Gymnasts Fear on Bars/College Gymnastics

[gymnat83]

I am currently a 2nd year platinum and a freshman in high school. I was so close to diamond except for 2 injuries that kept me a platinum. I would like to compete for a D2-D3 college but I’m starting to think this will be come less likely.
I really struggle on bars with fear and need my cast handstand and giants (I already have clear hips on both bars for diamond) to become a diamond with a chance in bars. I also can’t connect my bar routine without really bad shapes. Any tips would be helpful! (Also on how to prevent injuries )

 

[Coach Kate]

Realistically, if you're talking NCAA, it's probably not going to happen. Even for division two or three, they'll be looking for level 10 skills/routines. I am a Wisconsin native and know there are a lot of non division one programs in the state, so I picked a random one just as an example. UW LaCrosse is a good program for their division, but this is a division three bar routine. Do you really see yourself doing a routine like this in the next couple years?

Look up some routines. Go to a meet if you can. It should give you an idea about the kinds of skills involved. Regardless, in terms of Xcel, you'd really need to be a strong sapphire to have any kind of options.

There are a lot of colleges with club programs though, so I would continue to focus on your basics, conditioning, and drills to strengthen your bar routine and help you progress.

 

[Katie]

I think it’s possible! I knew a girl that was Gold for 3 years maybe? She was about to compete her last year platinum and then go to a D3 college, but got a back injury and wasn’t able to at the last minute. So I think there’s probably a D3 team out there that would take you, but I don’t know a ton about college gymnastics