run: the team culture.  …

“[Culture] is everything,” she said. “It creates common goals and encourages us to support each other through everything, which ends up washing away any little conflicts because everything is already in place. …

Senior captain Riahanah Ali said she and her teammates could sense the new coaching staff’s commitment from the start. …

College Gym News 

who gave Norah Flatley the Mic?

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

USAG Men’s Collegiate Championships

NAVY won the Varsity division (two or less full scholarships plus Military Academies)

ARIZONA won the Collegiate (Clubs) division.

Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell at Cal

This couple turned around a program that was really struggling. When they arrived the team was 2012 ranked 49th nationally. Two years later they were 16th.

Milan & Toni-Ann interviewed.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Let’s watch Sarah. Again.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.