Aug. 16, 2006
Written By: Ashley LeVine
Terps Gymnastics will welcome Brandi George to the 2006-2007 team in September, one month after two skills were officially named for her in the Junior Olympic Code of Points. George, an 18 year old native of Orlando, Florida and competitor for the prestigious club, Orlando Metro Gymnastics, signed with Maryland in the spring and will join the highly touted freshman class of six Junior Olympic National competitors in the fall of 2006. Head coach Bob Nelligan states that, "Brandi is the complete package; first in her class academically and a top recruit with balance beam being her best event. She brings a toughness and elegance that will absolutely take our program to the next level."
George had a break-out season in 2004; she was the Florida State All-Around Champion and Region 8 All-Around Champion for Level 10. She then advanced to the 2004 JO National Championships where she became the National Beam Champion and placed 4th all-around. Shadowing this exceptional season was an injury that sidelined her for the entire 2005 season. Concerning her return to gymnastics this year, Brandi says, "After not being allowed to compete for a year and then facing the struggles that I did while trying to come back, my [2006] season was a memorable one, and one that I will never forget. I am so happy that I was able to finally compete again and that I could end my club gymnastics career the way I did...it is great to be back in the competitive atmosphere!"
Her ability to turn adversity into opportunity enabled her to assist Orlando Metro in capturing a fifth-straight Level 10 Florida State team title this year. At this year's State Championships she also finished 2nd place on vault and 4th place all-around. At the 2006 Region 8 Championships held in Marietta, Georgia she scored a 38.150 in the all-around, placing 2nd which secured her a spot on the Region 8 team headed to the 2006 JO Nationals in Oklahoma City. Returning to national competition after nearly a year off, Brandi scored a 37.675 in the all-around, placing 14th. In addition, she claimed a 9.600 on beam (4th) and a 9.525 on vault (14th).
The most dignified aspect of her 2006 National performance was the successful completion of two skills on the balance beam that she created, therefore solidifying her name in the JO Code of Points. In effect, George's tremendous demonstration of determination and strength of mind and body, has made her 2006 comeback a historic one. Brandi was able graduate from club gymnastics while literally leaving her mark in the JO Code of Points. Effective August 1, 2006, the George 1 and George 2 were listed as official skills of a D value level in Junior Olympic competition. The George 1 is a swing through front aerial on the beam from a starting position on one leg. The George 2 is a swing through side salto on the beam from a starting position on one leg. "I was so excited at nationals when I got to compete [these two skills] and was thrilled when I hit them and found out that they were in the Code of Points," George comments, "It is an incredible feeling to have left a mark [in club gymnastics] not only for me, but for my coach and for my team." After losing both of her parents in 2005, Brandi dedicates this achievement to her mother and father. According to Brandi the skills "are in memory of my parents; I personally have dedicated [this accomplishment] to them...they were always huge supporters of my gymnastics and I know how proud they are and I know how excited they would be as well. [The skills] are the Pamela George and the Charles George in my eyes, not the George 1 and George 2."
Brandi's willpower and ability to deal with setbacks in a mature and graceful manner mirror the values that each member of the Maryland Gymnastics Team also honors and works to demonstrate. In true Terp fashion, George also knows how to balance her hard work in the gym with her dedication to school; she graduated from Boone High School with a 3.87 GPA. In effect, Brandi is expected to make a smooth transition into both college gymnastics and academics. She is equipped with the experience and strength of character that will allow her to fit in well with the program at Maryland, and her contribution to the team is greatly anticipated. When asked why she chose Maryland, Brandi answers, "I absolutely loved the team and coaches when I came to visit, they really made me feel welcomed and I loved the team vibe." While her new teammates and coaches are anxiously awaiting her arrival, Brandi is also excited to make her way to College Park. She says, "I couldn't be more excited to come to the University of Maryland!" and she is most looking forward to being a part of "a team that is full of pride and spirit," and to becoming a "part of the Maryland family; having a family away from home." Congratulations, Brandi and best of luck in the coming season!
