re: Remove

Yes, the night session always gets the scores and rarely does session one receive the judges' blessing especially for a team going first on any event. There is a big difference in LSU and Florida's scores in comparison to Utah and OU. Kentucky was out of the run almost from the beginning. I hope all is fair in judging with consistency on Saturday. I am proud of our team regardless of how things shake out Saturday night.

I will give credit where credit is due. I did not believe it was possible, after Kiya went down, given Jay's history and the recent history of this team, for them to make it out of regionals, let a lone make it to the finals, but they have exceeded all expectations under the most challenging of circumstances. I don't really even care what happens tomorrow, but I hope they have fun and just show everyone what they are made of. As Jay said in his press conference, at this point, after everything, WHY NOT US?

And I really hope Jay holds tight to these lessons - the lessons he was forced to learn this year. Give people with the highest potential a chance, even if they may not always be showing it in the gym in practice, because that's how we get the maximum out of our team. I also don't' mind a strategy where we do three passes at the beginning of the season and transition, as it makes sense, to two pass routines toward post-season. I think the real thing, and the largest defecit in our team, is beam - we have to get some true beam workers that have the flawless execution that OU, Utah, and FL have. Our beam workers just have those built-in form deductions - now, I think in the night session (or really if we had gone other than first in our session on beam) we would have scored higher, but you can't deny that there is a difference in polish and execution on beam between most of our lineup (excluding, Alexis, Haleigh, and Aleah) and the entirety of Utah, Florida, and OK's. But that's not something the coaches can really control outside of recruiting - so that should be the focus.

Above all, I am just so happy for this team. I have gone to nationals a couple of times over the years, and if I didn't have a guest in town this weekend, I would hop on a flight to Dallas and cheer them on tomorrow. Geaux Tigers!

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I think the real thing, and the largest defecit in our team, is beam - we have to get some true beam workers that have the flawless execution that OU, Utah, and FL have. Our beam workers just have those built-in form deductions - now, I think in the night session (or really if we had gone other than first in our session on beam) we would have scored higher, but you can't deny that there is a difference in polish and execution on beam between most of our lineup (excluding, Alexis, Haleigh, and Aleah) and the entirety of Utah, Florida, and OK's. But that's not something the coaches can really control outside of recruiting - so that should be the focus.

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Our biggest issue as a team that has plagued us on that event is injured. Annie Beard and Kiya are both natural beamers (having both trained at Texas Dreams, the same gym that trained Chloe Widner who rotated with us yesterday). They have a history of training great polished gymnasts on that event, however, every single last one of them, regardless of what program they commit to, comes into college with an extensive list of injuries which limits their ability to compete on that event. If we can keep our incoming freshman healthy during preseason, at least for the next 2 years (because that’s all we know as of now in terms of who is coming in because of the new recruiting rules) with the pedigree of difficulty and experience they all have both as individuals and combined as a unit, we should be fine on that event.

If we start on vault (I think we do but one poster is insistent that we start on bars) then I don’t see Jay taking a risk with the vault lineup. We need to stick as many vaults as possible. The first rotation scores can be tighter so you can’t afford to dig yourself a hole. I would tell the girls to go for a stick and if you sit it down then so be it but the only way to be in the running is to stick 3 vaults, at least. We couldn’t stick anything yesterday. Maybe Bryce did but I didn’t see the vault.

Edit: and I know that seems contradictory as far as not using Tori on vault but she has not vaulted a single time this season. I’d give that vault, in that situation, far too low of a chance to hit.

I would prefer to start on bars. Bars is an event where if you hit handstands and stick dismounts the scores are not as low in the first rotation. Then you can go for broke on vault if you want. They used to determine rotation order by saying 1st place finisher from session one starts on —— and 2nd place finisher from first session starts on —— but I guess now they only use NQS. I wish they would quit changing things up every couple of years.

Per LSU’s release, they start on bars.

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Postmeet Interview with Jay, Haleigh & Aleah.

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Haleigh and Aleah are so impressive with their poise and intelligence in responding to the media. Unlike other media sessions with athletes who either mumble trite responses or feel compelled to give an over the top response these ladies speak from the heart and with great insight.

Reposting from meet thread into this thread, as i am interested jn people’s opinions on the technical aspects I mention for next year:

Anyone know why Jeffrey’s technique is such deep landings? On every apparatus? I think that’s what will really hold her back - the rest of her form and technique is exquisite.

I really am so proud of this team and everything they fought for. As I have said in the recruiting thread, I gave them no shot to make it here, or even the semifinals, after kiya went out. And then everything else on top of it. That being said, next year we could really do it with all the 2024 contenders leaving, Trinity going, etc. in my opinion, here is what needs to happen:

Vault: we can, at most, have one YF, everything else must be a 10.0 start; I think once KJ heals, they need to work on the double and push that hard. Same for Bryce.

Bars: Even if Alyona comes back, Jay needs to keep her out of the bars lineup. I know it’s hard but having that as the fifth score will never compete. We need to focus on form for dismounts - please find Aleah something easier to stick because that routine is otherwise amazing. Work with Cowan on that DLO because it is beautiful and imminently stickable.

Beam: this is where we need the most work and fully half of that beam lineup needs to be out next year. Sierra is an alternate at best, because, while I do love her consistency, the leaps are killer. Same with Elena; and Alyona is all over the place. I think with a healthy Kiya and Annie maybe some of that will work itself out, but otherwise we need to go back to the drawing board on almost everything. And if haleigh doesn’t need that standing front tuck for start value, then, for the love of all things, take it out, at least for the post season.

Floor:

Here, let’s continue to polish Chase, and give more people opportunities earlier. I hesitate to say it, but I would consider removing Sierra if we have someone more polished for the leadoff. All the other top teams are leading off with an exquisite 9.9 - that’s what we need to find.

But I am so incredibly impressed by this team and how far they made it. I think a team with a healthy Aleah, Haleigh, and Kiya, and some other key players, has a real shot next year!