Penn announced an incoming class of six gymnasts: Megan Finch, Alex Hartke, Kyra Levi, Olivia Neistat, Ally Podsednik and Emily Shugan. The commits of Finch, Neistat and Shugan were covered previously.
Hartke is a L10 from Galaxy Gymnastics who also competed in high school. She qualified to Regionals in 2013, placing 17th AA. She also made the JO NIT tournament in 2011.
Levi is a L10 from Nittany Gymnastics. She qualified for the 2014 JO NIT meet after a 15th place finish at the Region 7 L10 Regionals. She also qualified to the NIT meet in 2012.
Podsednik is a L10 from Cypress in Texas. She placed 11th AA at the 2014 Region III L10 Regionals. She also finished 17th AA in 2013.
Link: Release
Wynter Childers, L10 from Spearfish Gymnastics in South Dakota, has committed to Bama. Last season she swept her state meet. She qualified for, but did not compete at regionals. She placed 7thAA at the 2014 Nastia Cup event.
International Elite Bailie Key has committed to Florida. In the 2014 season she competed at the City of Jesolo and placed 1st AA as well as vault, bars and floor. She recently earned the top spot at the Pacific Rim Championships.
Katie Cox, L10 at Sonshine Gymnastics in N.C., has committed to N.C. State. In 2014 she finished 4th AA at her state meet and qualified through regionals to the NIT where she finished 8th AA.
Hunter Vincent, L10 at Aerial Gymnastics in Illinois, has announced her commitment to TWU. In 2014 she placed 2nd AA at her state meet and 15th AA at regionals.
UIC has announced the hiring of former standout Catherine Dion as an assistant.
Link: UIC Release
On September 11th, 2001, newly hired UCSB Head Coach Mari-Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, lost her life during the events of that fateful day. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dream.
Our original tribute page: Link
Anastasia Webb, Jr. Elite from IGI in Illinois, has committed to OU. She earned her elite qualifying score earlier this year and competed at the Secret Classic.
Mariah Peterson, L10 at Epic Gymnastics in Utah, has committed to Cal. Last season she finished 1st AA and 1st on
vault and bars at her state meet. She placed 3rd AA and 1st on beam at regionals and 6th AA at JOs.
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According to GymnasticsCoaching, Canada is moving towards the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic systems (e.g. Level 10). Canada's current development system is aligned towards the FIG system, with the development (pre elite) levels topping out at National Open, the rough equivalent of USAG Level 10. The NCAA rules are derived from the USAG Level 10 rules. The FIG and USAG systems have diverged over the years, with the former emphasizing difficulty and start value, and with different special requirements (e.g., no two salto requirement on floor). Canadian athletes have faced some greater challenges in adapting to the NCAA rules. This should ease the transition.
Link: Gymnastics Coaching
When we think of recruiting we often think of the athlete, but what is it like for the college coach? They are also going through the recruiting process, just in a little different way.
Cammi Johnson, L10 at West Valley Gymnastics, has committed to UC Davis. She qualified to Regionals in 2013. In 2014 she won the Presidential Classic, the Black Tie Invitational and the Byers Invitational.
Jordan Williams has transferred from Arizona to UCLA to finish out her career with a Red Shirt year. She was injured last season.
Amanda Bartemio, L10 at North Shore in Minnesota, has committed to NIU. She had 5th place finishes at both states and regionals last season and she finished 43rd AA at JOs.
Jessica Jones has committed to Penn State. She competes for Youngstown Gymnastics in Ohio. Last season she placed 5th AA at her state meet, 2nd AA at regionals and 38th AA at JOS.
Emilie LeBlanc, L10 from Sonshine Gymnastics in N.C., has committed to Maryland. Last season she finished 1st AA and 1st on FX at her state meet, 2nd AA and 1st on FX at regionals, and 1st AA and 1st on bars and beam at the 2014 L9 Eastern Championships.