en-us Copyright 2006-2010 Flocasts Inc Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:15:49 -0500 /assets/portal/simple30/images/logos/gymnastike-logo.gif http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10899-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnj The previews have gotten much shorter just due to a variety of factors. Here’s the weekend ahead in a nutshell. Brown is off until next week. Southern Connecticut, Temple, #31 Maryland at Penn Friday 7pm, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA SCSU and Temple had a close meet against each other last week, and Penn continues to improve their scoring week to week. Maryland is one of the top teams on the eastern seaboard. Temple and Penn are working towards ECAC D1 Championships just two weeks from this weekend, and SCSU has their own championship meet that weekend as well. Maryland has both regionals and EAGLs to worry about. Routine Videos from my contributions to Gymnastike: SCSU: May 5 Feb 21 Feb 20 Feb 6 Jan 24 Jan 16 Temple: May 5 Penn: Ivy Classic Feb 14 Maryland: Jan 30 #29 North Carolina State at #34 New Hampshire Friday 7pm, Lundholm Gymnasium, Durham, NH The two EAGL teams will meet up in the last regular season home meet for UNH’s nine seniors. Though both teams and the rest of the EAGL will be back in Lundholm on the 27th for the championships. Both teams are currently ranked within the top 36 and hope to stay that way to lock up a bid to regionals. The Wolfpack and the Wildcats have been scoring close to each other so anything can happen in this one. Routine Videos from my contributions to Gymnastike: UNH: Feb 12 Jan 24 Jan 9 Towson, Bridgeport, Yale at Rutgers Saturday 1pm, Livingston Gymnasium, Piscataway, NJ Towson is the D1 ECAC Champion, Bridgeport is the D2 ECAC Champion and each had a close meet last weekend at UB. Each team will meet again in New Jersey as Yale and Rutgers meanwhile will likely have a close meet of their own and the individual competition among gymnasts on all four teams with a Towson’s power packed lineup going up against Bridgeport’s rotations that have been picking up higher scores in past weeks. Yale and Rutgers each are anchored by a variety high scorers as well. Routine Videos from my contributions to Gymnastike: Yale: Mar 7 Ivy Classic Feb 20 Feb 13 Feb 6 Towson: May 5 Bridgeport: Practice Visit Rutgers: Jan 30 Jan 9 ECAC Division 3 Championships Saturday 1pm, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY One of the most exciting meets of the year brings all the ECAC D3 teams together. In recent years it was usually six of the eight teams generally battling it out for the top spots and slots at D3 Nationals, though now MIT is gone, leaving SUNY Cortland, SUNY Brockport, Ithaca College, Springfield College, and Ursinus College to compete. Brockport has been on fire all season climbing both the ECAC and D3 ladder and at home gets a chance to pick up the title, but Cortland, Ithaca, Springfield, and Ursinus come loaded as well, and their RQS is very close. Plus several teams high scores come close to Brockport’s average. ECAC D3’s are generally unpredictable. Routine Videos from my contributions to Gymnastike: Springfield: Mar 7 Feb 21 Feb 13 Feb 7 Cortland: Feb 7 Ithaca: Feb 6 Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10899-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnj Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:23:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10850-perfect-100-physical-therapy-to-join-austin-sports-expo Steven At Ase March 8 at 6:43pm We are proud to announce Perfect 10.0 Physical Therapy is coming to the Austin Sports Expo! Contact us for exhibitor specials! Thanks!Steven Austin Sprots Expo512-796-7651 http://www.austinsportsexpo.com/ Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AustinSportsExpo Follow us on twitter: Perfect10PT http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10850-perfect-100-physical-therapy-to-join-austin-sports-expo Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:34:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10814-the-week-ahead-in-brief Apologies for the much shorter than usual previews. Just a matter of time constraints. Anyway, the week ahead for the region's teams is as follows: Towson, Temple, Southern Connecticut at Bridgeport University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Rec Center, 7pm Friday, March 5th. Towson is currently the ECAC Division 1 champion and their hosts Bridgeport are the reigning D2 champs in the ECAC as well, yet either of these teams could beat the other. Temple is a frequent opponent of each as well. Southern Connecticut is not only a frequent opponent of UB, and a presumed rival, but has also seen their scores rising in past weeks. Putting rankings and scoring aside it's going to be an exciting meeting between four conference teams. Additionally it will be senior night for UB's small but talented class of seniors. Brockport, Rutgers at Cornell Cornell University, Teagle Hall, 1pm Saturday March 6th The Division 3 leading Brockport Golden Eagles head to take on a fellow instate team in the Ivy Classic Champions themselves. Rutgers meanwhile crosses the border to create a meet of Scarlet vs. Red. Could be a very interesting meet for all the teams involved. Brockport has just this meet before they host ECAC Championships where they hope to win. Cornell and Rutgers meanwhile have plenty of regular season left before their respective postseasons. Yale at Springfield Springfield College, Blake Arena 1pm, Sunday, March 7th It'll be senior day at D3 Springfield, but also a day in which Gynecological Cancer awareness is promoted through the Tumble for Teal mantra attached to the meet. On the floor itself, the Yale Bulldogs are coming off an Ivy Classic with it's highs and lows, and will face a Springfield team participating in their last meet before ECAC Championships the following week. Throwing the question of who wins out the window, each team brings with it an especially exciting floor lineup and both teams should bring a lot of impact to the mat. Maryland, Michigan, and Bridgeport at Penn State Penn State University, 2pm, Sunday March 7th In a unique meet to say the least, Big Ten rivals Michigan and Penn State will meet up. These two teams, nationally ranked, also lead the northeast region. Maryland and Bridgeport have met before this season with the Terps gaining the upper hand, but this will be the rematch. UMD is capable of making a run at the two Big Ten teams as well based on past scoring. The true winner in this one will be the fans who get to see all of the action. New Hampshire at George Washington George Washington University, 2pm, Sunday March 7th The Wildcats head south the nation's capital to take on fellow EAGL team GW. These teams will be among those at the EAGL championships at UNH in a few week, but for now the meet is on George Washington's home turf. UNH has seen their scores drop in the past two road meets and would hope to keep the scoring back up towards their home numbers. Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10814-the-week-ahead-in-brief Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:31:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10744-naigc-club-gymnastics-sacred-heart-at-uconn     With conditions uncertain up in New Hampshire I cancelled my trip up there to cover the meet, but that gave me the chance to take in a club meet instead.    TOLLAND, CT- When the University of Connecticut club team started competing, Boston University hosted them in their first competitive meet, and when Sacred Heart's club team was reactivated after a lull, UConn served to host their return to action. Tri-Town Gymnastics was the scene as a group of parents and spectators gathered around each apparatus as the teams competed for the lone judge in attendance. It was a cozy event, where each team cheered for the other as they competed. UConn began the meet with the customary "UConnnnn Huskies!" chant. The Huskies were clad in blue to match the schools color, and the Pioneers from SHU wore black with red, the color of their school as well. Each team representing schools that have risen to prominence from opposite parts of the state.   The skills varied, the execution varied, but the gymnasts all made their salutes and competed, doing their best and if appearances are any indication having fun in the process. When a landing was stuck the crowd gave an appreciative clap. Each team moved through the events wrapping up on the floor, where a variety of well chosen music selections accompanied each competitor as they flipped and danced along, the floor itself ringed by the spectators.   The problem with saying that these gymnasts do it just for the love of the sport can imply that scholarship athletes at the varsity level have other motives, and who am I to judge? But turning it around, if we assume that all gymnasts do it for the love of the sport, then it is still worthy of note that these gymnasts did not only join their teams, they created them. There may not be the army of fans as one might find at Gampel or the Pitt Center any given night, but there is the appreciation of their teammates and those who made a trip into Tolland on a Saturday afternoon to watch some gymnasts do what they do.     ? Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10744-naigc-club-gymnastics-sacred-heart-at-uconn Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:17:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10734-modest-previews-for-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-gymnastics Modest previews for the week ahead. Maryland at UNH Bridgeport, Southern Connecticut, William & Mary at Rutgers Preview Temple, Springfield at West Chester Ivy Classic Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10734-modest-previews-for-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-gymnastics Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:42:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10726-perfect-100-recognized-by-texas-state-university-therapy-department Texas State University Physical Therapy Department recognized Brandi Smith-Young and Perfect 10.0 Physical Therapy as a distinguished alumni. See the below link to view the full posting. http://www.health.txstate.edu/pt/ Perfect10PT http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10726-perfect-100-recognized-by-texas-state-university-therapy-department Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:18:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10630-new-englandnew-jersey-meet-previews-feb-19-to-feb-21 Here are previews of the meets ahead this week. (May be updated later with more detail.) <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1713">NIU, Rutgers at Kent State</a><a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1722">Brown Bears at Alaska Anchorage</a><a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1710">New Hampshire at Michigan State</a><a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1718">SCSU, Bridgeport at Yale</a><a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1720">SCSU, MIT Club, at Springfield College</a> Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10630-new-englandnew-jersey-meet-previews-feb-19-to-feb-21 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:22:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10591-the-benefits-of-milk The United States Olympic Training Center has done lots of research into proper recovery after vigorous exercise. Dr. William Sands has contributed numerous publications on the subject. It has been found a mixture of whey protein, high glycemic carbohydrates (3:1 or 4:1 ratio), amino acids, and antioxidants; including Vitamin C and E take in within 30 min of exercise is optimal for proper recovery. All of these can be found in chocolate milk! Yes CHOCOLATE MILK!!! Shawn Johnson is promoting milk through the "Drink Milk for a Change" campaign. Check out the link below for more information on the benefits of milk. http://wschicago.com/MilkNBA_IPK/ ~Brandi Perfect10PT http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/10591-the-benefits-of-milk Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:27:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10562-5-ways-to-see-the-mental-game-of-olympians <!--StartFragment--> Olympic athletes have the power to inspire, motivate, and influence audiences. They are the best athletes in the world! I believe that we can learn a lot from these amazing performers, as long as we know what to look for… This blog is all about how to see the invisible game behind the performance. I encourage you to watch the Olympics with a new eye – try to gain insights into these Olympians’ performances that are not available to the average viewer. Looking at the mental game adds a new dimension to the viewing experience and heightens the excitement as you cheer for your idols and those representing the USA! So, what behaviors should you be looking for to indicate an athlete’s mental game? Here are 5 tips to help… 1) What is each athlete’s pre-performance routine? If you watch them progress through the heats, make multiple jumps, etc., then try to pick out what each athlete does just before they perform. Some examples include taking a couple deep breaths, listening to music, and using imagery while moving their arms to simulate the jump they are about to perform. 2) Listen to the athlete interviews for when they talk about how they manage the pressure that they are under or deal with their nerves. 3) Look for signs of pre-performance jitters (pacing back and forth, yawning, fidgeting, and talking to teammates or other competitors to stay loose) 4) Pay attention to the athletes’ body language and mannerisms. Do they look confident and focused or afraid and distracted? 5) After an athlete wins or loses, listen to what they attribute their success or failure to. Do they say their success results from things like their hard work and previous successful performances? Do they view their failures as a result of a mistake they can correct and say they will do better next time? I hope you enjoy looking for these new things and begin to have a greater appreciation for how these Olympic athletes are able to perform their best when it matters most! <!--EndFragment--> Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10562-5-ways-to-see-the-mental-game-of-olympians Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10553-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey Feb 12:Brown at UNH (Covering for Gymnastike) Feb 13:Springfield at Yale (Covering for Gymnastike)Brockport, Ursinus, Cortland at RutgersSCSU, Bridgeport, Towson, Ithaca at Cornell Feb 14:Bridgeport, Penn at Brown (Covering for Gymnastike) Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10553-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:05:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10464-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-up Here are links to modest previews for the week ahead in collegiate gymnastics in the region. We have a snow storm on the way but assuming it doesn't hit too hard there will be coverage as well. Coverage is confirmed at SCSU, and there might be some from Springfield. Brockport, Rutgers, Iowa State at Pitt Yale, Bridgeport, Ithaca at SCSU New Hampshire at Missouri Cortland at Springfield Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10464-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-up Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:32:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10380-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-up An absolute ton of meets going on in the region this week, here are modest previews for each of them. Wednesday January 27th, 2010 Temple at Rutgers Saturday January 30th, 2010 Penn at Yale Springfield at Ithaca Pitt at New Hampshire West Virginia, Denver, Rutgers at Maryland Sunday January 31st, 2010 SCSU, Wilson, West Chester, MIT at Brockport Bridgeport at Brown Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10380-previews-for-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-up Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:47:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10344-how-to-get-athletes-to-perform-their-best-in-competitions <!--StartFragment--> The topic for this blog is how to help athletes perform well during competitions. I will address this question from the perspective of a parent or coach. However, as a teammate, you could also benefit from reading this blog and utilize the same techniques. As a parent or coach, you play a crucial role in helping your athletes perform their best. The support you provide them is probably the most important factor that contributes to their success. The power of this emotional support should never be under estimated. Just being there to support your athletes is often enough to empower them to take positive, calculated risks and perform their very best. However, the question specifically related to how to enhance an athlete’s mental toughness for competitions. In response to this part of the question, I would suggest that the best thing you can do is encourage your athletes to use the mental skills and techniques that they have been practicing during training. For example, if an athlete has been struggling with her routine on beam, the coach could help her come up with specific cue words during training. The purpose of those cue words is to direct her attention to specific things to help her execute the skills properly (see earlier blogs “Overcoming Mental Blocks: Confidence” and “Overcoming Mental Blocks: Focus” for more information on cue words). Now, back to how to help your athletes in competitions. One key strategy is to remind your gymnast of those cue words and suggest that she use them during her warm-ups and in the competition. By encouraging and reinforcing the use of the mental skills, the athlete will be more likely to use them. This is why your supportive role is so important – because if the mental skills are not used, then they can’t help your gymnast perform better. I have also noticed that some parents and coaches struggle with the idea of over-coaching during competitions. To me, this is a sign of poor preparation in training and a lack of confidence in the athletes to know what to do to perform their best. The whole idea of training is to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be able to execute the skill well and, if necessary, make the appropriate adjustments during competitions. If the coach has to continually correct and guide the athlete during competition, then they haven’t been properly prepared during training (this may be the result of poor coaching or a lack of time to develop the necessary knowledge and skills before the competition). Remember, training is the time for correcting mistakes and working on weaknesses, while competition is the time to let yourself do what you have trained to do (execution only). Unfortunately, over-coaching tends to have the opposite effect that it is intended to have – it hurts performance instead of helps. The main reason that over-coaching is a problem is because it causes the gymnast to over-think everything. The gymnast will be thinking about what the coach or parent said they need to work on during their routine, which ultimately will mess with their timing, coordination, and execution of the skill (especially if multiple corrections are made at once). In the end, if you want your athletes to perform their best, train them well and then trust them to do what they have been trained to do in the competition. If you can’t do this, then consider revising how you conduct your training. <!--EndFragment--> Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10344-how-to-get-athletes-to-perform-their-best-in-competitions Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10265-previews-for-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-college-gymnastics-up There's a lot going in New England/New Jersey Collegiate Gymnastics this week, here is a list of previews of the various meets. January 23rd <font color="blue"> + <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1535"><font color="blue">Rutgers at Penn</a> + <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1537"><font color="blue">Iowa, Cornell, Yale at Penn State</a> <font color="black"> January 24th <font color="blue"> + <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1533"><font color="blue">Brockport at Springfield</a> + <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1539"><font color="blue">SCSU, New Hampshire, MIT Club at Brown</a> + <a href="http://gymnasticsreport.net/super/?p=1541"><font color="blue">Bridgeport, Towson, Temple at Ursinus </a> Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10265-previews-for-the-week-ahead-in-new-englandnew-jersey-college-gymnastics-up Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:57:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10237-modest-preview-for-utah-state-ball-state-yale-at-unh (Scores from Troester) Utah State, Ball State, Yale at New Hampshire Lundholm Gymnasium, Sunday, January 17th, 1PM It will be a rare meet indeed when these four teams come together. Yale and UNH are familiar opponents, but Utah State and Ball State are certainly not. It could be a close meet between teams spread across the country. It will be the second meet in three days for Utah State. Ball State continues a string of road meets. Yale will be looking to open up their season with a new lineup following the graduation of three core senior members of it. UNH will likely be looking to improve upon last week's meet. Utah State posted a 187.275 versus CMU last night.. They made it to WAC championships last season though they sent 5 gymnasts to regionals. Ball State posted a 187.425 in a loss at Western Michigan last week, including 47.65 on Vault, 46.375 on bars, 45.85 on Beam, and 47.550 on Floor. They got as far as the MAC Championships last season and sent 3 gymnasts to regionals. UNH put up a 189.725 in their win at Rutgers, which included a 48.25 on vault, 45.400 on Bars (I doubt UNH will score that low again this season), Beam 47.575, Floor 48.500. UNH made it to NCAA regionals last season. UNH's routine list for this year so far can be found here: Yale is opening the season this week. They last appeared as a team at ECAC Championships. With few stats to draw from last year here is some statistics from last year. New Hampshire: Team: 196.225, Vault: 49.175, Bars: 49.100, Beam: 49.050, Floor: 49.200 Utah State: Team: 193.825, Vault: 48.725, Bars: 48.900, Beam: 48.450, Floor: 48.925 Ball State: Team: 193.350, Vault: 48.750, Bars: 48.500, Beam: 48.350, Floor: 48.375 Yale: Team: 185.200 Vault: 47.050, Bars: 45.000, Beam: 48.200, Floor: 47.750 Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10237-modest-preview-for-utah-state-ball-state-yale-at-unh Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:30:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10230-modest-and-short-preview-for-rutgers-at-nc-state (Scores from Troester and eyewitness account.) North Carolina State is hosting their first meet of the season, Rutgers after opening at home, starts their road slate. NC State is the reigning EAGL champion. NC State hosted and participated in NCAA Regionals last season. NC State pointed out in their athletics release that they have 22 returning routines to their lineup. Both teams are in the EAGL. Rutgers posted a 188.925 in their loss to UNH. This included a 47.525 on Vault, 46.125 on Bars, 47.000 on beam, and 48.275 on Floor. Here is Rutgers routine list from this season so far. With few meets to draw from here are just some stats from last season. Rutgers: Team 192.050, Vault 48.250, Bars 47.625, Beam 48.325, Floor 48.500 NC State: Team 195.725 Vault 49.250 Bars 49.175 Beam 48.850 Floor 49.075 Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10230-modest-and-short-preview-for-rutgers-at-nc-state Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:33:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10225-modest-and-short-temple-cornell-bridgeport-at-maryland-preview Temple, Cornell, Bridgeport at Maryland Friday, January 15th, 2010 7:00 PM, College Park, MD (Scores from Troester.) For the Temple Owls, Cornell Big Red, and Bridgeport Purple Knights, this will be their first meet of the season, Maryland is hosting their first home meet after opening at LSU last week. The Terps, scored 190.625 to the Tigers 194.375. Maryland, Cornell, and Temple are all Division 1, though Cornell is an Ivy League school and does not have athletic scholarships. Temple has a low enough number of scholarships to qualify for USAG nationals. Bridgeport is division 2. Bridgeport, Cornell, and Temple all met in the last meet of the season last year at USAG Nationals in New Haven, CT. UB and the Big Red are the reigning co-USAG National champions. Maryland finished up their season at NCAA regionals last season. With very few meets to draw from this year, here is just a few statistics from last season. Team High Scores Overall 2009 Maryland: Team: 195.100 Vault: 48.975 Bars: 48.800 Beam: 48.975 Floor: 49.000 Temple: Team: 192.625 Vault: 48.200 Bars: 48.200 Beam: 48.725 Floor: 48.575 Cornell: Team: 193.400 Vault: 48.450 Bars: 48.325 Beam: 48.575 Floor: 49.000 Bridgeport: Team: 191.850 Vault: 48.200 Bars: 48.025 Beam: 48.575 Floor: 48.600 There are multiple story lines. The home team will be looking to build on last week's start on the road. Temple, Cornell, and Bridgeport all look to start their seasons off strong. Obviously a question might be how Cornell and Bridgeport will do in their rematch as well. Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10225-modest-and-short-temple-cornell-bridgeport-at-maryland-preview Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:45:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10226-modest-and-short-preview-brown-springfield-travel-to-scsu-saturday Springfield Pride, Brown Bears at Southern Connecticut State University Owls Saturday, January 16th, 1PM Moore Field House, New Haven, CT (Scores from Troester) In an eclectic meet of New England teams, the Divison 1 (Ivy League) Brown Bears, and the Division 3 Springfield Pride travel down to New Haven to meet the Division 2 SCSU Owls. The host team is the only one to give out athletic scholarships within the structure of NCAA divisions. Springfield picked up a 180.675 in their victory last weekend to open the season. Brown and SCSU are opening the season up this week. Each team operates in a different division of the ECAC, though Brown and SCSU share status as being part of the USAG Nationals mix of teams. Despite that difference the teams have shown themselves to have similar scores in certain areas. In the absence of many meets to draw from this year here are some statistics from last season. Team High Scores 2009: SCSU: Team: 189.425 Vault: 47.475 Bars: 46.800 Beam: 47.950 Floor: 48.275 Brown: Team: 189.575 Vault: 47.650 Bars: 47.050 Beam: 47.825 Floor: 48.350 Springfield: Team: 184.950 Vault: 47.550 Bars: 44.850 Beam: 45.025 Floor: 48.075 Last season has shown that in areas such as the Vault and the Floor, each team has comparable stats. This meet is also rare in that it composes a team from 3 of the 4 New England states which feature a varsity gymnastics program.   Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10226-modest-and-short-preview-brown-springfield-travel-to-scsu-saturday Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:11:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10131-09-10-modest-previews-unh-rutgers-scsu-bridgeport-yale-springfield-brown Normally I'd just cross post all of these but given the number of them here's just some links to my various modest previews for the approaching season posted over on the report: Yale Brown SCSU Bridgeport UNH Rutgers Springfield While I would like to write a preview for the Springfield's men team, it's true that what I don't know about women's gymnastics could fill books, I know even less about the dynamics of the men's side just due to not seeing as many meets, so I figure I can try to report on the goings on, but I'm less apt to comment at this time. Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10131-09-10-modest-previews-unh-rutgers-scsu-bridgeport-yale-springfield-brown Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:11:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10105-rutgers-09-10-modest-preview Here’s a quick look at the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this season.What follows is a discussion of the roster in terms of who is new to the team and who has left it, and beyond that is an overview of last year’s lineup and their scores to attempt to give a picture of the contributions made by the returnees. You’ll also find a brief snapshot of some of the moves the team has performed, as well as info as to how the team performed last year, and a discussion of the team’s opponents this year. As always, for more info you can consult the official athletics site and the Troester Gyminfo web site. I try to blend the perspective of just being a fan of gymnastics, so I cannot offer the technical discussion that might be found from experts, but I do what I can. Please note that it is difficult to locate stats from the postseason championships due to some websites being down so the stats quoted are based on the best available information.(Sources: Troester, eyewitness accounts, Rutgers Sports Information Releases) The Coaches:Head Coach: Chrystal Chollet-NortonAssistants: Mary Peters, Louis Levine, Thomas DeMattia, Kathy Galli (Trainer). The Gymnasts: Losses: Kristy Behr, Jessica Haddaway, Alison Hartwig, Latara Northcutt Seniors: Prishani Seebadri, Laura Sevarino, Alyssa Lewandowski Other Returnees: Kiah Banfield, Alexandra Belvis, Melanie Brother, Lauren Galifi, Sunny Gerlach, Ellese Gold, Leigh Heinbaugh, Danae Johnson, Jessica Kerley, Katelynn Raymond, Nicole Rose, Stacy Ruderman, Brooke Schwamburger, Nicole Schwartz, Kerry Silverman, Sara Woodward, Maddie Zwiebel Newcomers: Jayne Jeffreys, Madeline Meyer, Nicole Romano, Emma-Rose Trentacosti Discussion: All four departed seniors were part of the lineup in one way shape or form last season. Behr was responsible for the team’s second highest Bars score with a 9.725 Haddaway competed on Bars and Beam including a 9.675 on the four inch apparatus. Hartwig competed on every event but the Uneven Bars, and her 9.7 high on Beam put her in a group of 6 Scarlet Knights with a 9.7 high score or higher. Northcutt competed in the all around and had the third highest team high scores on Vault, Bars, and Beam: 9.675, 9.675, and 9.725 respectively, as well as a 9.6 high on the Floor. Her all around high of 38.2 was tops among her team. With the departure of 4 gymnasts, but the addition of five others, the team’s roster has swelled to 25. Behr, Banfield, Johnson, Lewandowski, Schwartz, and Zwiebel all attended USAG Collegiate Nationals last season competing individually. Team High Scoring 2008-2009 :The team set a high score of 192.050 overall with their best event high being on the floor with a 48.5, 2nd came Beam with a 48.325, Vault was third with a 48.250, and Bars was their lowest high with a 47.625 Individual High Scoring Among Returnees 2008-2009: My views on scoring go back and forth, as I believe any gymnast who has obtained the skills set to compete at all in the college level deserves a heap of credit and routines can be amazing to watch no matter what score they bring. However, obviously scoring does provide a measure of performance, and scores play in to so much of the sport. As always for the full scoring breakdowns Troester is the place to look, this is just a summary of some of the high scores. VaultJohnson and Lewandowski set the highest team highs with a 9.8, Banfield had a 9.675, and Rose, Sevarino, and Zwiebel added 9.625s. BarsGerlach’s 9.75 was the team’s highest individual score with Seebadri’s 9.725 right behind, and Gold had a 9.625. BeamSevarino’s 9.8 was the team high, Zwiebel had a 9.775, and Schwartz and Johnson had 9.7s. FloorJohnson had a 9.875 which was the team high on that event and overall, Banfield had a 9.775, Zwiebel a 9.75, and Rose a 9.725. All AroundSchwartz’s 38.025 was second on the team, and Sevarino had a 37.725 high. 2009-2010 Opponents New Hampshire2008-2009: UNH: 191.575 RU: 185.275UNH: 193.400 RU: 187.525UNH: 194.650 RU: 189.125 North Carolina State2008-2009: NCST: 195.70 RU: 189.125 Pennsylvania2008-2009:PENN: 184.450 RU: 189.050 Temple2008-2009:Temple: 188.5 RU: 186.250Temple: 191.375 RU: 187.950 Maryland2008-2009: UMD: 194.475 RU: 187.950UMD: 194.525 RU: 189.125 West Virginia2008-2009: WVU: 193.925 RU: 187.950WVU: 195.50 RU: 189.125 Denver2008-2009: No meetings Pittsburgh2008-2009: PITT: 192.850 RU: 189.575PITT: 194.675 RU: 189.125 SUNY Brockport2008-2009: No meetings SUNY Cortland2008-2009:SUNYC: 187.500 RU: 193.500 Ursinus2008-2009: No meetings Kent State2008-2009: No meetings Northern Illinois2008-2009: No meetings Bridgeport2008-2009:UB: 190.575 RU: 187.950UB: 189.475 RU: 187.525UB: 191.850 RU: 192.050UB: 190.725 RU: 188.275 Southern Connecticut2008-2009: SCSU: 189.425 RU: 188.275 William & Mary2008-2009: W&M: 185.1 RU: 186.250W&M: 185.725 RU: 189.050W&M: 190.1 RU: 188.275 Cornell2008-2009: Cornell: 188.700 RU: 186.250 Towson2008-2009: Towson: 192.275 RU: 187.950Towson: 193.975 RU: 188.275 Yale2008-2009: YALE: 183.975 RU: 189.575 North Carolina2008-2009: UNC: 192.925 RU: 186.250UNC: 194.825 RU: 189.125 George Washington2008-2009:GW: 192.900 RU: 186.250GW: 191.625 RU: 189.050GW: 191.775 RU: 187.950GW: 193.050 RU: 189.125 Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10105-rutgers-09-10-modest-preview Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:06:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10094-new-hampshire-modest-team-preview-09-10 By David F.P. Here’s a quick look at the UNH Wildcats this season. What follows is a discussion of the roster in terms of who is new to the team and who has left it, and beyond that is an overview of last year’s lineup and their scores to attempt to give a picture of the contributions made by the returnees. You’ll also find a brief snapshot of some of the moves the team has performed, as well as info as to how the team performed last year, and a discussion of the team’s opponents this year. As always, for more info you can consult the official athletics site and the Troester Gyminfo web site. I try to blend the perspective of just being a fan of gymnastics, so I cannot offer the technical discussion that might be found from experts, but I do what I can. Please note that it is difficult to locate stats from the postseason championships due to some websites being down so the stats quoted are based on the best available information. The Coaches: Head Coach: Gail Goodspeed, Assistants: Ed Datti, Lindsey Bruck The Gymnasts: (Information from Troester GymInfo and UNH sports information releases.) Losses: Melissa Cesar, Lindsay Kovary, Mollyrose Newbury, Justine Turner, Jasmin Washington Seniors: Kelsey Alwin, Diane Grey, Helena Diodati, Taryn LaFountain, Julie Sauchuk, Keeley Smith Other Returnees: Taryn Archambault, Katie Caliendo, Ali Carr, Katie Lawrence, Kate McGeever, Tasia Percevecz, Danielle Reibold, Andie Sablosky, Janae Sernoffsky, Chelsea Steinberg Newcomers: Jennifer Aucoin, Courtney Connors, Austyn Fobes, Dianna Kurowyckyj, Rebecca Marrama Discussion: Of the five gymnasts no longer with the team either through graduation or other reasons, only Cesar and Turner were in the lineup last year, though Turner was responsible for some of the team’s highest individual high scores including a 9.9 on Vault, 9.8 on Floor, and a 9.8 on Floor. Cesar competed on the Bars exclusively last season. The six seniors this year were all key parts of the 24 routine lineup with Alwin specializing on the Vault and Bars, Grey on the Vault and Bars, Diodati in the all around, LaFountain on beam and Floor, Sauchuk on Vault and Floor, and Smith on all events but Vault. Grey was the co holder of the highest team individual score on the Bars thanks to a 9.9. Diodati was the top scorer on Vault with a 9.925. LaFountain had the team’s highest score on Beam with a 9.9, and also along with Sauchuk and Smith held the highest mark on Floor with a 9.9. Of the returnees, Archambault, Caliendo, Carr, Lawrence, Reibold, Sablosky, and Steinberg all saw action in competition last season. Reibold was the only other all arounder on the team, and Carr co-held the top team bars score of 9.9. Despite the loss of five gymnasts the team retains a large core of scorers from last season and I augmented by the freshmen as well as some of the returnees in reserve last year. Individual Scoring among returnees 2008-2009: My views on scoring go back and forth, as I believe any gymnast who has obtained the skills set to compete at all in the college level deserves a heap of credit and routines can be amazing to watch no matter what score they bring. However, obviously scoring does provide a measure of performance, and scores play in to so much of the sport. As always for the full scoring breakdowns Troester is the place to look, this is just a summary. Vault Diodati had the top score of 9.925, Caliendo was third among wildcats with a 9.85 high, Alwin and Carr had a high if 9.825, and Steinberg a 9.8. Grey and Reibold had highs above 9.7 as well. Bars Carr and Grey shared the 9.9 team high, Diodati was third on the team with a 9.85, Reibold had a 9.825, Lawrence and Smith had 9.8s, and Alwin had a high of 9.7, Beam LaFountain’s 9.9 was the team high, Lawrence and Steinberg both had 9.875 highs, Smith and Caliendo added 9.85 highs, Reibold’s 9.825 and Diodati’s 9.775 were also part of the fray. Floor Smith, Sauchuk, and LaFountain all had 9.9 highs, Sablosky added a 9.825, and Caliendo, Diodati and Reibold all had highs of 9.75 or higher. All Around Diodati’s 39.2 was the team high, and Reibold added a 38.350 high as well. 2009-2010 Opponents: RutgersIn 08-09: UNH: 191.575 RU: 185.275UNH: 193.4 RU: 187.525UNH: 194.60 RU:189.125 Utah StateIn 08-09: No Meetings Ball StateIn 08-09: No Meetings YaleIn 08-09: UNH: 192.900 Yale: 184.6UNH: 194.875 Yale: 157.50 (Yale was competing without a full lineup due to injury) BrownIn 08-09: No Meetings PittsburghIn 08-09: UNH: 194.025 Pitt: 193.025Pitt: 194.675 UNH: 194.60 MissouriIn 08-09: Mizzou: 196 UNH: 193.650 Michigan StateIn 08-09: MSU: 195.675 UNH: 195.530 MarylandIn 08-09: UMD: 193.675 UNH: 191.775UMD: 195.1 UNH: 194.225UNH: 194.60 UMD: 194.525UNH: 193.650 Maryland: 192.725 George WashingtonIn 08-09: UNH: 194.825 GW: 193.9UNH: 194.60 GW: 193.050UNH: 194.60 GW: 193.050 North Carolina StateIn 08-09: NCST: 194.950 UNH: 191.775NCST: 195.7 UNH: 194.60 Texas Women’sIn 08-09: No Meetings North CarolinaIn 08-09: UNH 196.225 UNC: 195.95UNC: 194.450 UNH: 191.775UNC: 194.825 UNH: 194.60 West VirginiaIn 08-09: WVU: 195.5 UNH: 194.60 Moves Preview for 2009-2010: (Based on intrasquad) First, Coach Goodspeed pointed out that the gymnasts were sometimes taking it easy to save themselves for the competition season as well as be extra safe in an exhibition event, so there are likely going to be many changes to the routines when unveiled in competition. Secondly, I do my best to be accurate in describing the elements, but mistakes can be made, so feel free to send corrections my way. Uneven BarsTasia PerceveczMount from behind the high bar, turning aerial transition from high to low bar, transition from low to high bar, grip change grip change, grip and direction change, “handstand snap down, back tuck” dismount.Jennifer AucoinMounts from in front of low bar to low bar, moves to high bar, swings around high bar at stomach level, lets go of high bar briefly and re-catches it before swinging back to low bar, back straddled aerial transition from high to low bar, moves from low to high bar, faces away from the bars and does a back layout dismount. Balance BeamHelena DiodatiMount to end of the beam, dance elements, back handspring, back handspring, back layout, pirouette, dance elements, switch split leap, switch split leap (with one foot below beam level to start), wolf jump, switch into side split jump, round off into a gainer back full twist to the side of the beam dismount.Katie CaliendoBounces off springboard and hops to end of the beam to mount, switch split leap, side split jump, turning side split jump, dance elements, front layout step out immediately followed by a back layout step out, turn on one leg while holding body straight, back handspring, back layout into dropping to one knee on the beam, dance elements, round off into gainer full twist to side of the beam dismount. Floor ExerciseDianna KurowyckyjPirouette, dance elementsround off, back handspring, back pikeswitch split, turning wolf, turning side split,round off, back handspring, one and a half twists, front layoutFront flip to sitting position, while hands are in a handstand position does a full twist in the air into a sitting position, ring leap,round off, half twist, full twistclosing dance sequence includes a straddle dive to the floorChelsea Steinberground off, back handspring, back pikedance elements brieflyround off, half twist, front layoutturning switch split jump, turning tuck jump, turning handstand into sitting position, other dance elements,round off, back handspring, 2 and a half twists. VaultTaryn ArchambaultFront handspring entry, front pike. Diane Greyround off, full turn onto vault, back pike off Uneven BarsKelsey AlwinMounts by running at the low bar, and springboarding up and off of it to the high bar, grip change, grip change, tkatchev while facing low bar, back straddled aerial transition high to low, moves to high bar, back layout dismount swinging away from the high bar.Courtney ConnorsMounts from in front of low bar, grabs it, moves to high bar, gienger, turning aerial transition from high to low bar, moves to high bar, “half turn, double front dismount” Balance BeamRebecca MarramaMounts from near end of the beam, dance elements at beam level, switch split leap, back tuck, dance elements, back handspring, back tuck, side split jump, side split jump, switch into side split jump, front full twist off the end of the beam dismount.Julie SauchukMounts from side of the end of the beam, dance elements, front tuck, split jump, switch split leap, switch split leap, dance elements at beam level and standing, back handspring, back layout, pirouette, wolf jump, turning split jump, runs forward but as she reaches the end of the beam leaps up and does a back pike dismount (“gainer back pike”). FloorTasia Perceveczround off, back handspring, back pike,dance elements, switch into side split, side split jump,round off, half twist, full twist,turning tuck jump, turning wolf jumpround off, one and a half twists, front pikeTaryn Archambaultround off, back handspring, back pikeswitch into side split, turning side split, turning wolf jumpfront handspring*, front layout, full twistturning wolf jump, pirouette,front handspring*, front layout VaultDianna Kurowyckyjround off, back handspring entry into a ½ turning layout Kelsey Alwinround off, back handspring, full twisting layout Uneven BarsDanielle ReiboldMounts from in front of low bar, springboards up pushes off from the low bar and grabs high bar, grip change, grip change, gienger, aerial turning transition from high to low bar, moves to high bar, grip change, grip change, two twists? dismountAli CarrMount from in front of low bar, bounces off low to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, aerial turning transition from high to low, moves from low to high bar, back layout dismount while flying away from high bar. Balance BeamKeeley SmithMounts from end of the beam, jumps off springboard and does front flip onto beam, dance elements, switch split, switch into side split, back handspring, back layout step out, dance elements standing and at beam level, turning side split jump, runs forward and does gainer back pike off end of the beam dismount.Dianna KurowyckyjMounts to side of the beam, does a handstand onto the springboard then curls down onto the beam and does dance elements at beam level, dance elements standing follow, pirouette, back handspring, back layout, aerial round off?, switch split, turning side split, round off into back layout one and a half twists off end of the beam. Floor ExerciseKelsey Alwinround off, back layout, double back tuck,dance elements, turning switch split, turning side split,round off, back handspring, double back pikepirouette, dance elements, side split jump,forward full twistHelena DiodatiTurning tuck jump, turning wolf jumpround off, back handspring, double back pikefront handspring*, front layoutdance elements, switch into side split, side split, round off into floor elementfront handspring*, front tuckRoutine is expected to have more elements in it come competition season according to the coach. VaultRebecca Marrama?round off, back handspring entry, back pike off. Tasia Perceveczround off, back handspring entry, back layout off Uneven BarsDianna KurowyckyjMount to high bar from behind, grip change, grip change, aerial turning high to low transition, aerial straddled low to high transition, back layout dismountChelsea SteinbergMounts from in front of low bar, straddles low bar on way to high bar, grip change and direction change into tkatchev, aerial high to low turning transition, moves to high bar, back layout dismount. Balance BeamCourtney ConnorsMounts to end of the beam, bounces off springboard and does a front flip, dance elements, pirouette, back handspring, layout step out, side split jump, turning tuck jump, switch split leap, turning wolf jump, front one and a half twists off end of the beam dismount.Danielle ReiboldMounts to end of the beam, does a front flip off the springboard, pirouette, back handspring, back layout, dance elements, turning tuck jump, changement, switch split leap, back tuck, gainer back full twist to side of the beam dismount. Floor ExerciseJulie Sauchukround off, back handspring, back piketurning side split, turning wolf jump, turning tuck jumpround off, half twist, front layoutswitch split leap, turning switch splitround off, back handspring, back tuckRebecca Marramaround off, back handspring, double back pikeswitch split leap, dance elements,Front tuck, round off, half twistSwitch into side splitround off, back handspring, double back tuck VaultHelena Diodatiround off, back handspring entry , full twist off Katie Caliendoround off, back handspring entry, full twist off Uneven BarsDiane GreyMount to low bar, moves to high bar, grip change and direction change, grip change, grip change, aerial flip transition from high to low bar, grip and direction change on low bar, moves to high bar, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount facing away from the high bar.Keeley SmithMount from in front of low bar, springboards off, straddles the low bar and flies up to high bar, swings forward then back in a straddled aerial high to low transition, moves to high bar, grip change into piked jaeger, grip change, multiple swings, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount away from high bar. Balance BeamJennifer AucoinMounts from side of the beam and does dance elements at beam level, back handspring, dance elements, back handspring, back layout step out, pirouette, side split, turning split jump, aerial round off?, gainer back layout step out, switch split leap, gainer back full twist dismount to side of the beam.Katie LawrenceMounts to side of the beam and dances at beam level, back handspring, layout step out, back handspring, dance elements, switch split leap, turning side split, pirouette, she does jump switching leg position, then immediately an aerial round off type maneuver into a twisting dismount. (The coach described what it was called and I didn’t scribble it down fast enough) Floor ExerciseTaryn LaFountainDance element, turn while extending one leg,round off, back handspring, back pikedance elements,front handspring, front layout, full twistpirouette, switch split leap, switch into side split, into turning side split, dance elementsround off, back handspring, double back tuckKeeley SmithDance elements, turning wolf jump,round off, back handspring, double back pike,dance elements, switch into side split, turning wolf jump, turning side split,front handspring*, front layout, front layoutturning switch split jump, numerous dance elements at floor level,round off, back handspring, double back tuck. Balance BeamAli CarrMounts to near end of the beam, and does elements at beam level before standing, dance elements follow, back handspring, back handspring, dance elements, front layout step out, switch split leap, switch split leap, pirouette, switch into side split, front layout dismount.Kelsey AlwinMounts from end of the beam, bounces off springboard and does front flip on, dance elements, pirouette, dance elements, back handspring, back layout step out, switch split leap, turning side split, dance elements at beam level, spinning maneuver around the beam, gainer back twist to side of the beam dismount. VaultDianna Kurowyckyjround off, back handspring, ½ twist? Courtney Connorsround off, back handspring entry, full twist off. Uneven BarsHelena Diodati’s routine is missing due to a technical glitch. Katie LawrenceMounts from behind high bar, grip change, brief release of the bar, grip change, aerial turning high to low transition, moves to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, brief release of the bar, grip change and direction change, full twist, front tuck dismount? (the coach also described this I believe but I wasn’t fast enough in the scribbling.) Balance BeamTaryn LaFountainMounts to end of the beam, dance elements, sheep jump, pirouette, dance elements, back handspring, back layout, side split jump, back tuck, switch split leap, turning side split jump, dance elements at beam level, shoulder roll, more elements, back handspring, layout step out into gainer back layout to side of the beam dismount.Chelsea SteinbergRound off onto springboard, back handspring walkout onto beam, round off into layout step out, pirouette, dance elements, switch split leap, turning tuck jump, dance elements at beam level, changement, turning split jump, full front twist off the end of the beam dismount. Floor ExerciseCourtney ConnorsDance elements, front handspring*, one and a half twists, back layout step out,pirouette, dance elements, turning wolf jump, turning side split,round off, back handspring, double back tuck,dance elements, switch split leap, turning tuck jumpfront handspring, one and a half twists Katie CaliendoDance elements,round off back handspring, tuck full in?round off, half twist, front layout, front layoutturning double stag, switch into side split, turning side split jump, dance elements at floor levelfront handspring, one and a half twist, back straddle dive to the floor. Moves Snapshot from 2008-2009: (Note these are the routines listed, sometimes the actual moves are not completed but it’s what is attempted, falls or not.) Routines listed with names like Routine A and such are where I have not yet identified the gymnast involved.VAULTT. ArchambaultFront entry, back tuck off. (Still working on number of rotations.D. ReiboldYurchenko on, one back twist off. (lands facing vault)C. SteinbergYurchenko, half twisting flip.K. AlwinYurchenko, full twist (lands facing vault)CarrYurchenko on, one back twist off. (lands facing vault) D.GreyYurchenko + full turn on back pike off. (Called a Luconi)K. CaliendoYurchenko on, back twist off. (Lands facing vault)J. TurnerYurchenko on, back twist off. (Lands facing vault.)H. DiodatiYurchenko on, at least one back twist off. (Lands facing vault.)J. SauchukYurchenko on, back layout off.ExhibitionFront entry, front tuckBARSLawrenceMounts from behind high bar, aerial high to low, grip change, straddled jaeger, back layout dismount (possibly double back).SmithMounts from in front of low bar, moves to high bar, back aerial transition high to low, grip change, jaeger, grip change, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount.OR(Mounts from front over low to high, swings back, aerial transition back to low bar, climbs to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, grip change, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount)CarrMounts from in front of low bar over low bar to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, aerial high to low transition, back layout dismount.OR(Mounts from front over low to high, grip change, straddled jaeger, aerial high to low, back layout dismount.) ReiboldMounts from in front of low bar over to high bar, grip change, grip change, geinger into aerial high to low, grip change, grip change, (looks like two twists)ORMounts from front over low to high bar, grip change, geinger into aerial high to low, sole circle, grip change on high, twisting dismount.OR(Mounts from front over low to high bar, grip change, grip change, geinger into aerial high to low, sole circle, grip change on high, grip change, one and half twists off.) GreyMount from in front of low bar, aerial low to high, grip change, grip change, grip change, flipping aerial high to low, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount. DiodatiMount from in front of low bar, over low to high, grip change, grip change, geinger, aerial flipping high to low, back layout dismount.ORMounts from front over low to high straddle, grip change, geinger, flipping high to low, turn on low, double back layout dismount.CesarMount from in front of low bar, over low to high bar, grip change, grip change, grip change, straddled jaeger, aerial high to low, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount.ORMounts from front over low to high, grip change, grip change, straddle jaeger, aerial high to low, double back tuck dismount. AlwinMount from in front of low bar, over low bar to high bar, grip change, grip change, tkatchev, aerial high to low, back layout dismount.ORMounts from front over low to high, grip change, tkatchev, aerial high to low, double back layout dismount.OR(Mounts from front over low to high, grip change, grip change, back aerial high to low, tkatchev, aerial high to low, grip change, grip change, back layout dismount.)J. SernoffskyMounts to low bar, grip change high, jaeger straddle, aerial high to low, grip change on high, double back tuck dismount. BEAMTurnerMount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, back handspring walkout, back layout step out, split jump, side split, turning split jump, one handed front layout step out, pirouette, split into side split, gainer back twisting dismount to floor.ORMount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, back handspring walkout back layout step out…split jump to side, one handed front layout step out, split jump,side split, turning split jump, gainer back twisting dismount to floor.OR(Mount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, back handspring walkout back layout step out, switch split leap, split jump to side, turning split jump, one handed front layout step out, pirouette, side split jump, gainer back twisting dismount to floor.)LawrenceMount to side of the beam, dance elements at beam level, back handspring walkout, back layout step out, back layout step out, switch split leap, side split, turning side split, hitch kick, aerial round off?, pirouette, round off into twisting front dismount.ReiboldMount to end of the beam-front flip followed by a wolf jump, dance elements, pirouette, back handspring walkout, layout two foot landing, turning tuck jump, switch split jump, back tuck, gainer twisting back dismount.ORMount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, pirouette, back handspring walkout, layout two foot landing, turning tuck jump, split jump, back tuck, split leap, ring leap, dance elements, gainer twisting back dismount.OR(Mount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, pirouette, back handspring walkout, layout two foot landing, turning tuck jump, changement, split jump, back tuck, dance elements, gainer full twisting back dismount.) SteinbergRound off, back flip step out onto the beam, dance elements, round off, back layout step out, pirouette, switch split leap, turning tuck jump, changement?, turning split jump, round off, back two twists dismount off end of beam.OR… round off, back layout step out, dance element, pirouette, split leap, turning tuck jump, changement?, roundoff, twisting dismount off end of beam. SmithMount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, switch split jump, side split, back handspring walkout, layout step out, dance elements, pirouette, spinning split jump,back pike off end of the beam.ORMount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, split jump, side split, back handspring walkout, layout step out, dance elements, spinning split jump, back pike off end of the beam.OR(Mount to end of the beam-front flip, dance elements, switch split jump, side split, back handspring walkout, layout step out, dance elements, pirouette, dance elements, spinning split jump, back pike off end of the beam.)LaFountainClimbs to the middle of the end of the beam, sheep jump, pirouette, back handspring walkout, layout two feet, side split jump, switch split leap, side split, turning side split, dance elements, roll, back handspring walkout into gainer twisting dismount to side of beam.OR… pirouette, dance elements, back handspring walkout, layout two feet, dance element, back tuck, split leap, side split, turning side split, dance element, shoulder roll, back handspring walkout into gainer twisting dismount to side of beam.OR(Climbs to the middle of the end of the beam, sheep jump, wolf jump, pirouette, dance elements, back handspring walkout, layout two feet, side split jump, back tuck, switch split leap, side split, turning side split, dance elements, roll, back handspring walkout into gainer twisting dismount to side of beam.)Carr?Mount to middle of the beam, back handspring walkout, layout step out, front layout step out, switch split leap, split leap, pirouette, switch into side split, round off into twist off the beam.K. CaliendoMount from side of the beam, dance elements, back handspring walkout, layout two feet landing, side split jump, turning split jump, front aerial layout, back layout step out to kneel on one leg position, gainer back twist to side of beam dismount.(Mount from side of the beam, dance elements, back handspring walkout, layout two feet landing, pirouette, side split jump, turning side split jump, front aerial layout, back, layout step out to kneel on one leg position, gainer back twist to side of beam)H. DiodatiMount front front of beam-front flip, dance elements, back handspring walkout, back layout step out, dance elements, split leap, side split, turning side split, turning side split, gainer twist dismount.FLOORCaliendoMusic: (Piano then violin into a salsa dancish piece)(round off, back handspring, double back pike.turning stag, turning side split, turning side split,round off, half twist, front full twist.front handspring*, one and one half twists.) ReiboldMusic: “Please don’t let me be misunderstood” of Kill Bill Fame. (Drums lay the groundwork for a guitar and a more thematic piece joins in.)Round off, back handspring, double back pikering jump, turning split jump,Front handspring* full twist stag jump, turning stag, Round off, back handspring, at least one full twist, front tuck the other way out of twist OR Pirouette, Turning Wolf Jump. round off, back handspring, double back pike ring jump, turning split jump, turning side split. front handspring* full twist double stag jump, turning double stag, round off, back handspring, two full twists, front tuck the other way out of twist OR Pirouette, Turning Wolf Jump, turning side split round off, back handspring, double back pike ring jump, turning split jump, round off, back handspring, two full twists, turning double stag jump round off, back handspring, two full twists, front tuck the other way out of twistSmithMusic: “Shippin up to Boston” (Irish flavor mixed with hard rock)Turning wolf jump.round off, back handspring, double back pike,Switch into side split jump turning, wolf, turning side split.front handspring* front layout, front layouttour jete, pirouette,round off, back handspring, double back tuck.ORturning wolfRound offf, back handspring, double back pike,Split jump turning, wolf, turning with one leg extended, irish dancingFront handspring* front layout, front layout turning split jump??, pirouette, Round off, Back handspring, twist, front tuck.ORturning wolfround off, back handspring, double back pike,Switch into side split jump turning, wolf, turning side split.front handspring* front layout, front layouttour jete, pirouette,round off, back handspring, double back tuck. SauchukMusic: (Drums piece.)round off, back handspring, double back pike.turning split jump turning wolf jump, turning tuck jump,round off, half twist, front layoutsplit jump, turning split jump,round off, back handspring, double back tuckORRound off, back handspring, double back pike.turning split jump turning jump, round off,twist, front layout, front tucksplit jump, turning split jump,round off, back handspring, double back tuck LaFountainMusic: “Diablo Rojo” (A very fast moving guitar piece.)round off, back handspring, double back pikefront handspring*, front layout, full twist.side split jump, turning split jump.round off, back handspring, double back tuck*shushunova?ORRO, BHS, double back pikeFHS* 1/2 turn front layoutsplit jump,RO, BHS, double back tuck*shushunova?TurnerMusic: (A mix of multiple pieces ranging from dance/techno to drums, to horns and beyond.)round off, back handspring, double back pikewolf jump turn, side split turn, tuck turn,round off, half twist, front layout.switch side split, side split into shushunova?round off, back handspring, double back tuck.ORround off, back handspring, tuck full in.wolf turn, split turn, tuck turn,round off, half twist, front layout.switch side split, side split into shushunova?round off, back handspring, double back tuck. ExhibitionRound Off, Back Handspring, double back pike.Turning split jump, turning wolf jump,one handed handspring, full twist, front tuck.Switch into ring jump, turning split jump,One handed handspring, one and half twists.A. Sablosky Music: (Salsa type into guitars, and kinda sounds like Carlos Santana piece.)round off, back handspring, double back pike.spinning wolf, spinning cat (or split?)front handspring, front layout front layout.turning split, turning tuck,round off, back handspring, double back tuck.T. PerceveczMusic: (Has a world music flair.)round off back handspring, double back pike.Turning tuck, turning on one leground off, back handspring, twist, front tuckturning tuck, turning wolf,round off, half twist, full twist.ORround off back handspring, double back pike.Turning tuck, turning on one leground off, one and half twists, front tuckturning tuck, turning wolf,round off, half twist, full twist. Floor Music Snapshot from 2008-2009: When possible, the music used by a gymnast is listed here, or at least the type of music. It’s not always possible to identify songs but it is attempted.2008-2009A. Sablosky(Salsa type into guitars, and kinda sounds like Carlos Santana piece.)K. Caliendo(Piano then violin into a salsa dancish piece, and more piano.)K. Smith “Shippin up to Boston”(Irish flavor mixed with hard rock)J. Sauchuk(Drums piece)T. LaFountain“Diablo Rojo” (A very fast moving guitar piece.)J. Turner(A mix of multiple pieces ranging from dance/techno to drums, to horns and beyond.)T. Percevecz(Has a world music flair.)D. Reibold“Please don’t let me be misunderstood” of Kill Bill Fame. (Drums lay the groundwork for a guitar and a more thematic piece joins in.) Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/10094-new-hampshire-modest-team-preview-09-10 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:59:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10071-3-steps-to-manage-your-nerves-in-competitions <!--StartFragment--> Thank you for the responses concerning what you would like to learn more about. The most popular questions related to dealing with nerves and helping athletes perform well during competitions. I will address the first question in this blog and the second question in my next blog. Here we go… Generally speaking, the secret to performing your best when it matters most is being able to get your mind and body in sync and working together. You do that by using the various mental skills and techniques that I have presented in the previous blogs. The great thing about all of those topics is that the more you use them, the better they work for you. Also, the more skills you use, the more tools you have at your disposal to help you when different issues arise. So, for best results, you should incorporate multiple mental skills and use them often! In Blogs 5 and 6, I began discussing the topic of nerves. Now, let’s look at a more specific example of how to incorporate different mental skills and techniques to help you manage nerves in competitions (the specific event is not important as these tips equally apply to beam, floor, bars, etc.). The first step in this process is to begin understanding that any physical symptoms (e.g., sweaty palms/armpits, shaking, butterflies in your stomach, dry mouth) that you experience are your body simply telling you that it is preparing itself to perform at a high level. In other words, these symptoms are a good thing! That may sound weird, but without them, your body would not be prepared to perform its best. So, acknowledge and embrace these physical symptoms as a good thing and as a necessary component to performing your best in competitions. The second step in this process is to go through your mental routine. Remember, your mental routine can do a few critical things for you. First, if you incorporate some deep breaths, then you can send the necessary oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and calm some of your nervous feelings and clear your mind (the physical symptoms listed above and racing thoughts are two problems associated with nervousness – your routine helps to counter them). Once you feel more in control of yourself, you can move on to the second critical thing: repeat your cue words to yourself. This will help direct your attention to the critical aspects of your performance instead of any other distracting thoughts (by focusing your mind on what is most critical to your performance, you give yourself the best chance to perform well). A third technique that you could include in your mental routine is to use imagery to see yourself executing your physical routine perfectly (seeing yourself performing successfully can build your confidence and prepare your body to do what you just saw in your mind). Each of these techniques are optional, but all three can help you be fully prepared to perform your best when it matters most. The third step in this process is to trust your training and go execute your physical routine flawlessly! When it is time to compete, you have to let your body do what you have trained it to do. If you still think you can’t do your physical routine properly, then you may not have trained enough physically. Using these three steps will help your mind be in the right place to let your body perform up to its full potential. If you have a more specific question about how to manage your nerves in competitions, then post your question and I would be happy to answer it. This was a great question, so please keep them coming! What else would you like to learn about? The more specific your question, the better response I can provide. Remember, I will address the second most popular question that was submitted (how to help athletes perform well during competitions) in my next blog, so stay tuned! <!--EndFragment--> Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/10071-3-steps-to-manage-your-nerves-in-competitions Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/9739-overcoming-mental-blocks-imagery-goals-composure I have already introduced the topics of imagery, goals, and composure (relaxation under pressure), so I will not go into detail about those topics. Instead, I want to ensure that you know that these mental skills can be used to help you overcome fear and conquer your mental blocks. I encourage you to look back into the archived blogs and read or re-read the information about those topics. Often times, you will find something NEW that you didn’t remember from before and that can help you improve that skill even more. Since this is the last blog of the mental block series, this is your last chance to ask questions before we move onto another topic. What do you want to hear about NEXT? Post your question or topic and you could direct the next blog series. I’m excited to hear from you! ? Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/9739-overcoming-mental-blocks-imagery-goals-composure Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/9836-new-hampshire-holds-intrasquad-new-faces-new-routines (Check out my photos (sorry about the quality) here: http://www.gymnasticsreport.net/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=5947&g2_navId=x1cb949fd until I can get them uploaded to Gymnastike) DURHAM, NH- The University of New Hampshire Wildcats held their Meet the Team Intrasquad on Saturday afternoon in front of a relatively large crowd of fans including young gymnasts set to participate in a clinic afterward. Head Coach Gail Goodspeed and the new meet announcer shared emceeing duties throughout the afternoon as the the UNH squad was divided up into two teams to showcase their routines in a light hearted competition between blue and white. One team was coached by Assistant Head Coach Ed Datti, and the other by Assistant Coach Lindsay Bruck. The judges for each event consisted of UNH officials, former gymnasts, and other student athletes. Unlike in competition the judging was done through two gymnasts doing their routine and the judges would pick which routine they felt was better. During a deadlock the crowd would then be asked for their opinion as well via the cards issued to them by the gymnasts prior to the meet. The gymnast with the most support earned a point for their team. The meet proceeded with one gymnast from each team on Bars, then Beam, Floor, and Vault, until the very end when the rotation changed slightly. In the end it wasn’t really important which team won, but the fans certainly got to see a show as well as get a peek at where UNH stands this year. Below is a list of the routines unveiled at the meet: Routines List: First, Coach Goodspeed pointed out that the gymnasts were sometimes taking it easy to save themselves for the competition season as well as be extra safe in an exhibition event, so there are likely going to be many changes to the routines when unveiled in competition. Secondly, I do my best to be accurate in describing the elements, but mistakes can be made, so feel free to send corrections my way. Uneven Bars Tasia Percevecz Mount from behind the high bar, turning aerial transition from high to low bar, transition from low to high bar, grip change grip change, grip and direction change, “handstand snap down, back tuck” dismount. Jennifer Aucoin Mounts from in front of low bar to low bar, moves to high bar, swings around high bar at stomach level, lets go of high bar briefly and re-catches it before swinging back to low bar, back straddled aerial transition from high to low bar, moves from low to high bar, faces away from the bars and does a back layout dismount. Balance Beam Helena Diodati Mount to end of the beam, dance elements, back handspring, back handspring, back layout, pirouette, dance elements, switch split leap, switch split leap (with one foot below beam level to start), wolf jump, switch into side split jump, round off into a gainer back full twist to the side of the beam dismount. Katie Caliendo Bounces off springboard and hops to end of the beam to mount, switch split leap, side split jump, turning side split jump, dance elements, front layout stepout immediately followed by a back layout stepout, turn on one leg while holding body straight, back handspring, back layout into dropping to one knee on the beam, dance elements, round off into gainer full twist to side of the beam dismount. Floor Exercise Dianna Kurowyckyj Pirouette, dance elementsroundoff, back handspring, back pikeswitch split, turning wolf, turning side split,roundoff, back handspring, one and a half twists, front layoutFront flip to sitting position, while hands are in a handstand position does a full twist in the air into a sitting position, ring leap,roundoff, half twist, full twistclosing dance sequence includes a straddle dive to the floor Chelsea Steinberg roundoff, back handspring, back pikedance elements brieflyroundoff, half twist, front layoutturning switch split jump, turning tuck jump, turning handstand into sitting position, other dance elements,roundoff, back handspring, 2 and a half twists. Vault Taryn ArchambaultFront handspring entry, front pike. Diane Greyroundoff, full turn onto vault, back pike off Uneven Bars Kelsey AlwinMounts by running at the low bar, and springboarding up and off of it to the high bar, grip change, grip change, tkatchev while facing low bar, back straddled aerial transition high to low, moves to high bar, back layout dismount swinging away from the high bar. Courtney ConnorsMounts from in front of low bar, grabs it, moves to high bar, gienger, turning aerial transition from high to low bar, moves to high bar, “half turn, double front dismount” Balance Beam Rebecca Marrama Mounts from near end of the beam, dance elements at beam level, switch split leap, back tuck, dance elements, back handspring, back tuck, side split jump, side split jump, switch into side split jump, front full twist off the end of the beam dismount. Julie Sauchuk Mounts from side of the end of the beam, dance elements, front tuck, split jump, switch split leap, switch split leap, dance elements at beam level and standing, back handspring, back layout, pirouette, wolf jump, turning split jump, runs forward but as she reaches the end of the beam leaps up and does a back pike dismount (“gainer back pike”). Floor Tasia Percevecz roundoff, back handspring, back pike,dance elements, switch into side split, side split jump,roundoff, half twist, full twist,turning tuck jump, turning wolf jumproundoff, one and a half twists, front pike Taryn Archambault roundoff, back handspring, back pikeswitch into side split, turning side split, turning wolf jumpfront handspring*, front layout, full twistturning wolf jump, pirouette,front handspring*, front layout Vault Dianna Kurowyckyj roundoff, back handspring entry into a ½ turning layout Kelsey Alwin roundoff, back handspring, full twisting layout Uneven Bars Danielle Reibold Mounts from in front of low bar, springboards up pushes off from the low bar and grabs high bar, grip change, grip change, gienger, aerial turning transition from high to low bar, moves to high bar, grip change, grip change, two twists? dismount Ali Carr Mount from in front of low bar, bounces off low to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, aerial turning transition from high to low, moves from low to high bar, back layout dismount while flying away from high bar. Balance Beam Keeley Smith Mounts from end of the beam, jumps off springboard and does front flip onto beam, dance elements, switch split, switch into side split, back handspring, back layout stepout, dance elements standing and at beam level, turning side split jump, runs forward and does gainer back pike off end of the beam dismount. Dianna Kurowyckyj Mounts to side of the beam, does a handstand onto the springboard then curls down onto the beam and does dance elements at beam level, dance elements standing follow, pirouette, back handspring, back layout, aerial round off?, switch split, turning side split, roundoff into back layout one and a half twists off end of the beam. Floor Exercise Kelsey Alwin roundoff, back layout, double back tuck,dance elements, turning switch split, turning side split,roundoff, back handspring, double back pikepirouette, dance elements, side split jump,forward full twist Helena DiodatiTurning tuck jump, turning wolf jumproundoff, back handspring, double back pikefront handspring*, front layoutdance elements, switch into side split, side split, round off into floor elementfront handspring*, front tuck Routine is expected to have more elements in it come competition season according to the coach. Vault Rebecca Marrama?roundoff, back handspring entry, back pike off. Tasia Percevecz roundoff, back handspring entry, back layout off Uneven Bars Dianna Kurowyckyj Mount to high bar from behind, grip change, grip change, aerial turning high to low transition, aerial straddled low to high transition, back layout dismount Chelsea Steinberg Mounts from in front of low bar, straddles low bar on way to high bar, grip change and direction change into tkatchev, aerial high to low turning transition, moves to high bar, back layout dismount. Balance Beam Courtney Connors Mounts to end of the beam, bounces off springboard and does a front flip, dance elements, pirouette, back handspring, layout stepout, side split jump, turning tuck jump, switch split leap, turning wolf jump, front one and a half twists off end of the beam dismount. Danielle Reibold Mounts to end of the beam, does a front flip off the springboard, pirouette, back handspring, back layout, dance elements, turning tuck jump, changement, switch split leap, back tuck, gainer back full twist to side of the beam dismount. Floor Exercise Julie Sauchuk roundoff, back handspring, back piketurning side split, turning wolf jump, turning tuck jumproundoff, half twist, front layoutswitch split leap, turning switch splitroundoff, back handspring, back tuck Rebecca Marrama roundoff, back handspring, double back pikeswitch split leap, dance elements,Front tuck, roundoff, half twistSwitch into side splitroundoff, back handspring, double back tuck Vault Helena Diodati roundoff, back handspring entry , full twist off Katie Caliendo roundoff, back handspring entry, full twist off Uneven Bars Diane Grey Mount to low bar, moves to high bar, grip change and direction change, grip change, grip change, aerial flip transition from high to low bar, grip and direction change on low bar, moves to high bar, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount facing away from the high bar. Keeley Smith Mount from in front of low bar, springboards off, straddles the low bar and flies up to high bar, swings forward then back in a straddled aerial high to low transition, moves to high bar, grip change into piked jaeger, grip change, multiple swings, grip change, grip change, back tuck dismount away from high bar. Balance Beam Jennifer Aucoin Mounts from side of the beam and does dance elements at beam level, back handspring, dance elements, back handspring, back layout stepout, pirouette, side split, turning split jump, aerial roundoff?, gainer back layout stepout, switch split leap, gainer back full twist dismount to side of the beam. Katie LawrenceMounts to side of the beam and dances at beam level, back handspring, layout stepout, back handspring, dance elements, switch split leap, turning side split, pirouette, she does jump switching leg position, then immediately an aerial roundoff type maneuver into a twisting dismount. (The coach described what it was called and I didn’t scribble it down fast enough) Floor Exercise Taryn LaFountainDance element, turn while extending one leg,roundoff, back handspring, back pikedance elements,front handspring, front layout, full twistpirouette, switch split leap, switch into side split, into turning side split, dance elementsroundoff, back handspring, double back tuck Keeley Smith Dance elements, turning wolf jump,roundoff, back handspring, double back pike,dance elements, switch into side split, turning wolf jump, turning side split,front handspring*, front layout, front layoutturning switch split jump, numerous dance elements at floor level,roundoff, back handspring, double back tuck. Balance Beam Ali Carr Mounts to near end of the beam, and does elements at beam level before standing, dance elements follow, back handspring, back handspring, dance elements, front layout stepout, switch split leap, switch split leap, pirouette, switch into side split, front layout dismount. Kelsey Alwin Mounts from end of the beam, bounces off springboard and does front flip on, dance elements, pirouette, dance elements, back handspring, back layout stepout, switch split leap, turning side split, dance elements at beam level, spinning maneuver around the beam, gainer back twist to side of the beam dismount. Vault Dianna Kurowyckyj roundoff, back handspring, ½ twist? Courtney Connors roundoff, back handspring entry, full twist off. Uneven Bars Helena Diodati’s routine is missing due to a technical glitch. Katie Lawrence Mounts from behind high bar, grip change, brief release of the bar, grip change, aerial turning high to low transition, moves to high bar, grip change, straddled jaeger, brief release of the bar, grip change and direction change, full twist, front tuck dismount? (the coach also described this I believe but I wasn’t fast enough in the scribbling.) Balance Beam Taryn LaFountain Mounts to end of the beam, dance elements, sheep jump, pirouette, dance elements, back handspring, back layout, side split jump, back tuck, switch split leap, turning side split jump, dance elements at beam level, shoulder roll, more elements, back handspring, layout stepout into gainer back layout to side of the beam dismount. Chelsea Steinberg Round off onto springboard, back handspring walkout onto beam, round off into layout stepout, pirouette, dance elements, switch split leap, turning tuck jump, dance elements at beam level, changement, turning split jump, full front twist off the end of the beam dismount. Floor Exercise Courtney Connors Dance elements, front handspring*, one and a half twists, back layout stepout,pirouette, dance elements, turning wolf jump, turning side split,roundoff, back handspring, double back tuck,dance elements, switch split leap, turning tuck jumpfront handspring, one and a half twists Katie Caliendo Dance elements,roundoff back handspring, tuck full in?roundoff, half twist, front layout, front layoutturning double stag, switch into side split, turning side split jump, dance elements at floor levelfront handspring, one and a half twist, back straddle dive to the floor. Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/9836-new-hampshire-holds-intrasquad-new-faces-new-routines Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:43:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/9312-overcoming-mental-blocks-focus <!--StartFragment--> True mental toughness is achieved when you have a strong balance of all mental skills. However, one of the most important and difficult mental skills to master is that of focus (sometimes called concentration). The reason focus is so difficult to control is because most people don’t even think about it and we are all easily distracted at times. To help you improve your ability to stay focused during practices or competitions, use your cue words (see my last blog on Confidence for more details). Too many gymnasts allow their attention to be consumed by things that are outside of their control, such as other gymnasts, coaches, poor scores from judges, not liking the lighting in the gym, or how similar one team’s leotard is to another. None of these things will help you perform better. If you find yourself being distracted, ask yourself a simple question: “Will this help me perform my best?” If the answer is no, you need to immediately shift your focus back to your cue words. However, I want to make it clear that you will not be able to maintain 100% focus during an entire competition. And you shouldn’t try either! That may sound funny, so let me explain what I mean… There is a time to be totally focused and a time to have more of a relaxed focus. The secret to successful focus is knowing when to turn it on and when to relax. So what do I mean by turn it on and when is the best time to do this? Turning your focus on refers to a more intense focus where your thoughts are in the present moment and solely on the task at hand. If you are on the beam, you are not thinking about the floor. If you are on the parallel bars, you are not thinking about the rings. Also, if you made a mistake in warm ups, you are not focusing on that. You are focused totally on your cues and executing your current routine perfectly. You know what to do and how to do it. Now is the time to simply execute! I discussed routines in one of my earliest blogs, so please go back and read it. This is important because your routine should be designed to help you turn on your focus and direct your thoughts to the present moment. Your thoughts can be wandering up to the point when you begin your routine. Once your routine begins, you must remain totally focused until you have completed your routine. After that, your thoughts can wander again until you begin your routine for the next event. It may be easiest to think of the intensity of your focus throughout the competition going up and down and like a rollercoaster. As long as you can control when it goes up and down, you can learn to perform your best when it matters most. Now, if you hear your coach yelling at you to “stay focused!” you know what to do! Please share any big distractions that you struggle with and what you do to regain your focus. <!--EndFragment--> Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/9312-overcoming-mental-blocks-focus Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/9192-perfect-100-at-the-race-for-the-cure Sunday, November 1st 25,000 people ran and walk to help find a cure. The race took place at the Domain in Northwest Austin. Over 2 million dollars was raised! 25% of that goes to the breast cancer research at a national level. 75% of it stays in the Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, and Bastrop Counties for local programs and research. I ran the race among many survivors, family members affected by the awful disease, and supporters. It was a beautiful morning with tons of people on the street running and others lining the street cheering. Among those cheering was my husband and dog, Lucki, who were cheering as loud as anyone else on the sidelines. It was truly an amazing adventure. 3.2 miles of running in a group of people all with on purpose in mind "Breast Cancer." To raise awareness. To educate. To fund research. To honor. To remember. To cherish. It was amazing!! There was a child, about 6 years old, running next to me for a while with a tag with which read "mom" on his back. He trotted along beside me for a while, till his dad and him got water. He was running in honor or memory of his mom. There were tags in honor or memory of many different names on the back of many of the runners. It was inspiring! Even more inspiring were the participants in pink, the survivors. I finished just behind a woman who was a 16 year survivor. It was truly inspiring and motivating. This day was a wonderful day, full of beauty, inspiration, and above all HOPE!! Hope that one day we will find a cure for cancer of all kinds! We are still taking donations till November 30th, if you would like to contribute feel free to visit my participant page at http://austin.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/AUS_AustinAffiliate?px=5540572&pg=personal&fr_id=1240&s_tafId=21660 Thank to all of you who have supported Perfect 10.0 and myself in the Race!! We will continue to persevere! Perfect10PT http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Perfect10PT/9192-perfect-100-at-the-race-for-the-cure Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:14:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/9028-mit-gymnastics-returns-as-a-club-team I tend to not have much to write about in the college offseason and the preseason activities up here in the northeast are few and far between. But one bit of nice news, is that two club sports teams, one for the men and one for the women have been formed at MIT to carry on the sport up in Cambridge. I was thrilled to read in the student newspaper just last week of their return. It is unfortunate when varsity teams get cut and it keeps happening which is driving me nuts, but at least the sport lives on. I just hope another team doesn't get cut this year. Davidfp http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Davidfp/9028-mit-gymnastics-returns-as-a-club-team Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:55:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/8955-overcoming-mental-blocks-confidence <!--StartFragment--> Confidence is the antonym of fear! Confidence is built from several factors: past successes, preparation, support from others, and self-talk (how you talk to yourself). Each factor is important, but today I will only highlight the concept of self-talk. We constantly talk to ourselves, both in our heads and sometimes even out loud (this is when some people may think you are crazy). Our self-talk can be both positive and negative. This distinction is important because positive self-talk can build your confidence while negative self-talk is sure to erode and eventually destroy your confidence (leaving you subject to all of the different fears I discussed in the last series). Some people think sport psychology is only about trying to “think positively.” But this is only a small part of one sport psychology concept (self-talk). Generally, you can group your positive self-talk into two categories: instructional and motivational. Instructional self-talk is when you talk yourself through a particular routine, perhaps by listing the individual moves in order or by highlighting a particular aspect of the move that you need to remember to be able to complete it successfully (e.g., “hands up,” “pointed toes,” “stick the landing,” “breathe”). These small phrases can act as cue words to help instruct you to perform a move properly. The second type of self-talk is motivational. This is important because gymnastics is NOT an easy sport. It takes total dedication and commitment. So, what do you do when practice gets tough, you are battling through small injuries, or you are completely exhausted and don’t know if you can continue pushing yourself? This is when you start using motivational self-talk. Telling yourself things like “keep going,” “I can do this,” or “I’m strong and tough.” These positive statements can help motivate you to push through to the next level, especially when it gets tough. Remember, you can build a strong foundation of confidence by monitoring your self-talk. You can control what you say to yourself, so you can control your level of confidence. Try using both types of positive self-talk: instructional and motivational. Find a statement that works well for YOU, because what works for one person may not work for another. Use your cue words in practice until you feel comfortable with them. Then, transition to using your cue words in competition. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions about how to use cue words effectively. Be sure to comment below on times that you use positive self-talk. <!--EndFragment--> Dbbellinger http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Dbbellinger/8955-overcoming-mental-blocks-confidence Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:51:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Annimal/8856-2009-world-gymnastics-championships-recap After 6 days of intense competition, the 2009 World Championships have come to a close. But before the competitors leave London 09 to prepare for London 2012, let's look back at some highlights of the 41st World Championships. Overall, there was a decent mix of veterans and new faces. The veteran who most impressed was Marian Dragulescu who recently came out of retirement. He won World Titles on both vault and floor and looked to be in excellent shape. The newcomer who most impressed is, without a doubt, American Kayla Williams. Her impervious surge in the world of elite gymnastics is unprecedented to say the least. She jumped from level 10 JO National Champion to World Champion in just 4 months! In winning the vault world title, Kayla beat the defending Olympic Champion Hong Un Jong and reigning European Champion Ariella Kaslin. She won by more than half a point, and showed no signs of pressure in doing so. That's just plain impressive! Makes you wonder if this will change the way Marta and the national staff view the JO program. Overall, the Chinese have proven they are still the best in the World. Despite not having strong all-arounders at this time, China still managed to claim 6 of the 10 Golds medals in event finals. Close behind in the total medal count was the US team, carried by the women and World All-Around Champion Bridget Sloan. All 4 of the US Women will leave London with medals and a promising future heading into 2012. Unfortunately the US men failed to win a single medal this year, but still had some great performances in 4 of the 6 guys making finals. Here's a look back at each Final: Men's ALL AROUND: 1. Kohei Uchimura JPN - 91.500 2. Daniel Keatings GBR - 88.925 3. Yury Ryazanov RUS - 88.400 4. Kazuhito Tanaka JPN - 88.300 5. Maxim Devyatovsky RUS - 87.475 6. Kristian Thomas GBR - 87.350 7. Tim McNeill USA - 87.150 8. Benoit Caranobe FRA - 86.175 Uchimura came in as the favorite to win with his consistency and exceptional execution. No surprise to see him at the top. Womens ALL AROUND: 1. Bridget Sloan USA-57.825 2. Rebecca Bross USA 57.775 3. Koko Tsurumi JPN 57.175 4. Lauren Mitchell AUS-57.150 5. Youna Dufournet FRA 56.65 6. Yang Yilin CHN 56.575 7. Ana Porgras ROM-56.50 8. Ariella Kaeslin SUI-55.925 Many predicted the US women would finish 1-2 and this is exactly what happened. Rebecca Bross was in the lead up until falling on her very last tumbling pass, giving Bridget the gold. Koko Tsurumi was the surprise bronze medalist, just edging out Lauren Mitchell. It was an absolute joy to watch Mitchell compete in London. She made a strong statement for Aussie gymnastics at these World Championships. She was right there with the best in the world and looked extremely confident doing it. Men's Floor: 1 DRAGULESCU Marian ROU 6.600/9.100 - 15.700 2 ZOU Kai CHN 6.800/8.875 - 15.675 3 SHATILOV Alexander ISR 6.600/8.975 - 15.575 Dragulescu squeaked out gold and a 7th World title with a slightly cleaner routine than Olympic FX Champion Zou Kai. Even still, it was a little sloppy. Shatilov made history in winning the first-ever World Championships medal for Israel and being just 22 years old, we should see a lot more of him in the future. If it had not been for a step out of bounds, Uchimura would have tied for the bronze. Steven Legendre hit a clean set, but watered down his first pass to a double front, barani. He only ended up with a 6.2 D score, instead of the promised 6.9 which would have been the highest of the competition. Women's Vault: 1 WILLIAMS Kayla USA 15.087 2 KAESLIN Ariella SUI 14.525 3 DUFOURNET Youna FRA 14.450 4 KURBATOVA Ekaterina RUS 1 5.800 8.925 14.725 14.337 Kayla Williams was simply amazing here. She handled the pressure of her very first World Championship Final like a veteran. She competed a laid out handspring rudi with a clean landing for her first vault, then launched an extremely impressive yurchenko double full that she stuck cold! It was so inspiring to see her run off the podium into the arms of her coach. Pommel Horse: 1 ZHANG Hongtao CHN 6.60/9.60 – 16.200 2 BERKI Krisztian HUN 6.90/9.175 – 16.075 3 SELLATHURAI Prashanth AUS 6.60/8.80 – 15.400 It was a long-awaited title for China's Zhang Hongtao and his routine was exquisite. The British favorite unfortunately took a fall and was out of medal contention. American Tim McNeill capped off a fantastic showing at his first World Championships with a 5th place finish here. (6.40/8.750 - 15.150). Uneven Bars: 1 HE Kexin CHN 7.100/8.900 - 16.000 2 TSURUMI Koko JPN 6.200/8.675 - 14.875 3T PORGRAS Ana ROU 6.300/8.375 - 14.675 3T BROSS Rebecca USA 6.200/8.475 - 14.675 Olympic Champ He Kexin proved her dominance once again, and looked even better here than in the Olympic final. With the absence of Britain's Bar Specialist, Beth Tweddle, He had very little competition and beat the rest of the field by over a point! Still Rings 1 YAN Mingyong CHN 6.800/8.875 15.675 2 IOVTCHEV Iordan BUL 6.700/8.875 15.575 3 VOROBIOV Oleksandr UKR 6.800/8.750 15.550 Defending Olympic and World Champion Chen Yibing of China was the favorite to win but failed to make the final after catching his foot on the rings and during his dimount in qualifying. This opened the door for teammate Yan Mingyong of China to take the gold. Men's Vault 1 DRAGULESCU Marian ROU - 16.575 2 KOCZI Flavius ROU - 16.337 3 GOLOTSUTSKOV Anton RUS - 16.287 4 FAHRIG Matthias GER - 15.850 For his first vault, Marian launched his trademark vault, handspring double front with a half twist out, aka the Dragulescu. This vault was competed by nearly all of the vault finalists, but performed the best by Dragulescu who earned 9.550 exectution. His second vault had the highest start value of the competition at a 7.2. There was a lot of hype surrounding Ri Se Gwang of North Korea, but you just never know what he is going to do. Today he threw 2 scary vaults, the first was a piked Dragulescu which he landed on his head. ouch. Balance Beam 1 DENG Linlin CHN 6.400/8.600 - 15.000 2 MITCHELL Lauren AUS 6.300/8.575 - 14.875 3 HONG Ivana USA 6.000/8.550 - 14.550 It was a rather sloppy balance beam final with major mistakes from Ana Porgras, and Yang Yilin, and a major save from Koko Tsurumi. After a disappointing finish for Deng Linlin in the all around, she claimed gold here, with Aussie Lauren Mitchell right behind her. Lauren has been delightful to watch at these Worlds. Ivana was a little shaky, but still pulled out the bronze. One of the highlights from the Beam final was North Korean Kim Un Hyang. Even though she had some balance checks and finished out of the medals in 4th, she has a great routine that includes a roundoff full twist! Parallel Bars 1 WANG Guanyin CHN 7.000/8.975 - 15.975 2 FENG Zhe CHN 6.900/8.875 - 15.775 3 TANAKA Kazuhito JPN 6.400/9.100 - 15.500 European Champion Yann Cucherat unexpectedly pulled out of the final today which opened doors for yet another Chinese victory. Wang Guanyin's difficulty-packed routine won the title. Women's Floor 1 TWEDDLE Elizabeth GBR 6.100/8.550 - 14.650 2 MITCHELL Lauren AUS 5.800/8.750 - 14.550 3 SUI Lu CHN 5.700/8.600 - 14.300 Crowd favorite Beth Tweddle was the first competitor up, and hit her insanely difficult floor set. To the delight of the crowd, her score held throughout the competition. Myzdrikova of Russia came into the final in 1st, but a sloppy punch front half out of her third pass kept her out of the medals, even though the rest of the tumbling was fantastic. She had the second highest D score of the competition at 5.90 with a whip to double arabian, and even a triple full to back tuck! She missed the bronze by just .025. Jessica Gil Ortiz made history for Colombian gymnastics today in advancing to the floor final, but after nailing her double layout opening pass, she unfortunately suffered a scary fall on her handspring double front pass. The arena grew silent as the medics rushed to Jessica. It looked like she was alright, but still got carried off on a stretcher, hopefully just as a precaution. Jessica trains at Universal Gymnastics in Miami alongside American Danell Leyva. Danell's mother is Jessica's coach. High Bar 1 ZOU Kai CHN 7.500/8.650 - 16.150 2 ZONDERLAND Epke NED 7.300/8.525 - 15.825 3 CASSINA Igor ITA 6.700/8.925 - 15.625 This was the event final with the most hype, and while it was definitely exciting to watch, I was a bit disappointed in the result. I thought Zou Kai was sloppy and overscored. Even still, he came out on top with a 7.5 D score. 17-year-old American Danell Leyva showed a lot of promise in placing 4th and missing a medal by just .025. Jonathan Horton was certainly looking to redeem himself from Wednesday's All Around final, but couldn't quite pull it together. He went all out throwing the bigger routine, but missed his Kolman, and ran out of gas on his triple double dismount. He looked extremely disappointed, but the good thing about Horton is you know he'll use this as fuel to get back in the gym and keep fighting. Annimal http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Annimal/8856-2009-world-gymnastics-championships-recap Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:13:00 -0500 http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Annimal/8806-london-2009-wag-preview The women will kick things off on Wednesday with their qualifying round. The top 24 will advance to All Around finals, and the top 8 on each event advance, with no more than 2 girls per country. One year after Beijing, this will be a great chance to see the newcomers from each country as we progress into the new quad. Here are some things we should look for from the women in London: All-Around 2008 Olympic Champ: Nastia Liukin (USA) 2007 World Champ: Shawn Johnson (USA) Reigning Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin will be in the house, but not as a competitor. Remember she withdrew from the US Selection in order to take some time off of training. Just yesterday, Nastia was selected as the athlete's representative on the FIG Council. Congrats to her! With her absence from the All-Around, it gives others a chance to shine, namely her American teammates Bridget Sloan and Rebecca Bross. Sloan, the US Champion, seems like the front runner for the US, but even Bross has a legitimate chance of winning. She's had more time to get back to consistent training after the US Classic ankle injury, and Bross is just plain tough. Ksenia Semenova, 2009 European Champion, is also a potential winner. She was 4th in the Beijing All-Around. Also of Russia, Ksenia Afanasyeva was considered one of the frontrunners for the all-around, but withdrew upon arrival in London with a back injury. The Chinese have 2 girls listed for all around in Yang Yiliin, 3rd in the Beijing All-Around, and Deng Linlin, recent Chinese National Champion. Yilin has grown quite a bit since Beijing, but both girls still have potential to end the meet on the podium. The local favorite will be 2-time British Champion Beckie Downie. She finished 12th in the Beijing All-Around, but a year later and with a home crowd behind her, Beckie could be a surprise in the medals. Others to look for: Yana Demyanchuck (Ukraine), Ariella Kaslin (Switzerland), Ana Maria Izurieta (Spain), Koko Tsumuri (Japan), and Ana Porgras (Romania). Vault 2008 Olympic Champ: Hong Un Jong (North Korea) 2007 World Champ: Cheng Fei (China) With so few gymnasts competing 2 high level vaults nowadays, this event is the most wide open of the four. Sadly, the Chinese vault queen Cheng Fei will not be competing at these Worlds. So look for reigning Olympic Champion Hong Un Jong to run the show. She has a pair of 6.5 vaults to boast, an Amanar and a Cheng (roundoff, half on, rudi laid out). Here's a look back at her Beijing vault final: Hong's toughest competition will come from Ariella Kaslin (Switzerland), the 2009 European vault champion. She vaults a clean handspring layout rudi (6.3 SV), but her second vault is just a yurchenko 1.5 (5.3 SV). Kayla Williams could be the surprise vault medal here despite the fact that 6 months ago she was unknown on the elite scene. Kayla confirmed in this interview that she plans to throw a handspring layout rudi (6.3), and an amanar (6.5). However, it's been reported that she has not thrown any amanars in podium training, and seems to be sticking with a DTY (5.8 SV). Guess we'll just have to wait and see! Other girls with 2 decent vaults are Shona Morgan (Australia) and Ekaterina Kurbatova (Russia). Bars 2008 Olympic Champ: He Kexin (China) 2007 World Champ: Ksenia Semyonova (Russia) The uneven bars final is going to be a straight up battle between Beth Tweddle and He Kexin. Beth is the 2006 World UB Champion, 2009 European UB Champion, and has the craziest, release-packed bar routine we've ever seen. Here is her winning routine from Europeans earlier this year: Then there's He Kexin. If you haven't seen this video of her recent win at Chinese Nationals it is definitely worth watching! She looks even better than she did in Beijing, in my opinion, and has even upgraded to a stretch jaeger straight into a pak salto: Breathtaking, isn't it? Then 2007 UB Champion Ksenia Semyononva has been looking good lately, but her Russian teammate Ekaterina Kurbatova recently revealed a new 6.4 SV routine featuring a tkatchev, pak, khorkina II directly connected! From the German team, Anja Brinker is always nice to watch on bars. Others to look for in the final: Yang Yilin (China), and Youna Dufournet who throws a very nice def. I predict Bridget Sloan is the most likely American to make the UB final this year. She looked good on bars at Nationals and was throwing full twisting DLO dismounts during podium training. Beam 2008 Olympic Champ: Shawn Johnson (USA) 2007 World Champ: Nastia Liukin (USA) With both of the defending Champions watching from the stands, there is no distinct favorite in the beam final. Instead, there are quite a few with exciting routines with medal potential. One that comes to mind is 2009 European BB Champ Yana Demyanchuck (Ukraine). She impressed us at the WOGA Classic back in February and has improved a lot even since then. Here is her winning routine from Europeans: Aussie Lauren Mitchell will be tough competition as I hear she is upgrading to a 7.0 D score. And the Chinese duo of Sui Lu and Deng Linlin both have high quality beam sets. Here is Deng's routine from last month's Chinese Nationals. Check out the huge back handspring layout! 2009 US Beam Champion Ivana Hong will be a medal contender as well. I found it odd that Beijing Beam Finalist Gabriela Dragoi (Romania) is not listed as competing beam at all, however teammate Anamaria Tamarjan has medal potential, as does Ana Porgras who recently showed a lovely routine at Romanian Nationals. Also watch out for Koko Tsumuri of Japan.   Floor 2008 Olympic Champ: Sandra Izbasa (Romania) 2007 World Champ: Shawn Johnson (USA) Britain's own Beth Tweddle is the favorite for the FX title, especially with the recent and oh so unfortunate injury to Sandra Izbasa. Tweddle was the 2009 European Champion. Check out her winning routine of 15.150 (6.0 D score). Her first pass is quite impressive. Bridget Sloan could make the podium here, or even win if Tweddle falters. Others to watch: Anamaria Tamarijan (Romania), Ksenia Semynova (Russia), Anna Myzdrigova (Russia), Lauren Mitchell (Australia), and even Rebecca Bross. It should also be interesting to see Kayla Williams' floor routine since the National staff has revamped it. I hear her triple full is now on the diagonal (instead of a side pass which was so awesome!), but it does make sense. I also hear the choreography has been changed. The countdown to London 2009 is almost complete! What do YOU think about the upcoming competition? Annimal http://www.gymnastike.org/blogs/blogger/Annimal/8806-london-2009-wag-preview Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:14:00 -0500