Georgia Gym Dogs
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Gym Dogs women's gymnastics
team represents the University of Georgia
and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
. The Gym Dogs compete in Stegeman Coliseum
in Athens, Georgia
and compete in NCAA Division I. As of the end of the 2009 season, the Bulldogs lead the nation with 10 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championships
, the latest five being consecutive (2005–09), and 16 SEC
championships. The team is coached by Jay Clark
.
(AIAW). After the 1975-76 season, Airhart was replaced with Andy Long (33-12). After the 1978-79 season Long was replaced by Terri Parsons Richie (28-6). Following the 1979-80 season Richie was followed by Rick Walton (45-31), and the team began competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) following the dissolution the AIAW. On July 1, 2009, Coach Yoculan officially retired after 26 years with the team, and her former assistant coach Jay Clark has taken over as head coach.
s. As of 2009, the team has also won 16 Southeastern Conference
Championships (1986, '87, '91, '92, '93, '94, '96, '97, '98, '99, 2001, '02, '04, '05, '06, '08) and 21 NCAA Regional Titles.
Other coaches currently working in the gym include Julie Ballard Clark (wife of head coach Jay Clark
) and Doug McAvinn. Courtney Kupets
is also working with the team.
† Vault (VT), Uneven Bars (UB), Balance Beam (BB), Floor Exercise (FX), All Around (AA)
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
team represents the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The Gym Dogs compete in Stegeman Coliseum
Stegeman Coliseum
Stegeman Coliseum is a 10,523-seat multi-purpose arena in Athens, Georgia, United States. The arena opened in 1964. It is home to the University of Georgia Bulldogs basketball and gymnastics teams. It was also the venue of the rhythmic gymnastics and preliminary indoor volleyball matches during the...
in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
and compete in NCAA Division I. As of the end of the 2009 season, the Bulldogs lead the nation with 10 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championships
NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship
The NCAA introduced Women's Gymnastics as a championship sport in 1982. Since then, only four universities have claimed the overall Division I championship; Division II competition was discontinued in 1987. During the early years of competition, the University of Utah under the leadership of head...
, the latest five being consecutive (2005–09), and 16 SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
championships. The team is coached by Jay Clark
Jay Clark (gymnastics)
Jay Clark is the head coach of the women's Georgia gymnastics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Clark was promoted from assistant coach to head coach upon the retirement of long-time coach Suzanne Yoculan after the 2009 season....
.
History
The women's gymnastics program was started in 1973 with Melinda Airhart (14-15) as the head coach, and the team competed in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for WomenAssociation for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was founded in 1971 to govern collegiate women's athletics in the United States and to administer national championships. It evolved out of the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women . The association was one of the biggest...
(AIAW). After the 1975-76 season, Airhart was replaced with Andy Long (33-12). After the 1978-79 season Long was replaced by Terri Parsons Richie (28-6). Following the 1979-80 season Richie was followed by Rick Walton (45-31), and the team began competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) following the dissolution the AIAW. On July 1, 2009, Coach Yoculan officially retired after 26 years with the team, and her former assistant coach Jay Clark has taken over as head coach.
Championships
As of 2009, the team has won 10 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championshipNCAA Women's Gymnastics championship
The NCAA introduced Women's Gymnastics as a championship sport in 1982. Since then, only four universities have claimed the overall Division I championship; Division II competition was discontinued in 1987. During the early years of competition, the University of Utah under the leadership of head...
s. As of 2009, the team has also won 16 Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Championships (1986, '87, '91, '92, '93, '94, '96, '97, '98, '99, 2001, '02, '04, '05, '06, '08) and 21 NCAA Regional Titles.
| Georgia Bulldogs Team NCAA National Championships | |||||
| Year | National Champion | Score | Runner-up | Score | Location |
| 1987 | Georgia | 187.900 | Utah Red Rocks Utah Red Rocks The Utah Utes women's gymnastics team represents the University of Utah and competes in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes compete in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of the end of the 2011 season, the Red Rocks have won 10 Women's Gymnastics championships and been runner-up 8... |
187.550 | Jon M. Huntsman Center Jon M. Huntsman Center Jon M. Huntsman Center is a 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. The arena opened in 1969 and is named after chemicals entrepreneur and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman, father of Utah's former governor Jon Huntsman, Jr.... , Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 1989 | Georgia | 192.650 | UCLA Bruins UCLA Bruins The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I... |
192.600 | Stegeman Coliseum Stegeman Coliseum Stegeman Coliseum is a 10,523-seat multi-purpose arena in Athens, Georgia, United States. The arena opened in 1964. It is home to the University of Georgia Bulldogs basketball and gymnastics teams. It was also the venue of the rhythmic gymnastics and preliminary indoor volleyball matches during the... , Athens, Georgia |
| 1993 | Georgia | 198.000 | Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics The Alabama Crimson Tide Gymnastics team represents the University of Alabama and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Tide compete in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won 5 NCAA Women's Gymnastics national championships, 7 SEC championships, and an... |
196.825 | Gill Coliseum Gill Coliseum Gill Coliseum is a 10,400-seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Opened in 1949, the arena is home to the Oregon State Beavers' basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and gymnastics teams. It is named after famed basketball coach Amory T... , Corvallis, Oregon |
| 1998 | Georgia | 197.725 | Florida Gators | 196.350 | Pauley Pavilion Pauley Pavilion Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion, commonly known as Pauley Pavilion, is an indoor arena located in the Westwood Village district of Los Angeles, California, on the campus of UCLA. It is home to the UCLA Bruins men's and women's basketball teams... , Los Angeles, California |
| 1999 | Georgia | 196.850 | Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which... |
196.550 | Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 2005 2005 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship The 2005 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship involved 12 schools competing for the national championship of women's NCAA Division I gymnastics. It was the twenty fourth NCAA gymnastics national championship and the defending NCAA Team Champion for 2004 was UCLA. The Competition took place in Los... |
Georgia | 197.825 | Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics The Alabama Crimson Tide Gymnastics team represents the University of Alabama and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Tide compete in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won 5 NCAA Women's Gymnastics national championships, 7 SEC championships, and an... |
197.400 | Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. The arena, which opened in 1969, is best known as the former home of the Auburn men's and women's basketball and women's gymnastics teams... , Auburn, Alabama |
| 2006 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship The 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship involved 12 schools competing for the national championship of women's NCAA Division I gymnastics. It was the twenty fifth NCAA gymnastics national championship and the defending NCAA Team Champion for 2005 was Georgia. The Competition took place in... |
Georgia | 197.750 | Utah Red Rocks Utah Red Rocks The Utah Utes women's gymnastics team represents the University of Utah and competes in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes compete in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of the end of the 2011 season, the Red Rocks have won 10 Women's Gymnastics championships and been runner-up 8... |
196.800 | Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Oregon |
| 2007 2007 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship The 2007 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship involved 12 schools competing for the national championship of women's NCAA Division I gymnastics. It was the twenty sixth NCAA gymnastics national championship and the defending NCAA Team Champion for 2006 was Georgia. The Competition took place in... |
Georgia | 197.850 | Utah Red Rocks Utah Red Rocks The Utah Utes women's gymnastics team represents the University of Utah and competes in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes compete in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of the end of the 2011 season, the Red Rocks have won 10 Women's Gymnastics championships and been runner-up 8... |
197.250 | Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 2008 2008 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship The 2008 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship involved 12 schools competing for the national championship of women's NCAA Division I gymnastics. It was the twenty seventh NCAA gymnastics national championship and the defending NCAA Team Champion for 2007 was Georgia. The Competition took place in... |
Georgia | 197.450 | Utah Red Rocks Utah Red Rocks The Utah Utes women's gymnastics team represents the University of Utah and competes in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes compete in the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of the end of the 2011 season, the Red Rocks have won 10 Women's Gymnastics championships and been runner-up 8... |
197.125 | Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Georgia |
| 2009 2009 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship The 2009 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championship involved 12 schools competing for the national championship of women's NCAA Division I gymnastics. It was the twenty eighth NCAA gymnastics national championship and the defending NCAA Team Champion for 2008 was Georgia... |
Georgia | 197.825 | Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics The Alabama Crimson Tide Gymnastics team represents the University of Alabama and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Tide compete in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won 5 NCAA Women's Gymnastics national championships, 7 SEC championships, and an... |
197.575 | Bob Devaney Sports Center Bob Devaney Sports Center The Bob Devaney Sports Center is a sports complex on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska that includes a 13,595-seat multi-purpose arena, a 1,000-seat covered 25-yard swimming and diving facility and a 5,000-seat covered track and field facility that features a... , Lincoln, Nebraska |
Head Coaching Records
The team has had six head coaches in the history of the program.| Name | Seasons | W – L – T | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melinda Airhart | 1973 – 1976 | 14 – 15 – 0 | 0.483 |
| 2 | Andy Long | 1976 – 1979 | 33 – 12 – 0 | 0.733 |
| 3 | Terri Parsons Richie | 1979 – 1981 | 28 – 6 – 0 | 0.823 |
| 4 | Rick Walton | 1981 – 1983 | 45 – 31 – 0 | 0.592 |
| 5 | Suzanne Yoculan Suzanne Yoculan Suzanne Paige Yoculan was the head coach of the women's gymnastics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia from 1983 to 2009. During her tenure, she built the Georgia gymnastics program into a national powerhouse and is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of collegiate... |
1983 – 2009 | 831 – 117 – 7 | 0.870 |
| 6 | Jay Clark Jay Clark (gymnastics) Jay Clark is the head coach of the women's Georgia gymnastics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Clark was promoted from assistant coach to head coach upon the retirement of long-time coach Suzanne Yoculan after the 2009 season.... |
2009 – present | 6 – 7 – 0 | 0.462 |
Other coaches currently working in the gym include Julie Ballard Clark (wife of head coach Jay Clark
Jay Clark (gymnastics)
Jay Clark is the head coach of the women's Georgia gymnastics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Clark was promoted from assistant coach to head coach upon the retirement of long-time coach Suzanne Yoculan after the 2009 season....
) and Doug McAvinn. Courtney Kupets
Courtney Kupets
Courtney Anne Kupets is an American gymnast. She is best known for her 2003 and 2004 all-around national championships ; her membership on the 2002 and 2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and 2004 Olympic teams; and her individual bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 2004...
is also working with the team.
Gymnasts
| 2010 Georgia Gym Dogs Roster | ||
| Gymnast | Events† | Year |
| Lauren Johnson | VT | Senior |
| Courtney McCool Courtney McCool Courtney Lynn McCool is an American gymnast, who was a team member in the 2004 Summer Olympics women's artistic gymnastic team. Although she didn't compete in the team finals, she helped the team place second, earning the silver medal behind Romania... |
UB, BB, FX | Senior |
| Marcia Newby | VT, UB | Senior |
| Lauren Sessler | VT, UB | Senior |
| Grace Taylor Grace Taylor Grace Taylor is an American gymnast.- Early career :Taylor spent her club career at Aiken Gymnastics in Aiken, South Carolina. She trained with coaches Draha Krizova and Radek Kriz... |
UB, BB, FX | Senior |
| Hilary Mauro | AA | Junior |
| Cassidy McComb | AA | Junior |
| Mariel Box | AA | Sophomore |
| Kathryn Ding | AA | Sophomore |
| Gina Nuccio | AA | Sophomore |
| Amber Trani* | AA | Sophomore |
| Kati Breazeal | AA | Freshman |
| Noel Couch | AA | Freshman |
| Shayla Worley Shayla Worley Shayla Worley is an American gymnast. She was a member of the gold medal-winning American team at the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She has been training at Orlando Metro Gymnastics where she is coached by Jeff Wood and Christi Barineau, since she was a Level 6 gymnast... |
AA | Freshman |
| Christa Tanella | AA | Freshman |
- Amber Trani officially took medical retirement prior to the 2010 season, due to an injury received before Olympic Trials in 2008.
| 2009 Georgia Gym Dogs Roster | ||
| Gymnast | Events† | Year |
| Paige Burns | VT, UB, BB | Senior |
| Courtney Kupets Courtney Kupets Courtney Anne Kupets is an American gymnast. She is best known for her 2003 and 2004 all-around national championships ; her membership on the 2002 and 2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and 2004 Olympic teams; and her individual bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 2004... |
AA | Senior |
| Abby Stack | UB, FX | Senior |
| Tiffany Tolnay | AA | Senior |
| Lauren Johnson | VT | Junior |
| Courtney McCool Courtney McCool Courtney Lynn McCool is an American gymnast, who was a team member in the 2004 Summer Olympics women's artistic gymnastic team. Although she didn't compete in the team finals, she helped the team place second, earning the silver medal behind Romania... |
UB, BB, FX | Junior |
| Marcia Newby | VT, UB | Junior |
| Lauren Sessler | VT, UB | Junior |
| Grace Taylor Grace Taylor Grace Taylor is an American gymnast.- Early career :Taylor spent her club career at Aiken Gymnastics in Aiken, South Carolina. She trained with coaches Draha Krizova and Radek Kriz... |
UB, BB, FX | Junior |
| Hilary Mauro | AA | Sophomore |
| Cassidy McComb | AA | Sophomore |
| Mariel Box | AA | Freshman |
| Kathryn Ding | AA | Freshman |
| Gina Nuccio | AA | Freshman |
| Amber Trani | AA | Freshman |
† Vault (VT), Uneven Bars (UB), Balance Beam (BB), Floor Exercise (FX), All Around (AA)
NCAA individual event champions
As of the end of the 2009 season, 17 different Georgia gymnasts have won a total of 37 individual event championships.| Georgia Bulldogs Individual NCAA Championship Titles | |||||
| Gymnast | Balance Beam | Vault | Uneven Bars | Floor Exercise | All-Around |
| Courtney McCool Courtney McCool Courtney Lynn McCool is an American gymnast, who was a team member in the 2004 Summer Olympics women's artistic gymnastic team. Although she didn't compete in the team finals, she helped the team place second, earning the silver medal behind Romania... |
2008 | ||||
| Grace Taylor | 2008 | ||||
| Courtney Kupets Courtney Kupets Courtney Anne Kupets is an American gymnast. She is best known for her 2003 and 2004 all-around national championships ; her membership on the 2002 and 2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and 2004 Olympic teams; and her individual bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 2004... |
2006, 2009 | 2007 | 2006, 2009 | 2009 | 2006, 2007, 2009 |
| Cory Fritzinger | 2001 | ||||
| Suzanne Sears | 2000 | ||||
| Karin Lichey | 1998 | ||||
| Kim Arnold | 1998 | 1997, 1998 | |||
| Jenni Beathard | 1998 | 1997 | |||
| Leah Brown | 1996 | 1997 | |||
| Leslie Angeles | 1995 | ||||
| Lori Strong | 1994 | ||||
| Agina Simpkins | 1993 | ||||
| Heather Stepp | 1992, 1993 | 1993 | |||
| Hope Spivey | 1991 | 1991, 1994 | 1991 | ||
| Kelly Macy | 1991 | ||||
| Corrinne Wright | 1989 | 1989 | |||
| Lucy Wener | 1986, 1987, 1989 |
External links
- Georgia Gym Dogs official website
- Gym Dog Coverage Page (on Gymnastike.org)