NCAA Prelims

Sorry for my long silence, I was busy with coursework and I just haven't had anything to write since then.

So, I know I haven't mentioned it but I am an avid Gators fan, (though I expect UCLA to win this year), and have been properly keeping up with the NCAAs this year for the first time, and it is AWESOME. So it was prelims last night, I didn't get to see the first group but UCLA, Oklahoma and Utah made it through which is pretty much what I expected. The only difference I thought might have happened was LSU instead of Utah who haven't been very strong this year, but LSU had to count a fall on beam and so ended last of the 6 teams.

There was a bright spot for LSU as Susan Jackson took the AA title ahead of Casey Jo Magee of Arkansas and Carly Janiga of Stanford. Nice one by Carly there. Favourite Sarah Shire of Missouri fell from beam in the final rotation to stop her placing in the top 3. Geralen Stack-Eaton of Bama and former US team member came fourth ahead of senior Brandi Personett of Penn State.
Second session I did get to see and it featured home team Florida, Stanford, Missouri, Bama, Arkansas and Michigan. I was pretty certain Florida and Bama would reach the super 6, and Stanford joined them coming in third. I though Michigan might have been able to reach it but they started badly on beam, and though Stanford had an iffy bars rotation they could quite close the gap. Bama won this session and were solid and clean (though really dull) right until floor when they had to count some lower scores. They still beat Florida who had a couple of issues on bars, and suffered a fall on beam and floor. Randy Stageburg won't be competing in the Super 6 as she messed up floor so we'll get to see Castillo in her final meet on floor.

Final wise TWENTY PEOPLE HAVE QUALIFIED TO VAULT. This is ridiculous. These includeMunchie's Kingy. OH YES MARISSA KING IS AN ALL AMERICAN ON VAULT (British gymnastics pride, it happens rarely). Brandi Personett, Morgan Dennis, Susan Jackson, Hoppy-Hibbs, Zamarippa, Anna Li, Stack-Eaton and Sarah Shire are a selection of those who made it. Ashanee Dickerson qualified top just ahead of Stanford's Blair Ryland.

Bars has a more reasonable 11 people in the final. Maranda Smith, Amanda Castillo, Casey Jo Magee, Kayla Hoffman, Kassi Price and Carly Janiga have all tied for first -_- which is mildly ridiculous as well. I'm also looking in forward to seeing Anna Li, Daria Bijak and Hollie Vise.

Beam also has 11 people, top qualifiers being Ashley Priess and Casey Jo Magee. Stack-Eaton, Jackson, Courtney McCool, Personett, Janiga and Jamie Deetscreek have all qualified to name but a few. No Gators made the beam final unfortunately but I will cope.

Floor time, and Marissa King and Jaime Pisani of Arkansas have tied for the top place. Morgan Dennis will also be in the final as well as Hollie Vise, Annie DiLuzio, Makayla Stambaugh, VaZam, Brittany McCullough and Ashanee Dickerson have all qualified.


Well done to Susan Jackson for her AA win and qualifying to all finals.