Georgia Gymdogs
The Gymdogs are one of the biggest dynasties of NCAA women’s gymnastics with 10 national titles including an unprecedented five in a row (1987, 1989, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) and 16 SEC championships (the last one being in 2008). Georgia gymnasts have also won 42 individual NCAA titles, making it the leader in the country in number of individual titles. Legendary coach Suzanne Yoculan is responsible for making Georgia into what it is today. In her first season, Yoculan led Georgia to a first-ever appearance at the NCAA championships, where it ended in a modest ninth place. After Yoculan’s retirement in 2009, longtime Gymdog coach Jay Clark took over but stepped down in 2012. Current head coach Danna Durante was then hired and the Gymdogs have since continued their tradition of gymnastics excellence. In her first season, Durante guided the team back to the NCAA Super Six for the first time since 2009, and Georgia also achieved its highest ranking in four years. The 2016 season ended on a high note, as seniors Brandie Jay and 2012 Canadian Olympian Brittany Rogers each won individual titles on vault and bars, respectively. The team also qualified to the Super Six and finished in sixth place. Durante has led the team to nationals every year since she took over. Moreover, Georgia was home to inarguably the best NCAA gymnast ever, 2004 U.S. Olympian Courtney Kupets. Kupets boasts nine NCAA individual titles to go along with her four team titles, and she is the only NCAA gymnast to win the all-around and every individual event. In NCAA gymnastics, true perfection has only been achieved once and that honor belongs to former Gymdog Karin Lichey. Lichey scored a perfect 40.0 as a freshman in a dual meet against Kentucky in 1996. Other legendary Gymdogs include Lucy Wener, Kim Arnold, Hope Spivey, Kristi Lichey, Sam Muhleman, Katie Heenan, Tiffany Tolnay, Grace Taylor and 2004 U.S. Olympian Courtney McCool.
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