National Team Rankings – January 2018

January 1, 2018 balancebeamsituation 6 Comments

How It Works
Taking into account all scores recorded at competitions in the last six months, each nation is given a team total based on how its best-scoring group of five senior gymnasts would do in a hypothetical 3-up, 3-count team final.

Each individual’s best scores may come from any official competition (they need not all be from the same meet), and whichever group of five gymnasts would produce the highest score is the one selected.

Countries that have not shown enough senior routines in the last six months to fill a 3-up, 3-count team on each event are not included.

Rankings will be updated on the 1st of each month, and scores will expire after six months in order to provide the most up-to-date snapshot of where nations are at the current moment. These current rankings include only scores from July 2017–December 2017, and now that 2018 has arrived, the newly senior 2002 babies have been added, noted with a “(2002)” next to their names.

Entering the rankings this month were Poland, Belarus, Croatia, Latvia, Greece, Bulgaria, Bolivia, and Cyprus, while leaving the rankings were Cuba, Puerto Rico, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama, temporarily without enough scores on each event in the last six months to put together a team.

Last month’s ranking is in parentheses. Continue reading National Team Rankings – January 2018 →

Season Preview

2018 NCAA Roster Notes

December 31, 2017 balancebeamsituation 8 Comments

OKLAHOMA
*Seniors*
Natalie Brown	BB FX	Competes BB, FX every week #2 returning BB score (9.910), #4 returning FX score (9.870)
Stefani Catour	VT UB BB	Competed UB, BB each week in 2017 #3 returning BB score (9.880), #4 returning UB score (9.900)
Samantha Craus	UB	Competed 1 UB routine in 2017 for 9.850
AJ Jackson	VT UB BB FX	Competed VT, FX in every meet in 2017 #2 returning FX score (9.960), #3 returning VT score (9.900) Can provide backup UB, BB when needed
*Juniors*
Brenna Dowell	VT UB FX	Competed VT, UB, FX every meet in 2017 #2 returning score on VT (9.935), #3 returning score on FX (9.910), UB (9.905)
Ashley Hiller	VT FX	Transfer from Florida Competed 4 FXs, 1 VT in first two years
Nicole Lehrmann	VT UB BB	Staple of UB, BB lineups in 2017 #2 returning score on UB (9.910) 2017 peaks of 10.000 (UB), 9.925 (BB)
Alex Marks	VT FX	Competed VT regularly in 2017 for 9.815 RQS Performed 1 FX in 2016 for 9.700
*Sophomores*
Jade DeGouveia	VT FX	Made final 2017 VT lineup with 9.830 RQS 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Maggie Nichols	VT UB BB FX	#1 nationally in AA in 2017 #1 team score on each event in 2017 No RQS lower than 9.955
Brehanna Showers	VT UB BB FX	Did not show competition routine in 2017 due to injury
*Freshmen*
Jordan Draper	BB FX	Empire 12th UB & FX, 2016 JO Nationals, Senior D
Abigail Matthews	UB	Cincinnati 5th UB, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior D
Evy Schoepfer	VT BB	Triad 2nd AA, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior E 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Anastasia Webb	VT UB BB FX	IGI 7th AA, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior E 10.0-start Omelianchik on VT
Carly Woodard		Fuzion 22nd AA, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior F

FLORIDA
*Seniors*
Kennedy Baker	VT UB BB FX	Competed AA 7 times in 2017 #1 returning score on FX (9.945) 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT 2017 peaks of 10.000 (FX), 9.925 (VT, BB), 9.900 (UB)
Grace McLaughlin	UB BB FX	Performed weekly BB, FX in 2017 13 for 13 on BB Competed 4 UBs for 9.800 avg
Alex McMurtry	VT UB BB FX	#1 returning score on VT (9.950), UB (9.930), BB (9.925) Competes FX at ends of seasons 10.0-start DTY on VT 2017 peak of 10.000 (VT, UB, FX), 9.950 (BB)
Rachel Slocum	VT FX	VT/FX specialist #2 returning score on VT (9.945) 10.0-start handspring pike 1/2 on VT
*Juniors*
Alicia Boren	VT UB BB FX	Competed AA every week in 2017 #1 returning score on FX (9.945) Top-4 team score on each event in 2017 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Amanda Cheney	VT BB	Competed 5 BBs, 1 VT in 2017 Provides backup option on both events
*Sophomores*
Sierra Alexander	VT FX	Competed 7 VTs in 2017 for 9.800 avg Can provide backup FX
Maegan Chant	VT UB FX	Made final 2017 UB lineup for 9.820 Competed 4 VTs (9.831 avg), 2 FXs (1 hit) Can provide 10.0-start Tsuk 1/1 on VT
Rachel Gowey	VT UB BB FX	Made final 2017 lineups on UB, BB Competed AA in 6 meets #3 returning score on BB (9.895)
Amelia Hundley	VT UB BB FX	Competed AA in all but one meet in 2017 #2 returning score on UB (9.925) Top-4 team score on each event in 2017
*Freshmen*
Alyssa Baumann	VT UB BB FX	WOGA 2014 World Championship team 7th AA, 2016 US Nationals
Vanasia Bradley		Splitz Junior elite, 2013 6th VT, 2013 Junior Classic
Jazzy Foberg	VT UB BB FX	MG Elite 2014 US Junior National Champion
Megan Skaggs	VT UB BB FX	Gym Academy Atlanta Elite, 2012-2015 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Nicole Webb	BB	Sonshine 3rd BB, 2017 Region 8s, Senior C

LSU
*Seniors*
Myia Hambrick	VT UB BB FX	Ranked 8th nationally in AA in 2017 Top-3 for LSU on each event Can VT a 10.0-start Y1.5 Will contribute AA in 2018
Lauren Li	BB	Competed 5 BB routines in 2017 for 9.755 avg
Erin Macadaeg	VT UB BB FX	Evergreen BB leadoff for 9.900 RQS in 2017 Can provide VT as needed Competed FX once in 2016 for 9.950
Kylie Moran		Has not competed a routine in first three years
*Juniors*
Julianna Cannamela	VT UB BB FX	Competed 7 VTs in 2017 for 9.829 RQS Can provide backup routines on all four pieces as needed
Sarah Finnegan	VT UB BB FX	Added AA in 2017, competing all four events in 7 meets Team’s top BB routine (9.945)
McKenna Kelley		Will miss 2018 season with torn Achilles
Lexie Priessman	VT UB BB FX	Anchored UB in 2017 for 9.925 RQS CGA Legs limit contributions on other events Will contribute VT, FX when able
*Sophomores*
Kennedi Edney	VT UB BB FX	Likely AA in 2018 Stars on VT with Y1.5 for 9.910 RQS RQS of at least 9.870 on all events
Ruby Harrold	VT UB FX	Competed regular VT, UB in 2017 Performs Y1.5 on VT Looking to add FX for 2018
Ashlyn Kirby	VT UB BB FX	Competed 1 FX for 9.625 in 2017
*Freshmen*
Reagan Campbell	UB BB	Texas Dreams 5th AA at 2016 JO Nationals, Senior D
Bridget Dean	BB FX	Orlando Metro 8th AA at 2015 JO Nationals, Senior A
Christina Desiderio	VT BB FX	Expected to contribute on at least two pieces right away Parkettes 12th at 2016 Olympic Trials
Sami Durante	UB BB	Georgia Elite 6th UB at 2017 JO Nationals, Senior E Expected to contribute on UB
Sarah Edwards	VT	Will contribute VT with Y1.5 Lanier’s
Olivia Gunter		North Shore 2017 Louisiana State FX champ
Gracen Standley	UB	Cincinnati 2017 Ohio state UB champ, Senior B

ALABAMA
*Seniors*
Mackenzie Brannan	UB BB	Returned mid-2017 on UB for 9.820 RQS AA in 2016, including 10.0 start VT
Nickie Guerrero	VT BB FX	Team’s top routine on BB, VT #4 nationally on BB in 2017 (9.945) Occasional FX each season
Jennie Loeb	UB FX	Has not competed in first three seasons
Kiana Winston	VT UB BB FX	#4 nationally in AA in 2017 High of 9.9 on VT, 9.950 on UB/BB, 10 on FX
*Juniors*
Abby Armbrecht	VT UB BB FX	VT every week in 2017 for 9.835 Can provide an option on each event Adding DLO on FX for 2018
Angelina Giancroce	UB BB FX	Missed 2017 with injury Occasional UB (9.792), FX (9.635) in 2016
Ari Guerra	VT UB FX	Weekly FX for 9.870 in 2017 Can contribute UB as needed Attempting to add Omelianchik on VT
*Sophomores*
Wynter Childers	VT UB BB FX	Made final 2017 lineup on VT, BB, FX High RQS of 9.865 on BB Can provide any event for 9.8s as needed
Maddie Desch	VT BB FX	Regular late-lineup routine on VT, BB, FX RQS of 9.845 (VT), 9.850 (BB), 9.905 (FX) Has 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Peyton Ernst	BB	Transfer from Florida Ineligible to compete in 2017 Weekly BB in 2016 for 9.860
Shea Mahoney	VT UB FX	Made final 2017 UB lineup for 9.860 Expected to add VT for 2018
*Freshmen*
Kylie Dickson	VT UB FX	All-Olympia Super from Belarus 2nd UB, 6th VT at 2017 JO Nationals, Senior F Competed DTY in 2017 JO season
Lexi Graber	VT UB BB FX	CEGA Scored 10.0 on VT (Y1.5) at 2017 JO Nationals Will provide option on each event
Bailey Key	VT UB BB FX	Texas Dreams 2013 junior national champion Currently working UB, BB Has not shown VT, FX in preseason
Alonza Klopfer	BB FX	North Stars 4th AA at 2017 JO Nationals, Senior E

Continue reading 2018 NCAA Roster Notes →

Season Preview

2018 Outlook – Denver Pioneers

December 27, 2017 balancebeamsituation 1 Comment

DENVER ROSTER 2018
*Seniors*
Nikole Addison	VT UB BB FX	#1 returning FX routine (9.915), weekly VT Made final 2017 BB lineup Can provide UB as needed
Claire Hammen	BB FX	Returned on FX at end of 2017 for 9.796 avg Competed BB in 2016 for 9.835
Leah Lomonte (redshirt)	UB	Weekly UB for 9.850 in 2017
*Juniors*
Grace Broadhurst		Did not compete in first two years
Diana Chesnok	VT UB BB	#1 returning UB routine (9.880) Can provide backup VT as needed Competed BB 4 times in 2016
Claire Kern	UB FX	Weekly UB for 9.840 in 2017 Provided 6th FX routine in a pinch as needed
Kaitlyn Schou	VT BB FX	Staple of VT, BB, FX lineups through 2017 #2 returning BB routine (9.880)
*Sophomores*
Maddie Karr	VT UB BB FX	#10 nationally in AA in 2017 #1 returning VT (9.930), BB (9.890) score 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT
Courtney Loper	BB FX	Made final BB, FX lineups in 2017 RQS of at least 9.800 on both
*Freshmen*
Lynnzee Brown	VT UB BB FX	GAGE 2nd AA, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior F 10.0-start Y1.5 on VT Expected on at least 3 events in 2018
Emily Glynn	VT UB BB FX	Airborne 5th VT, 8th UB, 2017 Region 3s, Senior E 10.0-start Tsuk 1/1 on VT
Mia Sundstrom	VT UB BB FX	Airborne 11th VT, 2017 JO Nationals, Senior E

Recent History
2017 – 9th
2016 – 15th
2015 – 15th
2014 – 18th
2013 – 20th
2012 – 23rd
2011 – 17th
2010 – 15th

Expectations are high and hopes higher for Denver in 2018 after the program-best 9th-place finish in 2017. Is the new record already in danger?

This remains a very small roster, so any concerns about not living up to the standard set last season revolve around whether enough depth exists to fill out a good six on each piece. At the same time, a freshman class of three all-arounders has arrived, the strengths of which should address some of the weaknesses from last season, meaning there’s every reason to anticipate improvement in 2018.

Now that Denver has been officially invited to join the cool kids table, there’s no excuse not to stay.

Vault
Lineup locks
Karr (9.930), Brown (FR), Glynn (FR), Sundstrom (FR)
Lineup options
Addison (9.830), Schou (9.830), Chesnok (9.650)

Denver managed to finish quite well on vault last year, but many meets throughout the season featured just five (or five and a half) vaulters—not an ideal setup. Depth will be tested once again this season with exactly six first-choice competitors, but the addition of some new 10.0 starts should increase the potential total.

Karr‘s weekly 9.9 for her Y1.5 will not have to perform as much of the heavy lifting in 2018 because it will have a partner in Brown, who is nearly equally adept at the 1.5. Glynn has added a Tsuk 1/1 to her repertoire, which should complete the vaulting top three and keep things more regularly in the 49.3 zone when partnered with very 9.8able Yfulls from Addison, Schou, and Sundstrom. Continue reading 2018 Outlook – Denver Pioneers →

Stuff and Nonsense

Things Are Happening – December 22, 2017

December 22, 2017 balancebeamsituation 24 Comments

A. Maroney

The big news this week: In December 2016, USAG and Maroney signed a nondisclosure agreement in which USAG paid Maroney in exchange for her silence over being abused by That Guy. Because USAG is so proud of these brave victims. Remember: at USA Gymnastics, nothing is more important than ~~the safety of the athletes~~ making sure you never find out.

It turns out that under California law, that agreement is possibly illegal because a victim of child sexual abuse cannot be forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement as part of a settlement, but what’s mostly come out is that a lot of people were very interested in using Maroney as a strategic pawn without any attention to her well being.

Here’s what I’m thinking about: As recently as last December— so AFTER the story had come out and several lawsuits had been filed—Cosplay Chris Christie was still focused only on playing damage control with the potential public relations fallout. Boy, your ship had already sunk. Where did you think this was going? It’s so revealing about the heart of the sickness. “It’s not that bad if Jamie Dantzscher was abused because she’s not famous, but if they find out about Maroney, we could really be in trouble.”

B. Vika’s back

Phew. The year’s final competition, the Voronin Cup, brought us a special present, the return of Viktoria Komova to competition. She finished second in the all-around behind Melnikova in what was very much a “testing the waters” performance. She elected not to participate in the event finals and did not yet have full, I’m-trying routine composition. Because it’s the beginning.

For example, this #ButHerInbars bars routine is just a piddly little 4.7 because she has too many toe-on skills, meaning the toe-on 1/1 gets no credit and therefore does not fulfill the full-turn composition requirement. This is not a set designed to get a score. It’s a set designed to be something she can go out and do. It’s also ridiculously gorgeous until the “no me gusta giant swings” moment.