There’s a lot that happens on the gymternet each week. So much so that it can be hard to keep track of it all. From training updates and COVID news to recruiting rumors and coaching announcements, we don’t blame you for missing some important points here and there.
But that’s where we come in. Last Week in College Gym is your one-stop shop for all the important headlines from the previous week in college gymnastics. No matter if you’re taking a social media break, went on vacation or just don’t have the capacity to follow every single gymnast, team and fan, we have you covered.
Top Storylines
Alyssa Beckerman Makes Accusations Against Miss Val
The former UCLA gymnast, who competed for the Bruins in 2001 and 2002, has addressed her grievances in a long letter to former head coach Valorie Kondos Field, in which she makes detailed allegations of abuse of power, bullying and manipulation.
Ruby Harrold Alleges Mistreatment by British Gymnastics Head Coach
The British Olympian, who recently graduated from LSU, is one of two gymnasts to have accused British Gymnastics head coach Amanda Reddin of abuse, including using “excessive force,” leaving them hungry and presiding over a “culture of fear.”
Alexis Beucler Shares Story of Abuse During Elite and NCAA Career
The NC State alumna, who graduated in 2020, has written a long statement, in which she alleges mistreatment and abuse by both her club coach Mary Lee Tracy and NC State head coach Kim Landrus. During her time in Raleigh, Beucler claims that she was repeatedly silenced when she wished to share her story of abuse in elite gymnastics and to support other victims, and was forced to train despite injuries.
Other Newsworthy Items
- In an interview with The New York Times, Auburn commit Sunisa Lee explained that she was forced to take two weeks off training after developing COVID-like symptoms. The Olympic hopeful eventually tested negative for the virus and was relieved to be able to regain her skills quickly once back in the gym.
- UCLA’s team videographer Deanna Hong has released the penultimate episode of the series UCLA Gymnastics: The New Era, which focuses on the mental and physical problems experienced by graduates Anna Glenn and Madison Kocian during their careers as Bruins.
- In an important episode, this week’s issue of the Half In, Half Out podcast discusses victim shaming in gymnastics and Beckerman’s allegations.
- North Carolina senior Lily Dean was awarded the first Derek and Debra Galvin Gymnastics scholarship, a $100,000 endowed scholarship which is part of the FORevHER Tar Heel’s women’s initiative. According to the release, she was selected for this honor “as a team leader who embodies the Galvins’ character, values and beliefs.”
- Alabama junior Shallon Olsen, who is also training elite to represent Canada at next year’s Tokyo Olympics, explained in an interview that she will take online classes this fall and will return to Tuscaloosa only in December in time for the NCAA season.
Training Updates
- Kentucky has posted a series of training videos both on Instagram and on Instagram Stories. Junior Josie Angeny is training a full-twisting double back on floor and a Yurchenko 1.5 on vault; freshman Isabella Magnelli showed off a front aerial on beam and another freshman, Hailey Davis, a double tuck on floor.
- UCLA junior Margzetta Frazier has shown off a full-twisting double layout off bars in an Instagram Story.
- Georgia sophomore Soraya Hawthorne is training a unique beam series, as per her Instagram Story: front toss to one knee to front toss to split jump.
- Georgia has also posted a series of training videos to its Instagram Story. Junior Sterlyn Austin is training a front full twist to front layout on floor; junior Emily Schild is back swinging bars with a beautiful Ray; sophomore Haley DeJong performed a beautiful BHS + LOSO + LOSO series on beam; junior Rachel Baumann showed off a beat jump + straddle jump quarter to a switch side + Shushunova; and freshman Victoria Nguyen is training a candle mount on beam.
- Denver’s Alexis Vasquez is training a new tumbling pass on floor, a front full + front half + straddle jump + LOSO. The junior has yet to compete on floor for the Pioneers.
- Shylen Murakami from Southern Utah is training a new piked Jaeger on bars. Her previous competition routines have featured a straddled Jaeger.
- LSU freshman Olivia Dunne posted a Tkatchev to Pak combination to her Instagram Story. The former elite is expected to be a major contributor, particularly on bars and beam, in her first season with the Tigers.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
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