Chris Coghlan scores with a dive roll over the catcher to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead. 2017.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Category: safety
Shallon Olsen on Mental Health
Shallon is amazing. She juggled an NCAA career simultaneously with Elite, competing 3 Olympics. (so far)
One of the most amazing young gymnasts I’ve even seen, Shallon could do Yurchenko Double Twist at age-8. Tiny … she could barely deflect the FIG Spring Board.
Her age group training was with strict Russian coaches.
Looking back, Shallon wishes she had been listened to more. And supported better.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Now age-24, Shallon’s still competitive in Elite. And is considering a run at her 4th Olympics.
Will Graves – NAIGC interview
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE GYMNASTICS CLUBS (NAIGC) wants to “serve and expand opportunities for all levels of collegiate and adult gymnastics by providing structure for competition on local, regional, and national levels; facilitating communication; and building a community of support and camaraderie that encourages sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and fun.”
One part of that is offering the chance for anyone 18 and older to compete the Women’s Artistic apparatus. Anyone can compete the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics apparatus. Or both, if you choose.
Freedom.
Top sports journalist, Will Graves, covered their 2025 Nationals in Pittsburgh, PA from April 2-5.
He wrote an important article for the Associated Press. It’s important because Americans are living under a Presidency that attacks minorities to gain votes from the intolerant. The GOP hopes to motivate people to show up to vote by encouraging them to HATE.
Trans athletes are under more scrutiny than ever. Some have found a safe space in gymnastics
Click PLAY or watch an interview on YouTube.
Shane Wiskus – Documentary
Shane Wiskus represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and was named as an alternative for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Additionally, he represented the United States at the 2019 World Championships and is a three-time NCAA Champion. …
The Documentary on YouTube is titled Losing Grip – Shane Wiskus Full Documentary.
It was put together by one of Shane’s former teammates, Steven Nye.
The title references that astonishing SAVE Shane made on H Bar, swinging out of Cassina on 1-arm. (VIDEO)
Also interesting for coaches, is how Shane grips-up for H Bar. (VIDEO)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (1 hour)
Straps Bar on a WAG rail?
Putting safety straps on a traditional Asymmetric Bar has been done — but many have been injured when the the hands stop unexpectedly, and the gymnast keeps swinging. Dangerous.
However … it looks like this club in Australia has taken an old women’s rail. Stripped off the wood laminate. And used it as a straps bar.
The BOUNCE of a WAG rail is a little different than the metal MAG rail normally used as a straps bar. So this could be a good idea.
Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.
Brooklyn Moors – Strong & Beautiful
Is there anyone left who STILL thinks that athletic women can’t be beautiful?
How dumb could they be? 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Jade Carey has a girlfriend
Jade has gone Instagram public about her relationship with Oregon State content manager Aimee Sinacola.
Congratulations.
In an era when ReTrumplican politicians are attacking minorities, I admire Jade coming out. She’s a role model for many others fearful of doing the same.
documentary – Becoming Sam Phillips
Becoming Sam Phillips debuts March 13, 2025.
The decorated gymnast made his name as the only out athlete at Nebraska, a Big Ten school known for its iconic athletic program. But as the flagship university of a deep red state, Phillips quickly found the school wasn’t interested in promoting inclusion, or the visibility he was trying to create for the LGBTQ+ community. …
The athletic department refused to share Phillips’ viral video for National Coming Out Day, and his coaches’ feelings about queer advocacy ranged from apathy to downright contempt. Phillips says one of the team’s volunteer coaches proudly called himself a homophobe, while deriding Phillips with an insulting nickname: “brown sugar.” …
Gymnast Sam Phillips opens up about his new doc & being the only out athlete at a Big Ten school
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) commemorates women’s fight for equality and liberation along with the women’s rights movement. International Women’s Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
How to Save Youth Sports: A Manifesto
Parents in 2025 are worried about peer pressure, teen mental health, teen addiction to screens, and even childhood obesity.
As coaches, our goal is that kids get hooked on fitness and achievement through sport. Being an athlete is one of the best ways to grow up.
Here’s a terrific article by Steve Magness for your parents:
How to Save Youth Sports: A Manifesto
Sports are a great way to establish basic psychological needs: autonomy; mastery and skill development; mattering and belonging
Nobody remembers (or cares) if you won your first-grade league championship.
Youth sports should be about having a space for kids to challenge themselves healthily and explore their interests and limits.
Youth sports should be a place where kids can learn how to be a good teammate, navigate conflict, and develop tools to regulate their emotions.
Perhaps most of all, youth sports should be about developing a positive relationship with physical health and fitness. …
Gymnastics Coaching.com 