NCGA E-Newsletter January, 2002
Warm Greetings to all:
In case you don't know what NCGA stands for, it is the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association, or the governing body of Division III gymnastics. This e-newsletter has actually been in the works for about 5 years. We finally got tired of just talking about it and sent out the first one in December. You are receiving this e-newsletter because an old coach or teammate has passed on your e-mail to us. You may also have some vested interest or are looking at one of the NCGA schools, so that might explain why we have your e-mail. If at any point, you wish to be removed from this list, please respond and ask to be removed. It is our sincere hope that you would wish to remain as part of this e-newsletter and not only that, but spread the word to old teammates or gymnasts that you used to compete against that were all part of the NCGA. There are currently 16 schools that are members of the NCGA, but there used to be many, many more before Division III schools decided that it was no longer feasible to offer gymnastics at their school. One of our goals is to reach and reconnect with those athletes, coaches and NCGA fans that were affiliated with those schools that no longer have programs. The other goal is to make the NCGA grow by attracting new gymnasts, coaches, relatives and friends. We feel that we have something great to share here, which is the joy of Division III gymnastics.
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New 'This Week In the NCGA' feature on the website
You will likely receive this newsletter once a month or every three weeks or so during the season. If you are thirsty for weekly updates, you will now be able to find them on the NCGA website News page Here is an example of what is up there for this past week:
In the MIDWEST: Gustavus competed on Monday and Saturday beating Hamline (170.1-166.2) at home first and then taking a squeaker at Whitewater (174.75-174.075). Amanda Parker scored a 36.5 in the all-around for the Gusties on Saturday. Hamline competed without (current NCGA all-around leader) Melissa Stanton at Gustavus but had her back for a meet against LaCrosse on Friday in which they scored a 173.275. Whitewater got two 36+ all-arounds from Lisa McManus 36.025 and April Hubman 36.175 to post their season high 174.075 on Saturday. River Falls and Eau Claire traveled to Division I Ball State on Friday. River Falls took full advantage of the opportunity in scoring a tremendous 179.175 including a 45.85 vault set and a 46.2 floor and Katherine Mitchell posting a 36.2 in the all-around. Eau Claire also enjoyed the trip with a 173.875 including a 9.55 on floor from Kristina Reitzel. Stout was out of action, still recuperating from a trip to Seattle the weekend before. And Oshkosh was at least the third team to visit former Hamline gymnast and coach Patty Stotzheim who is currently the head coach at Southeast Missouri. Jennie Williams posted the highest all-around score in the NCGA this season with a 37.4 including an impressive 9.525 on bars in helping her team to a 176.45.
An update from Barbara Gibson at LaCrosse We've had a month of travel---to Oshkosh, TWU with River Falls for fun at Billy Bob's to downtown Dallas, then to SEMO against Northern Illinois and Southeast MO. We are against Hamline University this Friday.(In which they scored a 175.55) We have had 3 high sprained ankles the past 3 weeks which is slowing our progress. Michelle Saxton (top 4 finisher on bars last year has been unable to compete the last two meets and Jordann Ojanpa--(strong vaulter for us) has been slowed as well. Other than that. We're looking forward to hosting our Invitational which has 8 teams from the region plus Centenary College from Louisiana on Feb. 1, 2002
In the EAST: MIT competed 3 times in 4 days and over 1000 miles of travel and the team got through without any injuries and starting off with a 173.75 at Brown University on Wednesday. Ursinus looked very impressive in their first home meet Friday, posting a season high 182.1 while defeating MIT 174.1 and Rhode Island College 173.325. Saturday saw SUNY-Brockport walk away with the Sarah Wilson Invitational at Wilson College with a 177.925 to RIC 173.175, MIT 170.5 and Wilson 151.25. Brockport's standout freshman Jordan Christiano went down with a hyper-extended knee on floor which did not seem too serious, but RIC lost senior Kristen Oliver when she broke her heel bone on vault. Springfield competed at Bridgeport and posted a 176.775 with strong floor performances from senior Gina Gutierrez (9.55) and sophomore Jennifer Romano-Joseph (9.325). Ithaca lost a close meet at Division II West Chester (178.375-178.225) with Jocelyn Genoa winning the all-around with a 36.125. Cortland competed at Wilson College on Sunday and scored a 175.925 without Danin Squires. Janelle Domaradski put up an impressive 9.575 on beam at that meet and Wilson scored a season high 155.925
It seems that most of the teams in the NCGA are scoring around the same range. It will certainly be an interesting year if it keeps up this way..
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Events to mark down on your calendar
You would get to see most if not all of the NCGA schools at these events. Check the Members page for links to all schools which include schedules of events
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From the editor
It's still early in the season, but some schools are posting some very impressive and surprising scores. SUNY-Brockport and UW-River Falls are making big waves in moving up the rankings, and teams like UW-Whitewater and MIT seem to be stronger than ever. It is already a very exciting year for the NCGA. I have received compliments from several parents of current gymnasts, but it occured to me that there are very few current NCGA gymnasts and their parents on this list. Please spread the word to your teams and to your parents to see if they would like to join the list and get involved. Another thought is adding each school's SID e-mail to this list as well. Again, we all believe that we have something wonderful to share here at the NCGA and we would like to spread the word as much as possible.
Best wishes to all,
Eduardo
"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth" - Robert Southey