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
The Wilberforce Gymnastics Team Will Compete in the 2024-2025 Season
Originally slated to make its competitive debut in the 2025-2026 season, Wilberforce will start competing a year early. It has brought on a number of athletes from Talladega, following the dissolution of its program after one season due to funding issues. The Bulldogs will join Fisk as one of two HBCUs with collegiate gymnastics programs.
Jordan Chiles to Return to UCLA for 2024-2025 Season
UCLA gymnast and two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles announced on The Today Show that she will return to compete for UCLA for her last two years of eligibility.
Jordan Chiles’ Bronze Medal in the Olympic Floor Final is Appealed
The inquiry filed on behalf of Jordan Chiles following her routine in the Olympic floor final was appealed by the Romanian federation. This situation is ongoing.
Olympic Corner
- Suni Lee, former Auburn gymnast and current Olympic all-around bronze medalist, took home bronze in the uneven bars final.
- Former Alabama gymnast and three-time Olympian Shallon Olsen finished 8th in the vault final for team Canada.
Other Newsworthy Items
- University of Maryland announced that former Maryland gymnast Jill Fisher-Galli will be inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame this fall.
- Oregon State gymnast Jade Carey announced her return to the NCAA to complete her final year of eligibility following the Olympics.
- Former Alabama gymnast Aja Sims-Fletcher joins the Fighting Illini as their new assistant coach. Sims-Fletcher was head coach of the Talladega gymnastics team before the program was discontinued due to financial constraints following just one year of competition.
- Former UNH gymnast Alyssa Worthington was announced as the Wildcats new assistant coach.
Transfer News
- Following the dissolution of Talladega College’s gymnastics team, former Talladega gymnasts Mackenzie Butler, Jaidyn Bryant, Diamond Cook, Promise Jean-Marie, Nishayla Riley, and Kiora Peart-Williams transferred to Wilberforce to continue their collegiate careers. Former commits Emily Herrera and Saniah Smith announced their commitment changes to Wilberforce.
- Former Talladega gymnast Jamilia Duffus transferred to Alaska on a full-athletic scholarship.
- Former Talladega gymnast Kyrstin Johnson transferred to Temple for her three years of remaining eligibility.
Training Updates
- Florida sophomore Alyssa Arana is training a front aerial to switch leap combination on beam.
- Michigan freshman Jahzara Swaby-Ranger is training a double layout dismount on bars.
- Minnesota sophomore Sophie Swartzmiller is training a piked Jaeger to bail connection on bars.
- NC State junior Madeline Reid is training a hop grip change to Jaeger on bars.
- Florida senior Sloane Blakely is training a full-in onto mats on floor.
- Michigan sophomore Ava Jordan is training a side gainer full dismount on beam.
- Ithaca sophomore Lauren Babineaux is training a blind change to piked Jaeger on bars
- Arizona senior Elizabeth LaRusso is training a front toss to back tuck series on beam. She missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair her UCL.
- Michigan sophomore Haylen Zabrowski is training a full-twisting double layout dismount on bars onto a mat in the pit. She was previously training it into the pit without a mat.
READ THIS NEXT: Proposed Changes to NCAA Women’s Gymnastics and What We Think About Them
Article by the editors of College Gym News
