The 2017 World Championships concluded on Sunday in Montreal. Five present and future NCAA gymnasts participated in the event, representing five different universities and three countries. We’re here to bring you these gymnasts’ results on the international stage.
Cathy Eksteen (BB / FX) – Washington 2021
Eksteen was selected for the South African worlds squad to compete beam, but when a teammate became ill she added floor as well, scoring 11.166 on that event. She scored a 10.766 on beam, unfortunately touching the apparatus during a wolf turn but showed a great leap series and double twist dismount. She won’t be starting at Washington until the fall of 2020, but in the meantime she’s hoping for a shot to represent South Africa at the Olympics that summer.
Courtney McGregor (VT1 / VT2 / UB / BB / FX) – Boise State sophomore
McGregor took a week off from classes at Boise State to represent her native New Zealand at worlds. She finished 50th in the qualifying standings in the all around, with a few problems on beam but great routines on floor and bars. Her strongest event was vault, where she competed a great Yurchenko full and a powerful Podkopayeva to finish 25th. Her Podkopayeva is a third 10.0 vault option for when Courtney returns to collegiate competition this winter, adding to the Yurchenko 1.5 she’s previously competed and a Yurchenko double from her prior elite days.
Jade Carey (VT1 / VT2 / FX) – Oregon State 2019
Carey solidified her status as one of the United States’ biggest stars with two silver medals at worlds. She qualified securely into event finals for both of her events and held her nerve to win two silver medals. Her vaults looked easier than ever in podium training and qualifying, and only a bound forward out of her Amanar in the final separated her from eventual champion Maria Paseka. She shined in the floor final too, securing second with one of the highest floor scores of the championships.
Ragan Smith (VT / UB / BB / FX) – Oklahoma 2020
Smith’s first worlds was a challenging one. She struggled some in qualifying, missing a cast on bars and stumbling off beam, but still managing to qualify to the floor and all around finals in strong positions. Unfortunately, just before the all around final, Smith hurt her ankle vaulting in the warm up gym and was forced to withdraw.
Morgan Hurd (VT / UB / BB / FX) – Florida 2020
The star of the championships was world all around champion Hurd. She was unshaken by her teammate Smith’s misfortune, as well as a fall on floor in qualifying, and competed fearlessly against strong competition. She went on to earn a silver medal on beam as well, impressing with her difficult and clean routine.
Article by Rebecca Scally
