Love this chick.
Larson confirms to Inside Gymnastics her intention to defer college (she recently signed a letter of intent with UCLA) and pursue London in 2012.
The nice thing is, there are no "maybes" here. She's not saying that 2012 is "always in the back of my mind" or some such cryptic bullshit. She point-blank says:
Yeah, I did sign a letter of intent, but I’m deferring. I want to give myself another chance with the Olympics and I feel like I haven’t been able to show everything I can do yet. I don’t feel ready to give it up and go to college. I love LA though and UCLA is such an unbelievable school. I feel like that’s where I belong and it’s really the only place I see myself going to college when I do.
AND:
I think about it like, “Okay, the Olympics were already a year and a half ago and it went by so fast so I know that three years will go by so fast, too.“ Sitting it out was so hard because I’ve been wanting to go to the Olympics for such a long time. It used to be hard to motivate myself when I was younger because I was kind of playing around and didn’t really know what I was working towards, but now it’s the Olympics.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
What does Nastia mean: Part Deux
If you'll recall, way back in November, Nastia Tweeted the following cryptic message:
NLiukin Don't you love being able to plan out the next few years of your life?? Just makes me smile thinking about it..... <3
Last night, she also updated her blog on her website. The post includes the following lines:
It was so weird to be on the other side of things, and watching the competition from the stands… I don’t really think I liked it.
Now we know Nastia can't compete for a Division I or II school because of her status as a professional athlete, and if you Google Division III schools with gymnastics programs, you'll quickly realize that if this girl is going to school, it's not at one of those places. Don't get me wrong - they're fine schools. But we all know Nastia has a soft spot for UCLA, and I would not be one bit surprised if she was joining her close friend Sam Peszek in California, and likely even working with the gymnastics team in some capacity.
Frankly, she could be alluding to an appearance on Celebrity Survivor for all I know, or talking about something to do with the Nastia Liukin Cup. But I like these theories and I'm sticking to them. What do you guys think?
NLiukin Don't you love being able to plan out the next few years of your life?? Just makes me smile thinking about it..... <3
Last night, she also updated her blog on her website. The post includes the following lines:
It was so weird to be on the other side of things, and watching the competition from the stands… I don’t really think I liked it.
P.S. I have some SUPER exciting stuff coming up, but I can’t tell you yet… But trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Now we know Nastia can't compete for a Division I or II school because of her status as a professional athlete, and if you Google Division III schools with gymnastics programs, you'll quickly realize that if this girl is going to school, it's not at one of those places. Don't get me wrong - they're fine schools. But we all know Nastia has a soft spot for UCLA, and I would not be one bit surprised if she was joining her close friend Sam Peszek in California, and likely even working with the gymnastics team in some capacity.
Frankly, she could be alluding to an appearance on Celebrity Survivor for all I know, or talking about something to do with the Nastia Liukin Cup. But I like these theories and I'm sticking to them. What do you guys think?
Friday, November 13, 2009
UCLA's near-epic recruiting class
Four well-known North American gymnasts have signed the dotted line to become Bruins.
And I didn't know this, but I'm not surprised - apparently Sam Peszek is considered the top recruit in the nation right now. And I cannot WAIT to see Mattie Larson rock the floor exercise, though it makes me sad that the odds of her ever going to Worlds just shrank to about .01%. Sam has mentioned an interest in continuing as an elite gymnast and competing in college at the same time, but I'm not holding my breath.
US Classic champ Olivia Courtney and Canadian National Champ Sydney Sawa join Peszek and Larson.
Watch out, Gymdogs. Things could get interesting in 2011.
And I didn't know this, but I'm not surprised - apparently Sam Peszek is considered the top recruit in the nation right now. And I cannot WAIT to see Mattie Larson rock the floor exercise, though it makes me sad that the odds of her ever going to Worlds just shrank to about .01%. Sam has mentioned an interest in continuing as an elite gymnast and competing in college at the same time, but I'm not holding my breath.
US Classic champ Olivia Courtney and Canadian National Champ Sydney Sawa join Peszek and Larson.
Watch out, Gymdogs. Things could get interesting in 2011.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Twitter updates/NCAA news
From the looks of their tweets, it seems that both Samantha Peszek and Corrie Lothrop have made their college commitments official.
Sam had already verbally committed to UCLA, but now she is "officially" a Bruin.
After her trip to LA this past weekend:
Had such an amazing trip...its finally starting to hit me that im gonna be a bruin :) sad to leave :(
so excited! Family is coming over for dinner to celebrate the fact that I am soon to be a documented BRUIN!.. streamers and bruin apparel =)
Still glowing with the fact im a bruin! Xoxo
Corrie, on the other hand, has given her heart to Utah:
Its a gloomy day.....but not for ME!!!! Its SIGNING DAY!!!!!!!!!! :D
Yayy!!! OFFICIAL!!!! :D
Hopefully Corrie doesn't suffer the same Achilles heel as Courtney Kupets. Which was, appropriately, her actual Achilles tendons. After Corrie's injury in July, she effectively ended her elite career, but that's ok, because I think she'll be awesome in college. Sam, too.
Let's hope these respective universities can help our girls with some of their grammar and punctuation. I won't get nit-picky, because we're all prone to typos (I find some of mine weeks after the fact), but let's just say some of our girls better be glad they're stellar gymnasts. Journalism and writing might not be in their futures.
Sam had already verbally committed to UCLA, but now she is "officially" a Bruin.
After her trip to LA this past weekend:
Had such an amazing trip...its finally starting to hit me that im gonna be a bruin :) sad to leave :(
so excited! Family is coming over for dinner to celebrate the fact that I am soon to be a documented BRUIN!.. streamers and bruin apparel =)
Still glowing with the fact im a bruin! Xoxo
Corrie, on the other hand, has given her heart to Utah:
Its a gloomy day.....but not for ME!!!! Its SIGNING DAY!!!!!!!!!! :D
Yayy!!! OFFICIAL!!!! :D
Hopefully Corrie doesn't suffer the same Achilles heel as Courtney Kupets. Which was, appropriately, her actual Achilles tendons. After Corrie's injury in July, she effectively ended her elite career, but that's ok, because I think she'll be awesome in college. Sam, too.
Let's hope these respective universities can help our girls with some of their grammar and punctuation. I won't get nit-picky, because we're all prone to typos (I find some of mine weeks after the fact), but let's just say some of our girls better be glad they're stellar gymnasts. Journalism and writing might not be in their futures.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Ridunculous Gymnastics Paraphernalia
Inspired by my search for gymnastics-inspired birthday cakes last week, I have begun compiling a file on the Ridunculous Gymnastics Paraphernalia I come across. And please - if you see something out there, drop me a comment and I'll post it. I love this kind of crap.
Barbie I Can Be: Gymnastics Coach
Ok, in theory, this is a cool toy. It's Barbie, it's gymnastics related, and it promotes the involvement of little girl in coaching. I'm on board.
However. It's going to be hard to build cred as a coach if a young woman comes to her first class and begins choreographing intricate hoop routines on the beam.
Do toymakers do absolutely no research, or did they just Google "gymnastics" and grab the first few images that came up as inspiration? It appears our tiny blond dreamer also comes equipped with a maraca/hairbrush, a drink cooler and...I guess that's a springboard? Aye aye aye.
While I'm picking on Barbie...
Barbie Supergirl Gymnast Playset
I think grown up Barbie was coached by the same dame that ruined the kid in the last example, because she is ROCKING a pair of hoops on her 1/3 length balance beam. She can bend her knees, which is nice, but she's going to lose major pointage for toe-point. Also, toots, the nineties called and they want their bangs back.
As if that weren't enough...
Olympic Gymnast Barbie Doll - Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
Ok, I'll admit - I actually had one of these for a minute. I left it in the package, under the delusion that it would someday be valuable, until I could no longer stand it and opened it when I was FAR too old to be playing with it. But I just HAD to make it do walkovers. I HAD to.
It would seem I was unfazed by the festive pants-and-shirt combo Barbie is rocking under her event-branded leo. I didn't mind the scrunched socks, to the incredibly accurate sneakers that all gymnasts wear for maximum artistry. And don't get me started on Barbie's toepoint. NON-EXISTENT.
Bratz Play Sportz Rhythmic Gymnastics
As it so happens, I find anything "Bratz" to be absolutely appalling. I detest the entire line. But now they've crossed a line. They've put one of their atrocities on the competition floor and infiltrated our beloved gymnastics world, and this will not due.
Meet "Sasha," of the overinflated lips and the unkempt hair. Oh, yeah - and the knee-high boots. I'm sure they're regulation. I will give Sasha props in one area, though - at least she knows what gymnastics discipline she's involved in and has accessorized herself accordingly. I don't see any vaulting tables for her to throw her ball or clubs at.
Purple Gymnastic Outfit
That sounds harmless enough ,right? Maybe we don't know what a "gymnastic outfit" is supposed to be (a leo? A warm-up?), but it sounds alright.
And then I clicked on it. Something looked off, and I began to suspect...I'm sorry, I need a minute...
I began to suspect that it might be for a pet. A dog, most likely, as people seem to like to put their canine friends into ridiculous attire. As I scrolled down, with no real indication other than the weird proportions of the clothing, my worst fears were confirmed in one tiny sentence:
"All of the outfits come complete with a tail hole to fit the animals tail through."
*GASP*
It turns out, this is worse than I thought. It's not even for a real dog. It's for some kind of creepy stuffed-animal building fetishist cult. I need a drink.
Gymnastics Adult Long Sleeve Shirt
This is the ideal gift for that mom who loves skirted denim overalls with apples embroidered on them, but also loves her gymnast.
Seriously, folks - ew. Do not do this. Ever. I will have Stacy and Clinton at your house so fast your head will spin. The shirt is not only a horrid eyesore, it's also kind of disgusting. Look how stiff those leotards are. Perhaps it's time for a wash cycle?
This shirt is a visual reference to everything that's wrong with gymnastics right now - a hodgepodge of gymnastics images throw together with no regard to aesthetics.
Really?
Okay now THIS I kind of love. If I ever get my ass around to signing up for that adult gymnastics class at Little FiFo's gym, I am buying this and wearing it with pride.
To be clear, folks, all this crap is JUST what I found on Amazon. I've come across some pretty special things whilst perusing the interwebs, and I assure you, greater atrocities are out there. I will likely post some of them eventually. Until then, sleep well and dream of large DTYs.
Barbie I Can Be: Gymnastics Coach
Ok, in theory, this is a cool toy. It's Barbie, it's gymnastics related, and it promotes the involvement of little girl in coaching. I'm on board.
However. It's going to be hard to build cred as a coach if a young woman comes to her first class and begins choreographing intricate hoop routines on the beam.
Do toymakers do absolutely no research, or did they just Google "gymnastics" and grab the first few images that came up as inspiration? It appears our tiny blond dreamer also comes equipped with a maraca/hairbrush, a drink cooler and...I guess that's a springboard? Aye aye aye.
While I'm picking on Barbie...
Barbie Supergirl Gymnast Playset
I think grown up Barbie was coached by the same dame that ruined the kid in the last example, because she is ROCKING a pair of hoops on her 1/3 length balance beam. She can bend her knees, which is nice, but she's going to lose major pointage for toe-point. Also, toots, the nineties called and they want their bangs back.
As if that weren't enough...
Olympic Gymnast Barbie Doll - Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
Ok, I'll admit - I actually had one of these for a minute. I left it in the package, under the delusion that it would someday be valuable, until I could no longer stand it and opened it when I was FAR too old to be playing with it. But I just HAD to make it do walkovers. I HAD to.
It would seem I was unfazed by the festive pants-and-shirt combo Barbie is rocking under her event-branded leo. I didn't mind the scrunched socks, to the incredibly accurate sneakers that all gymnasts wear for maximum artistry. And don't get me started on Barbie's toepoint. NON-EXISTENT.
Bratz Play Sportz Rhythmic Gymnastics
As it so happens, I find anything "Bratz" to be absolutely appalling. I detest the entire line. But now they've crossed a line. They've put one of their atrocities on the competition floor and infiltrated our beloved gymnastics world, and this will not due.
Meet "Sasha," of the overinflated lips and the unkempt hair. Oh, yeah - and the knee-high boots. I'm sure they're regulation. I will give Sasha props in one area, though - at least she knows what gymnastics discipline she's involved in and has accessorized herself accordingly. I don't see any vaulting tables for her to throw her ball or clubs at.
Purple Gymnastic Outfit
That sounds harmless enough ,right? Maybe we don't know what a "gymnastic outfit" is supposed to be (a leo? A warm-up?), but it sounds alright.
And then I clicked on it. Something looked off, and I began to suspect...I'm sorry, I need a minute...
I began to suspect that it might be for a pet. A dog, most likely, as people seem to like to put their canine friends into ridiculous attire. As I scrolled down, with no real indication other than the weird proportions of the clothing, my worst fears were confirmed in one tiny sentence:
"All of the outfits come complete with a tail hole to fit the animals tail through."
*GASP*
It turns out, this is worse than I thought. It's not even for a real dog. It's for some kind of creepy stuffed-animal building fetishist cult. I need a drink.
Gymnastics Adult Long Sleeve Shirt
This is the ideal gift for that mom who loves skirted denim overalls with apples embroidered on them, but also loves her gymnast.
Seriously, folks - ew. Do not do this. Ever. I will have Stacy and Clinton at your house so fast your head will spin. The shirt is not only a horrid eyesore, it's also kind of disgusting. Look how stiff those leotards are. Perhaps it's time for a wash cycle?
This shirt is a visual reference to everything that's wrong with gymnastics right now - a hodgepodge of gymnastics images throw together with no regard to aesthetics.
T-shirt with walking, sport, gymnastics, beam, bird
Really?Really?
Okay now THIS I kind of love. If I ever get my ass around to signing up for that adult gymnastics class at Little FiFo's gym, I am buying this and wearing it with pride.
To be clear, folks, all this crap is JUST what I found on Amazon. I've come across some pretty special things whilst perusing the interwebs, and I assure you, greater atrocities are out there. I will likely post some of them eventually. Until then, sleep well and dream of large DTYs.
Junior Pan Ams videos
acadian0 has kindly posted several videos from the Junior Pan Ams. All four US girls' bars routines and most of their vaults are up, as is a menagerie of various international competitors' routines. Thanks, acadian0!!
In case you haven't heard yet, our girls not only took the team gold, but swept the top four AA positions, as well, with Kyla Ross for the gold, Sabrina Vega for the silver, Alexandra Raisman for the bronze and Bridget Caquatto in fourth. You can see in the video that Bridget struggles a little during on of her handstands on bars, and I wonder if that was the difference for her between fourth and third. I can't say for sure, of course, because I haven't see the scores or the rest of the routines.
Regardless, good job, US Juniors! We're proud of you!
In case you haven't heard yet, our girls not only took the team gold, but swept the top four AA positions, as well, with Kyla Ross for the gold, Sabrina Vega for the silver, Alexandra Raisman for the bronze and Bridget Caquatto in fourth. You can see in the video that Bridget struggles a little during on of her handstands on bars, and I wonder if that was the difference for her between fourth and third. I can't say for sure, of course, because I haven't see the scores or the rest of the routines.
Regardless, good job, US Juniors! We're proud of you!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Professional Gymnasts
I finally figured out what Jana did with her questionable professional athlete status.
She modeled for GK Elite (along with Shawn, Nastia and Chellsie!). And apparently she's been doing so for two years. I discovered her model-y visage whilst perusing the website, drooling over Adidas leotards that are way out of my budget. And no, they're not for ME. They're for my six year old. No one needs to see Jen in a leotard. Some things are better left to, um, the imagination.
The pictures are weird, though - they look like our girls, but it looks more like a PhotoShopped head on someone else's body. The pics all look sort of fake. It's weird. And it's not just Chellsie and Jana - I've always though Nastia's and Shawn's GK modeling looked faked, too.
Now I'm sure this "Jana Model" thing was no secret, but boy, was I excited. I have wondered for quite some time what ever came of that "professional" status. We all know about Shawn's, Nastia's and Alicia's endorsements from the same quad.
And if anyone can add to the Jana Pro conversation, please do. I would like very much to know where our girls are getting their paychecks.
She modeled for GK Elite (along with Shawn, Nastia and Chellsie!). And apparently she's been doing so for two years. I discovered her model-y visage whilst perusing the website, drooling over Adidas leotards that are way out of my budget. And no, they're not for ME. They're for my six year old. No one needs to see Jen in a leotard. Some things are better left to, um, the imagination.
The pictures are weird, though - they look like our girls, but it looks more like a PhotoShopped head on someone else's body. The pics all look sort of fake. It's weird. And it's not just Chellsie and Jana - I've always though Nastia's and Shawn's GK modeling looked faked, too.
Now I'm sure this "Jana Model" thing was no secret, but boy, was I excited. I have wondered for quite some time what ever came of that "professional" status. We all know about Shawn's, Nastia's and Alicia's endorsements from the same quad.
And if anyone can add to the Jana Pro conversation, please do. I would like very much to know where our girls are getting their paychecks.
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