Leslie Mak video going viral
Former Oregon State gymnast Leslie Mak is featured in a commercial on Youtube, and the clip is going viral. It’s pretty cool looking. Here’s my story in Friday’s GT talking to her about the experience. Associate head coach Michael Chaplin also makes an appearance. Mak was one of the best gymnasts to come through Corvallis....
Gymnastics highlights
The Oregon State gymnastics team released a video of their compiled highlights for the season. Check them out above. Most of the Beavers are hanging out working out and trying out new skills on their own. A strong group returns for next season and strong recruits join the game. Expect another top-10 finish. Also, check...
Vivian invited to Olympic training camp
Former Oregon State gymnast Olivia Vivian is among 12 gymnasts invited to participate in the Australian women’s pre-Olympic training camp next week in Canberra, where the final squad to London will be determined. After the first Olympic qualification trial held at the Australian Gymnastics Championships last week, a squad of 12 was selected to attend...
My OSU female athlete of the year
There were two good candidates for my Oregon State female athlete of the year with gymnast Leslie Mak and Laura Carlyle in track. Mak ended up winning it as my first thought, but Carlyle made me think about it for a while. Carlyle qualified for the NCAA outdoor meet in the 1,500 meters and broke...
Former gymnasts making international news
Former Oregon State gymnasts Olivia Vivian and Laura-Ann Chong performed well at their national championships last weekend. Vivian won the Australian national title on the uneven bars, while Chong finished third on the bars at the Canadian National Championships. Vivian, an Olympian in 2008, and Chong both seek spots on their countries respective Olympic teams...
Gymnastics wrap-up
The Oregon State gymnasts are already in the gym working out for the 2013 season, two weeks after a 12th place showing at the NCAA Championships. That’s not out of frustration, even though there was some. Gymnasts can only take a week or two off before their conditioning and skills diminish. Being a gymnasts, particularly...
Transfer gymnast joins Beavers
Hailey Gaspar signed a financial aid agreement to join the Oregon State gymnastics program, coach Tanya Chaplin announced Tuesday. Here’s my full story with interviews with them in Wednesday’s GT. She’s a senior transfer from Boise State, and completes the recruiting class that also includes four incoming freshmen. “Hailey is a great addition to this...
Melanie Jones at NCAAs
Oregon State junior gymnast Melanie Jones ended up having the best showing among the Beavers at the NCAA Championships as an individual. She took fourth on the floor exercise. Jones not only does a good job, she draws in the judges with dramatic music. Check out her performance from Sunday in the video above.
Gymnastics headed to nationals
The No. 9-ranked Oregon State gymnastics team is headed to the NCAA Championships this weekend in Duluth, Ga. The Beavers hope to advance to the second day for the first time since 1996. If they can do that, that would be a huge breakthrough for the program. Read more about that quest in my main...
Gymnastics getting ready for nationals
The Oregon State gymnastics team was placed in the evening session of the NCAA Championships in Atlanta on April 20-22. OSU is in a group that includes Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas. The morning session includes UCLA, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Stanford and Utah. And on a side note, the top 12 seeded teams...
Gymnastics regionals
The No. 7-ranked Oregon State gymnastics team heads into the Auburn Regional on Saturday afternoon. A top-two finish in the six-team event means a berth into the national championships April 20-22 in Atlanta. OSU (16-4-1) should move on when looking at the rankings, but that’s why you play the game – to make sure. The...
Mak up for national award
Oregon State senior gymnast Leslie Mak was named one of six finalists for the AAI Award, announced by American Athletic, Inc. The AAI Award annually recognizes the most outstanding senior female gymnast in the nation and is voted on by the sport’s head coaches. Joining Mak as finalists are Kat Ding of Georgia, Megan Ferguson...
