Jen O'Neill, L10 at Next Dimensions Gymnastics in Connecticut, has committed to Maryland. This past season she placed 4th AA at her state meet and 13th AA at regionals.
Kim Tessen, L10 at All American in Utah, has committed to Utah. This season she won the state vault title and placed 2nd AA at her state meet. She placed 4th AA at regionals and 9th AA at JOs.
EMU has signed Ciara Gresham for 2015-2016, as a late period signing. The L10 from World Class (IL) had a standout senior campaign, finishing 10th AA , 10th on VT and 8th(t) on FX at the 2015 L10 JO Nationals (Sr. D). She was 9th AA in the Region V L10 Regionals in 2014, and advanced to the JO NIT meet. Link: Video
EMU will also add walkons Sydney Audet and Katie Ford. Ford's commit was covered in a prior news item. Audet is a L10 from New Heights. She placed 17th AA at the 2015 Region V L10 Regionals. She also finished 10th AA and 3rd (t) on VT at the 2014 Level 9 Eastern Nationals. Link: Audet Videos
Link: EMU Release
DU has promoted assistant Linas Gaveika to Associate Head Coach, according to a school release.
Link: DU Release
Khazia Hislop, L10 at Brestyan's Gymnastics, has committed to UNC. She has competed for Trinidad & Tobago as a member of their National Team. This season she qualified to regionals and finished 10th AA.
OU has announced that Brenna Dowell will sit out a year in order to train elite and pursue a spot on the US Worlds Team. As one of the key gymnasts on one of the favorites for the 2016 NCAA Team Title, this move certainly opens up the field in the race for the Championship.
Link: OU Release
Washington has promoted Olympian Elise Ray from Assistant Coach to Associate Head Coach. A search for a new assistant coach is underway. Volunteer assistant Stephanie Gentry continues in that role.
Link: UW Release
The Southeast Asian Games are in progress this week with the team and AA finals completed.
In the women's competition, Illinois signee Lizzy Leduc and PSU commit Ava Verdeflor helped the Philippines squad to a bronze medal. Malaysia won the team gold. In the AA finals, Vietnam's Thi Ha Thanh Phan won the gold. Verdeflor finished 4th AA and Leduc 6th
Links:
India Anderson, L10 at Aiken Gymnastics, has signed with Temple. She won her state meet and placed first on bars and floor this season. She qualified to the NIT and placed 4th AA.
Arizona Head Coach Tabitha Yim has hired Washngton associate head coach David McCreary as an assistant. McCreary spent 9 years at Washington. Prior to his stint there, he was the head coach at the Arizona Sunrays.
Link: Arizona Release
Illinois will welcome two more athletes for 2015-2016: Julia Hutcherson and Brielle Nguyen. Nguyen's commit was covered in a prior news item.
Hutcherson is a L10 from the Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta. She placed 13th AA at the 2015 Region VIII L10 Regionals and was 5th AA at the 2015 Georgia L10 State meet.
Link: Illinois Release
Mary McDaniel is making the move from Kentucky to Auburn. Read the OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
Alexia Burch has confirmed her commitment to Utah. A Level 10 at Gymnastics Nevada, Burch recently won her session of JOs, placing first in the all around and first on floor. She also earned a state beam title this season.
The American Classic and Elite Qualifier were held this weekend, with a number of recruits in action.
Colbi Flory of Texas Dreams posted the top AA score among the Juniors and Seniors (56.7). Deanna Soza was a close 2nd (56.6) while Morgan Hurd and Emma Malabuyo tied for 3rd, just another tenth back (56.5). Michigan commit Paulina Shchennikova qualified to the P&G Championships on three events, hitting a 15.0 on UB. Among the non-qualifiers, Minnesota commit Lexy Ramler was 21st (50.1).
In the Elite Qualifer, Parkette Taylor Lawson won the senior division (53.6) and qualified to the US Secret Classic. Bama commit Kylie Dickson was 2nd and qualified to the US Secret Classic on two events (52.3 AA). UGA commit Samantha Durante was 3rd (51.6), while Pitt commit Jade deGouveia was 4th (50.5). Michigan commit Abby Brenner competed two events while former Alaska/Bridgeport gymnast Melissa Doucette also competed two events. In the junior division, Gabby Perea won the the Qualifier with a score (55.2) that qualified her directly to Championships. Washington commit Kendal Toy tied for 8th (51.0).
The Canadian Championships concluded Sunday with the Senior Women's competition. Canadian veteran Ellie Black won the "new life" AA final, defeating Isabela Onyshko. Black posted the top mark on BB, while Onyshko posted the top mark on UB and FX. Shallon Olsen, a junior competing as a senior, won VT and placed 7th AA.
Washington commit Madison Copiak and Ohio State signee Victoria-Kayen Woo tied for 4th AA. Florida commit Maegan Chant was 7th while UGA commit Jordyn Pedersen improved to 8th. UGA star Brittany Rogers placed 5th on VT.
In the junior division, Megan Roberts won the title with Jade Chrobok 2nd. Washington commit Madeline McLellan was sixth.
Jackson Payne won the Men's senior title. Minnesota signee Justin Karstadt was 4th AA while Iowa's Cory Paterson was fifth AA.
In the Women's National Open 16 year+ division, Ivy Lu won the AA title with an exceptional BB routine. UIC signee Sabrina Tomassini was 2nd while Lindenwood signee Samantha Borges was third. BYU commit Angel Zhong was 17th while Iowa commit Clair Kaji was 19th.