“When you see your ex in public and have to run and hide.” -Kyla Ross decided after the absolute last moment that doing this vault was a mistake, she has to go back, we have to go back, Kate.

NCAA corner

Here’s what went down competition-wise in week four. Hint: It was a lot. 

In other news, John Roethlisberger took off his shirt on TV, I’d like to report a robbery on behalf of Natalie Wojcik and Sarah Finnegan (fittingly, on the one-year anniversary of Carol), and Maggie Nichols and Alex McMurtry were honored at the NCAA Honors Ceremony.

P.S. Here’s a throwback to our NCAA seniors and how far they’ve come from wee little baby freshmen. 

Other comp news

Elite Canada is coming up. Here’s a preview.

Camp campened. We found out that Kara Eaker has a DTY, and we got a peek at what WOGA’s ladies have been working on. Everything else that campened is a secret, ssshhhhhh.

Star status

Injuries. As if Brexit wasn’t hard enough on the country, Lucy Stanhope is out of British Champs with a stress fracture in her back, as is Amy Tinkler, who just had a third surgery on her ankle.

Retirements. Poland’s Katarzyna Jurkowska-Kowalska announced her retirement. Best wishes for Katarzyna on her future Polish adventures.

Comebacks. Kristal (Uzelac) Bodenschatz showed off nearly a full beam routine, Roxana Popa’s returning to competition on February 8, Ashton Locklear announced that she’s returning in February and plans to compete on floor, and Elsa García says she’ll be back this year.

Some news

MSU’s hemorrhaging money. Michigan State University’s legal bills related to the Nassar case are nearing $20 million. The uni will also pay for former president Lou Anna Simon’s defense.

USAG’s membership hasn’t suffered. USA Gymnastics’ membership has actually risen since 2016, in spite of ongoing scandal within the org. Kids still love gymnastics, y’all.

Required reading

• Survivor Emma Ann Miller still healing after one year later (The State News)
• Amassing an army: Survivors create lasting changes after Nassar (The State News)
• For Rachael Denhollander, Nassar’s sentencing was just the beginning (The State News)
• Former MSU gymnast and sister survivor: We must protect our children from abuse (Sports Illustrated)
• One year after the Nassar sentencing, the survivors continue to inspire change (Sports Illustrated)

Because you asked…

Lauren graciously answered.

Last words

OK, so I know the header image is random because I didn’t talk about Norah. But she’s just so damn gorgeous, yo. Those cheekbones. Those eyebrows. Somebody commission an oil painting, stat.

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