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 year announcements to recruiting rumors and coaching news, we don’t blame you for missing some important points here and there.
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 Storyline
NCAA Stars and Commits Impress at Core Hydration Classic
Understandably, the bulk of mainstream coverage surrounding the Core Hydration Classic has centered on Simone Biles’ dominant return to the competitive stage, but numerous gymnasts with NCAA ties took part in the event as well. Leanne Wong, representing the Florida Gators, placed second in the all-around behind Biles with Arkansas commit Joscelyn Roberson in third. Reigning Olympic champion and Auburn alumna Sunisa Lee placed second on beam in her first competition since being sidelined with unspecified kidney issues in March. Lee’s performance qualified her to the upcoming U.S. national championships where she’ll compete against fellow NCAA standouts Jade Carey (Oregon State), Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Kayla DiCello (Florida) and Wong.
Other Newsworthy Items
- Talladega College welcomed the members of its first gymnastics team to campus and marked the occasion with its first team picture.
- UW-Eau Claire gained another transfer this week. Previously acquiring Erin Donovan from UW-Oshkosh, Rachel Hettiarachchy is also making her way to the Blugolds after spending her freshman season with UW-La Crosse.
- Jessica Yamzon, Arkansas gymnastics alumna and former Illinois State assistant coach, was named an assistant coach at West Virginia. Prior to her time at Illinois State, Yamzon also served as the volunteer assistant coach at both Lindenwood and Arkansas.
- Incoming San Jose State freshman Marissa Ashton won USA Today’s High School Gymnast of the Year.
- Sacramento State completed its coaching staff under first-year coach Melissa Genovese by retaining Nicole Brandt and adding Megan Kyle and Amber Koeth. All four coaches are alumnae of the Hornets gymnastics program.
- Rising junior Karsyn Foster announced her transfer from LIU to BYU. Foster had season highs of 9.700 plus on three events in 2023.
Training Updates
- Rising Clemson senior Rebecca Wells posted a video of a double double into the pit.
- Rising Iowa State junior Marina Gonzalez is working wolf turns on the beam after missing the 2023 season due to ACL surgery.
- Incoming Iowa State freshman Gracie Long is working new tumbling elements on floor, including a double pike, Rudi, and a back handspring one and a half to front layout.
- Simpson rising sophomore Kaelyn Tally is training a Gienger on bars. Last season she competed on vault, beam, and floor. Will she make a push for the all-around?
- Rising Oklahoma senior Sheridan Ramsey is working a front toss to back handspring series on the beam.
- Rising Alaska junior Silje Hildebrand is training a front handspring pike half on the vault.
- Incoming Southern Utah freshman Caralia Martinez is training a front handspring to Rudi to layout step out on floor. Fellow incoming freshman Kendall McGuire is training a new free hip Maloney combination on bars.
- SEMO’s Janelle Lopez is making strong progress on her Yurchenko one and a half, while teammate Taylor Ingle is training an upgraded double layout bar dismount.
- Rising BYU junior Mina Margraf is training a front aerial to scale to gainer layout stepout combination in beam.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
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