The synergy between social media and college recruiting continues to grow in popularity and is evolving into the primary tool of communication between prospects and college coaches. Student-athletes can offer coaches with instantaneous updates about college recruitment, and if used prudently, these high tech platforms can help streamline evaluations significantly and help college coaches recruit better.
Several gymnasts with ties to the NCAA competed in Rio this weekend at the Rio 2016 Test Event. At stake were team and individual spots at the Olympics. Even if a gymnast received a qualification spot, a country's federation may choose not to send that gymnast. Thus, all qualification are preliminary.
Women's Qualifiers are based on preliminary results: Jessica Lopez Arocha of Venezuela (former DU), Toni-Ann Williams of Jamaica (Cal), Courtney McGregor of New Zealand (Boise St incoming), Houry Gebeshian of Armenia (former Iowa), Simona Castro of Chile (former DU), and Kylie Dickson of Belarus (Bama commit).
Men's Qualifiers based on the preliminary list: David Jessen of the Czech Republic (Stanford incoming, son of Hana Ricna), Mikhail Koudinov of New Zealand (former Ohio State), Ryan Patterson of South Africa (Cal),
Ohio State signee Victoria Kayen Woo also competed. However Canada has qualified a full team of five and she is currently battling for a spot.
On the Women's team side, Brazil, Germany, Belgium and France qualified full teams. One-time world power Romania did not qualify, along with fifth place Australia, sixth place Switzerland and eigth place South Korea.
On the Men's team side, Germany, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and France qualified. Romania, Spain, Belgium and Canada will be allowed to send one gymnast each.
Link: Women's Results
Link: Men's List of Qualifiers
The OU women completed a Sooner sweep of the Gymnastics Team title by claiming the Women's crown in a near-perfect Super Six competition. With all teams hitting, the Sooners came out on top with a 197.675, edging LSU's 197.45 and Bama's 197.4375. Florida was just a step back at 197.35. UCLA posted a 196.825 to edge UGA's 196.8125.
Led by frosh AA Champion Yul Moldauer, OU finished its second consecutive undefeated season and won its 10th title overall. They posted a 443.4 for an easy win. Stannford was 2nd at 434.05, a point ahead of Ohio State. Illinois was just back in 4th at 432.75. PSU was fifth at 425.4 and Minnesota was sixth at 424.4.
Florida's Bridget Sloan posted a 39.7 to win the AA at the 2016 NCAA Championships. Her score in Session I held throughout the day. OU's Chayse Capps was 2nd at 39.6125 and LSU's Myia Hambrick was third at 39.5625.
At the Men's NCAA Prelims, OU posted the top score of the day, a 441.2, to lead all qualifiers into Saturday's finals. Minnesota was 2nd in Session I at 426.4, with PSU third at 423.95. NU was fourth at 423.55, Cal fifth at 421.35 and Navy 6th at 410.1.
In Session II, Stanford posted a 434.35 to slip past Ohio State's 433.4. Illinois was close behind at 432.05. All three advance to the finals. Iowa hit for a 423.25, Michigan posted a 422.15, and Air Force posted a 412.65.
Link: OU Release for Session I and Session II Results
OU posted the high score of the day, a 197.7875, to win the evening session at the NCAA Semi-Finals and advance to the NCAAs. Bama kept things close with a 197.3875 for third. UCLA posted a 196.7 to easily take the third spot.
It was an SEC sweep as Florida, LSU and UGA advanced to the Super Six Finals from today's Session 1 Preliminary round. UF tallied a 197.475 to edge LSU's 197.3375. UGA was safely in third at 196.725. Stanford was well back at 195.575, ahead of AU at 195.1 and Minnesota trailing at 194.9875. All three squads advancing did not count a fall.
Minnesota's Lindsay Mable won the AAI Award, the award given to the nation's most outstanding senior. She is the first Gopher to win the award.
Link: Release
Jesse Glenn of Army won the Nissen-Emery Award, the first time an Army gymnast had won this prestigious honor. It's awarded to the nation's most outstanding senior male gymnast.
Link: Release
Charlee Miller, L10 from Tampa Bay Turners, has signed with SEMO. She finished 5th AA at her regional meet last weekend and earned a spot at JOs.
Centenary will welcome Kendall Arasmith, Delia Ardoin and Olivia Hirsch for 2016-2017.
Arasmith is a L10 with the Rome Aerials in Georgia. She placed 16th AA at the 2016 Region VIII L10 Regionals.
Ardoin is a L10 at C.G.'s Gymnastics. She was 20th AA at the 2016 Region VIII L10 Regionals. She also finished 3rd on UB and 6th AA at the 2015 Level 9 Eastern Nationals.
Hirsch is a L10 at Jill Brown's Gymnastics.
Link: Release
Cal has added Alexandra Dudschus and Mariah Peterson for 2016-2017. Dudshus' commit was covered in a prior news item and Peterson was set to join for one year later.
Link: Cal Release
WVU has announced the signing of Chloe Cluchey and Abby Kaufmann to letters of intent. Cluchey's commit was announced in a prior news item and Kaufmann was original set to sign for the next season.
Link: WVU Release
Early commit Drew Grantham signed with NCSU this week as expected. Drew competed at regionals last weekend and earned a trip to JOs.
As expected, Felicia Hano has signed with UCLA, joining Kayla Ross, Madison Kocian and the Glenn sisters in the incoming freshman class.