2023 Xfinity Nationals Junior WAG Day 2 discussion

[RedBirdie]

She’s clearly Valeri’s “It Girl” right now. But we all know how well that works out… undoubtedly someone younger will show up, Valeri will get stars in his eyes, and Hezley will be dropped faster than third period French class.

 

[FrolovasDoubleLayout]

Eto ochen pravi! Just like Putin’s “open window” plolicy!

 

[blake]

It seems to be a bad quad for junior national champions. Jong hasn’t made an impact, Madray looks like she’s reached her gymnastics limits, and Rivera will probably be in a back brace this time next year.

Do we think it’s mostly Covid to blame for the junior field being so weak this quad? Covid rules weren’t really strict here aside from California I think, especially compared to what British posters have said about how their juniors were derailed.

 

[blake]

Did all these juniors do 2 vaults? Or did they decide to scrap that requirement mid-meet?

 

[YurchenkoLoop]

don’t forget, Valeri has his older It Girl to try and break first!

really wish I had that photo of her with her medals covering her eyes

 

[rlayt]

Oh Gabby, run for it!

 

[MaryClare]

I feel that overall the juniors were better at the start of the year.

I’d be interested to know how many hours these girls are training per week. Because most of them look like 20 rather than 30

 

[FrolovasDoubleLayout]

There is some good talent in the juniors that just needs to manged the right way.

 

[makam]

I don’t know, that winter cup was pretty bleak overall. Everyone felt more “on” on day 1 so maybe it is a stamina thing.

 

[Hatsumomo]

I hope with Gabby nearing 30 and with two Olympics under her belt she won’t be so easy to break with Valeri as the homegrown WOGAettes and hopefuls who are trying to break into getting World and Olympic berths.

But again, Valeri’s track record sucks. He’s riding off his only success - his daughter.

 

[RedBirdie]

Keep in mind competition started at 10:30 am California time. Seems less than ideal.

Also maybe be contributing to the small crowd.

 

[blake]

Maybe this is just the growing pains phase of coaches collectively trying to pace their gymnasts for the future better?

 

[MaryClare]

Saltzmann has had a good competition to finish 8th. Didn’t she only just make the qualifying score?

 

[RedBirdie]

It’s not just breaking gymnasts. Valeri doesn’t do a good job splitting his attention. He has his favorite, and everyone else is stuck with scraps of attention. So even if you don’t get hurt, when someone new and exciting walks through the door, all the sudden you’re not getting the attention you used to get.

Maybe he’s gotten better about that. But that’s a long-standing pattern, one parents were complaining about circa 2001!

 

[Kara]

Lol at everyone having to carry a water bottle out to the podium for awards, I know Core is a sponsor, but seriously?!

 

[blake]

Flowers and a water bottle? No more wilting flowers on USAG’s watch.

 

[MaryClare]

Has Hezly benefited from Konnor’s departure then?

 

[Hatsumomo]

Maybe this is just the growing pains phase of coaches collectively trying to pace their gymnasts for the future better?

Given that chances are very low for any of the age-eligible current juniors to break into the A-ranks for Olympic consideration next year, it would behoove them to slow down and pace their gymnasts for the next quad. With Simone’s return, there are only four open spots left and any of the juniors would need to be able to exceed Blakely, Jones, Lee, Carey, Chiles, Douglas, Thomas, and even Roberson.

 

[makam]

So basically every junior did an FTY (which is fine, no point in brossing your knees at this point) but it would be cool if they had a camera that captured everyone’s run, hurdle, repulsion, and landing from the same angle and could overlay them. Like they did with the Olympics a few times. Since everyone did the same thing, it would be interesting to see who had height, who had distance, etc.

 

[Rich]

I wonder if a dty is the goal, you really dont need to push it as a junior?