ALUMonday on Wednesday……
The NCAA has a few categories that the University programs fall under. The main one is Division 1 which most of the NCAA programs are however even being division 1 doesn’t mean the program has the same scholarship resources for their athletes. The USAG NCAA Nationals took place April 6-8 at Texas Women’s University, and consists of gymnastics programs that are not able to provide the full 12 scholarships that the NCAA allows.
The 12 programs that participate in these nationals have fewer then 12 scholarships and levels the playing field for these programs giving them an opportunity to compete in a NCAA Nationals event thought hosted by USA Gymnastics.
Region 5 had 9 alums participate in these championships with 3 claiming honors during the event finals.
Kaylee Cooper from Lindenwood, who won the 2023 USAG National Team Title, took home top honors on the uneven bars with this 9.875 routine. She ends with a very nice stuck double layout and a very excited reaction to the routine.
Riley Meeks competed in her final competition for Yale at these championships and went out as the 2nd best on beam with this 9.875 routine. She was super solid from start to finish including her stuck gainer pike dismount.
Madison Greene from SEMO vaulted into a tie for 4th with this 9.75 vault. Polly, as we knew her in Region 5, stuck her full twisting Yurchenko cold.
In addition to these event finalist performances, Region 5 had some other outstanding routines that took place in the preliminary competition.
Two of these athletes competed their final routines and wrapped up their gymnastics careers at these championships. Texas Women’s Senior Kyla Podges competed on three events and scored a 9.8 on this floor routine.
Madison Griffith, also a TWU senior, competed on vault and put up a 9.75 on this bar. Check out the power and dynamic swing into her dismount.
Check out more alum performances below:
Sarah (Gracie) Willis, Airforce 9.675 for this very nice Tuck Yurchenko Full Vault
Megan Brueck, Yale 9.625 for this floor routine which features a very nice double back first pass
Lauren Holt, Yale 9.725 on floor and opens with a very nice front double full
Cornell Freshman Cami Whitaker competed on vault and floor scoring 9.7 on both. Unfortunately hadn’t received any video from Cami at the time of this being posted.
