What We’re Talking About
It’s great to see the big time treatment of the sport. On Monday morning ESPN U aired the Selection Show, an hour long program featuring John Roethlisberger and Sam Peszek behind a desk inside the ESPN studio. This was a first and it’s worthy of acknowledgment. For years we’ve discussed how you must “show it to grow it.” Well, that’s what’s finally happening. But more than just showing it, significant time and energy were put into the final product.
On the Selection Show, ESPN did what you would hope they would do. They dangled the national championship trophy as a prop piece for what’s at stake, they piped in live feeds from over 20 schools, they offered historical perspective to help bring in new fans, they provided highlights of the season’s performances, they highlighted the super stars, and they even closed with multiple interviews. This wasn’t performative, this was a full production that treated gymnastics like a sport worth the investment. We need preview shows, we need post-meet shows (like we do), we need ongoing discussion in major media outlets highlighting this beautiful sport. Based on math and geographic location did we know where the teams were heading? Yes. Would it have been better to just post a bracket? No! The gymnastics community should want both.
We’re now in the win or go home portion of the season and even if you know nothing about the sport (but of course you do because you’re reading this) these meets are going to be exciting! The community should avoid gatekeeping and embrace the presentation of the sport that’s inclusive to a wider audience. That doesn’t mean to dumb it down and avoid the sport’s vernacular, but to recognize discussing the rote context and stakes is how you bring more people in.
Feelings
- We’re so happy that Jade’s happy
- LSU is the clear No. 1 team heading into the elimination rounds
- ⬆ That should be all the bulletin board material Oklahoma needs
- Some really good teams are not going to be in Fort Worth
- Ellie Black is our rock and has no plans to retire
- Best wishes to Alice Kinsella who is having a baby
- Peng Peng is on her way to becoming a pop star
- Sac State is not alone in this, Eythora would be proud of the candidness
- Gymnastics is for grown ass 74-year-old men
- We love the drama of a neutral deduction
- Bonus: You should definitely get your Live Show Season Pass
Facts
- The Utah vs UCLA meet on Fox was the 12th ranked program
- Newest USAG Hall of Fame inductees: Morgan Hurd, Missy Marlowe, Rebecca Sereda, Barry Weiner, Gary Anderson, Marc Yancey
- The IOC has a new president: Kirsty Coventry.
- She’s the first woman to hold the position
- Chae Campbell is your all-around Big 10 champion
- 49.85: Florida posted the highest bars in NCAA history
- Missouri enters Regionals as the No. 7 seed. The highest in program history
- Yang Fanyuwei has completed the layout Jaeger full
- Mana Okamura has completed a front flipping flyaway half turn to pike back dismount
- Arkansas’s request to compete was denied
- It was another 10-a-palooza! Gabi Stephen (BB), Ciena Alipio (BB), Brooklyn Moors (FX), Jordan Chiles (FX), Ui Soma (UB), Selena Harris-Miranda (VT), Lali Dekanoidze (UB), Riley McCusker (UB), Mara Titarsolej (UB), Faith Torrez (FX), Leanne Wong (UB), Jade Carey (FX)
- Bonus: If you’ve been waiting to join Bluesky because you weren’t sure it was legit, former President Barack Obama has joined.
Award(s)
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- Oh It’s Gymnastics Finals: Stanford
- Involvement of All Body Parts: Missouri
What’s On the Socials?
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Quotes
“The original request and subsequent appeal were denied.”
~ Jordyn Wieber, Rested Razorback
The Arkansas head coach posted a statement about the denied request to compete at the Oregon State, Fisk meet to acquire one more NQS score.
♦
“I have been dealing with let’s say difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old. What I have learned is that communication will be key.”
~ Kirsty Coventry , The New Boss
The first female head of the International Olympic Committee shares thoughts on meeting the current president of the United States at the White House.
♦
“Shh!! We got to Believe. ”
~ Stanford, Druids
In a ceremony posted on social media the Stanford team pay respect to the tree. They were rewarded with the ACC Championship title.
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What? You want even more? Join Club Gym Nerd and you get a bonus episode, College & Cocktails, every weekend after our meet of the week. Once the NCAA season is over you continue to get a weekly bonus episode every Friday afternoon. Plus you get access to all of our archives, exclusive content and more. Then we give the sober analysis on Monday (or Tuesday) after we’ve allowed the data to penetrate our feelings.
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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