Utah Gymnastics

We initiated Dad into Utah Gymnastics Fan Mania for his visit. We brought him to the Utah/Florida meet Friday night, which Utah dispatched with ease (well, after a slightly scary bars rotation). It was super cool because it was senior night, with two of the most favorite, successful gymnasts at Utah, Nina Kim and Kristina Baskett, compteting for the last time at Utah. Over 15,000 people came, and Dad learned the cheers. Here's us doing one of the cheers. Also in the crowd to support Nina Kim was her best friend, Olympic All Around Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin.

 

Pics from the Salt Lake Tribune.

Olympics

Is anyone as obsessed about the Olympics as I am? Well, for one, I am glued to the gymnastics. The mens team came away with the bronze medal that no one thought they would ever get, and I can't wait to watch the women's team finals tonight.

Daria Bijak of the Utah Utes competed for her native Germany, which did not qualify for the women's team finals, however, if you have a minute, watch the top video on my video bar to watch her absolutely amazing floor routine. THIS WOMAN COMPETES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH! For shitsake, she is so rad, I can't even tell you. Go to see a Utes meet this winter and you will see why we have been the NCAA runners up. The routine she is competing in the short video is her at the Olympics competing the same floor exersise reoutine she performs for her collegiate routine- the difficulty and tricks she throws are unheard of at the collegiate level. WATCH IT PEOPLE! You won't be dissappointed.

ARGHH-PS> It appears as though the video of Daria was possibly removed from YouTube...damn NBC copyrights! So, sorry if you missed it, hopefully it will repost on my video bar if and when it becomes available.

In Mourning

Well, it is both with great pride, and great anguish that I have to report my beloved Utes took 2nd place in the NCAA championships. They had a phenominal season, and under the most difficult of circumstances competing at a raucous enemy arena (Georgia), they took the runner up spot for the third year in row. Georgia once again dominated, this time on their own home turf.

In addition to that, Ashley Postell, the most successful, decorated college gymnast in NCAA history, couldn't pull off the All Around competition that she was favored to win, taking second to former olympian and UCLA standout Tascha Schwikert.

The Utes and Ashley are still #1 in my book, and they deserve all of the credit for having an inspiring and successful season, being the only team in NCAA history to not count one fall all season, and going 17-1 during the regular season.

GO UTES!

Allright

The lack of blogging going on in this blog is ridiculous...and I am not a woman who is made to look RIDICULOUS...ok, bad Godfather reference there.

Anyways, geez, where the hell have Adam and Melissa been?! Well, in general, starting to regain life as we know it, now that our old house has sold and we have settled into the new one.

A big highlight was a quick trip to San Diego that I (Melissa) took to see my mom. Can't beat free gorgeous Marriott hotel rooms thanks to my dad's hotel points! Scroll down to see some picture highlights.

In a nutshell: Adam skiied a ton this year, Melissa pulled a ton of plastic (ie, gym climbed for all of you uninitiated)....

Recently, the snow has started to thaw....THANKS BE TO JESUS! And I've climbed in Joe's, Ibex, and most recently the ST. George area, marking my return (officially) to route climbing. We'll see how long it lasts.

A big part of our winter has been the Utah Women's Gymnastics 2008 season, as we are season pass holders. Our beloved Utes, are 11-1 this year, and are ranked 2nd in the country, although they have already defeated the #1 team, Georgia. Check them out at: http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/w-gym/utah-w-gym-body.html

The Utes have a great shot at being the National Champs, so stay tuned to these amazing athletes, many of whom were International stars and Olympians prior to their Collegiate careers, and a couple of whom you may see in Beijing this summer!

Anyhoo, no complaints, things are greening up, and we're psyched for Spring climbing season. Expect to hear more from us as we get back into the swing of life as we normally (or abnormally) know it- obsessed with CLIMBING!