What We’re Talking About
There are a lot of ways to make people look. Clemson gymnastics, only in their second year of competition, has done it better than just about any program we can remember in such a short period of time. First, they made us look with their on-brand, but unique leotards. Then quickly it was noticeable that they had already engaged their fan base and were selling out their home meets. Also immediately, the gymnastics started to speak for itself. That has never been more evident than this past weekend when redshirt junior, Brie Clark competed the Biles I on floor at home against New Hampshire and Texas Woman’s University.
It wasn’t just that Brie competed the skill, it’s that the program was ready for it. On the floor Brie held up a t-shirt that read “I made history today! The 1st collegiate gymnast to compete The Biles I.” If you were online at all over the weekend you were hit with this amazing achievement. Simone Biles commented on the video. Clemson recorded the reaction of Brie reading Simone’s comment and had that new video bouncing around the internet. Brie’s skill made the highlights on ESPN and then she made an appearance on Good Morning America. None of this was an accident. Yes, Brie had to compete the skill, but Clemson is doing the work.
It’s a great reminder that doing cool things can garner attention; and that preparation is rocket fuel for success. Gymnastics is an artistic sport with unlimited outlets for expression. Fans want to see unique skills; and fMRI scans show that our brains literally light up when exposed to something novel. It’s a great reminder that success doesn’t mean winning, it’s about fulfilling your potential and then celebrating it.
Feelings
- Bon voyage! Aimee Boorman heads to Germany
- Bookmark it. Jordan Chiles’ book is released
- She opens up about her abusive coach and her own suicidal thoughts
- Set your DVR: Inside SEC to feature Arkansas gymnastics on March 10
- Super scary: Ian Gunther breaks the floor
- The plot thickens. Alabama leapfrogs Auburn, pushing them into the fight with Arkansas to make the SEC Championship
- If there are rules in the code of points policing the body, piercings or makeup for women, they should be in the code for men too
- It was good to see Jessica Gadirova back on the competition floor
- Sad that Charlotte Booth has ruptured her Achilles
- We’re obsessed with bear hair
- Art but make it sports
Facts
- 197.725: The second highest score in program history for Mizzou
- Brie Clark is the first NCAA gymnast to compete a Biles I
- Selena Miranda-Harris scores the first perfect 10 on vault in 2025
- Air Force has been censored
- The 2025 AAI Award nominees have been announced
- Clemson honors Lilly Lippeatt’s brother, Lance Corporal Noah Lippeatt, who passed away in 2024
- Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey get their own Barbies
- Where it belongs: Rebeca Andrade’s Paris leotard is on display at a museum in Switzerland
- USAG has listed the spring assignments
- Alaska posts the 10th highest score in program history
Award(s)
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- Judging With Guts Award: Beam judges in Maryland who were willing to give 9.6s to hits
- Mimicking GOAT: Brie Clark
What’s On the Socials?
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Guys, last night Kyen's hair said Bears 🤭Well done, Miki!#GoBears | #OneDayBetter
— California Women's Gymnastics (@calwgym.bsky.social) 2025-03-01T22:10:25.679Z
Quotes
“Suddenly, the car went quiet. I’m surprised everyone couldn’t hear the sound of my heart breaking, because it absolutely did, there in that back seat.”
~ Jordan Chiles, Olympic Gold Medalist
An excerpt retelling the moment she found out she had been stripped of Paris bronze floor medal. From her new book, “I’m That Girl.”
♦
“She knows I exist!”
~ Brie Clark, History Maker
Brie’s reaction as she was shown a comment by Simone Biles congratulating her on becoming the first NCAA athlete to successfully compete one of her eponymous skills.
♦
“I don’t know what everyone thought, but I became very worried about the Ukraine gymnasts. Because I always say that I am the father of gymnastics, and my gymnasts are my sons, and my daughters.”
~ Morinari Watanabe, FIG President
The IOC presidential nominee expressed concern for the safety and well-being of Ukrainian gymnasts after the disastrous meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky.
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This column was composed and compiled by Steve Cooper, Editor at GymCastic, and co-author of the upcoming book “The Balance“; some thoughts culled from hosts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes.
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