Konnor McClain is an up and coming star for USA Gymnastics. A lot has changed since those YouTube videos where she was flipping around at four years old. Now at the age of 12, she is making a strong impression while getting her feet wet on the elite scene. Last year at the 2016 Hopes Championships, Konnor took home four gold medals (vault, bars, beam, and all-around) and a silver on floor. The year prior she took home a silver on beam and finished fourth all-around. Konnor's talent was recognized and featured on the Steve Harvey show in 2016, a rare opportunity for a gymnast her age. Her talent was also recognized by the national team staff as she was invited to her first national team camp in June. As she prepares for her first competition season as a junior elite, Konnor shows a lot of potential to grow and improve. What stands out the most is her clean form on every event as well as her confidence every time she steps up to compete. Her beam routine is noteworthy as well with a 5.7 start value and some big skills like a standing tucked full. With some experience under her belt and a few upgrades, Konnor can definitely hang with the big kids in the future.
With this interview we hope that you'll get to know a little bit more about this rising star.
PC: John Cheng
How did you get started in gymnastics?
I started because of my sister. She would come back from the gym with a new skill and then 15 minutes later I would come in the room and do the same skill!
Who is your inspiration in gymnastics?
I look up to Aly Raisman the most. Ever since I was little she has always been the one I look up to.
Are you homeschooled or do you go to public school?
I'm homeschooled!
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
To qualify to P&G's and hopefully make the junior national team.
Are you working on any upgrades that you can share?
I'm working on a full out dismount on bars, an onodi on beam, and a double double on floor. That's about it.
What are some of your long term goals?
My future goals are to make the Olympic team in 2024 and to win the all-around gold medal!
What do you like to do when you're not in the gym?
I like to draw when I'm not in the gym. I also like to hangout with my siblings.
What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?
I have a couple of moments. One of them was when I won the Hopes Championships last year. Also, this year when I got invited to national team camp.
What is it like going to the camps?
It has been such a great opportunity to attend the camps and so much fun!
What is your favorite event?
My favorite event just depends on the day. My least favorite event is probably floor.
What's something that a lot of people might not know about you?
I'm really quiet in the gym but outside of the gym I'm not quiet at all!
What was it like being on the Steve Harvey show?
It was really fun being on Steve Harvey. They emailed my mom when they saw me on YouTube and then they interviewed me. I was a little nervous at first but it was okay once I got there!
(Click hereto watch Konnor on the Steve Harvey show)
With two Olympics in her back pocket as well as a college degree, Brittany Rogers continues to prove that hard work and dedication does indeed pay off. At the age of 24, she is well respected amongst the gymnastics community and very accomplished in her career. Most notably, she was a member of the 2012 Olympic team that secured Canada's highest placement ever at an Olympic Games (5th). She also qualified to the event finals on vault where she placed 7th. The following year she began her collegiate career at the University of Georgia, where she would go on to score a perfect 10 on vault, become a five-time All-American and an NCAA champion on bars. She is one of few gymnasts to successfully balance the demanding schedule of a college athlete while also training at the elite level. You know, just Brittany Rogers things. In 2016, she competed in her second Olympics; finishing 9th with the Canadian team and narrowly missing out on the vault final. An unfortunate fall on the uneven bars kept her out of that final as well.
With the passion and desire for gymnastics still looming inside her, Brittany now has her sights set on the 2017 World Championships in Canada and hopefully beyond. We recently caught up with Brittany to reflect back on her career and what's ahead.
PC: Canadian Olympic Committee
How would you compare and contrast both of your Olympic experiences?
Without stating the obvious, as London being my first games, it was all about soaking in the every little moment and enjoying the entire experience. No one on that team had ever been to an Olympic Games before, so we were all extremely happy and excited to be there. In Rio, I felt that I took on more of a leadership role, and became more aware of how to be apart of a team after my four years at Georgia, which I then applied to the Olympics. Because Ellie and I were veterans of the team, we were able to help guide the younger girls as to what to expect, and what we learned from out first games.
How challenging was it to be a college athlete while training for the Olympics? The world wants to know how you did it!
Great question! My incredible support system was the backbone to my success. They made everything possible and did all of the behind the scenes work, and all I had to do was show up, ready to work! My passion and love for gymnastics is still very present, so I keep telling myself that as long as I still enjoy doing gymnastics, I will keep training as long as my body and certain circumstances will allow me. The most challenging part about balancing everything was "catching up" what I missed whenever I returned back home to prepare for competitions. I went from doing maybe 20 hours a week maximum in college, to 30+ hours a week of intense training at my club gym, with twice the difficulty in my routines, which was always a bit of a shock to the system. As soon as I overcame that I just kept going with the flow and never looked back.
Do you think competing every weekend while in college benefited you?
I attribute a lot of being a more confident competitor to competing every weekend in college for four years. I think the fact that I just kept going, rested on days when I felt tired, and stayed mentally alert, it really helped me stay physically cable of taking on the workload that I did. As soon as the Olympics were over I took a few weeks off, and then proceeded to become very ill, which forced me to take almost 2 months off. I think that was my body telling me that it was in need of a major break if I wanted to continue doing elite gymnastics.
Where are you training now that you've graduated?
I'm back in Canada training at Calgary Gymnastics Centre with my coach, Janna Ball!
Are you working on any upgrades that you can share?
I am working on connecting my pak into my shaposh half directly on bars and seeing if I can add some twists on vault, however those are still in the works!
How excited are you that Canada is hosting the World Championships? Assuming you make the team, will you have a lot of friends and family in the stands?
A large part of my motivation to continue doing gymnastics was because Worlds was being held in Canada, and I wanted the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd at an international competition. It will be my first time competing internationally in Canada so it would be a very special moment for me should I make the team. Everyone that asks me about what my plans are, what's next, etc; I always tell them "Worlds in Montreal in October, you're coming!" because how often can I say that?! My family and a lot of my friends are definitely trying to make the trip, all they need is some confirmation form this end!
What has kept you motivated after all these years?
Like I mentioned before, I have such a strong passion for gymnastics, that every time I step into the gym, all I want to do is improve from the day before, even if it's hitting one more handstand or sticking one more dismount. Gymnastics is a world of endless possibilities, and I still don't believe I have reached my full potential. I'm excited to see where my preparation for Worlds takes me, and hopefully beyond! What are some of your future goals in the sport?
Worlds has been my focus since the Olympics, so if that happens, my plan is to reassess where I'm at mentally and physically, and decide what the next steps are after that. It's definitely a "one day at a time" life for me right now, but so far it's doing the trick.
You were in a scene of the movie Final Destination 5, how did that opportunity come about? (Note: In the movie Brittany played a gymnast named Porter and also did some stunt double work.)
They sent out a casting call to the gym I was training at over that time, Phoenix Gymnastics in West Vancouver. One of my dreams has always been to be an actress. I have taken several acting classes and was always in school plays growing up, so of course I jumped at the opportunity! I auditioned for the lead role, however I think they had already casted her at that point. One of my very first coaches, Simon Burnett, who is now a very successful stunt artist in movies, was ironically involved in casting in this movie and suggested I have the role of Porter, and do some of the stunts for the lead actress. She was actually a gymnast herself, but quit the sport because of acting, so it was neat to see how much she could do! I was just there to help perform some skills that she wasn't capable of. (You can watch Brittany's scenehere. Warning: Not recommended for the faint hearted.)
What are your thoughts on the recent coaching changes at Georgia?
I have always been so proud to be apart of Georgia Gymnastics due to the prestigious history behind the program, so having Courtney and Suzanne back is very exciting and I have no doubts that they will continue to build on the legacy they both have worked very hard to establish. I was always a huge fan of Courtney's gymnastics, and in awe of the accomplishments by Suzanne as coach, so I'm sure they will do tremendous things together, along with the new assistant coaches. What are your future plans as far as your career goes?
I studied Journalism in school, so my dream job is to be a Sports Reporter/Analyst. Because I'm still doing gymnastics, my focus is very honed in to the gym and continuing my career and eventually ending strong, but once I retire I am really looking forward to where my passion for performing, writing and speaking will take me!
What has been the proudest moment of your gymnastics career so far?
I think 2016 was overall a very proud year for me. I balance, overcame, and grew a great amount, and accomplished things I never thought would be possible. I definitely surprised myself a lot during the 2016 year in both college and elite, and I continue to have a greater understanding of myself as a person, which I think is the best accomplishment one can have in life. I'm proud of where I have been, proud of where I am, and extremely excited for where I am going!
It's crazy to think that another Olympic cycle has come and gone, and you know what that means. A new quadrennium equals new faces on the elite scene. The year after an Olympic games is a great time to start observing the up-and-coming talent in USA Gymnastics, so we've identified a few first year elites who we think could be fan favorites in the coming years.
Sienna Robinson- Browns Gymnastics
Sienna Robinson is a little powerhouse. Formerly a teammate of Junior National Champion Mailie O'Keefe, you might also recognize Sienna's name from all the crazy skills she's been seen doing in the gym--hello quad double! (Click here to see it). Sienna is only 11 years old and therefore isn't eligible for the 2020 Olympics, however, her future looks very promising. With a plethora of skills and a gold medal from the 2016 HOPES Championship in her back pocket, all Sienna needs is some experience and to polish up her skills. Sienna is now training at Browns gymnastics; the same gym that 2008 Junior National Team Member Asi Peko trained at.
Annie Beard- Texas Dreams
Kim Zmeskal has another rising star in her hands and that is 13 year old Annie Beard. Last season as a level 10, Annie won the all-around and floor title at JO Nationals and also won International Gymnast's "Gymnast of the Year" award; the perfect stepping stone towards having a strong elite career. Annie might not have all the big skills yet, but in typical Texas Dreams fashion, she's super clean and has all the basics down pat. This little one is definitely one you'll want to keep your eyes on in the next few years.
Lillian Lippeatt- Cincinnati Gymnastics
13 year old Lillian Lippeatt caught a lot of peoples attention at the Nastia Cup earlier this year where she finished first on beam and floor. For her young age, Lilly shows a lot of confidence out on the competition floor and you can tell she loves to perform. Lilly is eligible for the 2020 Olympics, so as she gains some experience over the next few years she could become the next star from CGA!
Konnor McClain- Revolution Gymnastics
Konnor McClain has some serious star potential! At just 12 years old she's already making a strong case for herself. Last year at the HOPES Championships she took gold on vault, bars, beam and in the all-around. Her routines are packed with difficult skills and connections such as a standing full and a two foot layout series on beam. She has showed an impressive upgraded bar routine on her Instagram as well! (Click here to follow her and check it out!) Not to put too mush pressure on this young lady...but her routines already look like they could rival those on the international stage, so it will be exciting to see where she goes in the next few years. Unfortunately, Konnor misses the cut off for Tokyo by a few months so she'll have to hang on through 2024 if the Olympics are on her radar. (Fun Fact: Konnor was featured on the Steve Harvey show last year! You can watch it here.)
Anya Pilgrim- Hills
Another promising prospect for 2020 is Anya Pilgrim. In 2016, Anya competed as a level 9 and won the Eastern National Championships. In the last year she has worked hard to compose elite level routines and has come a long way. Anya shows great flexibility throughout and is particularly impressive on beam where she competes two triple series! She has also been training an arabian double front dismount in combination, which she does very well! (Clickhere to see it.) Anya needs to clean up her skills a bit, but the potential is definilty there for her to have a strong elite career!
There aren't many things that will stop Sage Thompson from chasing her dreams. Within the last few years she has had to overcome a lot of adversity, however, there appears to be a continuous theme in her career: never giving up. That's a special promise that she made to her dad, but we'll get to that later.
Sage on floor at JO Nationals.
Best known for her YouTube channel "SuperGymnastSage," Thompson has come a long way since that first YouTube video of her seven year old self doing double backs on the tumble track. She is now fourteen years old and a level 10 gymnast at All American Gymnastics in Utah. That YouTube channel has now garnered over 21,000 subscribers. Her Instagram has even more with over 24,000 followers. For this reason alone, Sage isn't your typical fourteen year old girl. "It feels good to know that a lot of people enjoy watching me and that people look up to me," she told us. Occasionally she will be approached at meets by fans who want a picture or autograph. "It makes me happy that so many people are interested [in my gymnastics]."
Transformation: Sage at the age of 8 and 14.
But it wasn't just her raw talent from a young age that caught the world's attention, it was her story. And it was her strength.
When Sage was eleven years old, her father died after an 8 month battle with leukemia. Throughout that journey, gymnastics is what kept her going. "It was something to help me have fun, be distracted and [gave me] friends to talk to," she recalled. "But it could also be really hard."
Sage visiting her dad in the hospital.
While she knows that her dad is proud of her and always watching over her, there are of course days when she wishes he was here. "It makes me really sad that he can't actually be here watching my meets and helping me with everything in my life," she said. "Like when I decided to do level 10, I wish he was there to help me or I guess approve of [my decision]." Despite the heartbreak, Sage and her three brothers kept pushing forward, using their dad as motivation to not give up. "He didn't want us to give up on our dreams," she told us. "He had my mom promise to not let us give up."
And that she hasn't.
Sage's first meet as a level 10 was dedicated to her dad. All the gymnasts wore orange ribbons in their hair, the color associated with leukemia awareness. The judges and coaches wore a leukemia ribbon pinned to their shirt in his honor.
Sage continued to train hard in pursuit of her goals. For the longest time, she had her sights set on going elite. In 2015 she qualified to HOPES pre-elite after a strong performance at a developmental camp and later passed the compulsory testing for junior elite. Trying to qualify elite while working through injuries was challenging, but Sage was determined not to let anything set her back. "I trained through it all and did whatever I could." she said. Doing whatever she could even meant tumbling with one arm when she broke her wrist. That not only takes talent, but extreme dedication as well. (Check out some clips of Sage training with one arm down below. It's pretty impressive!)
Eventually Sage began to have on-going hip problems that forced her to reconsider her elite aspirations. "Training elite kept making it worse and causing overcompensation injuries in other areas," she explained. "That's why I had to cut my repetitions way back and water down my routines in order to start to heal and still be able to compete level 10."
Earlier this year, Sage decided to forgo attempting to pass her elite optionals, despite having already passed compulsories. She officially decided to shift her focus towards having a successful JO career and earning a college scholarship. So far, it's a decision that she's content with. "I'm a lot happier with JO than I was training for elite. With constantly fighting injuries it was always stressful."
Sage on bars at JO Nationals.
The 2017 season was short but sweet for Sage. She only competed once before the State Championships, where she took first on vault and in the all-around. A few weeks later she became the Regional all-around and floor champion. Her performances qualified her to her first JO National Championships where she finished 17th in the nation, a result she wasn't exactly thrilled about. "I was a little bit upset about Nationals because I got my lowest score of the season," she explained. "I hit everything but I made a few little mistakes that kept me from placing in the top five." (Click here to watch Sage's routines from Nationals.)
Not being 100% satisfied with her performance only leaves Sage with more ambition to achieve her goals in the future. She now has her sights set on winning the all-around title at Nationals, scoring a perfect 10, and hitting a score of 39 (Her career high right now is a 38.350). She is also looking into several colleges and plans to hopefully do some visits this summer. Right now she's interested in Utah, Oklahoma, UCLA. Michigan, LSU, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
Sage with her friend and former teammate MaKenna Merrell, who is now a gymnast at Utah.
Sage continues to be an inspiration to many because of her perseverance and strength. Despite losing her dad and dealing with many injuries in her young career, she keeps an optimistic outlook on life."It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you're going through something hard," she admitted. "I've been thrown a lot of curve balls. My life and gymnastics career hasn't been what I thought or dreamed it would be." However, at the end of the day, Sage is able to acknowledge that this journey has only made her stronger. "As I get older I can look back and find the good in all of the hard times and be okay with where I am," she said. "I am excited about my future and what I can still accomplish and work towards."
Not only is Sage mature, but she is wise beyond her years. When asked what advice she would give to younger gymnasts, she offered some insight from her own struggles. "I would say not to get stuck in one hard phase of life because it's just a phase. Push through because there's always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's not exactly what you thought it would be."
With another competition season in the books, Sage is back in the gym and continuing to work hard. One thing's for sure, she won't be giving up anytime soon.
There are two people who are often associated with the glory days of the Georgia Gymdogs: Courtney Kupets and Suzanne Yoculan. In case you live under a rock, Courtney is a two time World Champion, two time Olympic medalist and one of the most accomplished collegiate gymnasts the sport has seen. (13x NCAA Champion) Suzanne became the head coach at Georgia in 1983 and led the Gymdogs to 10 National titles (the most of any school), 16 SEC titles and 4 undefeated seasons. After long but successful careers, both Courtney and Suzanne retired in 2009. That was the end of an era for the University of Georgia.
As of May 9, 2017, a new era begins. Courtney and Suzanne are back with the hopes of restoring the legacy that they left behind. Courtney will take on the role of head coach while Suzanne will mentor her in the role of volunteer assistant coach. Getting back on top of the podium won't be an easy task, but the combination of Courtney and Suzanne leaves many fans hopeful.
Georgia is not the same program that it was back when Courtney and Suzanne left. The Gymdogs used to be the best team in the nation...their level of talent and performances proved it time and time again. Georgia defended their NCAA title for 5 years straight (2005-2009) until Suzanne's departure. Since then, the team hasn't placed higher than fifth at the National Championships. They haven't won the SEC title since 2008. Nowadays, just making it to the Super Six is an accomplishment for Georgia.
Take a look at their Championships history throughout the last several years:
2005- 1st
2006- 1st
2007- 1st
2008- 1st
2009- 1st
2010- Didn't qualify.
2011- 10th
2012- 11th
2013- 6th
2014- 5th
2015- 9th
2016- 6th
2017- 12th
While it's not completely disastrous (a lot of teams would be thrilled to consistently qualify to Nationals), I would be lying if I said that it's not the slightest bit disappointing to see a program go from #1 to mediocre within such a short period of time. Within the last seven years they've had two head coaches fired and lost a lot of strong recruits. I think the athletic department at Georgia is being quite clear with their expectations for this team. They want to win again.
Bringing in Courtney and Suzanne is an interesting, yet exciting choice. These two know what success looks like first hand, so the decision to bring them in is understandable. You can't blame Georgia for wanting to give them a shot. After all, Suzanne is pretty much responsible for any success the program has had and Courtney is arguably the greatest NCAA gymnast of all time. Do they have what it takes to turn this program around? I suppose time will tell, but I have faith in them.
It's no secret that Kupets doesn't have a strong coaching resume. Following her retirement in 2009, she served as a student coach for the Gymdogs for one season. She has also done some coaching at the recreational level but nothing too competitive. This is where Suzanne will come in handy. Courtney has competitive experience that she can use to her advantage. Suzanne has years of coaching experience and will show her the ropes on how to lead a team to success. (Given her track record, I think we can trust her to do that.) The combination of Kupets and Yoculan could be exactly what the program needs to get back on track.
As a former student-athlete, I expect Kupets to bring a new and refreshing approach to this team, especially from a psychological standpoint. From listening to the initial press conference, Courtney already seems to get it. "I think having an open relationship is going to be key," she said. "Building the trust with the athletes, so that when you do have tough love, you know where it's coming from and it's not just being harsh." When talking about how she plans to bring Georgia back to being National contenders, Courtney stressed the balance between good coaching and creating a mental program to build trust within the team. "The intention is to make sure the program is set in place, that we build a gymnastics program for them to help them peak at the right time, physically, and we build a mental program for them to help feel confident in themselves but also confident in their teammates. I think that's a very important factor for athletes going up to compete. If you're going up there and your teammates don't trust you, how are you going to stay on that beam when you're the only one trusting yourself?"
Relationships play a strong role in a teams dynamic and performance. Not only do the athletes need to get along and trust each other, but their needs to be a bond between the gymnasts and coaches. There needs to be a level of respect, understanding, and confidence in one another and I'm glad that Courtney understands that. This particular quote from her really stood out to me: "What I look to do as a head coach is put the athletes first and always, now and forever." In the wake of so many abuse allegations, this sport needs more coaches who have the athletes best interest in mind.
Overall, I'm excited to see what Courtney and Suzanne can do for Georgia. Courtney seems like a very genuine person and she knows a thing or two about the sport, even if she hasn't done a lot of coaching. I think she will bring the passion and dedication that Georgia needs to get back in the mix. Her experience combined with Yoculan's should benefit the team positively. I mean, if anyone can motivate and inspire this team I would trust these two to do it. Both of them have experience as leaders, but now they will be leading in different roles.
So in the words of coach Courtney, "The season starts now."
You can read a transcript of Courtney's press conference here.
For 16 year old Leah Clapper, gymnastics is simply about having fun. Relatively new to the elite scene, Clapper brings an energetic and refreshing vibe to the competition floor every time she competes. Her smile just lights up the room and you can tell she's enjoying every moment. Those qualities are hard to find in the world of elite gymnastics.
Leah lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan and trains at Gym America where she is the first elite gymnast to come from her gym. Within the last year, Leah has already accomplished two of her major goals in the sport: qualifying to elite and receiving a college scholarship. (Leah has accepted a scholarship from the University of Florida and will join the team during the 2018-2019 school year.) In her second year of elite, she would like to check the P&G Championships off her bucket list. We caught up with Leah to talk about her experiences from her first year of elite, potential upgrades, and much more.
Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics
Last year was your first year competing at the elite level, what was that experience like?
It was a great experience. Competing as an elite was one of my main goals and it felt great to have accomplished it and see my hard work pay off! I also enjoyed getting to compete on podium. Elite is a lot different than level 10, so I had to get used to how the meets worked. I think I have it figured out now though!
How cool was it to be competing with some of the best gymnasts in the world?
It was really cool to have the chance to compete with such amazing gymnasts. Everyone was super nice. It was a bit funny though, because I was trying to focus on my routines but wanted to see the other events too! Ironically, I was competing on vault when Aly Raisman was on floor, and I had to fight the urge of watching her routine when I was up next! Also, at my team banquet last year I received a "most likely to compete with Simone Biles" paper plate award, and I did!
Who is your biggest inspiration in gymnastics?
I don't really have any specific idol in gymnastics. Although, I have always been inspired by Olympians and college gymnasts.
What would you consider to be the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?
It is hard to pick just one, but I would say competing at the 2016 Secret Classic was one of my favorite gymnastics moments. A few years back I watched the Secret Classic in Chicago, and I decided that I wanted to be competing in that meet one day. Last year I did and it felt great! My intention for the competition was to go out there, do my best, and enjoy the moment. It was especially cool, since there was added excitement due to the Olympic year.
Another highlight of my gymnastics career is qualifying to and competing at J.O. Nationals. Both years that I went I had a blast! I loved representing Region 5 and getting to know the other Dream Team members. Also qualifying to the Region 5 All Star team and traveling to Costa Rica last year was so fun!
You recently changed your commitment from Penn State to Florida, congratulations! Can you tell us about making that change?
First of all, thank you! It feels so surreal to commit to such an amazing program. I changed my commitment because I feel that the University of Florida is simply a better fit both athletically and academically. When I visited I absolutely loved it! I am so grateful for this opportunity.
What are some of your future goals?
My main goal this season is to qualify and compete at Championships.
Are you currently working on any upgrades?
Mainly, I am working on upgrading my vault to a yurchenko 1 1/2 and adding a front aerial to my beam routine. I am also working on a few jump/leap upgrades on beam and floor.
What is one thing that fans might not know about you?
I like to snow ski, and my family goes out west for a ski trip every year.
What is your favorite event to compete?
My favorite event changes on a day to day basis. However, I enjoy competing floor the most because I love to show off my routine and personality.
Do you have a dream skill that you'd love to compete?
There are so many! On vault, probably a yurchenko double full. On bars, a Ray. On beam, a standing full. On floor, a double double.
What is the best advice you've been given?
Thanks to my coaches, teammates, and family, I have been given tons of great advice. One thing that stands out is the importance of having fun. Everything is so much more enjoyable when you have a positive attitude and a smile on your face. To go along with this, I love the quote, "attitudes are contagious, make yours worth catching."
Thank you Leah! We wish you all the best this season.
Oh and by the way, the unofficial award for best photobomber goes to Leah.
Watch Leah's performances from the KPAC elite qualifier earlier this year:
What To Do: Send us your predictions (1-9) for the 2017 American Cup. The winner will be determined by who's prediction matches the final result the closest. If there is a tie, there will be a trivia question to determine the winner.
The Roster:
Riley McCusker
Ragan Smith
Kim Bui
Melanie De Jesus dos Santos
Asuka Termoto
Amy Tinkler
Tisha Volleman
Emily Whitehead
Xie Yufen
How To Enter: Fill out the "Contact Form" on our blog with your name, email, and prediction.
15 year old Helen Hu is everything that olden day gymnastic fans love. With her elegant lines and innovative tricks, Helen is a crowd-pleaser in every way possible. She let's her personality shine through her unique skills and captivates the crowd with each routine. Helen is currently a level 10 gymnast who trains at IK Gymnastics in Illinois. She had a good year in 2016-- qualifying to the Nastia Cup and winning the beam title at the JO National Championships. 2017 could bring bigger and better things for this talented young lady. We recently caught up with Helen to talk about her 2016 season and discuss her future plans.
How did you get started in gymnastics?
Both of my older siblings did gymnastics so when I was old enough I followed them and began classes.
Growing up, who was your inspiration in the sport?
I never had a specific idol or anything. I always just worked on improving myself rather than compare myself to others. Once I got older I did begin to look up to my older teammates who were in level 10.
Are you homeschooled or do you go to public school?
I go to a private school!
What was it like competing in such a big event like the Nastia Cup?
It was really amazing. Getting a chance to be a part of all of it was both fun and scary. I was really worried about competing on a podium but it was actually scary because the audience was so big and every time I flipped I would get lost in the high ceiling. Getting to meet Nastia was great, we got to talk and take pictures with her. I actually have this video of my floor routine where at the end I do this trick and in the background you can see Nastia's dad Valeri freak out! That made me really happy when I noticed it!
Can you tell me a little about your floor routine? It's very unique!
I love my floor routine! I'm actually competing it again this year and getting a new one for next season. Having the choreography that I do makes tumbling all the more tiring and difficult but I think it's always worth it because I love watching the awe on peoples faces when I compete.
Has flexibility always come natural to you?
I was always more flexible than the average person but I still have to work to maintain it. Being such a flexible person has forced me to condition a lot because of my natural lack of muscle. While I focus a lot on working out and working on my strength, I still have to stretch to maintain my flexibility so I don't loose it.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I definitely want to qualify to nationals again and hopefully do a bit better than I did last time. I did great on beam, which is my favorite event, but I completely failed on bars. I'm also working on vault a lot because vault has always been my worst event.
What are some of your long term goals? Have you considered going elite?
I considered going into elite gymnastics in middle school but a year and a half ago I realized it wasn't something I wanted to pursue. My goal now is definitely college gymnastics. I'm not very far in the process but I'm hoping to grab some [attention] this season and hopefully even get some offers.
Are you working on any new skills?
I'm working on a jaeger and a full out dismount, so I might add one of those skills to my bar routine. For vault I'm hoping to compete a yurchenko layout full, I currently only have a layout. That's about it!
What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?
Qualifying to both the Nastia Cup and Nationals for the first time within one season. I didn't do my best at the actual meets but I'm proud to have even competed.
If you haven't got the memo yet, we're finally on Snapchat!
Our goal for the upcoming NCAA season is to provide live updates every weekend for meets around the country. In order to make that happen, we are opening up our Snapchat account to our followers who will be in attendance at NCCA meets this season. If you plan on attending a meet (or several meets) this season and are interested in doing live updates on our Snapchat, just send us a message on any social media platform. We appreciate all the offers we receive!
Below is a projected schedule (subject to change) for meets people have already volunteered to cover. As I'm sure you all realize, a lot of meets interfere with each other, so if multiple people sign up to cover a meet one the same night the decision will be made by you guys via Twitter poll.
Projected Schedule January
January 7th (Saturday) Arkansas vs. UCLA
January 13th (Friday) Georgia vs. Auburn
January 20th (Saturday) Georgia vs. Arkansas
January 22nd (Sunday) Illinois vs. Michigan
January 27th (Friday) LSU vs. Kentucky
January 28th (Saturday) Oregon State vs. UCLA OR Nebraska vs. Michigan OR Utah vs. Washington
February
February 3rd (Friday) Alabama vs. Florida
February 4th (Saturday) Arizona State vs. UCLA
February 10th (Friday) Alabama vs. Kentucky
February 11th (Saturday) Michigan vs. Michigan State
February 17th (Friday) NC State vs. Michigan
February 24th (Friday) Missouri vs. Florida OR Auburn vs. LSU
February 25th (Saturday) Arkansas vs. Michigan State
As we say goodbye to 2016, we say hello to a new Olympic quadrennium. As the continuous dominating force in women's gymnastics, USA Gymnastics will look towards a new crop of talent and a few returning faces to kick off the new quad on a strong note. While none of the 2016 Olympians have completely ruled out Tokyo 2020, it's always a good idea to have a promising new batch to work with. This quad will be Valeri Liukin's very first as the National Team coordinator and luckily he already has plenty of promising athletes to pick from. So who will be next for USA Gymnastics? Here's a list of 10 gymnasts you could be seeing a lot from on the trail to Tokyo.
Ragan Smith- Texas Dreams
Ragan was a fan favorite throughout the last quad and could very well be a favorite again this time around. As a first year senior in 2016, Ragan took home three silvers from the Jesolo Trophy meet (all-around, beam and floor). A few weeks later at the Pacific Rim, she helped Team USA win the gold medal and also won the balance beam title, just ahead of Aly Raisman. After a second place finish on beam at the Olympic Trials, Ragan found herself as an alternate to the 2016 Olympic Team. In early October, Ragan had a bone spur removed from her ankle but recovered in time to attend the final National Team camp of 2016. Leading up to next season Ragan will be working on "technically correcting" her vault and adding a new transition on bars while also connecting more of her existing skills. On beam she plans on adding a few jumps while gaining more consistency with her arabian double front dismount. On floor she'd like to add a tucked punch front out of her triple twist and change her tucked arabian double front to a piked position. (International Gymnast) With her difficulty and experience combined, Ragan could be the USA's strongest bet for a medal at the World Championships in 2017. And in 2020? She'll only be 20 years old, so hopefully she'll stick around!
Christina Desiderio- Parkettes
Christina was arguably one of the most underrated gymnasts of the last quad. While she doesn't have any international experience, she shows a lot of potential, primarily on beam and floor. In her first year as a senior in 2016, Christina placed 3rd on floor at the Secret Classic, tied for 6th on floor at P&G's and qualified to the Olympic Trials where she finished 6th on beam. Christina is a very clean and powerful gymnast who has a knack for sticking landings. (Seriously, check out that double layout!) She has been seen training an array of skills that we could potentially see next season such as a triple wolf turn on beam and a Biles (double layout half out) on floor. Christina is also training a beautiful combination on beam: switch leap-punch front-yang bo (jump where the body is in the same position as a ring leap.) With a lot of the big names sitting the year out, 2017 could be Christina's time to shine before heading off to LSU! (Although she hasn't ruled out 2020 either!)
Riley McCusker- MG Elite
It looks like Maggie Haney has another star in her hands. MG Elite's Riley McCusker stood out this year and in a big way. At the P&G Championships she looked like a veteran, taking home 4 silver medals (on bars, beam, floor and in the all-around) and was named to the National Team. At her first National Team camp, she placed 1st all-around, which is not too bad for a first year elite! Riley shows a tremendous amount of potential as an all-around gymnast and is a beauty to watch. Her grace and finesse make her stand out amongst her competitors. She's the kind of kid who makes everything look easy...which is a great quality to have. Riley has a very good foundation to build upon within the next four years and with a little more experience could be a strong asset to team USA. For next season, which will be her first year as a senior, Riley is hoping to debut a yurchenko double on vault and add a few connections on bars (according to an interview she did with us in July). Riley also shared a video on Instagram of her doing a triple wolf turn into a double wolf turn on beam. It. Is. Stunning. Add her name to the list of gymnasts who are actually allowed to compete wolf turns!
Emma Malabuyo- Texas Dreams
Don't let her small stature fool you, Emma Malabuyo is strong, clean and has all the makings to become a star! Since her first year of elite in 2015, Emma has improved considerably in terms of start value and consistency. Her improvements got her named to the National team at the beginning of the year and she was selected for two international assignments. At the Gymnix International she took home three gold medals (team, beam, & floor) as well as a bronze in the all-around. A few weeks later at the Jesolo Trophy she finished 1st on beam as well as 2nd in the all-around, on bars and floor. At this Secret Classic she placed 2nd all-around, 3rd on beam, 4th on vault and 5th on floor. An injury kept Emma from finishing the first day of competition at P&G's (and she withdrew on day 2) but it's fair to say she made a good impression on the national team staff with her performances at Gymnix, Jesolo and the Secret Classic. Emma won't become a senior until 2018, which means she has one more year to gain experience at the junior level. With many of the top juniors moving into the senior ranks in 2017, that Junior National title might have Emma's name written all over it.
Trinity Thomas- Prestige
Trinity posses many of the same qualities as Simone Biles. In fact, she really reminds me of a 2011-2012 Simone with that huge double layout. Trinity has lots of power, she just needs to learn how to control it. The potential is definitely there for this young lady though. Like Emma, Trinity was added to the National Team earlier this year and was selected to compete in Jesolo. As her first international competition Trinity did very well, winning the gold on floor and placing 5th all-around. She had a rough performance at the Secret Classic this past summer, but turned out a 6th place finish on beam and in the all-around at the P&G Championships (as well as placing 7th on floor). Trinity will join the senior ranks next season and will be one to watch. With a little more time, she could become a very valuable member to the US team.
Jordan Chiles- Naydenov
Jordan has been around for quite some time now and while she hasn't proven herself to be the most consistent competitor, she definilty has the potential to be one of the best all-around gymnasts in the world if she gets it together. Jordan has the skills, she just needs that consistency. Some of Jordan's career highlights including winning the all-around title at the Secret Classic in 2014 and finished 4th all-around at the P&G Championships. In 2015, she became the junior National Champion on vault and finished 4th all-around once more. Earlier this year at the Jesolo Trophy, Jordan won the all-around and vault title. At the Secret Classic it was no surprise that Jordan took 1st on vault with her powerful amanar (she is the only US junior to compete this vault) and once again she finished 4th all-around. An injury kept Jordan from competing at the P&G Championships, however, she is one of the more experienced juniors that will be entering the senior ranks in 2017 and it could be a very good year for her if the stars align.
Mailie O'Keefe- Salcianu Elite
Mailie O'Keefe wasn't on a lot of peoples radars until very recently. Like Jordan, Mailie has been a junior elite since 2013, but apparently she was saving her best for 2016. Mailie not only competes with a lot of difficulty, but she is clean and shows great flexibility throughout. This year at P&G's she became the junior National Champion on beam, floor and the all-around, in addition to placing 3rd on vault and 6th on bars. Mailie has no weak event, which is a huge plus, although she really stands out on beam where she has the potential to compete a routine with a start value in the 17's. (Mailie's latest combination is a very unique aerial-loso-loso-tucked full) One place where Mailie lacks is in experience, however she should enter 2017 (her final year as a junior) with a lot more confidence!
Morgan Hurd- First State
For a junior gymnast,Morgan Hurd has some of the most difficult skills you'll see. For example her bar dismount, a tucked double double, is not something you see often in competition. She also dismounts beam with a tucked full in. That's pretty big stuff for a little girl like Morgan! Earlier this year at the American Classic, Morgan took the all-around title. A few weeks later at the Secret Classic she finished 1st on floor, 2nd on bars and 5th in the all-around. Morgan is stunning to watch thanks to her great flexibility, extension and toe point.
Irina Alexeeva- WOGA
Had she been able to compete at the P&G Championships this year, there's a great possibility Irina Alexeeva would have won. A few weeks prior, Irina placed 3rd all-around at the American Classic and won the all-around and beam title at the Secret Classic. (She also placed 2nd on floor and 4th on bars) Because she is not yet a US citizen, Irina couldn't compete at the P&G Championships, which was a huge shame coming off such a great performance at the Classic, however Irina is working on achieving her citizenship. The US would love to have her as she is a world class gymnast on bars and beam. (Her start value is currently a 16.3 and 16.4 respectively.) Irina has competed in a few international competitions that have an "Open" division, meaning a gymnast can compete representing their gym instead of their country. At the Gymnix International earlier in the year, Irina placed 1st on bars. At the Elite Gym Massilia she finished 1st all-around, 1st on bars and 3rd on beam.
Sloane Blakley- WOGA
2016 was Sloane's first year as an elite and she impressed a lot of people. She doesn't have the most difficulty yet, but she is very powerful, clean, and has great flexibility. Her arabian double front on floor and double tuck beam dismount will make your jaw drop. Sloane is working on a bunch of upgrades including two new releases (piked tkatchev and geinger) and a new dismount (laid out full in) on bars. On beam she is working to add a new dismount, either a full in or an arabian double front and on floor she is hoping to upgrade three of her passes; double double, arabian double front piked, and a double layout. This young lady shows a lot of potential to be a star and is definitely one to keep your eye on.
Other names to watch for:
Norah Flatley- Chows
Victoria Nguyen- Chows
Deanne Soza- Texas Dreams
Sunisa Lee- Midwest Gymnastics
Jazmyn Foberg- MG Elite
Mickayla Stuckey is no stranger to competition. At 15 years old, she balances more in one day than most people her age. In addition to being your average teenager, Mickayla is a competitive gymnast at Cincinnati Gymnastics and also a competitive dancer at Inspire@DDS. Seven years ago, Mickayla's mom created a YouTube channel where she uploaded videos of her daughters progress in gymnastics and dance. (This is how we discovered Mickayla! Click here to check out her channel.)Mickayla began competing in both sports at the age of 4 and has since progressed into an award winning dancer and level 10 gymnast. Some of Mickayla's gymnastics accomplishments include qualifying as a HOPES pre-elite in 2014 where she placed 3rd on bars at the US Challenge. Mickayla is the 2016 Ohio State Champion on beam, floor, and in the all-around. She is also a 2016 JO National qualifier where she placed 5th on floor and 9th all-around. Earlier last week, Mickayla announced her commitment to Eastern Michigan where she has accepted a full ride scholarship. We caught up with Mickayla to talk about her college decision, how she balances two sports and much more!
How did you get started in gymnastics?
I started my first class when I was about 15 months old. My mom was teaching at a local gym and I was always with her, so I did a mom and tot class with one of the other instructors while my mom taught the class.
Who was your idol growing up?
I have always looked up to Lexie Priessman! I have known her since I was five years old. She is a great gymnast, motivator, and inspiration. She has been through so much and I hope she has a great season at LSU this year! She deserves the best! Love ya Lex!
Ever since you were a little girl your mom has posted videos of you on YouTube. Your channel now has nearly half a million views! Is it cool for you to go back and look to see how far you've come?
Wow, I had no idea it had that many views! That's crazy! It's cool to be able to look back and see how far I have come in the sport. I was so tiny! I also like watching my old dance videos.
You performed a floor routine at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, how did that opportunity come about? Do you remember that performance or were you too young to realize?
I do remember doing the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, it was so fun! I have always loved performing! I think that was my first "big crowd!" I remember being so excited because Shawn Johnson introduced us and getting to meet her and Nastia! Mary Lee asked Pixie [Brock] and I if we would perform, which we were of course super excited about! Rachael put the routine together in a couple of hours and we did it that weekend.
(You can watch that performance here. The routine features former elites Amanda Jetter and Cassie Whitcomb along with Mickayla and Pixie Brock.) You train at CGA which is arguably one of the best gyms in the country. What is like training with so many amazing gymnasts?
I love training at CGA! I can't see myself being anywhere else until I go to EMU! Training beside amazing level 10's and elites pushes me in a positive way to do my best everyday. I feel like I have grown in my gymnastics because of this environment.
Being a dancer and gymnast, you have a very busy schedule! What is a typical day like for you?
I live about an hour and forty minutes from the gym, so on the average day I get up and leave the house by about 6:30am. I have gymnastics from 9-2 throughout the week, except Thursday is my day off. Saturday practice is 8-12. I dance on Tuesday-Thursday in the evening from about 5-9. I do online school in the car, on the weekends and a lot on Thursdays and any spare time in between.
Do you think your dance career has helped with your gymnastics?
I feel like my dance has definitely helped with my gymnastics! I love the performance aspect on floor and beam!
Was there ever a time where you felt like you would have to choose between dance and gymnastics?
Yes, there was a time when I thought I was going to have to choose. I did HOPES for awhile and thought I wanted to do elite. It would have been difficult to keep up with both. I don't want to stop dancing. I love both sports! I'm actually more accomplished in dance than gymnastics. I have won three national solo titles, was the 2014 Rainbow Teen Dancer of the Year and I am the current Teen Miss Applause Talent. I eventually want to own my own dance studio!
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment to be?
I would consider the whole year of 2016 to be my greatest accomplishment! It has been a fantastic year for me! I qualified to JO Nationals where I placed 9th all-around, 5th on floor and 10th on bars. I made the Region 5 All Star Team and got to go to Costa Rica! And last week I accomplished a long term goal of committing to a full ride NCAA Scholarship! It's been a great year!
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Eastern Michigan?
I am so excited to have verbally committed to EMU! My family, coaches and I felt it was a great fit for me. I love Sarah, Dallas, and Shea! It is the perfect distance from home. I love how much EMU has improved in the last couple of years! I can't wait to be apart of this team! Go Eagles!
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I want to keep making my gymnastics even better and stronger this season! I want to qualify to JO Nationals again this year and I would love to have the opportunity to go to the Nastia Cup!
Congratulations on an amazing year, Mickayla! We wish you the best of luck in the future!
When Sloane Blakely stepped onto the podium for the first time in her elite career, she instantly proved that she had all the qualities needed to become a star. The perfect combination of flexibility and power, she performs each of her skills cleanly and with ease. Enrolled in dance since the age of 2, Sloane started gymnastics at the age of 5 after her mother began searching for extra activities to try outside of tap and ballet. Now at the age of 14, Sloane is competing at the elite level with the hopes of someday representing the USA internationally.
A typical day for Sloane begins very early and contains a balance between gymnastics and school. She is one of two elite gymnasts currently training at the Frisco location of WOGA under coaches Tatyana Shadenko and Ryan Roberts. Monday through Thursday she trains twice a day with her first practice running from 7:30am-12:00pm. Then she shifts her focus to school, where she is enrolled in a home school program. "It gives me the flexibility I need for gymnastics," she told us. After school it's back in the gym from 4:00pm-7:30pm. On Friday she has one practice in the morning from 7:30am-11:30am and then she has the rest of the day to relax and focus on school. On Saturday she trains from 8:00am-12:00pm and then she has Saturday night and Sunday to spend time with her family, go to church, and read--which is what she likes to do in her free time. Sloane has a younger sister named Skye who is also a gymnast and is currently training for her second year as a HOPES elite. "It's fun training with my sister," Sloane told us. "We encourage each other and we are able to communicate by simply giving each other certain looks."
2016 was a good year for Sloane. It was her first year competing as a level 10 and she didn't disappoint, winning the all-around and several event titles at almost every competition she competed in. She concluded her level 10 season on a big note by winning the beam title at the JO National Championships. Next it was onto the elite ranks after a stellar performance at the Elite Qualifier (the one that is held at the Ranch prior to the American Classic) where she finished 3rd all-around and 1st on vault and beam. At the Secret Classic and the P&G Championships, Sloane might not have won any medals, but she is proud of her performances, gained some valuable experience and certainly put her name on everyone's radar with good reason. A lot like her idol Simone Biles, Sloane is a great all-around gymnast but specializes on vault, beam and floor. On vault she performs a clean yurchenko full with great height and distance. At Classics and on the first day of P&G's, she absolutely nailed the landing. In fact, she was one of the few girls who scored a 9.0 in execution throughout both competitions. If she has a weaker event it would be bars, however she swings with ease and shows lots of potential for upgrades. On beam she is as light as a feather, shows great extension in her leaps, and performs a sky high double tuck dismount. On floor she does a breathtaking arabian double front and performs to the tune of "Remember the Name." Coincidence? I think not.
Sloane wrapped up her year with invites to a few of the National Team camps, which are now lead by WOGA's own Valeri Liukin. "I was able to learn new techniques, different approaches to my current skills and I picked up a few new skills too," Sloane said of her first camp experience. While the camps are all business during training, the girls do get to have some fun and wind down after practice. "During my second camp we dressed up for Halloween and hung out watching Laurie Hernandez on Dancing with the Stars," she said. "It was fun!"
For next season, Sloane has a lot of big skills in the works that she would like to add to her routines. She is training an amanar, a vault that very few gymnasts compete at the junior level. On bars she is working to add two release moves (piked tkatchev and gienger) along with a new dismount (double layout with a full twist.) On beam she is working on adding a new dismount, either an arabian double front or a full-in. On floor she is working a double double, double arabian piked, and a double layout. With those new skills, Sloane's goals for next season should be fairly easy to achieve. "I want to make it back to P&G's again, have cleaner routines and higher difficulty, and make National Team." Like most elite level gymnasts, she aspires to someday represent the USA at the highest level like the World Championships and "maybe even the Olympics." Only time will tell if she has what it takes, but right now the sky is the limit for Sloane Blakely.
In her second year as the Head Coach of the Florida Gators, Jenny Rowland is looking to continue building her own legacy at Florida. While the Gators didn't defend their 3 year long winning streak at the NCAA Championships last season, they did sneak past Alabama to claim the SEC title and continued to prove all season long why they are one of the best NCAA teams in the nation. In this interview, Coach Rowland previews her team's goals and potential for the upcoming season.
The 2017 Florida Gators
When you accepted the Head Coach position at Florida, were you nervous to be taking on one of the best NCAA teams in the nation?
I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. However, I took the approach that it was an amazing opportunity at a top academic school in a top conference for gymnastics-- the SEC. It certainly has been all I thought and more. It continues to be an amazing experience.
With Bridget Sloan now gone, who are you looking at to be the leader of your team?
With Sloan gone, there are still many great leaders on this team. Claire Boyce, Kennedy Baker and Alex McMurtry have done a great job leading this team with their knowledge and experience. They are a great combination of both vocal leaders and leaders by example.
What are your expectations for your incoming freshman? What are some of the skills they are working on?
This is the most well rounded freshman class anyone could ask for. They have already proven their strong leadership skills both in and out of the gym, they've adjusted very well as far as balancing the life of a college student-athlete, and keeping workouts light, refreshing and very enjoyable. I expect that their hard work and dedication to this team will allow them to be very successful this upcoming season.
Sierra Alexander- Sierra is a very powerful gymnast and one of the hardest workers on our team. Her raw talent needs to be a little more refined but will definitely be a viable option on vault, floor and possibly beam.
Vault: Yurchenko full or yurchenko 1 1/2
Beam: Front tuck+back handspring
Floor: Double pike, front layout+front full
Maegan Chant- Maegan was recruited for her deceiving power. She will be competing for a lineup spot for sure on vault and floor. However, she is a beautiful gymnast and wouldn't be suprsied to see her in the all-around by the end of the season.
Vault: Tsuk layout full or 1 1/2
Floor: Double layout, front step out to double tuck
Rachel Gowey- Rachel no doubt will be a viable option for the Gators on all four events. Her power and grace is a great contribution to this team and I expect she will be making a huge impact this season.
Vault: Yurchenko double
Bars: Stalder hect, double layout
Beam: Back handspring+layout step out+layout step out, front aerial, back handspring+back handspring+double twist dismount
Floor: Full in, double pike
Amelia Hundley- Amelia's strength, dedication, commitment and consistency is a huge asset for the team on all four events.
Vault: Yurchenko 1 1/2
Bars: Shaposh 1/2, half in half out dismount
Beam: Back handspring+layout step out, front aerial, switch side
Floor: Double layout, double pike
How has preseason training been going so far?
Training thus far has gone very well. I was pleased with the team when they returned from summer break. Everyone went home for the summer since we had no gym they could train in due to the new renovation of our competition/gymnastics facility. We just had our first instrasquad and I was happy with where we are at this time. We still have polishing to do, but nothing too major.
I feel this team is definitely one of the closest teams I have ever worked with. We have a diverse group as far as personalities and leadership skills. They have fully embraced each other and gelled very quickly compared to teams I have worked with in the past.
This year picked up a transfer from Eastern Michigan, Rachel Slocum, how do you hope she'll contribute to the team?
Rachel's transfer was flawless. She is very outgoing and someone who has made an immediate impact on our team. Rachel's bubbly personality is contagious and she brings a light-hearted spirit for gymnastics to a new level. Her work ethic and power will make her a viable option to make lineups in both vault and floor. What challenges, if any, do you think your team will face this season?
I feel that the biggest challenge is always staying healthy.
What are your goals for the team this season?
My goals for the team this season is to take ownership of their gymnastics and enjoy doing what they love to do. I feel that if these are embraced, then it will be a very fulfilling and successful season for the team.
A lot of fans were sad to hear that Peyton Ernst was released from the team this summer, can you give an explanation for why she was let go?
Peyton was granted a medical scholarship, which would allow her to finish her degree at the University of Florida, but she would not be able to compete at UF. She asked for, and was given, a release to speak to other universities to see about any options in continuing her gymnastics career if she chooses to transfer.
Now that it's been a year since the yurchenko full was devalued, what are your thoughts on the change?
I think is has been a good rule change. It allows the teams to be a little more strategic with their lineups.
When recruiting, what are some of the things you look for in potential future Gators?
Talent level, their love for the sport of gymnastics and they have to love UF. We want those who desire success in both academics and athletics.
The UCLA Bruins could be back in contention for an NCAA title this year with arguably one of the best rosters currently in the NCAA. The freshman class alone includes two Olympic Champions, a former National Team member, and a set of twin sisters that were stars during their JO careers! The Bruins also look to welcome Macy Tronjo, a former elite and redshirt freshman, into the lineups this year. UCLA's roster also returns a lot of talent in Katelyn Ohashi, Angi Cipra, Peng Peng Lee and Hallie Mossett--just to name a few. In her 27th year as the Head Coach at UCLA, Valorie Kondos Field could have a team that brings home a national title for the first time since 2010. Will the Bruins have what it takes to reclaim their spot at the top of the podium? Valorie talks with us about her expectations for some of the freshman, her goals for the team, choreography and more!
You have a very large but talented freshman class this year (9 incoming freshman to be exact.) On what events might we see some of these ladies breaking into the lineups?
Hopefully, Kyla Ross and Felicia Hano will compete in the all-around. Madison Kocian on everything but vault. Grace Glenn is also a strong all-arounder, she should shine on floor, bars, and beam. Grace Kramer is an amazing vaulter and really powerful on floor,
How is Macy Toronjo doing?
She's actually doing well and will hopefully be ready to compete in the all-around mid-season. She's been sidelined with a rare eye disease which has kept her from training for about a month now. She just started back last week. She's in great shape and should be able to get her skills back quickly.
Have all the floor routines for this season been choreographed? What routine are you most excited for fans to see?
Oh my goodness no! In fact, I'm very behind. I've done 4 out of the 15. So far, Angi's acting ability is off the charts. Hallie is as stunning as ever and JaNay...boy that girl can dance. The pleasant surprise so far for me has been Kyla--she's a really good dancer. I think you're going to see a new Kyla on the floor this year performance-wise. I know she's going to be smiling a lot.
You've choreographed many brilliant floor routines in your career. Do you ever run out of ideas? Where do you find inspiration? Yes! I'm that person that inaccurately thinks I've used up all my creative ideas. So silly. I get inspiration from the music first and from watching a ton of videos. I was trying to add up how many routines I've choreographed since I started in 1977 choreographing for Jim Stephenson in Nor. Cal. I was 17 then and 57 now...interesting to think back to all the routines I've done.
A reader of our site wants to know if you feel intimidated coaching this years team? You do have arguably one of the best rosters this season!
"Intimidated?" That's a unique word to use. No. I feel honored and blessed. Not only are they talented but they're really amazing human beings. I'm having a ball, especially with Kyla. She and I are almost exact opposites with how our brains work. She is meticulous, organized, linear in her thinking and extremely disciplined once she sets her course. And I'm all over the map! The classic left brain vs. right brain scenario. We have fun trying to find the happy medium. Jordyn Wieber will be serving as a volunteer assistant coach this year, can you talk a little about that?
Well, we're excited to finally have her here next month once she finishes with the tour. She hasn't been allowed to coach the past 3 years. I anticipate she's going to be a phenomenal coach in that she's already got the respect of the team combined with her knowledge and clam but intense delivery...shes such a gift. I'm already getting sad thinking this is the last year we have her.
What are your goals for the team this season?
Our goals are to reach the top of the Coach Wooden Pyramid - Competitive Greatness, being able to be your best is needed. I really feel we did this last year. Hopefully, we'll stay healthy and compete on that last night for another team title.
Elite gymnastics is so intense and serious, how do you help your former elite athlete transition to the college atmosphere?
I explain that all athletics and all sports are entertainment. Without a strong base we cease to exist. We can't just focus on executing perfect skills, we have to embrace the "performance" aspect of our sport. I also illuminate for them that in elite they compete a handful of times a year. In college they compete 16 times in 4 months. It's a totally different mental game, one that elite gymnasts are ready and excited for by the time they come to college.
Now that it's been a year, what are your thoughts on the yurchenko full being devalued? Do you like the change?
I do like the change because we had to do something to make it not the compulsory event. I still don't think our rules are tweaked enough to encourage and reward originality and virtuosity. I'm an advocate to go to a 9.7 start value and re-introduce ROV (risk, originality, virtuosity) into our scoring system.
It won't be long until college gymnastics season is in full swing. January 7th marks the beginning of the season for the Michigan Wolverines, who will face some tough competition in front of thousands of fans at the University of Utah. However, things look bright for Michigan this season with plenty of returning talent from last season, a top-notch transfer from Arkansas, and a large incoming freshman class that could provide lots of depth in the lineups. Coach Bev Plocki enters her 28th season coaching the Wolverines and gave us a preview of her teams potential and as well as their goals for the 2017 season.
Can you give us a brief update on each member of the team and what your expectations are for them this season? Nicole Artz- Nicole is recovering from a minor surgery on her ankle, she should be fine for the season but has had limited training so far this fall. She is a competitor and has lofty goals for her senior year. I expect her to once again be a top all-arounder for us.
Talia Chiarelli- Talia has been looking awesome and is poised to have a great year. She looks as good or better than ever. Her 1 1/2 on vault, her beam, and floor will be outstanding.
Brianna Brown- I believe that Brianna is on a great track right now and getting healthier each day. I think this could be a fantastic year for her. Bars and beam are her highlight events but her floor routine is clean and strong and her vault is getting better each day.
Lauren Marinez- Lauren worked really hard over the summer on strengthening and she is in the best shape I've seen her in. Her beam and bars are rockin' and I look for her to break a floor lineup as well.
Paige Zaziski- Paige is a welcome addition to the team this year, she brings a wealth of competitive experience and can bring in big scores on all events. I'm looking forward to what this season will bring for her.
Olivia Karas- Liv also had a minor wrist surgery but is back on track and looking great already. She is a fantastic all-arounder for us and can put up big scores in all four events. She has no weak events.
Emma McLean- I am really looking forward to seeing Emma in a much bigger role this year. Her beam has improved a great deal and her floor and vault are doing great! Love her floor routine this year and her bars are clean and strong.
Lexi Funk- Lexi has been a little dynamo, she is consistent all the way around. She will provide a high level of depth that we need in all four events. I think we will see her in lineups on all four events during the year.
Maggie O'Hara- We have high expectations for Maggie. Her strongest events are bars and beam, but she has the ability to see herself in any of the four events if she works hard.
Maddy Osman- Maddy is another fireball of energy and performs with explosive power and strong skills in all four events.
Sam Roy- Sam is doing a great job and is improving each day. I'm not sure at this point what events she will make but she is close on at least three. She is a great example of what hard work and determination can do and is a great addition to our team.
Polina Shchennikova- Polina is almost back 100% from her shoulder surgery in May. She is strong and is feeling pretty good too. She is making tremendous strides every day and her progress back to peak shape is right on track. I expect her to make significant contributions this season and peak when we need her to.
Now that it's been a year since the yurchenko full was downgraded, what are your thoughts on that change? Do you think it's a hassle for some of the older girls to learn a new vault at that point in their career?
I think that the 9.95 vaults have been a good first step to providing some benefit to the athletes who are capable of doing the bigger vaults. It wasn't fair that someone taking the risk to do a 1 1/2 or double would have the same start value as a full. If any coach feels that it is a "hassle" to teach our athletes new skills they probably should not be coaching. I would like to see the full go to a 9.9.
It's been awhile since Michigan has qualified to the Super Six, what do you feel needs to be done to get your team back in that position?
I am troubled by the fact that we have not been in the Super Six recently. I believe that we definitely deserved to be and have been good enough to be. Last year we absolutely had a weak beam rotation at the wrong time. We did it to ourselves, but my heart broke for the team. Sometimes it's the luck of the draw in which session you get placed in for NCAA's or what rotation you draw. We have outscored teams that qualified into the Super Six when we did not and that is a tough pill to swallow. Luck definitely hasn't been on our side lately but we need to be performing at a level that keeps us out of the "grey" area. I think that depth plays a big role in our ability to be at our peak going into post season. We are hoping to have a lot more depth this year and be able to rest some people during the season when needed.
What are your goals for this upcoming season?
We want to look good early but we will take our time to make sure we are hitting our stride when it is critical. We have 50% of our team as freshman, so we will allow them to gain experience and confidence as we go through the season. How has training been going so far?
Training has been going well. We have a great group of amazing young ladies, but like a lot of teams, we have a few coming back from injuries so we have people at different places on the readiness scale. My 28 years has taught me to relax and bring people along as is best for them individually. We will have everyone ready when it is go time! I'm confident in that.
What do you feel will be the teams biggest challenge this season?
We have a lot of youth, but in those athletes we have some good competitive experience so only time will tell. It is always an interesting puzzle that we get to put together each year.
Based off preseason so far, what do you think will be the teams strongest and weakest events?
I really believe we will have a pretty good balance on all four events. We may have a touch more depth on beam and bars but that also remains to be seen.
What are you going to miss the most about your seniors Talia and Nicole after this season? Everything! They have been two of the hardest working and most consistent athletes I have had in a long time. Gosh, don't make me think about that already!
To stay up to date with the latest on your Michigan Wolverines, make sure you're following @UMichWGym on Twitter and Assistant Coach Dave Kuzara on Instagram (@davkuz) for training videos.
