During the offseason, it can be difficult to keep up with all the news and training updates happening across the teams. So each week, we will provide a curation of the most exciting upgrades, as well as other important news happening in the college gym world. Note the majority of the training updates highlighted will feature new skills and not someone training their same routine from the past season, for example.
Finally, note we are only able to share links to updates posted on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and not Instagram Stories or Snapchat. However, we will try to note any clips of note that we see on those disappearing platforms.
Skyler Sheppard Back in Action
After transferring to Auburn for the 2018 season, Skyler Sheppard was relatively MIA after just two appearances on floor. She posted this layout-stepout beam mount to her Instagram, showing that she’s ready and raring to go for 2019.
Arkansas Adds Two
To round out what was a relatively small freshman class, Arkansas announced the addition of Bailey Lovett and Savannah Pennese to the squad.
Nicole Curler Gets Married
Michigan State alumna and associate head coach Nicole Curler was married over the weekend. Her married name is Jones.
Ball State Freshmen Making Moves
Voluntary practice is underway at Ball State, and the freshmen are already working hard. Sandra Elsadek is working her full-in, and Marissa Nychyk is showing off her new triple series.
North Carolina Adds Emma Sibson to Staff
Former Penn State gymnast Emma Sibson will be joining the North Carolina coaching staff as assistant coach.
Temple Freshman Upgrades
Temple freshman Lorianna Leynes showcases some upgrades on her Instagram, training a Tkatchev on bars and a layout stepout + layout on beam.
McKenna Kelley Back in Action
LSU senior McKenna Kelley faced her fear and is finally training the skill she tore her Achilles on, a full-twisting double back.
Becky Rosza Gets Married
Southern Utah junior Becky Rosza was recently married. Her married name is Thompson.
Lauryn Mattson Medically Retires
Arizona senior Lauryn Mattson announced her medical retirement on her Instagram account. Mattson was a staple in the vault and floor lineups during her three seasons as a Wildcat.
Instagram Story and Snapchat Roundup
Nia Dennis Trains Upgrades
UCLA sophomore Nia Dennis posted two exciting upgrades to Snapchat. Most notably, she’s training a front handspring + front layout through to double arabian. The Bruin also posted progress on her Yurchenko one and a half, landing it controlled on a pit mat. It’s the most viable we’ve seen the vault thus far.
Grace Garcia is Back in Action
Stanford sophomore Grace Garcia looks to be back to full health as she is working on her floor choreography. Garcia missed the entire 2018 season due to an ankle injury.
Gracie Kramer Shows Off Double Twisting Yurchenko
UCLA junior Gracie Kramer showcased a double-twisting Yurchenko vault in the pit while training back at her home gym Wildlife Gymnastics. Whether she sticks to a layout or tucked Yurchenko one and a half or decides to upgrade this upcoming season remains to be seen.
Ona Loper Trains Ray
Minnesota sophomore Ona Loper, who is coming back from a midseason Achilles injury, is training a Ray. She did not compete a single bar release in 2018, opting for the Maloney-Pak combo.
Casey Betts is Tumbling
Minnesota junior Casey Betts, who has struggled with knee injuries, is tumbling. She posted a simple roundoff back handspring back tuck to her Instagram Story. If she can tumble, she’ll likely be available for bars where the Gophers need depth the most.
Anna-Maria Kanyai Training Shang
Bowling Green freshman Anna-Maria Kanyai is training a big Shang (piked Hindorff). The Czech transplant should be an exciting addition for the Falcons.
Leslie Delgado Training Hindorff
Because one big release deserves another, Bowling Green’s Leslie Delgado is working on a Hindorff. Look out for that Falcons bar rotation this year.
Article by the editors of College Gym News
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