University of Georgia Athletics
Noel Couch Blog: Georgia Beat Florida
October 31, 2011 | Gymnastics
Oct. 31, 2011
The only thing scarier than ghosts, goblins, and vampires on Halloween is a Georgia football team out for revenge! Happy Halloween to all of my followers and a big shout-out to all of my football boys as GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA this past Saturday afternoon. They were able to re-energize on a bye-week, got in some hard work at practice, and received immense support from all of their fans as they headed south to Jacksonville to feast on some gator. It's amazing how the victory of the Georgia Bulldogs brings so much more jubilation and pride to the University.
Although that big win seems to be all that matters right now, there was definitely some other excitement during the past two weeks, as well. The Gym Dogs had our first four event intrasquad on Friday. It was nice to create a meet-like atmosphere as we presented our routines on each event. We were able to assess different events or skills that need some extra work, as well as recognize routines that are coming along well for this time of the year. After wrapping up the intrasquad we cleaned up nicely to "model" for our individual and team photos that will appear on the poster and calendar. Shay was working the camera with her pretty poses and intense glares…I would put her on the cover of a magazine! Oh and GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA, just sayin'.
Our busy Friday continued as we changed from leotards into formal dresses for our "Gym Dog Date Night." Props to Hilary who did an outstanding job planning our special night. There was a red carpet, a DJ, dinner, and live music playing when each of us arrived with our dates. My good friend, Connor Nolte joined me. As he is a 6' 7" member of the Georgia basketball team, my 5'3" height plus my 4" heels still left me a foot shy. All the girls looked stunning in their dresses and the guys we're looking pretty fly as well. We all played games and danced the night away creating memories that will surely last a lifetime!
After a busy Friday, we had a movie night in the soph's room Saturday night. And did you hear that GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA?! Hires, Chels, Sarah, and I watched "The Uninvited." We picked a scary genre in honor of Halloween, and scary it was. I think you could hear us screaming all the way down the hall. They walked me back to my room afterwards, just in case.
Shay, Hires, Chels, Sarah, and I continued our weekend playing "ladder ball" out in the quad on Sunday Funday. It's a good thing our aim on a 4" wide balance beam is better than our "ladder ball" aim. A fun weekend led into an even more fun week as Mama Couch arrived in Athens on Wednesday. And GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA, just throwin' that out there. I had a fantastic time with her visiting. She came to practice on Thursday and accompanied Brian Bruce and several other spectators as they watched our bars intrasquad from "the heavens." As a team, we ended our week of practice on a high note. Cheeks showed some improved bar routines during the intrasquad with her new dismount and Bekah blew up some huge vaults. It was certainly a great way to kick off fall break. Together, Mama Couch and I took a ride out to Lake Lanier, went shopping, walked around downtown, and had a lot of laughs and good chats together. It was so nice to have her around for a few days! And on top of all this goodness, GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA.
As you well know, spirits are up and life is good here in Athens, Georgia. It's time to head back to classes and practice on the "festivious" day of Halloween. I'll be dressing up to go to school, of course. So keep an eye out for my show-stopping costume. This time of the year is so nice with the leaves changing colors and all the pumpkins carved out with a grin, but nothing is better than a Georgia Bulldog WIN. So let me end by saying GEORGIA BEAT FLORIDA…yes, we feasted on gator for din!
Noel Couch, a native of Towaco, N.J., is a junior on the Georgia gymnastics team.
