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.
