Thinking About Kyla's Upgrades.... (and the rest of the Gym Max crew)

About a week and a half ago, Arabian Punch Front posted an awesome interview with the awesome Gym Max crew. Perhaps it's just my love for Kyla spilling into everything relating to her gymnastics, but I really like this group. Jennie and Howie are perfect and Kyla, Felicia, and Laney are the most randomly fabulous trio. But anyway, there was some talk of Kyla's upgrades (and some pretty cool ones for Felicia too) in the interview, and she's taking American Cup off to get in some good work on them, so of course I had to set to pondering what could be done with them....

Vault: She's keeping the DTY. She mentioned maybe doing the Amanar in the future, but I think we all know she's sticking with the DTY- heck, she even laughed about it when she said she might train the Amanar. My dream is for her to do a Nabstafina, but that's never going to happen....


Bars: The first goal for 2015 Kyla mentioned was making the most of her bars set, which is great to hear. If she works her routine right, it should really be a huge advantage for her. They seem do have done some restructuring,which is good because it opens some more room for connections. She's doing her full pirouette on the low bar now into her Maloney, which is a skill I thought was a great opportunity for easy CV in 2013. Also- a Bhardwaj!! *Heavenly choral noise* I really hope this makes it into her routine and replaces the bail.

Here's a composition I came up with:
Jump to high bar mount
Toe-on 1/2 (C)+Jaeger (D)
Bhardwaj (E)
Toe-on 1/1 (D)+Maloney (D)+Pak (D)+Van Leuwen (E) (+.4)
Double layout (D)
DV: 3.3 (E, E, D, D, D, D, D, C)
CV: .4
CR: 2.5
6.2

If Kyla got all her inbar skills back, this would be a 6.7 D score, and connecting the Jaeger to the Bhardwaj would add .2, so this routine maximizes at a 6.9, which would be absolutely huge for Kyla. Mounting on the high bar! This routine would switch up the composition a bit, but I think that's what Jennie and Howie are going with anyway.


Beam: Beam is a bit more difficult to puzzle out. I'm thinking Martha's really pushing Kyla for the steady, consistent spot on the team this year. The aerial+LOSO has been canned for being too big a risk. The BHS+Arabian wasn't mentioned, but I have a fleeting suspicion it's gone now too. I'd love for it to make an appearance this season, but I won't be holding my breath. She's working a Girgoras, which makes me very happy. I wonder if it's maybe a sort of national-team-assignment thing like when the Chinese gymnasts were told to do a 7/2 on a trampoline since Simone's also working one now. I'm hoping it will replace the side somi- always nice to get rid of one of those! It will be great for Kyla to have an F skill, and seeing as she can keep her eyes on the beam, Martha will probably be fully supportive of it- it seems a less inherently fall-prone skill, but I could be totally off here. I'd really like to see Kyla do a forward connection for her acro connection. A world-class beam worker really shouldn't be doing a BHS+LOSO. The only problem is her side somi and aerial are the only skills in her routine not done in connection- maybe she could do an Onodi+front aerial and cut the aerial cartwheel? Or maybe she could do a BHS+LOSO+LOSO connection. But this is all just what I want and not what we got from the interview. However, changing the composition on bars seems to be in, so maybe it will happen on beam as well? But then it said it was mostly her elite routine with back-protecting adjustments, so maybe not...

Floor: Dance skill upgrades were the only thing mentioned for Kyla here. I'm assuming she did tumbling, but it was never mentioned. I wonder whether these were turns or leaps. She tried a double L turn in 2012, so I think that would probably be a logical idea. I'd love to see a Memmel, though! I'd think the Ferrari would likely also be back in training, which would be a good re-addition. Otherwise- perhaps a Gogean and/or a switch 1/1? That's all I really think there is to be expected. Oh, she also mentioned the whip+double Arabian. I wonder if maybe a whip+whip indirect combination might make more sense than a whip direct? The BHS might make it better for her to start the Arabian? Oh, and she's getting a new floor routine!! I loved this one in 2013, but I think the additions to the choreography in 2014 stifled her a bit and I'm glad to see her do something different. I'm really interested to see what Dominic Zito comes up with! I've been hoping for a three-pass routine for her since 2013, so I will keep hoping for this in her new one until I watch the dance-through and see the placeholders for four passes.



Felicia's work sounds very interesting. I think she's definitely up for Jesolo and maybe PanAms assignments. I don't think Worlds is very realistic for her, but I won't count her out either. Twisting seems to be where she's focusing most of her upgrade energy. She's working for an Amanar, and based on her DTYs, I'd totally see it happening for her. I see it happening for her. On floor, she's working 5/2s and 3/1s to replace the 2/1, which will be a big boost to her there. Her flight connection of Ray+Pak on bars is also super exciting. We haven't seen her on bars since the disaster that was 2013 P&Gs, so that should be very interesting. I'm interested as to what the rest of her routine will be. If she backs it up with smart Stalder elements and some Shaposh transitions, she should be able to get a good D score. Ultimately, I could see Felicia surprising this year.

Laney recently uploaded this video on YouTube, and it shows some really potential for her. No bars work, but everything else is amazing. I'm really interesting to see when her elite career will happen and where she will go. After all the hate she got for starting in cheer leading, I want her to slay internationally. Love the flexibility, I really hope she can incorporate a lot of that into her work! Especially on beam! I'm really excited to see the places she'll go!

Fantasy Gymnastics Journals: Trading

I've traded two gymnasts on my team so far. I don't foresee any more of them going bar injury or something major like that, but you never know. I'll definitely keep my eye on which gymnasts come available, though.

The two gymnasts I traded are Rachel Updike and Memory Shettles. Neither of them has competed so far this season, which was annoying particularly for Rachel because I was planning on using her vault score. (Kristina Vaculik and India McPeak haven't competed in 2015 either, but Vaculik has got to be competing again when she's better and I will keep India unless my other gymnasts are losing limbs and I can't make lineups.) I traded them for Tiffani Lewis and Hailey Burleson. With my beam-heavy team, vault and bars were a little lacking, hence my choices. I don't know how often Tiffani will be in the lineup seeing as she's only been up once, but she HAS competed. Hailey has actually been scoring well on vault, but her bars scores are good and will definitely be handy if I have a week low on meets for my other gymnasts.

Let's Talk About the New Seniors

Ahh, we finally get the treasure-trove of amazing gymnasts on the senior level we've been promised since the beginning of the quad! The Gymternet has compiled and exhaustive list of all the gymnasts who turn senior this year, and oh so many exciting names!

China: Deng Yalan, Wang Yan
Most Exciting New Senior: Wang Yan- Strong on vault, can tumble on floor, and a solid, high-difficulty beam set. Wang Yan is just what the doctor ordered for China!
The Others?: Deng Yalan can vault, too, and also has potential on floor! China can breathe now!

Romania: Andreea Iridon, Laura Jurca
Most Exciting New Senior: Laura Jurca- A good all arounder, similar to Iordache in strengths, the CUTEST segue into low beam choreography, but the YOG judges hammered her in E.
The Others?: Iridon is exciting because BARS!! BARS BARS BARS!! She can do them, and Romania needs that desperately.

Russia: Maria Bondareva, Anastasiia Dmitrieva, Seda Tutkhalyan, Daria Mikhailova
Most Exciting New Senior: Seda Tutkhalyan- Won the YOG all around and bars, has a killer beam set (LAYOUT FULL!), but also super inconsistent.
The Others?: Bondareva and Dmitrieva were supposed to be Russia's next big things, but both have stagnated. Bondareva might still have some strong gymnastics in her, but it doesn't look highly likely. Mikhailova might end up being the big one from the rest of this group, which is a big surprise. She's not super high-scoring, but her floor is great to watch and she is a fighter on beam, which Russia needs more of.

The USA: Nia Dennis, Bailie Key, Alexis Vasquez, Lauren Navarro
Most Exciting New Senior: Bailie Key- Obviously
The Others?: Nia Dennis has a ton of potential everywhere and could be a world-class all arounder. She garners a ton of comparisons to Gabby, and the pretty much total lack of racism claims attests to the accuracy of the comparison. But she's seriously inconsistent and didn't look too polished last year. She wasn't at full health, but still... Alexis Vasquez also wasn't at 100% last year, but I just don't know whether I see her being a top senior elite. She could go if we desperately needed a third beam, though. Catherine B of Beautiful Gymnastics mentioned Lauren when discussing gymnasts who could surprise, and I see her point. She had a great beam day 2 of P&Gs last year... I'm also going to be keeping my eye on Vanasia Bradley (lots of power and potential, but I don't think her coaching's doing her a ton of favors...) and Marissa Oakley (PRETTY!! and a double double bars dismount).

Great Britain: Ellie Downie, Amy Tinkler, Tyesha Mattis, Rhyannon Jones
Most Exciting New Senior: Ellie Downie- She got the bronze all around at Jr. Euros, and won 4 medals at YOG. Great vault, and not too shabby on the other events.
The Others?: Tinkler I love on floor! She's powerful, but not too bad all around. Mattis wasn't at full strength last year, but at the 2013 EYOF, she had a double double on floor. Jones has really nice lines and contributed to the Jr. Euros silver, but I don't expect her to make too big a splash at the senior level. Downie, Tinkler, and Mattis are all really powerful, and I expect to see Amanars from this crew.

Brazil: Rebecca Andrade, Flavia Saraiva
Most Exciting New Senior: Rebecca Andrade- Incredibly powerful, she's had a sky-scraping Amanar she doesn't always compete, sadly. It's strangely inconsistent for her. Her floor has a ton of potential, and I'm sure she has a lot more than she's shown. Bars and beam aren't as strong, but they're way better than they were.
The Others?: Flava-flav! I don't know if that's a gymternet nickname or I just made it up myself, but that's what I call her. She's super charming and her gymnastics are beautiful!

Germany: Antonia Alicke, Kim Janas
Most Exciting New Senior: Kim Janas- If she's back. She was great in 2013, but injured for 2014. She could really made an all around splash for Germany if she's back with strong routines.
The Others?: Alicke has low difficulty, especially on vault where she had a front tuck 1/2. She could be useful on bars, beam, and floor, though.

Other Exciting New Seniors:
Sydney Townsend (CAN)- Has a DTY and a great, Rio-flavor floor!
Iosra Abdelaziz (ITA)- BARS!! Similar to Iridon.
Sae Miyakawa (JPN)- GORGEOUS tumbling, and a DLO final pass!! Nice vaulting, too.
Millie Williamson (NZL)- She won't be winning anything. But if you don't like the Kiwis I don't like you.



Country With the Most Exciting New Seniors: USA
Country With the New Seniors I'm Most Excited About: Brazil
Country With the New Seniors I'm Second Most Excited About: Great Britain


Most Exciting New Senior: Bailie Key
New Senior I'm Most Excited About: Rebecca Andrade
New Senior I'm Second Most Excited About: Tie between Amy Tinkler and Flava Flav
Biggest Question Mark: Kim Janas


Best Vault: Wang Yan
Rebecca should have it with her Amanar, but it's too inconsistent. Wang Yan also has two high-difficulty vaults. I'm expecting plenty of Amanars from this crop.

Best Bars: Nia Dennis
Bars isn't a super great event with the new seniors, and Nia, Seda, and Andreea are the only ones who are really good on them. Nia is the only one to have a really dynamic routine. I'm a bit worried about the DLO dismount, though. I'd like to see her do a double arabian instead.

Best Beam: Bailie Key
This should by rights be Seda's with her insane routine, but she's SO INCONSISTENT. Bailie has strong difficulty and fabulous execution, and she is so steady!! Wang Yan is also awesome on beam, I expect them to be strong in the Worlds final.

Best Floor: Bailie Key
Nia Dennis has higher scoring potential, but is less consistent. Bailie has a clever routine which gives her a good D score, she's gotten very artistic since changing floor routines, and, as always, her execution is stellar. This group have a lot of gymnasts who are lovely to watch on floor but don't have great difficulty. Rebecca Andrade has the potential, but she hasn't shown it yet. I believe she can surpass the rest of the new seniors, but she still needs to put the routine together to do so.

Routine of the Week

I found this gem last night on YouTube. It's Ilienko from the 1980 Coca Cola Invite/International (there were lots of other big names, including Mostepanova doing a routine to "Flight of the Bumblebee," it's worth a search on YouTube). I personally much prefer this routine to her famous one from 1981 (though, of course, I, like everyone else with a heart and any grain of taste, thoroughly enjoy that one as well). As the commentator says, "she flows like water." There are points in this routine where it almost looks as if she has no bones, incredibly supple, to use Christine Still's favorite word. It's one of the most fluid and flowing routines I've ever seen. I really love the variation in this routine, she has some more staccato movements as well and some moves which seem really designed to engage a crowd. Natalia also seems to be a bit inspired by flamenco movements in the middle of her routine, really a nice touch. The beginning is immediately engaging and I also love when she appears to moving in slow motion after the first tumble. Her cartwheel onto the ground also is a lovely flourish. It's not as traditional and standard as her 1981 music, and Natalia really uses that to her advantage to create an incredibly cohesive and memorable routine.

American Cup Lineup

USA Gymnastics announced the American Cup roster today. The women's field is Emily Little, Ellie Black, Claudia Fragapane, Ruby Harrold, Erika Fasana, Vanessa Ferrari, Jessica Lopez, and the American contingent Simone Biles and Mykayla Skinner.

So, on the roster:

• I'm a bit surprised Bailie or Nia isn't on the roster. The major new seniors (and these are really major ones) generally get a nod. But then, World Cup rosters are also known for being quite fluid.
• However, YAS MYKAYLA!!!! So excited about this, and I'm totally happy with her competing at the American Cup!
• Ellie Black is also a major bonus on the list. Her vault and tumbling pass variations will be very interesting.
• Jessica Lopez back for the first time this quad, always a nice touch. Imagine if Bailie did get swapped in- battle of the Lindsay Sterling floor routines!
• Sad not to see Iordache here. It's always great to see her and Simone competing together, and she would have been a shoe-in for the World Cup title.
• I've come to enjoy Erika Fasana (at least on floor, which is a good intro event to become a favorite of mine), so I'm glad to see her here.
• I'm interested to see what the Trio will make of Frag's floor routine. It wasn't included in the NBC Worlds coverage. I think they'll like it, but it's always amusing to hear what they do finally have to say.
• Oh, and Ruby's bars! YES, official broadcast quality!
• Speaking of floor, I'm interested to see who all brings new routines for 2015. Fragapane, Harrold, Ferrari, and Lopez have all had their routines for two years, so I'll be interested to see if they stick with them or bring something fresh. I'd also like to see Emily Little with a new routine...
• And, finally, what is Simone going to bust out?! Are we going to see the DLO 1/1? What of the other awesome upgrades we saw in her last USAG video? And maybe Mykayla too...

And my prediction:

1. Simone Biles (duh)

2. Mykayla Skinner

3. Vanessa Ferrari

4. Jessica Lopez

5. Ellie Black

6. Claudia Fragapane

7. Ruby Harrold

8. Erika Fasana

9. Emily Little

Spots 1-3 were easy, as were 7-9. 4-6 were harder to puzzle out, and I feel they probably won't be this order.

My Junior Crushes: Anda Butuc

Anda Butuc is a 2000-born from Romania. She is following with a new Romanian trend of beautiful long lines and elegance and made beam finals at Euros in Sofia. She's just beautiful to watch. Her difficulty is lower, so she hasn't been able to really make a name for herself with Jurca and Iridon in the 2015 class on which Romania is pinning its hopes. I really hope she can upgrade a bit, and at least be an option to fill in should some of the seniors leave between 2015 and Rio.

Floor is where Anda caught my eye. This music has been taking the elite world by storm, and Anda was right ahead of the trend! I love her interpretation. It is right in perfect harmony with the music and is nicely sassy and playful. She has really great quick movements, and especially makes good use of quick leg movements. She manages to combine the jazzy music and sassy choreography with her beautiful elegance to make a unique and eye-catching aesthetic. She lacked a little bit in her projection, but it was great for a 13-year-old.

Anda went with a more mature style for 2014 with Spanish guitar. You can see here where her difficulty is lacking. Her two middle passes are a 3/2 twist and a double twist. Her coaches need to either upgrade or change the approach to the routine for difficulty. She had a great regal air for the routine, and I like the bun with the style! Her lines are lovely and are nicely on display in this routine. She's gone more dramatic and has really been able to take on the maturity.

At the Comaneci Invitational at the beginning of 2013, Anda's bars reflected Romania in general on the event. No release move, a B dismount, a routine consisting almost entirely of Stalder variations.... She looked to be just the next in a long line of poor work on the event which earned Romania's most legendary gymnast the first perfect ten on an Olympic stage.

While Anda's bars still are not the best on the junior level, they are a world of improvement from last year's. She shows much smoother work ad has included a much greater variety of skills and types of elements into her repertoire. She had a nice toe-on full on the low bar and has included two Jager variations. She has upgraded from her double tuck dismount, as well. While it's still a double pike and needs to be upgraded in order for her bars to be a legitimate option for a major Romanian team spot, the rest of her improvements on bars make me think she just might be able to do it for her debut on the senior stage.

Anda's lines translated well on beam, as every other event. In 2013, Anda showed the typical Romanian pedigree on beam. I like some of the unique skills, such as the gainer bhs into the bhs-loso and the switch+aerial. Her little low to beam cartwheel is also so gorgeous! Her work had a very smooth look to it.

Anda's beautiful aesthetic on beam is still her glorious trademark. I really like the addition of the Onodi+split jump+wolf jump. It's a very pretty connection and adds some dynamism to her work. Unfortunately, her dismount is still not a D value. Getting adequate difficulty will always be the problem for Anda. She has kept the unique work she had on this event which makes her a lovely standout and is still performing it absolutely beautifully.



Anda's elegance is keeping with a Romanian trend in their juniors which is wonderful. She has beautifully performed gymnastics which will always keep her a favorite in my book. Unfortunately, her difficulty is not really high enough to put her in the top tier of Romanian competitors. I am aware that I may have to enjoy watching her in videos on YouTube at smaller meets, but I'm okay with that. I just really love her work.

Fantasy Gymnastics Journals: My Team

I'm in the Western Athletic Conference.

Kristina Vaculik
Erin Macadaeg
Stephanie Giameo
Sidney Sanabaria-Robles
Katie Bailey
Beka Conrad
India McPeak
Rachel Updike
Makenzie Johnson
Lisa Burt
Charlie Owens
Haley Watts
Cami Guyer
Sarah Landes
Tenille Funches
Stephanie Miceli
Alyssa Nocella
Alie Glover
Memory Shettles
Halle Moraw

There are some standouts (hello, Kristina Vaculik) and a bunch of supporting all arounders. At least I shouldn't be scrambling to find routines. Most average in the 9.75-9.8 range, but it's better than a zero.

I got Beka Conrad. No surprise. She'll be bars and beam mostly, but she can be good backup too.

Kristina Vaculik and Katie Bailey are my top all arounders. Vaculik's bars especially will be key to my team's scores, but she scored 9.9 on all events last season.

India McPeak also made it onto my team. Again, I am not surprised. I'm hoping she can be a good addition to the Wolverine beam lineup. She has some exciting skills there.

Speaking of beam, my consistent beamer strategy paid off. It's my deepest event.

Erin Macadaeg makes my other freshman. She was on vault and beam at the LSU preseason, so she's got good momentum for at least two lineups. I'm really excited about having her, and I really hope she's added to the floor lineup as well. But it's LSU, so who knows.

Halle Moraw should be a star of my floor lineup. She consistently scores 9.85 or higher, getting a lot of 9.9+s last year. Stephanie Miceli will be a staple of my bars and beam lineups, so my whole ASU-gets-in strategy was a fair one.

I'm not expecting to win anything, but it's my first year, so whatever. I got a lot of gymnasts I wanted, so I'm happy about that. It should be fun.