Friday night brings the first official action for our beloved Gym Dogs, as they begin their 2020 season at the Critique Classic Invitational in Kissimmee, FL. It’s a four team event, and the Classic City gymnasts will be squaring off against Oregon State, Iowa, and Bridgeport.

Ranked #8 in the pre-season, the Bulldogs return almost everyone from a National Semi-finalist squad last season. The biggest absence will be All-American Sydney Snead who graduated last spring. But Coach Courtney Kupets-Carter is still loaded for Elephant, as she returns Sabrina Vega and Rachel Dickson, now seniors. Vega is set to compete in the all-around for the first time in her career, having previously starred in the floor anchor position.

There are four new freshmen for the Gym Dogs in 2020, and already Amanda Cashman looks to be the real deal. More new faces include 13-time All-American Katie Heenan Dodson, who starred for the Gym Dogs from 2005-2008. Currently teaching and coaching at the club level, she now is Volunteer Assistant Coach. She’s only replacing Suzanne Yoculan, so no pressure there.

It does not appear that tonight’s match will be televised, nor even live-streamed, at least outside of Disney World. Oregon State is ranked #11, even though they finished higher than UGA in the post-season. I think the fact that Georgia returned almost an entirely intact team had a lot to do with getting the nod over the Beavers. Next week the Gym Dogs open their home schedule against fell top-10 and SEC stalwart LSU.

And as always...

GO ‘DAWGS!!!