Friday Night Heights: The college gymnastics thread

[dixiehack]

Happy opening weekend to all who observe. Kind of crappy that the best event of the weekend (Oklahoma, Auburn, Nebraska and BYU in Nashville) isn't being streamed anywhere, but such is life.

The best coverage I have found (including fun, snarky live updates) is on The Balance Beam Situation.

https://balancebeamsituation.com/

Preseason rankings link below. Sooners, LSU, Florida, Cal and Utah your top 5. Bama at No. 6 seems a touch optimistic but I certainly wouldn't be mad about it.

We will see if this thread goes anywhere.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Getting to regularly watch Jade Carey is a real treat. She is spectacular.

I used to see a lot of college gymnastics, been to two NCAAs in Tuscaloosa, seeing the southern coaches all decked out was always a hoot. Patterson from Alabama reminded me of Miss Firecracker and Suzanne Yoculan dressed like a hooker.

One of my stories (from the 1990 or 93 NCAAs) was framed and displayed at the Georgia training center for many years, not sure if it's still there.

Spent a great night at the Houndstooth before the 1994 NCAAs. Our whole contingent was there and the bartender kept the place open until 2 a.m. and was pounding shots with abandon.

 

[dixiehack]

Patterson from Alabama reminded me of Miss Firecracker and Suzanne Yoculan dressed like a hooker.

SEC Storied had an episode called Sarah & Suzanne that went into their rivalry and the dominance of the programs in that era. It pains me to admit the Gym Dogs were just a little bit better across that run. But I still contend that Yoculan makes coats out of Dalmatian fur.

 

[dixiehack]

Forgot the rankings link.

2025 Preseason Rankings • USA Gymnastics

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Seven of the top 10 are from the SEC? Obviously, It Just Means More.

 

[John]

SEC Storied had an episode called Sarah & Suzanne that went into their rivalry and the dominance of the programs in that era. It pains me to admit the Gym Dogs were just a little bit better across that run. But I still contend that Yoculan makes coats out of Dalmatian fur.

Suzanne for sure isn't for everyone, but she was one hell of a coach. Ten NCAA titles, including five in a row to end her career. She took a nothing sport at Georgia and made it the hottest ticket in town other than football.

I'll be very curious to see how Simone Biles' coach, Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, does as Georgia's new co-head coach. Biles will be at the home opener, so the place will certainly be packed again for that one.

 

[dixiehack]

Oh she was a great coach.

 

[DanOregon]

Livvy Dunn back?

 

[Smallpotatoes]

Livvy Dunn back?

Yes. She's a grad student and this is her last year of eligibility.

BTW, is fair to say she's the Anna Kournikova of gymnastics?

 

[dixiehack]

Livvy Dunn back?

No vault last night, curiously enough. 9.825 on beam, 9.875 on floor as LSU won with a 197.300. Supposedly judging will be far stricter this winter. We will see.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Yes. She's a grad student and this is her last year of eligibility.

BTW, is fair to say she's the Anna Kournikova of gymnastics?

A story popped up on my feed noting that she was "breaking out a new leotard" at the meet. That's enough for me to answer your question, "Yes. Definitely."

Her scores from last night are the equivalent of a gentlemen's C, from what I've seen of NCAA judging of late.

 

[dixiehack]

A 9.875 is a solid score, especially in January. If it is your high score for the rotation you are in trouble but you'd feel OK having it at No. 3 and good at 4-5. If it is your drop score you would be giddy.