NCAA: FRIDAY RE-CAP

Last night was the start of Week Five's NCAA gymnastics meets. As always, the level of gymnastics didn't disappoint. Let's re-cap on the results

Michigan State (194.35) v Minnesota (192.65)

Top Scorers
Vault: Taira Neal (Michigan)
Bars: Janell Campbell (Minnesota)
Beam: Shannon Gollich (Minnesota)
Floor: Kylie Schermann (Minnesota)
All-Around: Lindsay Mable (Minnesota)

Utah (196.425) v Arizona State (195.45)

Top Scorers
Vault: Tory Wilson (Utah)
Bars: Georgia Dabritz (Utah)
Beam: Corrie Lothrop (Utah)
Floor: Becky Tutka (Utah)
All-Around: Georgia Dabritz (Utah)

NEWS: Utah's Corrie Lothrop has sustained a torn achilles tendon and is likely to be out for a long time. In 2009, she also had this injury on her other leg. We wish her the best of luck in her recovery

Nebraska (195.75) v Illinois (194.750)

Top Scorers
Vault: Jamie Scheleppenbach (Nebraska)
Bars: Janelle Giblin (Nebraska)
Beam: Jennifer Lauer (Nebraska)
Floor: Jamie Schleppenbach/Jessie DeZiel (Nebraska)
All-Around: Jessie DeZiel (Nebraska)

Kentucky (195.25) v LSU (195.875)

Top Scorers
Vault: Randi Lau (LSU)
Bars: Sarie Morrison (LSU)
Beam: Rheagan Courville (LSU)
Floor: Llominica Hall (LSU)
All-Around: Audrey Harrison (Kentucky)

Auburn (196.725) v Missouri (194.575)

Top Scorers
Vault: Caitlin Atkinson (Auburn)
Bars: Caitlin Atkinson (Auburn)
Beam: Tori Howard (Missouri)
Floor: Toi Garcia (Auburn)
All-Around: Caitlin Atkinson (Auburn)

Boise State (196.325) v Brigham Young (195.125) - Beauty & The Beast 

Top Scorers
Vault: Amanda Otuafi (Boise)
Bars: Ciera Perkins (Boise)
Beam: Caitlin Mann (Boise)
Floor: Kelsey Black (Boise)
AA: Caitlin Mann (Boise)

Arkansas (196.175) v Florida (197.575)

Top Scorers
Vault: Ashanee Dickerson (Florida)
Bars: Mackenzie Caquatto (Florida)
Beam: Bridget Sloan (Florida)
Floor: Katherine Grable (Arkansas)
AA: Bridget Sloan/Ashanee Dickerson (Florida)

EUROPEAN PREDICTIONS

So, as you know that the Europeans are coming up soon and I always like predicting the teams that some of the countries will send so here is my interpretation on who I think/I'd send to Russia for this year's Europeans.

Great Britain:

1. Rebecca Tunney
2. Gabrielle Jupp
3. Niamh Rippin
4. Angel Romaeo
5. Raer Theaker
6. Hannah Whelan
7. Abigail Caig or Laura Edwards (Reserve)

Russia:

1. Aliya Mustafina
2. Maria Paseka
3. Ekaterina Baturina
4. Anastasia Grishina
5. Evgeniya Shelgunova
6. Ksenia Afansiieva
7. Yulia Tipaeva or Kristina Goryunova (Reserve)

Romania:

1. Larisa Iordache
2. Alina Stanila
3. Diana Chelaru
4. Maria Balea
5. Diana Bulimar
6. Maria Rauta
7. Raluca Haidu (Reserve)

Italy:

1. Carlotta Ferlito
2. Erika Fasana
3. Elisabetta Preziosa
4. Sara Ricciardi
5. Elisa Meneghini
6. Vanessa Ferrari
7. Chiara Gandolfi or Martine Buro (Reserve)

France:

1. Manon Cormoreche
2. Doriane Thobie
3. Youna Dufournet
4. Anne Kuhm
5. Maelys Plessis
6. Sophia Serseri
7. Valentine Sabatou or Amelie Pauffert (Reserve)

Germany:

1. Cagla Akyol
2. Sophie Scheder
3. Janine Berger
4. Isabelle Marquard
5. Kim Bui
6. Oksana Chusovitina
7. Lisa Hill (Reserve)

Netherlands:

1. Daphne Slingerland
2. Chantysha Netteb
3. Elise Feddema
4. Tess Moonen
5. Melissa Scherpenisse
6. Maartje Ruikes
7. Hille Torenvlied (Reserve)

GYMNASTS MISSING EUROPEANS

Unfortunately, the Europeans start list is looking a bit dry this year after a numerous amount of withdrawals. The most significant withdrawal is Russian Olympic star Viktoria Komova has sustained a persistent back injury and will miss the Russian Championships, therefore missing the Europeans. 

The Netherlands camp is leaving Epke Zonderland, Lisa Top and Celine Van Gerner off the team which is very unfortunate. Top has sustained an elbow injury and the other two are focusing on worlds. But don't worry because  Chantysha Netteb, Daphne Slingerland and Elise Feddema are all amazing new seniors that are likely to be on the team. 

Germany have also reported a few absences including Elisabeth Seitz, Nadine Jarosch, Pia Tolle and Anja Rheinbay. Germany have a big troupe of new seniors like Cagla Akyol and Sophie Scheder but we can also expect older stars like Oksana Chusovitina, Lisa Katharine Hill and Janine Berger to be on the roster too. 

Despite losing a few significant characters, we still have lots of gymnastics to look forward too. 

Brits on Fire in AYOF

After the recent Youth Olympic Festival in Australia, huge talent arose from the British Artistic Camp. Collecting between them an outstanding 24 medals. The fiery women’s team of Amy Tinkler, Tyesha Mattis, Catherine Lyons and Teal Grindle battled it out with China to narrowly receive the silver medal. Tyesha Mattis came out on top sweeping the most medals with a grand total of 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze. With Teal Grindle and Amy Tinkler taking 1 Gold and 2 Silvers respectfully.

Whilst the British Boys Team of Dominick Cunningham, Nile Wilson, Courteney Tulloch and James Hall won the team gold with a huge seven mark lead above the Chinese in Silver. Cunningham came out with most medals, picking up 2 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronze, followed by Nile Wilson with 3 Golds, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze with Courteney Tulloch and James Hall also picking up their fair share of silverware.

The British Juniors were obviously inspired by the London Olympics of last year. They came out and performed impressively. Congratulations to them, their coaches, and British Gymnastics for showing the world the beauty, power and elegance of British Gymnastics.

I have attached the link to show all the performances from AYOF, plus the full results sheet.Youth Olympic Results.AYOF performances.

NASTIA LIUKIN SUPERGIRL CUP: WEEKEND QUALIFIERS

This weekend, we saw more young girls qualify to the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup. 

Qualifiers;

Wisconsin Dells Classic, 25-27th January
Lexy Ramler (KidSport Dynamos)

Parkettes Invitational, 25-27th January
Alicia Boren (North Starts)
Ashton Locklear (Everest)

Sand Dollar Whitlow Meet, 25th-27th January
Alexandra McMurtry (Olympiad)
Bridget Dean (Orlando Metro)
Rachel Daum (Stars)

San Diego Classic, 25-27th January
Miranda Cabada (Winners)

Next weekend, we have;

Fiesta Bowl Invitational, AZ, 8-10th February
Charity Choise Inivitational, WA, 8-10th February
IGI Chicago Classic, IL, 8-10th February
Gliders Invitational, CA, 8th-10th February

I'm looking forward to the competition already!

CONTRIBUTERS WANTED!

A new year, a new start and perhaps a new role at the blog.

If you're a gymnastics fan and fancy writing a few articles to a big time role then please follow the instructions below.

e-mail me here and tell me your name and everything gymnastics has to do with you (favorite gymnast, experience? etc.) I will read everyone's application and I will reply to everyone, successful or not.

so please, if you have a few hours in the week to spare and you want to do more than twiddle your thumbs then get in touch.