NCAA G'day/Goodbye

The US university gymnastics season is soon upon us.

We have had Aussies farewell the collegiate world this year, while some are still plugging away at it.

So what are they up to as the 2012/13 season fires up?

OREGON STATE:

Perth's Olivia Vivian left the OSU Beavers in good spirits, and even brought bottled some to bring back back to Australia, in winning a maiden National Clubs senior all-around title. Back in Oregon,  2008 Olympic squad team-mate Melanie Jones is bouncing back from disappointment at last year's NCAA Nationals floor final to barrel towards a new season, her last with the school. Let's hope there are more perfect 10s for her beautiful work next year.

You can see photos of Mel in action at the recent OSU intersquad competition here. She was apparently 'unwell' and did not compete all events on the day. I wish I looked that good when I'm under the weather!


GEORGE WASHINGTON:

Monique Blount has also graduated from the collegiate scene after a shaky four years in the program. Strongest on beam and floor just like she was back home, the Psychology major battled injury for much of her time in the lineup. However, she managed to compete in two conference championships (the EAGL) with her team.

 Image courtesy GWU Gymnastics page at Facebook

There hasn't beeen frequent (or easy to find) video coverage of Monique throughout her GW career. Here is a video from the start of the 2012 season, of her in action on floor, courtesy of Gymnastike.

You can see a farewell video to Monique and her fellow final-year teammates on the GWU homepage right here (Click on the Videos tab, look in the sidebar for "Senior Day vs Towson"). We wish her the best and hope she has many happy memories of her time with the Colonials.


STANFORD:

You can't keep a good ginger down. Waverley's own Shona Morgan will be taking on her third of four years in the Stanford program.

Image courtesy SWG

A regular lead-off for the team, Shona rocked 2012 on beam, bars and floor. She also finished the season with the "Team Academic Award" and Stanford's highest beam score of the year (a phenomenal 9.925).

You can see Shona in videos of the team's very recent December Intersquad for the 2012/13 season on Stanford's Facebook page. (Shona leads off on bars and beam.)

They've got spirit, yes they do! They've got spirit, how about you?