University of Georgia Athletics
What New Skills Will We See This Year?
October 23, 2008 | Gymnastics
Steph asks Suzanne.....
What are some of the new skills we can look forward to seeing the girls do this year? Also how are practices going? Good luck and can't wait to watch the girls in January.
Dear Steph:
Thanks for asking about the team. They are doing great. We have had a few stumbling blocks: Courtney McCool has tendonitis in the arch of her foot and has not been getting any better. It has been almost three weeks now since she has been able to do floor.
Amber Trani has and Gina Nuccio, our two freshman, have to be paced very slowly due to back problems. You may not be aware of the fact that Amber ruptured her disc in her back last March and Gina had back surgery two years ago. They train floor and vault only twice a week. Amber had to learn a yurchenko full because in elite, she competed a double full. Funny, but she did not know how to do a full.
Good news is that Koop and Tito are on track and looking awesome. They are on a mission, very motivated and in unbelievable condition.
In terms of new skills this year:
Hilary will be opening with a round off double Arabian on floor.
Both Hilary and Cia have learned a double layout off bars.
McCool is hoping to had her gienger back into her bar routine. McCool has added a switch leap to onodi on beam. It is picture perfect and we placed it at the end of the routine so unlike so many gymnasts, Mic’s routine gets harder as it goes.
Kupets is doing a new beam dismount; a switch leap, gainer layout to gainer full. I know the gainer full is an easy dismount but out of a gainer layout, it is difficult. She does it so well and sticks it every time. She is looking to wrok the double back dismount later and maybe use it late in the season.
You will love the floor routines. This group of routines is my favorite in a long time.
Once again, we have a wide variety: classical for Grace, hard rock for Amber, country for Tiffany and string hip hop for Mic. Koop’s routine is hard to describe...you will just have to wait and be surprised. Abby is doing her routine to speed racer and the fans will be given checkered bandanas to wave in the stands. Gina, Kat, Cass, and Hil have new routines as well and they are all perfectly suited for the individual.
Don’t miss the Sneak a Peek on Dec. 7 where all the new routines will be previewed.
Thanks for your interest.
Suzanne