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Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Final Vote

We have searched high and low and through thousands of photos to find our favorite leos and now is the time to make your voice heard! With your help, we have found our finalists and below are the winners from each day of competition. Take a glance through these beautiful leos and then vote at the bottom for the single best leo from all of NCAA Nationals. Polls close Thursday, May 1st at midnight so make sure to get your vote in before then. Winner from Part 1: Prelims- Michigan   This gorgeous leo was designed by Michigan junior Sachi Sugiyama and won from prelims with 32% of the votes. Sachi is an art and design major, has designed five of Michigan’s leos for this season, and is already sketching out a few for next year! Sachi is not only a key part of Michigan’s fashion, but she is also a leader on the team and consistently competed on three events for Michigan all season.  There are two things that stand out about this leo and the first is the sleeves. The sleeves are a combination of yellow and blue that meld into each other but are also distinct as two separate colors. The second part, which is possibly more impressive, is the deep v-neck with a scalloped edge and bursts of rhinestones shooting out from the center. A final detail that might be overlooked is the decorative rhinestone pattern on the shoulders and at the end of the sleeves which add elegance to the already exquisite leo. Winner from Part 2: Super Six- Nebraska   This unique and edgy leo came out on top with 30% of the votes for day two of NCAA’s. Nebraska has had some controversial outfits (hint: the lace back leo) but I think this one was appealing to all.  This leo creates a striking contrast between the metallic silver and deep red that immediately caught my eye… and then I saw the back and was even more hooked.  The back was unique yet still tasteful with the open hole and criss crossed black rhinestone strips. The rhinestone lines on the red body balance out the busy top and back of the leo, as do the Nebraska “N” and B1G logos.   Winner from Part 3: Event Finals- Oklahoma   Oklahoma was probably the most impressive team leo wise (and some may argue gymnastically as well!) They consistently displayed stunning and elegant leos that were eye catching but didn’t take away from their gymnastics. This leo gained 24% of the votes for event finals but only won over their other event final leo by ONE VOTE! This leo has a beautiful color in contrasting materials, loads of rhinestones in intricate designs, and unique cut outs on the back… What more could you want? The sharp angles of the rhinestone designs, neck line, and material edges all compliment each other to create an edgy leo.  Vote below: Which leo do you like best? Related: Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 1: Prelims Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 2: Super Six Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 3: Event Finals

Apr 28, 2014

Hot Topic Debate: Should we Change the Scoring Format in NCAA Women's Gymnastics?

In a pre-NCAA Championships interview, Miss Val of UCLA turned the tables and posed an interesting question to the fans of Gymnastike: Should we change the rules and move to a 5-up, 5-count or 6-up, 6-count format in women's NCAA Gymnastics? Great question, Val!  This topic has been debated back and forth throughout the years. Currently, women's NCAA gymnastics uses a 6-up, 5-count scoring system, meaning that six gymnasts from each team are allowed to compete on each of the four events. Then, the lowest individual score on each event will be dropped from the final team score. In the end, and the top five scores on each event count towards the team total. In the suggested format change, all scores would count.  NCAA women's gymnastics is actually one of the few levels of gymnastics to drop scores at Championships. Men's NCAA gymnastics has moved to an "all scores count" scoring system for the last half of their season, utilizing 5-up, 5-count for their Championships. At the elite level, all scores count in the World and Olympic Team finals with a 3-up, 3-count format.  Let's look at the numbers. If a 6-up, 6-count format were in place for the 2014 Super Six, the meet would not have ended in a tie. The University of Florida would have edged out Oklahoma by half a tenth, 237.625 over 237.575. Other than that, the final rankings remained the same. Check out the evidence below.  How the 2014 Super Six Results would have looked with ALL 6 Scores counting: 1. Florida, 237.625 (originally tied for 1st) 2. Oklahoma, 237.575 (originally tied for 1st) 3. LSU, 236.825 (originally 3rd)  4. Alabama, 236.375 (originally 4th) 5. Georgia, 235.175 (originally 5th) 6. Nebraska, 234.70 (originally 6th) We also did the math for session two on the prelim day. In the actual meet results, only one tenth of a point separated third through fifth place in this incredibly competitive session. With the proposed new rules, the teams saw more separation in the final rankings. UCLA jumped Utah for 4th place, but the three qualifying teams remained the same. Alabama dropped behind Nebraska and survived Super Six qualification by just one tenth.  Semifinal 2 results with ALL 6 scores counting:  1. Florida, 236.35 (originally tied for 1st) 2. Nebraska 236.125 (originally 3rd) 3. Alabama, 236.100 (originally tied for 1st) 4. UCLA, 236.000 (originally 5th) 5. Utah, 235.325 (originally 4th) 6. Penn State 232.725 (originally 6th) However, what can't be calculated in the above scenarios is the increased level of pressure put on the athletes. Knowing that every routine, every skill, every single toe point and landing counts for your team could potentially cause mentally weak athletes to falter. Also, what happens when an injury occurs and an athlete is unable to finish their routine? These are all factors to consider when picking a side.   And finally, as Val points out, this rule change might encourage teams to compete simpler, safer, and ultimately more boring routines. When considering the new scenario, she told us, "I love the fact that everything counts. My concern is watering down routines. I would hate not to encourage creativity and stuff like Danusia's dismount on beam."  I decided to get the conversation going right from the source who will ultimately be responsible for the rule change, the women's NCAA coaches. After their NCAA preliminary session, K.J. Kindler of Oklahoma, D-D Breaux of LSU, and Danna Durante of Georgia weighed in on the debate. Their responses could not have been more different, and it makes for an incredibly entertaining video! Check it out: Watch more NCAA Championship videos on Gymnastike

Apr 25, 2014

Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 3: Event Finals

The third and final day of NCAA competition concluded with event finals and there were tons leos to choose from. It was a tough call but below are my top six leos from the final day of the final meet of the 2014 NCAA season. Don’t forget to vote at the bottom of the blog! The poll will close Sunday, April 27th at midnight. The winners from each day of competition will be combined so you can vote on the single best leo from all of NCAA Nationals. 6. Nebraska   Simple went a long way with this beautiful leo. The bright colors stand out and bold asymmetric design is very flattering. The solid leo is balanced with the delicate rhinestone accents streaming down the bodice. 5. Florida   I love that Florida included orange in this leo and they use the perfect amount to accent but not overwhelm the already beautiful leo.  The leo uses a typical asymmetric cut with swirling white lines in a diagonal across the body. The pattern is accentuated by the splashes of orange rhinestones around the white ribbons as well as on the arms of the leo. The solid rhinestone bands at the end of the arms put a bow on the beautiful package.  4. Alabama   This leo has a lot going on but every part compliments the others forming a gorgeous final design. The swirling silver ribbons ease the transition between the three different types of fabric of solid crimson, silvery mesh crimson, and pure white. The rhinestone lines continue pattern down the side of the leo and the rhinestone writings of “Roll Tide” and “Bama” add a final school spirit touch. 3. Oklahoma's Rockstar Leo   What stands out most about this simple but original design is the gorgeous side panel of solid crystals. While there seem to be a millions of rhinestones used, it isn’t overwhelming because of the balance between the other solid colored panels. The black mesh strips around the side panels and collar provide another dimension and the “Sooners” across the back finishes the piece off beautifully.    2. Oklahoma's Cut-Out Leo   This leo has a beautiful color in contrasting materials, loads of rhinestones in intricate designs, and unique cut outs on the back… What more could you want? The sharp angles of the rhinestone designs, neckling, and material edges all compliment each other to create an edgy leo. 1. Stanford   Although I haven’t seen them all, this is by far my favorite Stanford leo! The leo is stunning overall, using a classic black with gorgeous red and silver accents. The ribbon designs create fluid yet sharp lines, which perfectly accentuates gymnastics movements. And of coure I can't leave out the rhinestones, which are a key part of any leo but here they really add the final sparkle the leo needs. I can’t get enough of this elegant leo and hope you all agree! Which was your favorite leo from Event Finals? Related: Part 1: view and vote on leos from prelims Part 2: view and vote on leos from the Super Six

Apr 25, 2014

Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 2: Super Six

The hunt for the loveliest leo of the 2014 NCAA Nationals continues as we will look at the leos from the Super Six. This competition displayed the best of the best in gymnastics and I was impressed by the best of the best leotards as well! Below is my ranking of the leos from night two. Don’t forget to vote at the bottom of the blog! The poll will close Sunday, April 27th at midnight. The winners from each day of competition will be combined so you can vote on the single best leo from all of NCAA Nationals. 6. Georgia   My favorite part about this leo is the design on the back with the black part of the leo continuing in a scoop and the white part a banner across with the Georgia “G”. I also like the mesh arms with the scattering of rhinestones and how the mesh continues to the chest. However, I don’t like the white banner in the front- it reminds me of a pageant sash except just straight across the front, sectioning off the gymnasts’ bodies in not the most flattering way.  5. Florida   Florida has a bunch of very similar leos and at the past few meets they have worn ones with the same blue metallic bodice, white mesh arms, and rhinestone details. However, I still like this leo with its sharp design and bold look and I love the script Florida on the hip. The back is the most stunning part of the leo and the detailing and design reminds me of figure skating outfits. I was a little disappointed that the numbers smack dab on their backs took away from the beautiful design! 4. Alabama    This simple leo still uses Alabama’s signature elements- the big Alabama “A” and a beautiful crimson material. I love that the swirling designs on the front and back are made entirely out of rhinestones. The silver studded trim and the square neckline put the finishing touches on the entire piece. I was also intrigued by the unique v-neck back and I think it fit the leo perfectly. Again, I have to comment on the number on the back that took away from the intricate design!  3. LSU   I love LSU’s array of unique leos this season and at the Super Six they displayed another elegant number. LSU used a royal purple for the entire leo but the different materials and added rhinestone designs create an intricate and exciting leo. LSU often plays off of the tiger theme and I love that the zig zag design reminds me of tiger scratches, even if it was not intended to. The design continues on the back but again with the pinned number! I much prefer the tattoo numbers down the gymnast’s leg. 2. Nebraska   Nebraska has had some controversial outfits (hint: the lace back leo) but I think this one was appealing to all. This leo creates a striking contrast between the metallic silver and deep red that immediately caught my eye… and then I saw the back and was even more hooked.  The back was unique yet still tasteful with the open hole and criss crossed black rhinestone strips. The rhinestone lines on the red body balance out the busy top and back of the leo, as do the Nebraska “N” and B1G logos.   1. Oklahoma    It was a tough decision but this stunning leo topped my list from the Super Six. Oklahoma has found the perfect balance between sporty and feminine and this leo uses both bold stripes and delicate rhinestone patterns. The double v neckline draws your eye in and points right to the nearly blinding body of sparkling rhinestones. The red lines continue down the arms in a flattering and elongating way, which highlights OU’s signature beautiful artistry. The OU in solid rhinestones is bold yet blends perfectly with the rest of the leo.  Which was your favorite leo from the Super Six? Vote below   Which was your favorite leo from the Super Six? Related: Part 1: view and vote on the leos from prelims Part 3: view and vote on the leos from event finals

Apr 24, 2014

Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 1: Prelims

This year’s NCAA Nationals was the most incredible weekend of gymnastics that I’ve ever seen. There was a lot of excitement built up around the competition and it definitely lived up to the hype. However, we were so caught up in the moment that we might have overlooked a key part of the glamour- the leotards! There were three packed days of competition so we decided to split our leotard polls into three and first up will be day one- NCAA Prelims.  Make sure to cast your vote at the bottom of the blog! The poll closes on Sunday, April 27th at midnight. The winners from each day of competition will be combined so you can vote on the single best leo from all of NCAA Nationals! 6. Oklahoma   It is important to note that in pictures, this leotard does not have the "wow" factor that it has in person. Before you cast your vote, close your eyes and imagine the rhinestones shimmering in the arena lights with every movement, pose, and flip. This simple, bold design is balanced out by the delicate mesh sleeves with crisscross lines of rhinestone accents. This was a perfect prelims leo to make a subtle statement and build excitement for finals!  5. LSU   LSU has had some very unique leos and I love that they aren’t afraid to try to new designs. This leo is tame compared to some of their others but it is just as strong and bold. The triangle ribbon design mixing black, gold, and purple creates an asymmetric yet balanced leo. The piece is simple with the metallic fabric and three colors and doesn’t overdo the rhinestones, instead using them sparingly along the edges of the ribbon design.  4. Georgia   This is another simple leo but is extremely elegant and polished. The leo is made of mostly black and silver, which makes the red trim on the neck and sleeves really stand out. The red neck line gives a bold and angled feel but is balanced out with the feminine sweetheart edge between the black and silver. The rainfall rhinestone effect coming down from the sweetheart line is very delicate and graceful. The clean lines and colors along with the scattering of rhinestones give an exquisite and finished design that made it’s way to the top four. 3. Michigan    This leo combines the Michigan maize and azure in a way I’ve never seen before. There are two things that stand out about this leo and the first is the sleeves. The bodice is a solid metallic blue but the sleeves are a combination of yellow and blue and the colors blend into each other but are still distinct as two separate colors. The second part, which is as impressive, is the deep v-neck with a scalloped edge and bursts of rhinestones shooting out from the center. A final detail that might be overlooked is the decorative rhinestone pattern on the shoulders and at the end of the sleeves which add elegance to the already exquisite leo.  2. Alabama   This gorgeous leo is full of glitz from the metallic material to the loads of rhinestone detailing. The crimson and silver colors work well together, as do the unique combination of neck lines with scoop, v-neck, and sweetheart lines. However, the rhinestones are what really steal the show! The solid lines made out of rhinestones pointing towards the Alabama A are bold yet still feminine. The scattering of rhinestones all over the arms add a completely different feel from the thicker lines of rhinestones but are just as important. And finally, the Bama on the hip in rhinestones balances out the heavy top of rhinestones.  1. Utah I love that Utah has switched to Under Armour this year and it brings a new sporty feel to the leos along with unique designs that haven’t been overused. This leo has numerous intricate aspects to it that combine into a perfect leo. I love the red flame looking design that goes across the chest but what I love even more is that there is mesh underneath the design, a very unique place to put mesh as it is almost always used solely on the sleeves. The delicate wavy lines of rhinestones coming down from the flames add a graceful accent along with the mesh sleeves with rhinestone scattering. The leo also uses a solid red v-neck, which is flattering and matches the pointed edges of the flame design. The last detail that completes the leo is the bold Utah patch on the shoulder that stamps their name with pride. Which prelims leo was your favorite? Tell us below: Which was your favorite leo from NCAA prelims? Related: Part 2: view and vote on leos from the Super Six Part 3: view and vote on leos from event finals

Apr 23, 2014

It's About The Journey

What an amazing NCAA Championships this past weekend. Congrats to all the competitors, teams and of course Florida and Oklahoma! I was not in attendance, but the footage I was able to watch was full of some amazing gymnastics. After the dust settles and the teams make their way back to their universities what do the athletes and coaches take away from this experience? I love the definition of journey: an act of traveling from one place to another. As a coach it is important no matter how you finish at these Championships, to evaluate the journey and communicate with your team the big picture of all that took place. There are so many things that are out of your control, but what is in your control is the education and learning. What did you learn as a coach? Did your athletes improve both physically and mentally? Who came back from injuries? Who overcame difficulties that no one knows about but you? Who surprised you and became a strong leader?  Who was the one on the team that inspired others quietly?   I remember doing interviews when I was a head coach and trying to give honest answers to tough questions with out revealing every detail for the protection of the athlete. All the things that go on in one year of working together as a collective team of 20 people is sometimes overwhelming and very personal. Sam Peszek from UCLA said it best in Gymnastike's interview as she reflected on a less then perfect season. “We grew close as a team” “No one can take away the friendships and life long bonds which are bigger then any trophy” I know Sam is a fierce competitor who has had to overcome many things in her gymnastics career, but what she was able to articulate is so true. The journey in sports is really about the people. Not everyone can win the trophy, but everyone can give their best and take away what they learned as an athlete and person. Did you and your team “travel from one place to another” this season? Did the things you learned impact you and will you carry this with you through the rest of life? Will you be a better person from this journey? Coach K, from Duke summed it up like this:  “During the season, your team should be led with exuberance and excitement. You should live the journey. You should live it right. You should live it together. You should live it shared. You should try to make one another better. You should get on one another if somebody’s not doing their part. You should hug one another when they are. You should be disappointed in a loss and exhilarated in a win. It’s all about the journey". Jill Hicks is the founder of JH Consulting which is an advising business to gymnast and their parents helping them through the recruiting process. jhicksconsulting.com

Apr 21, 2014

Who Should've Made Event Finals

The streamers have cleared for the 2014 NCAA Team competition, but there are still awards that need delivering in this year's Championships. Sunday, April 20 will be the final day of the meet as the top ranked gymnasts on each will contend to prove themselves as event champions. But with only one top ranked gymnast from the regular season advancing to Sunday's event final-- Bridget Sloan of Florida on vault -- we propose our own list of top routines and athletes who we think should have made event finals. These routines amazed and inspired us throughout the regular season, so we tip our hats and give our kudos to these athletes who we feel rank among the best of the best. On the beam, Rheagan Courville of LSU pulls out such a high degree of difficulty that we remiss her failure to move on to the event final. The action packed composition includes a front aerial to sissone to back gainer dismount and a handspring back layout stepout series, but it is the standing arabian that sets this routine apart. Courville combines power and grace on what many argues to be the most mentally taxing event, and she does so with ease. Courville's beam in the semifinal was just shy of her true capability, so she will not move forward. However, that does not keep us from applauding this truly remarkable routine. Watch Courville's beam from the 2014 NCAA Semifinal here. Also on the beam, it seems impossible that an event final cannot include and celebrate the ingenuity of UCLA's Danusia Francis. While known for her remarkable crosswise gainer aerial - back full dismount, Francis is far from a one trick pony. A Silivas variation mount to start, this routine flaunts Francis's stunning flexibility with a beautiful leg up turn, and proves her agility with a graceful front aerial to back handspring series. Francis stunned at last year's Championships, and while she won't advance to this year's finals, we award her with an honorable mention. Watch Francis's beam from the 2014 NCAA Semifinal here. For the bars, 2013 second-place finisher Georgia Dabritz of Utah lands just shy of making the 2014 Event Final with a 9.90 score in the semifinal rounds. Dabritz often gets recognition for her unique ability to perform high-scoring routines without using grips. But grips or no, few can hold a candle to the skillful execution and fluidity of Dabritz's routine. We mark her high on our top contenders we feel should be in the bars final. Photo by Erin Long. Bars is not the only place that Dabritz shines. The Utah Ute also brings high difficulty on the floor exercise. Opening with a piked full-in and completing a rudi layout stepout for the second pass would be enough to impress, but what really sets Dabritz apart from the competition is that she ends the routine with a clean triple twist. Dabritz combines elegance and athleticism earning a spot on our list. Watch Dabritz's bars from the 2014 NCAA Semifinal here and her floor here. Quite a few extroidinary routines will not appear in Sunday's floor event final. From UCLA comes both Sydney Sawa and Sam Peszek. Sawa competes an exceptional and extraterrestrial routine as she dances through alien inspired choreography set by Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field. The intriguing dance is not the only element that will catch the eye, however. Dynamic tumbling throughout, the round-off 1 1/2 - front half - double stag and literally melts right back into the rhythm of the routine makes Sawa's a winner. For Peszek, the double layout opening is too world class not to include in the finals. However, Peszek also feeds her energy to the crowd sharing warmth, excitement, and charisma throughout the number. She makes the audience forget she is working as she seamlessly transitions from tumbling pass to dance to tumbling again and simply entertains. Also, she does a double turn to wolf full. Who does turns on floor in college anymore? Sam does. And so, she makes our list. Watch Sawa's floor from the 2014 NCAA Semifinals here. Watch Peszek's floor from the 2014 NCAA Semifinals here.  Kytra Hunter of Florida also breaks into our wish list for the floor event final. With five perfect 10.0s during the season, it is heartwrenching to not see Hunter dazzle in Sunday's competition. The double layout and the unique roundoff 1 1/2 - flyspring - shoshanova passes make this routine a memorable one. We walk away from the 2014 Championships glad this athlete has another year of eligibility left, so we can see more of that spectacular tumbling. Watch Hunter's perfect 10.0 floor routine here. And last, but most certainly not least, is Lloimincia Hall of LSU. Hall experienced her own share of perfect 10.0s this season and rightfully so with one of the highest double layouts in competition today. But selfishly why do we really want this routine in the finals? So we can watch it again. And again and again and again. Never graduate, Lloimincia. We are just having too much fun with you around. Watch Hall's floor from the 2014 NCAA Semifinal here. So there you have it. The top routines that will not advance, but deserve proper recognition nonethless for the precision, prestige, and pizzazz they each bring in their own unique ways to the 2014 NCAA competition field. We wish them the best of luck as they close out their seasons. To see the list of contenders that will compete in the 2014 NCAA Event Final click here. Gymnastike Gold has all the top routines from the 2014 NCAA Championships! Click here to watch the latest videos. 

Apr 19, 2014

The Five Routines You Must Watch at 2014 NCAA Championships

The best of collegiate gymnastics will be on display this week in Birmingham at the 2014 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships. And there are a few routines in particular that are worth the price of admission. Based on skill and performance quality, here are the five routines you must not miss from this year's Championships. Gymnastike Gold subscribers will have access to watch these routines and more all week from Birmingham! Click here to watch.   #5 - Bridget Sloan, Beam As the only gymnast ever to win the U.S. National, World, and NCAA All Around titles, Florida sophomore Bridget Sloan will be the class of the field in Birmingham. Sloan is stellar on every event, but her beam is particularly impressive. Her poise throughout her routine really sets her apart on the apparatus. She's the reigning National Champion on the event, and has added a front aerial to scale to her routine this year. It's a skill she competed in elite, and referred to it as "an oldie but a goodie" when she told us she planned to add it to her routine during the preseason. Sloan actually fell on this skill at the Regional Championships, so we will be sitting on the edge of our seats to see if she returns to her usual self and nails beam this weekend.  #4 - Haley Scaman, Floor You can expect to be entertained by the entire Oklahoma floor lineup this season, but sophomore Haley Scaman is the star. She and head coach/choreographer K.J. Kindler have taken sass to a new level with this masterpiece routine. Scaman entices the audience and thrills with perfect tumbling. It's also hard to talk about OU on floor and not mention freshman Chayse Capps. She shows off her competitive dance background with a stunning floor routine that is also not to be missed. #3 - Sydney Sawa, Floor You can always count on Valorie Kondos Field of UCLA to create high end performances on floor. Her best work this season shines on senior Sydney Sawa. Miss Val believes in creating characters and stories behind her routines. Sawa is "having a fight with an alien serpent" as Val reveals in this interview. Prepare to be entertained! #2 - Danusia Francis Beam Joining Sawa on the list is fellow Bruin and former British World team member Danusia Francis. Danusia's gymnastics has an almost indescribable effervescent quality to it. She simply floats on beam while exuding calm confidence. She draws you in with gorgeous flexibility and her signature "sprinkle fingers". Then, she hits you in the face with the most unique and difficult beam dismount you will see in Birmingham - a standing aerial sideways across the beam connected into a back layout full twist. Danusia made a name for herself during last year's NCAA Event Finals when she became the first collegiate gymnast to perform the standing aerial in this fashion. This year, she's taken it to the next level and has been incredibly consistent with the combination all season, even earning a perfect ten.  #1 - Lloimincia Hall Floor Never has a floor routine generated so much conversation! Lloimincia Hall's unorthodox choreography and crowd pleasing performance went viral after Regionals when a video of her January 31st Perfect 10 routine made the rounds on mainstream websites. It even landed her some air time on Good Morning America! This Friday's NCAA Prelims will be the first time Hall performs her routine live since all the hoopla. So, you better believe all eyes will turned to the floor as Lloimincia brings the house down with her famous dance moves and massive tumbling. It's going to be awesome! Watch Lloimincia anchor the LSU lineup, Danusia dazzle on beam, plus all the top routines from the NCAA Championships right here on Gymnastike! Sign up for Gymnastike Gold for the most extensive coverage of the NCAA Championships to date.

Apr 16, 2014

Expert Picks: 2014 NCAA Super Six

The days of dynasties in women's collegiate gymnastics are over. Since Suzanne Yoculan's Georgia Gym Dogs won five straight NCAA titles from 2005 to 2009, competitive parity has spread across collegiate gymnastics. Last season, a new team was welcomed into the elusive circle of National Champions when the University of Florida became the fifth program ever to win the coveted crown. Now, two more teams, Oklahoma and LSU, hover on the brink of their first NCAA titles.  The 2014 NCAA Women's Championships are just a couple days away and the competition is shaping up to be an all out battle. In my opinion, there are five teams with a legitimate shot at the 2014 Trophy: Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, and Utah. If OU or LSU accomplish the feat, it will go down in history as the first national title for their program. But until the final dismount hits the mat in Saturday's Super Six, all we can do is speculate. So, I've fielded my team of gymnastics experts to weigh in with their Super Six picks.  Here's how it will all go down in Birmingham: The twelve teams will face off in two preliminary sessions on Friday, April 18. The top three teams from each session will advance to Saturday's Super Six Team Finals. The scores start fresh in the Super Six. Every tenth will count, and the National Champion will be crowned.  Prelim Session 1: Oklahoma, LSU, Georgia, Michigan, Stanford, Illinois Prelim Session 2: Florida, Bama, Utah, UCLA, Nebraska, Penn State The Expert Picks Florida has fizzled in their most recent meets, but I expect Bridget Sloan and the Gators to storm back to the top of the podium in Birmingham. But as you can see, not everyone agrees. Regardless of how it shakes out, we can expect it to be an emotional fight to the finish. And you're in luck, because you can watch the glory and the heartbreak unfold right here on Gymnastike!  The Gymnastike crew heads to Birmingham on Wednesday to give gymnastics fans the most extensive coverage of an NCAA Gymnastics Championships to date! Gymnastike Gold subscribers will have exclusive access to watch top competition routines, analysis, and behind the scenes footage. Follow along as the story of the 2014 NCAA women's gymnastics Championships unfolds. Click here to sign up for Gymnastike Gold. 

Apr 15, 2014

The Super Six: The Only Meet that Matters

Kim Jacob of Alabama on beam at the 2013 NCAA Championships. Photo by GymShark. In less than one week, twelve teams from across the nation will convene at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex to settle the score (literally) proving who is the best of the best at the 2014 NCAA Gymnastics Championships. The University of Alabama plays host to this year’s storied event. And after an exciting Regional round, the fight for the Super Six and that National title is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Day one of competition will unfold in two semifinal rounds: Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Stanford will take center stage at 1PM, with Florida, Nebraska, Penn State, UCLA, Utah, and host team Alabama following to round out the meet at 7PM. While the semifinals will surely bring their own set of drama and explosive action, each team marches into the National arena with one goal in mind: the Super Six.  The Super Six holds a long tradition of turning skilled teams into gymnastics legend. As of 2014, only five teams can take claim to the title of National Champions. Georgia, Alabama Utah, UCLA, and most recently Florida each carry their own legacies of national triumphs and all five will be returning to the 2014 Championships. Coach Suzanne Yoculan watches as her team poses with their 5th straight trophy in 2009. The University of Georgia was nearly synonymous with National Champs in the early 2000s when under the tutelage of Suzanne Yoculan the GymDogs took home the trophy five years in a row. In recent seasons, the GymDogs encountered some restructuring and fresh faces as Head Coach Danna Durante leads the team to the second Nationals in her two years with the program.  UCLA led by Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field brings a team that contains less depth than the coaching squad prefers as a result of injuries, but a team that certainly does not lack in heart or fight. “Our team has actually been more cohesive than I have experienced in years past” Kondos states, “It’s been a very rewarding year for us as coaches.” UCLA will rely on several strong practices in recent weeks to earn their spot into this year’s Super Six. The notable coaching duo of Greg and Megan Marsden head one of the strongest squads Utah has seen in recent years to the Alabama National. Utah marches into the arena currently ranked first in the nation on the floor exercise, and their semifinal rotation schedule may very well play in their favor when trying to establish their place in the Super Six final. Starting on the bars, Utah will end with their two strongest events—floor and vault—last. As scores typically increase throughout the night, those few tenths may prove all the difference into Utah’s advancement. Host team Alabama gains the advantage of competing at home, but after a near storybook year, that benefit may not even be necessary. Head Coach Sarah Patterson comes off a grand Regional experience where she nabbed her 1,000th win and became only the second women’s NCAA coach to do so, and the fastest to the feat.  Alabama also enters their 32nd Championships, the longest qualification of run of any NCAA women’s gymnastics program. Despite over three decades of National appearances, Patterson assures, “It never gets old.” The Crimson Tide hopes to reclaim the national title after forfeiting their reign at last year’s Championships. Finally, University of Florida returns to the competition as defending National Champs. Florida arrives in Birmingham ranked first and the favorite to take home the trophy. But a rocky showing at the State College Regional makes some wonder if the Gator’s momentum could possibly be slowing down. Established coach Rhonda Faehn brings a talented squad that also features 2013 NCAA All Around Champion Bridget Sloan all looking to defend their title and create their own streak as National Champions. These five teams are not the only ones racing toward National glory, though. The 2014 season brought new blood challenging the supremacy of the previous National Champs. The LSU Tigers proved fierce competition during the regular season and notched over a 198.0 two times on their road to Nationals. If momentum plays a role then the Tigers appear in prime form as they come off of a huge 198.325 at the Baton Rouge Regional, tying for the highest team score of the 2014 season.  Big XII conference champions Oklahoma also nips impressively at the heels of the competition. Head Coach K.J. Kindler brings a team that excels in execution. Clean lines and flawless form makes the Sooners a real contender to the leaderboard. Coach Kindler also believes this team encountered challenges and a Championship atmosphere throughout the regular season making them especially equipped to handle the chaos that is a Championship competition. But the true nature of the competition reveals itself when you look at the competition field as a whole. The veteran Michigan squad led by six seniors view Nationals as a “now or never” moment for their program, while Illinois boasts building a Championship culture throughout the entire season. Nebraska Head Coach Dan Kendig said it right when he stated, “In this Championships, no one can make mistakes and feel like they can move on.” In a sport that begs for perfection, the 2014 NCAA Championships are shaping up to reward only those who able to chase and obtain nothing short of excellence. The beauty of sport lies in the knowledge that at any moment the miraculous could occur. The 2014 National Championships is up for grabs once more and with a more evenly matched playing field than ever before, there can be no doubt that memories will be made for numerous athletes this weekend. Follow the action all weekend right here on Gymnastike as we provide the most extensive NCAA Championship coverage to date. Gymnastike Gold subscirbers will have access to watch top competition routines, analysis, and exlusive footage from Birmingham. Click here to sign up for Gymnastike Gold. 

Apr 13, 2014

Lloimincia Hall Goes Viral

If you follow Gymnastike regularly, you have definitely seen us feature Lloimincia Hall's floor routine multiple times per season. Gymnastics fans either love it or hate it, and we LOVE it! No one commits to a showstopping performance quite like Lloimincia, and she somehow manages to stick sky-high tumbling while she's at it.  Now that Lloimincia is in her junior season at LSU and scored five perfect 10's on floor, the rest of the world is FINALLY taking notice. Seriously, it's about time.  Lloimincia's January 31st perfect 10 against Alabama is the featured video on totalsororitymove.com, and making the rounds across the internet. They have dubbed her as "The Baddest Athlete of All Time". Screengrab from totalsororitymove.com:  Thank you, Lloimincia for bringing a smile to our faces every time you step on the floor, and putting collegiate gymnastics on the map, not to mention on the Facebook pages of my friends who have never even watched gymnastics! What's not to love?   We even caught the judges getting in on the Lloimincia love during LSU's senior night. The first judge shown at 0:30 and 1:25 in this video of her March 15th routine is smiling, while the other judge shown at 0:55 dancing along! We dare you not to smile as you watch this video of Lloimincia Hall's PERFECT 10 floor routine at the 2014 Metroplex Challenge:  Watch more videos of Lloimincia Hall on Gymnastike

Apr 8, 2014