Oklahoma opens with best score all-time

Update – some think there were scores higher than 198.050 in the distant past. Leave a comment if you know of one.

1. Oklahoma 198.050
2. UCLA 197.250
3. Utah 197.175
4. LSU 196.775
5. Georgia 196.600
6. Michigan 196.050

On the strength of a Maggie Nichols 39.750 in the AA, the Sooners dashed out to an eight-tenth advantage over the rest of the country …

It’s not surprising that Oklahoma has jumped out to a lead given the team’s specific attention to starting quickly, but seeing the 198 barrier fall so early is a surprise…since it has never happened before. This 198.050 now sits as the highest opening-weekend score in the history of college gymnastics.

Balance Beam Situation

Many teams haven’t competed yet.

shout out for Springers Gymnastics Winnipeg

Thanks to the coaches and JO 8 and up athletes who attended my one day in-house clinic at Springers Winnipeg. It was fun.

Just back from holidays we focused on a few themes: Staying healthy & happy, Handstands, Landings, improving Tumbling basics, Bar releases and more.

One of their top gymnasts is Jordyn Galloway who’s considering continuing her career in the NCAA. Check out her YouTube channel.

springers.ca

Gymnastics booming in Queensland, Australia

Trevor Dowdell:

Queensland has just had another year of growth at 9%, reaching 54,800 registered club gymnasts.

Gymnastics in QLD is the third most popular sport for young people (behind swimming & soccer).

Trevor is a co-author of an official history of gymnastics in Queensland which is in the works.

music while TRAINING acrobatic sport?

Many athletes use music to get ready for training.

I recall having my own PSYCH UP playlist, back in the day.

Some possible benefits:

Dissociation

Arousal Regulation

Synchronization

Acquisition of Motor Skills

Attainment of Flow

How can music influence performance

Taking that one step further, what about training acrobatic sport in headphones?

I’ve never tried it with gymnasts.

One option for wireless headphones is Decibullz.

Oklahoma 198.050

Maggie Nichols scored the first perfect 10 of the 2019 season and the No. 2 Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team opened the year with a statement victory, downing No. 12 Arkansas 198.050-195.575. …

The Sooners are the first team since at least 1997 to post a score of 198 or better in an opening meet. It tops the program record of 197.750 …

SOONERS FEELING GOOD IN SEASON OPENING WIN

Click PLAY or watch Maggie’s Vault on YouTube.

Olympians call for Congressional USOC overhaul

Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis and nearly 50 other former Olympians are calling on Congress to overhaul the U.S. Olympic Committee, insisting a major reorganization of the USOC is needed to ensure athlete safety. …

Kathy Johnson Clarke and Julianne McNamara, members of the groundbreaking 1984 Olympic gymnastics team, and Marcia Frederick, the first American woman to win a World championship in gymnastics, are members of the group. …

OC Register

Gymnastics Coaching Course – Winnipeg

Congratulations to the coaches who attended our intensive 4-day Competition 1 course (WAG & MAG) hosted by Winnipeg Gymnastics Centre.

Clinicians Rick McCharles and Hélène Desmarais.

All coaches are now considered “trained“. Next step in Canada is to “certify”.

That requires putting together a coaching portfolio including yearly training plan. Spotting is assessed and coaches are given feedback over a 1-hour in-gym session` with a Coach Evaluator.

Gracie Kramer – Floor

One of the most talked about routines from the past weekend.

Click PLAY or watch her Floor on YouTube.

I really think Miss Val should stay on as choreographer for UCLA next season. You can’t NOT watch these routines.

new Juniors to watch

Spotlight Gymnastics highlights some of the up-and-comers from Ukraine, GBR, Romania and USA.

New juniors on the block

Click PLAY or watch Konnor McClain’s Beam on YouTube.