Update: This episode was recorded before Kyla Ross’s withdraw from the American Cup. On 2/26 Ohashi and Biles were announced as the US competitors. After you listen to this episode, you will see that we can indeed predict the future and are freaking geniuses.
This week, three-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist Beth Tweddle stops by to talk with us. The 27 year-old chats about the fun of skating costumes, the little known advantages of puberty for female gymnasts, training healthier and smarter for guaranteed competition results and what skills scare her.
Where can you watch and find the list of NCAA meets each week, you ask? Check out Lauren Hopkins weekly schedules over on The Couch Gymnast and College Gym Fans rankings.
GymNerd Challenge Winner of the Week! Chris Jordan took these two lucky newbies gymnastics-meet-virginity! Woot!
Show links: Tunnel Bear a VPN service. Here are the FIG’s Most Commendable Award Criteria 2012. And of course, Beth’s Week Four “tuck back” routine.
Lia Del Priore’s 10 on Floor for Utah. Starts with vault then goes to floor. Watch for the Tebow at that 1:10 mark.
Oklahoma’s distracting “Boobitard”.
I fulfilled the GymNerd Challenge for February! 15 years after I gave up on convincing my parents to let me compete, I took my dad to his first gymnastics meet! I even wrote a blog post about it (it was a bit of a road trip after all) with a bunch of pictures too. http://impresstohandstand.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-far-do-you-go-for-gymnastics.html
You are awesome! So sorry we forgot your pic with your dad. Will add it.
Jennifer, I get it that it takes a lot of work and most likely a loss of sleep to produce your podcast, which leads to momentary brain bonking. But you really topped it when you were mumbling on about whether or not USAG bigwigs should have a gym background you said, “…Kathy Kelly was not a coach… of course she’s gone now…”. I was patiently waiting for you to then add “…to be replaced by Steve Rybacki.” who DOES have a gym background. And you also mentioned Steve Penny not having a gym background, but he’s the CEO. His job is fund raising, promotion and coordination. I would be seriously suspicious of a president of a multi-million dollar sports NGB who wasn’t a crack executive and cheerleader. Whether he ever had chalk on his hands or not is hugely irrelevant.
re above: I meant Jessica… it’s contagious.
Christ, if USAG handed over the reins to a cheerleader on crack I think there’d be some serious issues!
The leotard of Oklahoma’s that creeps me out the most is the one with a ton of illusion-netting on the back … which they then safety-pin their numbers to, so it looks like they safety-pinned their skin. GROSS.
The “boobitard” is distracting? Really? You want men to compete shirtless, but a little side boob is off limits? Hmm, do I sense a double standard? I agree that men competing shirtless is a great idea, but what about women wearing a two-piece, a la beach volleyball. Now that might sell out some venues! Cut Oklahoma some slack. At least they’re pushing the envelope.
want