MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

Just about a week after Kristen Smyth mysteriously "stepped down" as the head coach of the Stanford Women's Gymnastics Team, former Stanford gymnast and assistant coach, Tabitha Yim has now been announced as Stanford's head coach.

The drama in Athens continues as head coach Danna Durante has been fired. On Sunday, the Red and Black student newspaper, stated that a source had said Durante was being let go and by Monday, the university confirmed it. The news comes on the heels of the announcement that three gymnasts had ben set free from their roster. After having a really rough start to their season, and then falling apart at NCAAs, finishing a mere 12th out of the 12 teams, their lowest finish since 2010 when they missed out on making nationals all together, placing 13th. Jay Clark was head coach at the time, and he resigned a couple of years later and in 2012,  Durante took the reins.

Elise Ray, 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist,  US National Champion, NCAA champion, has been named the head coach at the University of Washington's gymnastics program, following the retirement of longtime head coach, Joanne Bowers.

US junior national team member Emily Gaskins has gone from being coached by one legendary coach to another.  Full Twist broke the news that Emily is now being coached by none other than Steve Nunno, who coached Olympic Gold medalist and two time world all-around champion, Shannon Miller. Emily was previously being coached by famed coach Mary Lee Tracy at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy (CGA) Mary Lee coached Shannon's teammates, Jaycee Phelps and Amanda Borden. 

After short lived reunion and one national team camp, it appears 2012 Olympic Champion, Gabby Douglas has left her coach Liang Chow's gym yet again.

While he was with Brenna at the World Championships in Antwerp, Al Fong got a chance to scope out the competition. Or as some people might call it, creeping. Al Fong comes right out and just says it, he was snooping. Al Fong (L) with 2012 Olympic Alternate, Sarah Finnegan and his wife, Armine Barutyan Fong While being a double operative, Al scoped out a beam routine that he quite enjoyed. A beam routine by a certain Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands.