The Junior As showcased the stars of the future. Alex McMurtry, from Richmond Olympiad, will be making her mark as she moves up to elite. She won the AA (38.575), VT (9.95!) and FX. Maggie Nichols of the Twin City Twisters was equally impressive, finishing a close 2nd in the AA and tying for 1st on UB (with Amanda Huang of Team Northwind) and BB (with Nia Dennis of Buckeye). Dennis and Rachel Dickson of MEGA tied for 3rd AA.
Region 5 edged Region 4 for the team title.
| Place | Name | VT | UB | BB | FX | AA | |
| 1 | Alexandra McMurtry Richmond Olympiad |
9.950 1 |
9.500 4 |
9.475 4T |
9.650 1 |
38.575 1 |
|
| 2 | Maggie Nichols Twin City Twisters |
9.825 2 |
9.550 1T |
9.550 1T |
9.525 3T |
38.450 2 |
|
| 3T | Nia Dennis Buckeye |
9.725 3 |
9.375 8T |
9.550 1T |
9.250 28T |
37.900 3T |
|
| 3T | Rachel Dickson MEGA |
9.600 5T |
9.525 3 |
9.375 11T |
9.400 13T |
37.900 3T |
|
| 5 | Olivia Karas Lake Shore Academy |
9.600 5T |
9.175 20T |
9.300 17 |
9.625 2 |
37.700 5 |
|
| 6 | Amanda Huang Team Northwind |
9.200 35T |
9.550 1T |
9.450 7T |
9.300 22T |
37.500 6 |
|
| 7T | Sydney Snead Sonshine |
9.600 5T |
9.325 11 |
9.025 33T |
9.500 5* |
37.450 7T |
|
| 7T | Nicole Shapiro All Olympia |
9.525 11 |
8.975 35 |
9.450 7T |
9.500 5* |
37.450 7T |
|
| 9 | Taylor Houchin Gold Medal MO |
9.450 14T |
9.150 22 |
9.525 3 |
9.225 32 |
37.350 9 |
|
| 10T | Makenna Merrell All American |
9.300 27T |
9.125 23T |
9.475 4T |
9.425 9* |
37.325 10T |
|
| 10T | Kami Amemiya-Shows SCEGA |
9.425 16T |
9.300 12 |
9.175 25T |
9.425 9* |
37.325 10T |
|
UCLA commit Asi Peko dominated the Senior A group, winning the AA, VT, BB and tying for 1st with 2013 grad Kaytianna McMillan for the FX title. Aryln Amor, a 2012 SUU commit, won the UB title. OU commit Keeley Kmieciak placed 2nd AA, while Florida commit Rachel Spicer placed third AA. Tenille Funches in 4th AA completed the JO National Team (Top 4 AA).
Region 5 edged Region 1 for the team title.
Here's the rest of the top 10 (with 2012 reported commits in parentheses). We'll be posting a recap article and link to videos as they become available.
| Place | Name (Committed School) | VT | UB | BB | FX | AA | |
| 1 | Asi Peko (UCLA) Brown's LV |
9.650 1 |
9.400 12T |
9.650 1 |
9.700 1T |
38.400 1 |
|
| 2 | Keeley Kmieciak (OU) Phenom |
9.600 2T |
9.475 6T |
9.525 4 |
9.675 3T |
38.275 2 |
|
| 3 | Rachel Spicer (Florida) Metroplex |
9.600 2T |
9.475 6T |
9.400 8T |
9.675 3T |
38.150 3 |
|
| 4 | Tenille Funches Arena IL |
9.575 5 |
9.425 11 |
9.375 10T |
9.525 17T |
37.900 4 |
|
| 5 | Kaytinna McMillan National Academy |
9.475 8T |
9.275 18T |
9.375 10T |
9.700 1T |
37.825 5 |
|
| 6 | Stephani Miceli (ASU) GMGC-NY |
9.250 27T |
9.225 20T |
9.625 2 |
9.650 5T |
37.750 6 |
|
| 7 | Kathryn Kluz (Auburn) Oakland Gym MI |
9.600 2T |
9.400 12T |
9.125 19T |
9.575 13T |
37.700 7 |
|
| 8T | Arlyn Amor (SUU) Twistars USA |
9.450 11 |
9.550 1 |
9.050 24T |
9.525 17T |
37.575 8T |
|
| 8T | Risa Perez (ASU) Gym Cats |
9.175 32T |
9.500 3T |
9.450 7 |
9.450 26T |
37.575 8T |
|
| 10 | Ashlyn Broussard WOGA |
9.425 12T |
9.500 3T |
8.975 27T |
9.650 5T |
37.550 10 |
|
Link: Results
Pitt has announced the signing of Haley Sedgewick to a letter of intent. Her commit was covered in a prior news item.
Link: Pitt Release
Ohio State has officially named Rustam Sharipov as the new Head Coach for the men's program.
Link: Ohio St Release
The women's Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals are this weekend in Long Beach, California. In addition, USA Gymnastics is holding the JO National Invitational Tournament, an event intended to give broader exposure to athletes who missed qualifying to Nationals. This is a massive recruiting opportunity, as the vast plurality of college-bound athletes come from the Level 10 ranks. College recruiters will be lined up to watch how the athletes handle the pressure of a National-level, high stakes competition. Fans will be able to see how their signed and committed future athletes perform. Check out who to look for this weekend in our preview below.
RIC's gymnastics program has a two year reprieve according to a news article. The decision to eliminate the program has been reversed for the time being. The administration will reevaluate the program at the end of the extension period and make a decision concerning it's future.
Rustam Sharipov has been named Head Coach for Ohio State's men's team. Sharipov, an Olympic and World gold medalist, competed for Ukraine. He coached at Oklahoma for six seasons.
So, your top college hasn’t come knocking on your door. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed never to enter its hallowed halls. Prospective student-athletes can wire themselves for success to maximize their chances of gaining admission to their top college choice.
Below are five things you can do to have a shot at attending the school of your dreams.
San Jose State has signed Dannon Gregory and Alyssa Montalban for 2011-2012, according to a school release.
Gregory is a L10 who trains at the Phoenix Gymnastics Academy (PGA). At the 2011 Region 1 L10 Regionals, she tied for 9th AA. She finished 21st AA at Regionals in 2009. See her videos at her YouTube.com channel.
Montalban is a L10 from Byer's Elk Grove. The Stockton native placed 17th AA at the 2011 Region 1 L10 Regionals, Sr. C. In 2010, she was 3rd AA and 3rd(t) on VT at the Level 9 Western Nationals. See her videos at her YouTube.com channel.
Link: SJSU Release
Louis Levine has been named Head Coach at Rutgers, according to a school release. He served as an assistant under retiring Head Coach Chrystal Chollet-Norton for the last three years.
Link: Rutgers Release