Spotto! Olympians and VWHPC alums Karen Nguyen and Monette Russo feature in the back celebrity-spotting pages of the Herald Sun today, having made an appearance at the glittering VIC 21st anniversary celebration.
And in more happy news, Olivia Vivian of the Oregon State "Any Given Night" Beavers has become the first Australian gymnast to qualify for an NCAA national gymnastics championships apparatus final. Olivia will, by this time tomorrow, contest the uneven bars title alongside a couple of OSU teammates. Olivia spent much of this season at the #1 national ranking. This fantastic showing has come after two difficult years dealing with a number of injuries, not to mention a cross-continental transition to collegiate life. Carn Liv! We're cheering for you!
Canada's Edmonton Sun posted this nifty pic of Katie Wurth and coach Irina Joura warming up at the recent Wild Rose Invitational (click for larger... my stodgy re-sizing hasn't done it any justice):
Aaaaand the not so good news is that fellow Aussie at OSU, Melanie Jones, unfortunately strained a calf muscle before competition at the national championships commenced. Get well soon, Mel!
Actually, Stephanie Lo Piccollo was the first Aussie to qualify for an EF at NCAAs, she did it on bars her 3rd (?) year at Oklahoma. Still a fabulous achievement for Olivia though, given the tight scoring and that she was one of the last gymnasts up for her team, battling 2 other teams for the last spot in finals. She's had a great season!
ReplyDeleteFor anyone else who said "who the heck is Stephanie Lo Piccollo? I've done the googling for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://students.ou.edu/L/Stephanie.A.Lo.Piccolo-1/biography.html
She was a former HPC gymnast, around 2001-4ish. Trained alongside Moorhouse and Russo. :) Along with Jo Hughes, started the ball rolling for Aussie gymnasts in NCAA!
ReplyDeleteHer profile at OU: http://www.soonersports.com/sports/w-gym/mtt/lopiccolo_stephanie00.html
ReplyDeleteThe AIS squad is in Canberra for camp this week. Any updates would be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteyes I would love to hear anything about upgrades!
ReplyDeletewhat is this camp for? afaik there are no assignments coming up that they need to give out....
ReplyDeleteSometimes camps are for skills acquisitions and squad training not just when there are assignments to be handed out
ReplyDeletethere will be a selection for seniors in slovakia, pre olympic youth cup and a junior portugal competition, two verifications on fri & sat. i say it is a good look at who is upgrading, who is fit and who can compete now.
ReplyDeletedo we know how many will be chosen for each meet?
ReplyDeletePleeeeease GSim, for once!
I think Eade, Nedov and Godwin will all get gigs for the juniors if healthy.
Is the Portugal meet Joaquin Blume? it's in Spain, but close enough! I think that often gets televised so hopefully it is.
Joaquin Blume is in Madrid
ReplyDeleteAre all the AIS squad at camp? Was there
ReplyDeleteany girls that did not go? Would be a large
group if all went, so hopefully a big group to
choose from. Would be nice to see some
different gymnasts chosen for some valuable
experience. They all need it at the moment
if they are ready.
What comp is in Slovakia? Can't see that
ReplyDeleteone on the Calander.Is it a team comp or
Individual? When is it?
Is Pre Olympic Youth cup Junior or Senior?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Japan cup will still go ahead?
Anyone heard anything?
here is a copy of the international calendar, seems POYC is May 28-29, other 2 meets are June 5th.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gymnasticsvictoria.org.au/site/gymnastics/vic/downloads/gymsports/wag/2011%20WG%20INT%20Calendar%20-%20Draft4%20-%20Feb%202011.pdf
anyone know the status of the AUS/CHN meet 'in negotiations' for June?
I have always known who Stephanie Lo Piccollo is, but had no idea she was 2004 Olympic alternate! You learn something enw everyday!
ReplyDeleteMaybe she got moved into alternate after Kelly got injured, and Nguyen replaced her?
ReplyDeleteany further updates on camp?
ReplyDeleteyeh i wish we had some news...it is really harsh that the girls have to be there over easter rather than with their families.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard about how Angela's recovery is going? Hope she is doing well xx
ReplyDeletethere is a small update on the VWHPC site saying their girls were stable but no elaboration. Does anyone know who won verifications on the first day?
ReplyDeletefrom VWHPC Facebook:
ReplyDeleteDay 2 of verification @ the AIS (continued) - Georgia connected her front layout 2/1 twist to stag jump both days. Alex hit her back 1 ½ twist through to double tuck both days on FX, 1st time in comp. Zoe competed her 2/1 twisting Yurchenko on pit VT to landing mats. Great job girls!!
Day 2 of verification @ the AIS - Tierra hit her double Arabian on FX for the 1st time in comp. Ash did full in tuck to split jump on both days, & performed her new FX choreography beautifully. Maddi hit her double tuck dismount off BB both days, 1st time in comp
Leydin and Eade will be a formidable duo in 2014.
ReplyDelete2014 will have some great gymnasts, and not only from Victoria! our other states have some great gymnasts too!!!
ReplyDeleteI think 2014 will be made up by 2012 girls, the likes of Goodwin, Loo, Leydin, Edes etc may have to wait till 2016.
ReplyDelete