Flakes: US Gymnastics, Phelps Face, Husker Volleyball Looks to Repeat

Sometimes you witness moments in athletics that you know are great. The Flea Kicker, the Miracle on Ice, the Immaculate Reception, etc. Then, there are times when you witness something that you suspect is not only great, but will change a sport completely.

Such is the dominance of the U.S. Women's gymnastics team.

I am a very casual gymnastics viewer. I watch every four years at the Olympics and that is about it. In other words, this is your heads-up on the level of "expert" analysis you are about to get.

Not so long ago, Russia and Romania were dominating women's gymnastics with teams of pixies that were graceful and would look as comfortable on a ballet stage as a gymnastics apparatus. Not to say they weren't strong, but they built an empire emphasizing the art as much as the athlete.

The U.S. women's teams have always been a little bit different. They have always had at least some athletes who looked insanely strong but struggled to incorporate the fluidity of their Eastern bloc counterparts. Occasionally, someone like Mary Lou Retton powered their way to the top of the podium and kept the U.S. women on the map. The Russians and everyone else kept doing their thing with their type of athlete and held off the Americans more often than not.

That has changed.

This U.S. women's team has insisted on a new ideal in gymnastics. Any of the women on this team (if they were six inches or a foot taller) would look right at home on a basketball or volleyball court.

There was very little Bach or Beethoven played in routines. There was only the most cursory nod to the "dance" aspects of their routines. These women are all about jumping higher, tumbling faster, and landing more difficult moves. The level of dominance they displayed sent a message to other teams. "Be like us, or else we will continue to kick your butts".

I can already imagine Russian gymnastics coaches carrying around a picture of Simone Biles as they scout kiddie gymnastics meets for their prospects.

How U.S. Women Became the World’s Best Gymnasts | TIME
It wasn’t long ago that the U.S. women gymnasts struggled to get on the podium at international meets. Now they’re the ones to beat

'Final Five' win gymnastics team gold in Rio | NBC Olympics
'The Final Five," as they've nicknamed themselves, flourished under the pressure to prove they're still the best in the world

Corn Flakes

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Heuer: 5 former Huskers to watch in NFL | College | columbustelegram.com
For Husker football die-hards, the depression will soon end following the football drought, with only 24 days left until kickoff at Memorial Stadium.

Huskers' Jordan Westerkamp leads Big Ten names on Biletnikoff Award watch list | CSN Chicago
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Page Opens Strong in Rio - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Former Husker Danielle Page played a strong game in her Olympic debut, but her Serbian team came up short in a 65-59 loss to Spain on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Olympics

#PhelpsFace is the new internet meme
The new Mckayla Maroney...

McKayla Maroney Talks About Michael Phelps Face | Vanity Fair
The world’s most decorated Olympian has a new title.

Michael Phelps is on a list of all-time sports icons. | Sports on Earth
While Mark Spitz ended his swimming career at 22 after competing in Mexico City and Munich, Michael Phelps is flutter kicking through his fourth set of Summer Games at 31 and collecting medal after medal. But longevity doesn't dilute eminence.

People body-shamed this amazing Mexican gymnast at the Olympics, Twitter beautifully defended her
Alexa Moreno is an incredible athlete for a few reasons. First of all, guys, she just competed in the Olympics in Rio —

Have a great Wednesday everyone!