UCLA, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Cal advance

Utah, Minnesota, Denver, Boise State advance

I was at the Corvallis Regional.

In the first of the two sessions today Denver was certainly the best of the 4 teams. 49.475 on Beam! That’s their Regionals record and the score was deserved. Congratulations.

Boise crushed it on Bars (as usual) in the 4th rotation to live to fight another day. University of Washington and SUU were in it. An exciting competition to watch.

I found the judging on Beam and Bars to be NCAA normal. 🙄 … But Vault and Floor judging was poor in my opinion. The scores were boxed with little differentiation between excellent and average.

Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Alabama advance

No Regrets after the meet

When you get to the big show you leave it all on the floor. It’s 100% go.

Do NOT be cautious.

If you miss, you miss. But if you HIT … 🙂

Click PLAY or watch Kentucky on Twitter.

cheer Destinee Davis at OSU

Each young woman competing Regionals has overcome a LOT to reach this pinnacle of the sport.

Click PLAY or watch Destinee’s on Twitter.

If you asked me what University team YOUR daughter should apply for, on the top of my list is OSU.

Tyndall brothers showdown

Today.

… three siblings competing in the same sport, in the same conference, at the same time.

Enter the Tyndall brothers – Jesse, Mitch and Wyatt. The Canadian born trio reigns from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and all three brought their talents to Big Ten men’s gymnastics. Jesse is a freshman at Ohio State, Mitch a red shirt freshman at Nebraska and Wyatt a senior at Penn State.

From left to right: Mitch, Jesse and Wyatt Tyndall

… because of their age difference all three Tyndall brothers have never all competed against each other in a gymnastics meet. That all changes Friday when Jesse, Mitch and Wyatt step onto the stage at the 2019 Big Ten Championships.

… it’s scarce for the entire Tyndall family to be together and that’s what makes the Big Ten Championships so meaningful. It’s a brotherly rivalry, a family reunion and a chance at a conference title all wrapped into one.

Ohio State Buckeyes

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