I think from now on I'll have to put her name in orange text...
Again, well done Olivia!
And if you missed it yesterday, check out my fancy-pants celebrity endorsement. You know you want to.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Best Yet, Bar None
Congratulations to Perth's own ginger ninja Olivia Vivian for scoring a career-high on bars on Friday night, helping Oregon State to victory over two other teams with an impressive 9.85 (yes, out of 10.0 for those of you wondering about the NCAA scoring system)! What a great comeback from injury.
I think from now on I'll have to put her name in orange text...
Again, well done Olivia!
And if you missed it yesterday, check out my fancy-pants celebrity endorsement. You know you want to.
I think from now on I'll have to put her name in orange text...
Again, well done Olivia!
And if you missed it yesterday, check out my fancy-pants celebrity endorsement. You know you want to.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Celebrity Endorsement!
I promised you a celebrity endorsement, and by crikey I got you one!
Adam Hills is best known as the cheeky host of one of Australia's biggest televisual hits of recent times, music quiz show Spicks and Specks. Possibly the nation's hardest-working (and widest-travelling) stand-up performer, Adam also contributes greatly to charity and community work when he's not headlining comedy nights in major cities.
For guy missing a foot, he's also very, very funny.
You can check him out here or here if you've got a MySpace.
Recently Adam has been imparting upon audiences his experiences at the Beijing Paralympics, as he hosted coverage of the event for the ABC. If you go and see his show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year - PLUG PLUG PLUG! - he'll probably share them with you like he did at his 'trial' gig last night, to great joy from the punters. I managed to corner him (politely!) after the show, explain who I am and what I do and joke that "you're the closest thing I have to being in Beijing!"
I also explained the 'Go You Big Red Fire Engine' fan project (Adam heard the phrase uttered by a drunk audience member in Edinburgh some years ago and has since helped it enter our national lexicon) and he was quite touched. He said, "I heard about that [the project], someone told me about that!" but I think he was, kindly, humouring me.
ANYWAY!
He was more than happy to endorse the blog and smile for my readers. If THIS doesn't convince the authorities that this blog has a morsel of journalistic merit, then nothing will!!!
Adam Hills is best known as the cheeky host of one of Australia's biggest televisual hits of recent times, music quiz show Spicks and Specks. Possibly the nation's hardest-working (and widest-travelling) stand-up performer, Adam also contributes greatly to charity and community work when he's not headlining comedy nights in major cities.
For guy missing a foot, he's also very, very funny.
You can check him out here or here if you've got a MySpace.
Recently Adam has been imparting upon audiences his experiences at the Beijing Paralympics, as he hosted coverage of the event for the ABC. If you go and see his show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year - PLUG PLUG PLUG! - he'll probably share them with you like he did at his 'trial' gig last night, to great joy from the punters. I managed to corner him (politely!) after the show, explain who I am and what I do and joke that "you're the closest thing I have to being in Beijing!"
I also explained the 'Go You Big Red Fire Engine' fan project (Adam heard the phrase uttered by a drunk audience member in Edinburgh some years ago and has since helped it enter our national lexicon) and he was quite touched. He said, "I heard about that [the project], someone told me about that!" but I think he was, kindly, humouring me.
ANYWAY!
He was more than happy to endorse the blog and smile for my readers. If THIS doesn't convince the authorities that this blog has a morsel of journalistic merit, then nothing will!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
D'oh Canada
Ok, I can't be the only one getting EXTREMELY confused as to which competition components belong to the Montreal World Cup and which bits belong to Gymnix's International Cup division...
It says results are 'still to come' for the World Cup events when, by all accounts, some of it should be completed already. According to GA, Emily Little managed a 4th on bars for what I assume is the World Cup component (although they say it was the International Cup division of Gymnix), as we established she didn't make any Gymnix finals and all girls went immediately through to apparatus 'finals' of the World Cup.
Amelia McGrath managed a 4th as well, this time on floor.
So to finish in the top 5 is a very good effort for both girls (particularly 13-year-old McGrath).
And I'm still confused.
It says results are 'still to come' for the World Cup events when, by all accounts, some of it should be completed already. According to GA, Emily Little managed a 4th on bars for what I assume is the World Cup component (although they say it was the International Cup division of Gymnix), as we established she didn't make any Gymnix finals and all girls went immediately through to apparatus 'finals' of the World Cup.
Amelia McGrath managed a 4th as well, this time on floor.
So to finish in the top 5 is a very good effort for both girls (particularly 13-year-old McGrath).
And I'm still confused.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Vivian's Vox Pop
Aaaaaaaaaaand news on our own Olivia Vivian keeps on coming.
The Beaver Sports Show wrapped up its final show for the academic term and it ended with a great vox pop/quiz segment hosted by Olivia featuring OSU athletes, including some of her gymnastics team-mates. If you've ever wanted to see her suppress a smirk, high-five a stranger or do a wacky little dance, then the clip at the top of this page, Show #22, is for you!
The fun starts at 22:30 of the clip. Note that she even wears orange when she's NOT competing! (Is it a pre-requisite of OSU students...?) And I had a little laugh to myself, she even does the lip-poppy thing that I do when there's an awkward silence. Nice.
"Gymnastics... um... prob'ly not football."
The Beaver Sports Show wrapped up its final show for the academic term and it ended with a great vox pop/quiz segment hosted by Olivia featuring OSU athletes, including some of her gymnastics team-mates. If you've ever wanted to see her suppress a smirk, high-five a stranger or do a wacky little dance, then the clip at the top of this page, Show #22, is for you!
The fun starts at 22:30 of the clip. Note that she even wears orange when she's NOT competing! (Is it a pre-requisite of OSU students...?) And I had a little laugh to myself, she even does the lip-poppy thing that I do when there's an awkward silence. Nice.
"Gymnastics... um... prob'ly not football."
Shameless NCAA Plug
Dear Elites Who Are Considering Retiring (Or Who Have Recently Retired).
Take a good look at this article and consider the possibilities it raises.
Love,
Your Fans.
Take a good look at this article and consider the possibilities it raises.
Love,
Your Fans.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Oh Canada
Are ya excited yet!?
Gymnix/Montreal World Cup fever is starting to rise.
MLC Gymnastics sent its North America-bound delegation a lovely little document that you can read here. It's informative and interesting, whether you're savvy with the club or not.
No word on podium training.
*************************************************
Wow, a lot happens when you're away for the day!
You can probably glean a lot from this post's comments, but regardless:
Emily Little didn't do as well as hoped.
Vault: 12.900 (Yurchenko 1.5)
Bars: 11.975
Beam: 12.300
Floor: 12.350
Did not qualify to any event finals and finished 8th in the all-around.
This is quite disappointing, Em's got some some big skills under her belt, some yet to be debuted (see: Baitova). Don't quite know what happened here, nerves or fatigue or under-preparation.
Amelia McGrath's into the floor final with a score in the 13's; as far as I can fathom that's the only event finallist out of the MLC girls in the junior division.
I am having trouble viewing results on this particular computer.
Thanks to Nade for filling the gaps I couldn't. :)
**************
Apparently they have cancelled the qualification round of the 'World Cup' component of the competition as there are so few female participants; they've all been automatically put through to finals.
GA posted the following results -
Gymnix/Montreal World Cup fever is starting to rise.
MLC Gymnastics sent its North America-bound delegation a lovely little document that you can read here. It's informative and interesting, whether you're savvy with the club or not.
No word on podium training.
*************************************************
Wow, a lot happens when you're away for the day!
You can probably glean a lot from this post's comments, but regardless:
Emily Little didn't do as well as hoped.
Vault: 12.900 (Yurchenko 1.5)
Bars: 11.975
Beam: 12.300
Floor: 12.350
Did not qualify to any event finals and finished 8th in the all-around.
This is quite disappointing, Em's got some some big skills under her belt, some yet to be debuted (see: Baitova). Don't quite know what happened here, nerves or fatigue or under-preparation.
Amelia McGrath's into the floor final with a score in the 13's; as far as I can fathom that's the only event finallist out of the MLC girls in the junior division.
I am having trouble viewing results on this particular computer.
Thanks to Nade for filling the gaps I couldn't. :)
**************
Apparently they have cancelled the qualification round of the 'World Cup' component of the competition as there are so few female participants; they've all been automatically put through to finals.
GA posted the following results -
West Australian, Emily Little has placed 8th in the All-Around competition at the 2009 International Cup in Montreal (CAN).
Little competed all apparatus and finished the competition with an All-Around score of 49.525.
The event was won by Elizabeth Price (USA) with an AA score of 53.450, ahead of team mate Madeline Hanley (51.875) and Canadian Anna Gamelo (51.400).
Little was joined by individual gymnasts Chloe Turko (12th with an AA score of 48.075), Georgia Wheeler (16th with an AA score of 47.775) and Amelia McGrath (18th with an AA score of 47.770) representing MLC Gymnastics Club.
Thanks to the Anon poster who posted these results-
2 other girls from MLC also competed yesterday in the Novice section - Kristina Ostojic and Isobel Looker . Both did really well, Kristina coming 3rd AA , also placing on floor and bars (with a fall) and Isobel (only competed 2 apparatus due to elbow injury) with a 4th on floor with a fall.
So that's a slight mood-booster (falls notwithstanding)!
I'm sorry I've not been as diligent with covering this event for you all as I could be. As I said, I've been working long hours and now I'm having trouble accessing the .pdf competition results.
The event was won by Elizabeth Price (USA) with an AA score of 53.450, ahead of team mate Madeline Hanley (51.875) and Canadian Anna Gamelo (51.400).
Little was joined by individual gymnasts Chloe Turko (12th with an AA score of 48.075), Georgia Wheeler (16th with an AA score of 47.775) and Amelia McGrath (18th with an AA score of 47.770) representing MLC Gymnastics Club.
Thanks to the Anon poster who posted these results-
2 other girls from MLC also competed yesterday in the Novice section - Kristina Ostojic and Isobel Looker . Both did really well, Kristina coming 3rd AA , also placing on floor and bars (with a fall) and Isobel (only competed 2 apparatus due to elbow injury) with a 4th on floor with a fall.
So that's a slight mood-booster (falls notwithstanding)!
I'm sorry I've not been as diligent with covering this event for you all as I could be. As I said, I've been working long hours and now I'm having trouble accessing the .pdf competition results.
Rainy Day News
Well, the bushfire areas are breathing a sigh of relief at the moment. It's raining on and off here in Melbourne (well, my bit of Melbourne at least!) so the dry suburbs and outskirts are getting a nice, cool drink.
It's quite a slow news week until Gymnix/Montreal World Cup action begins, so in the meantime, enjoy full-sized photos from the VWHPC Open Day (shanks, Ade) and the news that Tiera Exum and Madeline Wagg are their March 'Gymnasts of the Month'.
If you've got the rainy day grumps like me, 0:53 onwards of this clip might cheer you up. The uninhibited joy of their victory (not to mention the good sportswomanship on show) makes me smile.
Or, you can check out photographer David Wyatt's fantastic work from the Australian Youth Olympic Festival here. Marvellous!
It's quite a slow news week until Gymnix/Montreal World Cup action begins, so in the meantime, enjoy full-sized photos from the VWHPC Open Day (shanks, Ade) and the news that Tiera Exum and Madeline Wagg are their March 'Gymnasts of the Month'.
If you've got the rainy day grumps like me, 0:53 onwards of this clip might cheer you up. The uninhibited joy of their victory (not to mention the good sportswomanship on show) makes me smile.
Or, you can check out photographer David Wyatt's fantastic work from the Australian Youth Olympic Festival here. Marvellous!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Perfect Ten
THIS BLOG HAS SURPASSED 10,000 VISITORS.
I REPEAT: In a period of just under 40 days, this blog has surpassed 10,0000 visitors.
10,000! In under 40 days! And to think, that's only since I've had the traffic counter and in actual fact I've been in operation for over 400 days!
When you think about that statistic, that's...
that's...
that's...
LOTS!
BIG, EXCESSIVE NUMBERS OF ZEROS! AND COMMAS!
It makes me a very happy chapette (not to be confused with 'ladette'. Very different. Much less alcohol consumption and boobie action in the former. Slightly less chivalry in the latter).
Thank you, everyone, wherever you may be, for visiting and commenting and discussing and dissecting and reporting and contributing. Keep writing in, keep vlogging, keep sending me news, keep airing your views, keep letting the gymnasts know they're awesome.
This space is for people like you, by someone like you! I can't spell Australian Gymnastics Blog without 'us'!
I REPEAT: In a period of just under 40 days, this blog has surpassed 10,0000 visitors.
10,000! In under 40 days! And to think, that's only since I've had the traffic counter and in actual fact I've been in operation for over 400 days!
When you think about that statistic, that's...
that's...
that's...
LOTS!
BIG, EXCESSIVE NUMBERS OF ZEROS! AND COMMAS!
It makes me a very happy chapette (not to be confused with 'ladette'. Very different. Much less alcohol consumption and boobie action in the former. Slightly less chivalry in the latter).
Thank you, everyone, wherever you may be, for visiting and commenting and discussing and dissecting and reporting and contributing. Keep writing in, keep vlogging, keep sending me news, keep airing your views, keep letting the gymnasts know they're awesome.
This space is for people like you, by someone like you! I can't spell Australian Gymnastics Blog without 'us'!
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