LOUD NCAA competitions

If you are going to Utah, LSU and some other venues in 2023 — it‘s going to be loud. You might not be able to hear your Floor music, for example.

West Virginia head coach Jason Butts:

“I have this obnoxious crowd noise music. It’s got Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then I mixed in some smooth jazz just to really get on [the team’s] nerves. We blared it as loud as it could go in the gym to get them ready,” Butts explained …

Carlee Nelson:

… I hate that music, but thank you for doing that to me,” Butts recalled with a laugh. “I think the prep worked.” …

Unconventional Methods Prepared West Virginia for LSU Environment

BEST ‘perfect’ 10s 😀

Judge Rhiannon Franck has been re-evaluating perfect 10 routines from the 2023 season on College Gym News.

As we all know, no routine is perfect. The 10 is mostly used as a marketing device for WAG NCAA. And it works!

Here are 3 sets Rhiannon would be happy to see be awarded an actual College 10.

2023 AAI Award Finalists

Maile O’Keefe (Utah), Luisa Blanco (Alabama), Sierra Brooks (Michigan), Lynnzee Brown (Denver), Trinity Thomas (Florida) and Raena Worley (Kentucky) are finalists for the 2023 AAI Award!.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I’d have to vote for Trinity.

Oleg Verniaiev has returned

UPDATE. Oleg is now training with the National Team.

ODDS of Ukraine qualifying a full team to Paris and contending for a team medal in Paris would be increased if Oleg can get back to form.

On the other hand, Ukraine might boycott if gymnasts from RUS are allowed into the Olympics.

… Verniaiev has been able to successfully argue that he did not take meldonium intentionally and his suspension was reduced, although not annulled. He is now eligible to compete again.

Additionally, even if he does not return to competition as an athlete, the suspension also prevented him from attending international competitions as a coach or official, so he will now be able to continue working in gymnastics with no restrictions. …

Baku World Cup highlights

I’ve only heard great things about the competition. Azerbaijan is a great host.

With four medals, including golds from Olympic hopefuls Coline Devillard and Marine Boyer, the 2024 Olympic host nation emerged as the most successful at the third of four FIG World Cup events. …

Yulo, the 23-year-old from Manila displayed his usual impeccable form as he sailed to the titles on men’s Vault and Parallel Bars, ending Illia Kovtun’s (UKR) streak of six World Cup titles on the latter. …

Local hero Nikita Simonov (AZE) earned the host nation’s only medal with his win on Still Rings …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. MAG & WAG.

Kat LeVasseur deserves 10s

I’m OK with Kat’s 10s on Vault.

By any standard of NCAA, these are amongst the best Vaults.

Harry Hepworth – Vault

Nile Wilson wins Dancing on Ice

Congratulations to Nile and partner Olivia Smart.

Nile was the first male competitor ever to show the ‘headbanger‘ — 😀. It’s actually banned in competitive skating.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.