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 Storylines
Talladega Cuts Women’s Gymnastics Program
Talladega announced it will cut its gymnastics program after just one year of competition. The school as a whole appears to be struggling financially, having failed to pay its employees on time last month. Efforts have begun to raise money for the program in hopes of reinstating it.
Former LIU Gymnasts Allege Misconduct in Program
Several former LIU gymnasts, some named and some anonymous, posted a statement to Instagram containing their stories of misconduct in the program, with most involving head coach Randy Lane. Since the program’s first season in 2021, the Sharks have had multiple roster removals each year.
Olympic Corner
- Former Denver gymnast and current Penn State assistant coach Lynnzee Brown, who will represent Haiti at the Olympics, appeared on CBS News to discuss her journey in the sport. She also showed custom training leotards from Ozone, who will outfit her for the Olympics.
- UCLA senior Emma Malabuyo’s journey to becoming an Olympian for the Philippines was featured on NCAA.com.
Other Newsworthy Items
- Former Boise State gymnast Adriana Popp will join the Broncos coaching staff as an assistant.
- Former Washington gymnast Brenna Brooks will join the coaching staff at Iowa as an assistant. She’ll reunite with Jen Llewellyn who served as both her head coach and co-coach during her time at Washington.
- Former Auburn gymnast and U.S. Olympian Sunisa Lee is partnering with the Kidney Fund for their #KnowYourKidneys initiative, which seeks to educate and empower those with kidney disease.
- Nebraska senior Ayzhia Hall participated an experience called B1G Life: Selma to Montgomery, where she visited historical sites and museums in the area and conversed with others about their experiences.
- LSU fifth-year Sierra Ballard represented LSU at the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council in Dallas along with Arkansas senior Maddie Jones.
- Makenna Smith represented Utah at the Big 12 SAAC Leadership Forum.
- Southern Connecticut announced that it will stream its meets on SCSU Athletics & Recreation’s YouTube Channel this season.
Transfer News
- Former Lindenwood gymnast Leah Parton transferred to SEMO. She has three years of eligibility remaining.
- Former Northern Illinois gymnast Jenna Blair transferred to Arizona State for her senior year.
Training Updates
- Oklahoma sophomore Hannah Scheible is training a handspring layout half vault.
- North Carolina sophomore Camryn Rueda is training a blind to double front dismount on bars.
- Utah State sophomore Nyla Morabito is training bars after only competing vault and floor in 2024.
- Auburn freshman Olivia Ahern is training a front double full on floor and a front aerial to split jump on beam.
- Oklahoma freshman Addison Fatta is training a Church to Pak combination on bars, as well as a double layout dismount.
- Illinois senior Emmalise Nock is training a standing layout stepout on beam.
- Minnesota junior Seria Johnson is training a side somi and a gainer front full dismount on beam.
- Illinois freshman Marly Esteves is training a Yurchenko one and a half vault.
- Iowa sophomore Katelyn Wiederspahn is training a blind full to Delchev connection on bars.
- Rutgers freshman Lisa Chevaire is training a Yurchenko one and a half on vault, a full-twisting double layout dismount on bars, and a full-in on floor.
- UCLA sophomore Paige Anastasi is training a piked jaeger on bars.
- Eastern Michigan fifth-year Ella Chemotti is training two front aerials to a back handspring layout step out layout step out on beam.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
