Lizzy LeDuc (Illinois) Photo by Craig Pressman/Illinois Athletics

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IN THE NEWS

In the news Spencer, Lauren, and Jessica chat about:

Quiz: World, Olympic and National Team Members in the NCAA (sexy data here)
Elite Canada (6:20)
- Junior Ana Padurariu swept and beat the seniors scores (bars, beam featuring the back dive mount)
The Reykjavik International 2017 videos here (11:00)
- Ethora BB (featuring the Friends’s fu sign) and her newish floor routine
- Sydney Johnson-Scharpf won floor
NCAA (19:40)
- Kiana Winston joins the 10.0 Club on floor, but then drinks water
- Ebee would have joined if there were justice in the world
- Lizzy Leduc is becoming a star at Illinois (9.950 BB)
- Brianna Comport is throwback perfection front tumbling goddess
Crack or Correct
- Britney Ward (Missouri) absolutely robbed of a 10 on this vault
- Mia Hambrick (LSU) SAME
- Kyrstin Hoffa (UW) floor demonstration mastery and amplitude on every single skill

GYMTERNET NEWS

Our weekly roundup of the latest news stories from around the gymternet include (39:00):

Trampoline champion Pam Clark slams British Gymnastics
Why Russia keeps pregnant athletes on the national team (hint, human rights!)
Anatomy Of Athletes, will feature Vanessa Ferrari
Sofia Hults: Delivering the floor exercise realness that you need right now
Aja Sims weiler to comaneci salto
USAG Sexual Abuse Investigation Update (54:00)
- - Texas Rangers went to Karolyi Ranch for sex abuse case
  - SCATS:
    - National team members sue Don Peters and Nassar for sexual misconduct and abuse
    - Orange County Register journalist Scott Reid’s investigation revealed that SCATS has violated USAG’s policy against banned members at USAG clubs.
  - Nassar:
    - Nassar medical license suspended
    - John Geddert sued for allegedly failing to protect his gymnasts from sexual abuse.
    - A gymnast tried to report Nassar as early as 1997
    - Police questioned Nassar about his conduct in 2004
    - MSU athletes ordered to not talk about Nassar
    - “If those allegations are true, MSU may be obstructing justice, which is a crime.”
    - Current MSU head coach, Kathie Klages accused of failing to report and intimidating, alleged Nassar victim
    - MSU coach suggests Nassar treatments were legitimate and he was framed
FEEDBACK (1:03:24):
- McKenna Kelly’s vault injury
- Mom causes blackout during meet
- What’s Ashton Locklear up to now
- Leotard sizes and fit
- Inauguration-themed floor routine
- Instant replay in NCAA
- Routine judging receipts
- Award ceremony straddle conga lines

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TJ Rush says

February 8, 2017 at 5:36 pm

Hi Jessica,

Why is Kathie Klage still coaching at MSU? I want to try to understand this as well. I’m not a fan of Klage and have no strong feelings forMSU either way. But I do think that it’s dangerous to take everything the press says as truth and demand people are punished based on mere talk. Here is an attempt at a defense of MSU not suspending Klage .

1. I just got off jury duty and I still have the judge\’s instructions in my head. He prevented us from googling or reading ANY press related to our case because it is just \”hearsay\”. It is not evidence and cannot be considered factual as the article interviewees are not under oath and documentation the articles are based on are not reviewed by the court and submitted as legal evidence. Jury duty has made me more careful about believing the press.

I don’t think we should assume we know the whole story based on what is reported in the press.

2. I know a lawyer is blogging about this. But are you certain that the Klage was legally \”obstructing justice\” in 1997 when she intimidated the gymnast into not filing against Nassar? To apply the obstruction of justice law against Klage, I think Klage would have had to have known or believed that Nassar was guilty of a crime. (I\’m not a lawyer, but it seems the definition of obstruction of justice the blogger is applying is suspect.)

3. Right now, Nassar is legally innocent and I think this also gives Klage protection against the law and if she isn’t a law breaker, isn’t sexually abusing gymnasts and the party who was (Nassar) is no longer there to influence her, then why should MSU suspend her at this time? The number of accusers in the indictment, MSU’s statement and the fact that Nassar lost his medical license is pretty damning IMO and if he is found guilty, then I think it will be easier to look at parties like Kathie Klage with more scrutiny. But right now, she is legally innocent and she can (and has) stated that she thinks Nassar is innocent so I think unfortunately, she can’t be suspended specifically related to his alleged crimes – yet.

4. As a juror, I can hear the defense attorney talking about the incident in 1997 and asking me to look at this as a “reasonable” person would back then. Doing that, I think I would believe the doctor employed by MSU (my employer) in his response to the gymnast’s allegations. I’m not a medical professional and in professional environments, you have to trust your colleague’s expertise. It’s just not my place to question his medical procedures. Next, if I’m weighing the statements of a 16 year old against a university employed doctor, then I see why Klage would err in favor of the doctor. Women have to have gynecological exams which are intrusive as heck. I HATE them but we need them and I remember my mother (back in 1997) telling me that intrusive medical procedures are a necessity of life as a woman and you endure it. I complained and cried through them but the thought was, “it’s not a big deal, women are strong and don’t let it bother you.” My coaches where tough and hard. Why would responding to my complaints of a medical exam be any different? I could see myself as Klage, thinking that this medical procedure will help the gymnast with her injury and telling the gymnast that even though it is uncomfortable, it you want to recover from your injury quickly, you have to endure it and don’t complain about it.

I do realize however, today it’s a completely different story. Studies have shown how damaging this kind of abuse is and how common it is in today’s world. If it’s happening now, then of course I agree she should handle it differently and if she disagrees then I think MSU should fire her if they legally can. But I don’t know if you can “retroactively” judge her based on knowledge and thought 20 years ago.

5. If you look at it from MSU’s side, I don’t think they can just fire someone based on press articles or complaints they get from athletes. I’m not saying they should be disregarded. But what if an innocent coach upsets an athlete and their parents because they won’t start them so the athlete just start making allegations against the coach or intentionally misconstruing everything said out of immaturity or anger? I know MSU washed their hands of Nassar, but I can see the supporters and students of that University not appreciating coaches getting suspended because they are in a “terrible position” of having to work with the university doctor. I think suspending her at this point, could be seen as setting a dangerous precedent.

That said, if my daughter were an MSU gymnast, I would really be talking to her about this and if she is uncomfortable and wants to leave the team, I would support pulling her out in a split second (even if she was under scholarship.) I really feel for the athlete parents here.

Personally, I think if the conviction for Nassar comes down, MSU should fire her for gross stupidity. it seems crazy to me that she would believe Nassar was framed. Framed by who? Why? How did someone get 25000 porn images on his computer? If it’s a frame, why take the time to upload 25000 not 5000? I do agree with the rage o meter here completely.

If MSU is in fact acting illegally, the district attorney office should be coming after them. If they are acting unethically, hopefully the stakeholders of that university and student’s parents will demand action. But in conclusion, I just don’t believe bloggers or newspapers outright. When the courts decide, then I think MSU will have more leverage and responsibility to act against Klage.

Comments

Taylor says

February 8, 2017 at 2:15 pm

There were 2 trampoline gymnasts for GB there was Kat Driscoll aswell

Kensley says

February 8, 2017 at 4:30 pm

On Ward\’s vault, she didn\’t click her heals together. That could be the reason for a lack of a 10. Last time I was in a judge\’s meeting, they harped on that before giving the 10!

TJ Rush says

February 8, 2017 at 5:36 pm

Hi Jessica,

Why is Kathie Klage still coaching at MSU? I want to try to understand this as well. I’m not a fan of Klage and have no strong feelings forMSU either way. But I do think that it’s dangerous to take everything the press says as truth and demand people are punished based on mere talk. Here is an attempt at a defense of MSU not suspending Klage .

1. I just got off jury duty and I still have the judge\’s instructions in my head. He prevented us from googling or reading ANY press related to our case because it is just \”hearsay\”. It is not evidence and cannot be considered factual as the article interviewees are not under oath and documentation the articles are based on are not reviewed by the court and submitted as legal evidence. Jury duty has made me more careful about believing the press.

I don’t think we should assume we know the whole story based on what is reported in the press.

2. I know a lawyer is blogging about this. But are you certain that the Klage was legally \”obstructing justice\” in 1997 when she intimidated the gymnast into not filing against Nassar? To apply the obstruction of justice law against Klage, I think Klage would have had to have known or believed that Nassar was guilty of a crime. (I\’m not a lawyer, but it seems the definition of obstruction of justice the blogger is applying is suspect.)

3. Right now, Nassar is legally innocent and I think this also gives Klage protection against the law and if she isn’t a law breaker, isn’t sexually abusing gymnasts and the party who was (Nassar) is no longer there to influence her, then why should MSU suspend her at this time? The number of accusers in the indictment, MSU’s statement and the fact that Nassar lost his medical license is pretty damning IMO and if he is found guilty, then I think it will be easier to look at parties like Kathie Klage with more scrutiny. But right now, she is legally innocent and she can (and has) stated that she thinks Nassar is innocent so I think unfortunately, she can’t be suspended specifically related to his alleged crimes – yet.

4. As a juror, I can hear the defense attorney talking about the incident in 1997 and asking me to look at this as a “reasonable” person would back then. Doing that, I think I would believe the doctor employed by MSU (my employer) in his response to the gymnast’s allegations. I’m not a medical professional and in professional environments, you have to trust your colleague’s expertise. It’s just not my place to question his medical procedures. Next, if I’m weighing the statements of a 16 year old against a university employed doctor, then I see why Klage would err in favor of the doctor. Women have to have gynecological exams which are intrusive as heck. I HATE them but we need them and I remember my mother (back in 1997) telling me that intrusive medical procedures are a necessity of life as a woman and you endure it. I complained and cried through them but the thought was, “it’s not a big deal, women are strong and don’t let it bother you.” My coaches where tough and hard. Why would responding to my complaints of a medical exam be any different? I could see myself as Klage, thinking that this medical procedure will help the gymnast with her injury and telling the gymnast that even though it is uncomfortable, it you want to recover from your injury quickly, you have to endure it and don’t complain about it.

I do realize however, today it’s a completely different story. Studies have shown how damaging this kind of abuse is and how common it is in today’s world. If it’s happening now, then of course I agree she should handle it differently and if she disagrees then I think MSU should fire her if they legally can. But I don’t know if you can “retroactively” judge her based on knowledge and thought 20 years ago.

5. If you look at it from MSU’s side, I don’t think they can just fire someone based on press articles or complaints they get from athletes. I’m not saying they should be disregarded. But what if an innocent coach upsets an athlete and their parents because they won’t start them so the athlete just start making allegations against the coach or intentionally misconstruing everything said out of immaturity or anger? I know MSU washed their hands of Nassar, but I can see the supporters and students of that University not appreciating coaches getting suspended because they are in a “terrible position” of having to work with the university doctor. I think suspending her at this point, could be seen as setting a dangerous precedent.

That said, if my daughter were an MSU gymnast, I would really be talking to her about this and if she is uncomfortable and wants to leave the team, I would support pulling her out in a split second (even if she was under scholarship.) I really feel for the athlete parents here.

Personally, I think if the conviction for Nassar comes down, MSU should fire her for gross stupidity. it seems crazy to me that she would believe Nassar was framed. Framed by who? Why? How did someone get 25000 porn images on his computer? If it’s a frame, why take the time to upload 25000 not 5000? I do agree with the rage o meter here completely.

If MSU is in fact acting illegally, the district attorney office should be coming after them. If they are acting unethically, hopefully the stakeholders of that university and student’s parents will demand action. But in conclusion, I just don’t believe bloggers or newspapers outright. When the courts decide, then I think MSU will have more leverage and responsibility to act against Klage.

Jared says

February 8, 2017 at 7:57 pm

Thanks for the voice shout out. There is 10 Canadian World/Olympic team members currently competing in NCAA, but there is waaaaay more then 10. Oregon has 5, MSU has 4, Georgia has 3. Lauren, you killed saying Ana’s last name! Always a tough one!

Anon says

February 9, 2017 at 11:33 am

Agree with your comments about the Washington Huskies. I\’ve been so impressed with their progress this year. Their routines aren\’t the most difficult, but they are consistently showing beautiful form and artistry. And sticking landings! Not something they have been known for in the past….Elise Ray is doing an amazing job with her team, but doing it quietly and (intentionally?) outside the limelight. There seems to be a strong subjective component to judging that rewards the gymnasts and teams who have superior promotion and an identifiable \”brand\”. Let\’s see if Washington can break through that barrier and start to receive the scores they deserve.

Faith says

February 10, 2017 at 12:51 pm

T-shirt idea: \”Be More like Elise Ray\”

Katie K says

February 11, 2017 at 1:52 pm

Brianna Comport also has contemporary Vera hairstyle! Love it.

PS, I’m thinking Musty was a shotgun wedding – that was an awfully fast, unexpected wedding and timeline. Scandal!

239: Elite Canada, Reykjavik & NCAA