Oklahoma USAG Competition Policies
Zoo Review – The Zoo Review is an annual competition that is sponsored by the Oklahoma Judges Association. It is for Compulsory Gymnasts Levels 3-5, Xcel Gymnasts Bronze-Diamond and Level 7. The judges volunteer their time and fees, and the funds raised go towards continuing the judges’ education and for sending a Level 7 team to the National Judges Cup. At the Zoo Review, the top 7 Level 7s from all age groups qualify to the National Judges Cup, a competition supporting the National Judges Association.
National Judges Cup – This annual competition is sponsored by the National Association of Judges and Oklahoma send an Oklahoma delegation of level 7 gymnasts. The Judges Association pays for each gymnast’s travel, entry fee, leotard, and warm-up. In order for a team of gymnasts to be entered in the competition, they must participate in the Zoo Review.
Drop back date- Oklahoma allows for gymnasts who have qualified at a lower level to try at the next higher level. Even if they have qualified for a State at the upper level but do not wish to stay at that level, they are allowed to move back to their previous level before the drop back date. After the drop back date they must compete at the level they will compete at the Oklahoma State Competition. However, they must qualify at the lower level and are only allowed to drop back one level. The purpose of this is for a gymnast to try the harder level with no penalty. The drop back date is February 8, 2021.
State Competitions – To go to the State Meet, a gymnast must qualify with a specific score at any sanctioned meet. Qualifying scores must be met no later than 2 weeks prior to a state meet
Age Group Awards for State and Zoo Review
Zoo Review – age groups and awards will be determined by the State Judging board. Contact Jeana Ely. (jeanae@okstate.edu)
Level 3 thru 5 Compulsory State Championships –
· Official USAG State Medals are given for each event and all around
· 50% of the participants are presented with awards from each age group
· No age group larger than 30 children
· Minimum of 3 places per age group
· Banners for the top 60% teams at each level
Levels XCEL, 6,7,8,9, and 10 Optional State Championships
· Official USAG State Medals are given for each event and all around
· 50% of the participants are presented with awards from each age group
· All-Around awards given all the way to the end of each age group
· Banners for the top 60%
Level 7 proceeds to Regionals by a percentage which will be announced at the State meet.
Level 8 proceeds to Regionals by a percentage which will be announced at the State meet.
Level 9 proceeds to Regionals by score. The score is 34.00 received at the State meet. At the Regional competition a gymnast can continue on to Western Nationals by being top 12 of her age group. At Western Nationals each gymnast receives a warm-up leotard.
Level 10 proceeds to Regionals by score. The score is 34.00 received at the State meet. At the Regional competition a gymnast can advance on to the Junior Olympic Nationals by making the top 7 in her age group. First alternate also gets to go and is given the competition apparel the Regional team is given.
Team Scoring at the Zoo Review and State Competitions
Open Draw- There will be an open draw for 1st event at each State Championship. Squads are put together by the State Director or Meet Director and a random draw will be performed within each team. Draw will not be modified.
Event Specialists – Optional Gymnasts Only-
A gymnast may qualify to the State Meet as an Event Specialist. She must score a 9.10 at a USAG Sanctioned meet to be qualified into the state meet as a Specialist. The gymnast must declare her intent to be a specialist when she sends in her state entry fee. The gymnast will still pay the full entry fee.
In order to qualify as an Event Specialist to Regionals, the following scores must be posted at the State Competition.
Levels Xcel Gold, Xcel Platinum & Xcel Diamond - 9.0 or greater to qualify.
Levels 9 & 10 - 9.3 or greater to qualify.
Switching gyms – Any Oklahoma gymnast who switches gyms less than 2 weeks prior to the Oklahoma State Championships will be eligible to receive individual awards, but her scores will not be allowed to count towards a team score.
Meet fees for State Championships- The meet fees are set yearly by the State Board and are approved by the Regional Chairman. Those fees are found in the beginning of the State Directory. The deadline date for state meet entries is at the front of the State Directory also. Any entry turned in after this date will be assessed a $50 late fee per individual entry.
State Meet Door Fees – The door fees for admittance to all State Competitions will be $10 per session for all spectators.
Members on the competition floor- Coaches and Judges must show their USAG Professional Membership card to be on the floor at any sanctioned gymnastics meet. They must be a Professional Member. **Only athletes who are competing during that session or an athlete that would have competed in that session, but is injured, may be on the floor. No other athletes, children, or adults may enter the competition area.
Last minute qualifiers – A gymnast may qualify two weeks before the State Meet. Her coach must notify the State Chairman on the Monday following the meet by e-mail and the State Chairman must have that gymnast’s entry fee, and an official copy of the competition scores in hand by the following Friday. If these two requirements are not met, the gymnast will not be allowed in the State Meet unless a $50 late fee is paid in addition to the entry fee.
All State Banquet and Qualification
To qualify to the Oklahoma All-State Banquet, a gymnast level 3-10 has to receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place finish (ties go),
37.00 AA or higher at the Oklahoma State Championship Competition.
Qualifying to Oklahoma All State Banquet for Xcel will NOW include silver, gold, platinum, and diamond NOT bronze.
Only the following criteria would qualify a gymnast to the banquet: 1st place individual event finisher (ties go), top 3 all-around finisher (ties go), 37.5 AA or higher at the Oklahoma State Championship Competition.
Only USA Gymnastics members may qualify for this event. All level 7-10 Regional, Western and National qualifiers are included, but they must compete at State, Regionals, or both in order to be All-State. Oklahoma Elite gymnast qualifiers are also included.
Each gymnast is responsible for buying her own banquet ticket.
Shannon Miller Award – The Shannon Miller Award is presented at the Oklahoma All-State Banquet. There are two categories. One award is presented to a gymnast who has brought recognition through her gymnastics to the state of Oklahoma. The second category is for a coach, judge, or professional that also brings service or recognition to enhance the quality of gymnastics to the State of Oklahoma. It is mandatory that the state give this award every year. Nominations must be made prior to the Oklahoma State Board Meeting.
Betty Roberts Heart Award- The Betty Roberts Heart Award is presented to an Oklahoma gymnast who has overcome a major life challenge in her personal life or in her family life. Despite major obstacles, this gymnast has shown great heart and courageously continues to shine in the sport of gymnastics being an inspiration to others.
Ken Hensley Spirit Award- The Ken Hensley Spirit Award is awarded to a well-rounded, high-school gymnast in the State of Oklahoma who has excelled in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and in gymnastics. This young lady is a gymnast with leadership qualities who displays an exceptional attitude and strong work ethic in all she does.
Oklahoma Program of the Year
The Oklahoma Program of the Year is required by USAG. The State Committee has decided on a point system at the Oklahoma Compulsory, Optional, and Excel State Team Competitions.
Levels 3-10
1st Place = 5 points
2nd Place = 4 points
3rd Place = 3 points
4th Place = 2 points
5th Place = 1 point
Excel Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum)
1st Place = 3 points
2nd Place = 2 points
3rd Place = 1 point
Top 3 finishers to be recognized on the Oklahoma USAG website and at the Oklahoma State Clinic in August.
How to Host a Meet – Meet directors must send in a meet request to the State Judging Director. A sanction with fee is sent to USA Gymnastics. A meet must be sanctioned to count as a qualifying meet for Oklahoma. A judges finders’ fee of $3 per judge must be sent to the State Judging Director. After completion of a meet, the official meet results, plus a copy of the sanction, must be sent to the State Tabulator within 24 hours. Mitzi Terry is the current State Tabulator. A copy of the sanction must be sent to USA Gymnastics and the Regional Chairman. *All of these addresses can be found in the front of the State Directory.
State Meets – The Oklahoma State Championships are run by the State with the help of host gyms. The State is responsible for the payments of sanctions, judge’s fees and expenses, and awards. Judges meals during the competition must be provided by the host team. All entry fees go to the State. The host gym receives all revenues from door admissions, concessions, programs, booth rentals and t-shirt sales. The State Meets are bid on during the summer and selected by the board. The board tries to rotate yearly, based on meet site, equipment, etc.
Courtesy Guidelines for Entering Meets
· Enter on or before the deadline.
· Pay for the number of gymnasts that you entered, not the number that competed.
· Give parents directions and competition information so they will not need to call the host gym.
· Include all information on the entry form including birthdates, levels, and athlete numbers.
Special Circumstances –
An injured athlete may petition to the State Meet, but she must provide a doctor’s note to the State Chairman. The gymnast must also provide proof of 2 all-around scores from the current season that meet the qualification score to State.
Judges-
Compulsory State – 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability
Optional State – 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability
*Please note a judge cannot go into a gym to evaluate / critique a USAG Compulsory or Optional gymnast between the drop back date in February and the State Meet.
XCEL
CONTACT YOUR USA GYMNASTICS STATE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
Overview - The USA Gymnastics Xcel program was developed as an alternative competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience.
ATHLETES: MUST HAVE A USA GYMNASTICS INTRODUCTORY OR ATHLETE MEMBERSHIP TO COMPETE AT A SANTIONED EVENT.
If a gymnast has never competed in the USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympic Program (Levels 1-10) and wishes to compete in the Xcel Program, she may choose to register as an Introductory Member.
· If at a later time in the same competitive year she wishes to move to JO Levels 3 or 4, she must upgrade her membership by submitting a regular Athlete Membership application and paying the difference in price.
· B. If a gymnast already has an Athlete Membership she is not required to change or purchase a new membership for Xcel. However, she must change to her appropriate Xcel division. This can be done online through USA Gymnastics.
· C. Athletes competing in both Xcel and the JO Program in the same competition year should register as an Athlete member.
· D. Athletes must have the appropriate Xcel division OR JO level box checked before participating in a sanctioned USA Gymnastics competition.
· A gymnast may compete in a maximum of two (2) State meets per competitive year (one per season), either at the same or higher division.
· A gymnast is not required to compete in the All-Around. If she chooses not to compete in the AA, she must touch the event(s) she is NOT competing. Her scores may count towards team scores.
The Xcel program includes five competitive divisions – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
Xcel competitions are conducted throughout the United States and are organized by the USA Gymnastics State and Regional Administrative Committees. Each state has the jurisdiction to determine its state calendar, according to the needs of its members. An Xcel COMPETITIVE YEAR is defined as the period from August 1 through July 31. A COMPETITIVE SEASON is defined as that period from the first designated qualifying competition through the culminating Championships at each division.
OKLAHOMA DRESS CODE FOR COMPETITION
The State Board has adopted the USAG’s National Policy of proper coaching attire for all sanctioned competitions held in Oklahoma. The following clothing is considered proper coaching attire.
SHOES: Appropriate athletic shoes
PANTS: Athletic warm-ups or “Docker-Style” Pants (NO JEANS)
SHORTS: Athletic or Tailored shorts that are a reasonable length (7 inch inseam). NO SOFI SHORTS and NO SHORTS WITH TEARS OR HOLES, AND NO SHORT SHORTS OR JEAN SHORTS.
SHIRTS: Collared shirts, Business Casual Shirts, or T-shirts with gym logo. NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS, LOW CUT TOPS, OR MIDRIFF REVEALING SHIRTS.
HATS: NO HATS OR VISORS
Is required by USAG. The State Committee has decided on a point system at the Oklahoma Optional, and Xcel State Team Competitions:
Levels 3-10
1st place - 5 points
2nd place - 4 points
3rd place - 3 points
4th place - 2 points
5th place - 1 point
Xcel Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum)
1st place - 3 points
2nd place - 2 points
3rd place - 1 point
Top 3 finishers to be recognized on the Oklahoma gymnastics website and at the Oklahoma State Clinic in August.
JUDGES:
Should read 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability.
Zoo Review – The Zoo Review is an annual competition that is sponsored by the Oklahoma Judges Association. It is for Compulsory Gymnasts Levels 3-5, Xcel Gymnasts Bronze-Diamond and Level 7. The judges volunteer their time and fees, and the funds raised go towards continuing the judges’ education and for sending a Level 7 team to the National Judges Cup. At the Zoo Review, the top 7 Level 7s from all age groups qualify to the National Judges Cup, a competition supporting the National Judges Association.
National Judges Cup – This annual competition is sponsored by the National Association of Judges and Oklahoma send an Oklahoma delegation of level 7 gymnasts. The Judges Association pays for each gymnast’s travel, entry fee, leotard, and warm-up. In order for a team of gymnasts to be entered in the competition, they must participate in the Zoo Review.
Drop back date- Oklahoma allows for gymnasts who have qualified at a lower level to try at the next higher level. Even if they have qualified for a State at the upper level but do not wish to stay at that level, they are allowed to move back to their previous level before the drop back date. After the drop back date they must compete at the level they will compete at the Oklahoma State Competition. However, they must qualify at the lower level and are only allowed to drop back one level. The purpose of this is for a gymnast to try the harder level with no penalty. The drop back date is February 8, 2021.
State Competitions – To go to the State Meet, a gymnast must qualify with a specific score at any sanctioned meet. Qualifying scores must be met no later than 2 weeks prior to a state meet
Age Group Awards for State and Zoo Review
Zoo Review – age groups and awards will be determined by the State Judging board. Contact Jeana Ely. (jeanae@okstate.edu)
Level 3 thru 5 Compulsory State Championships –
· Official USAG State Medals are given for each event and all around
· 50% of the participants are presented with awards from each age group
· No age group larger than 30 children
· Minimum of 3 places per age group
· Banners for the top 60% teams at each level
Levels XCEL, 6,7,8,9, and 10 Optional State Championships
· Official USAG State Medals are given for each event and all around
· 50% of the participants are presented with awards from each age group
· All-Around awards given all the way to the end of each age group
· Banners for the top 60%
Level 7 proceeds to Regionals by a percentage which will be announced at the State meet.
Level 8 proceeds to Regionals by a percentage which will be announced at the State meet.
Level 9 proceeds to Regionals by score. The score is 34.00 received at the State meet. At the Regional competition a gymnast can continue on to Western Nationals by being top 12 of her age group. At Western Nationals each gymnast receives a warm-up leotard.
Level 10 proceeds to Regionals by score. The score is 34.00 received at the State meet. At the Regional competition a gymnast can advance on to the Junior Olympic Nationals by making the top 7 in her age group. First alternate also gets to go and is given the competition apparel the Regional team is given.
Team Scoring at the Zoo Review and State Competitions
Open Draw- There will be an open draw for 1st event at each State Championship. Squads are put together by the State Director or Meet Director and a random draw will be performed within each team. Draw will not be modified.
Event Specialists – Optional Gymnasts Only-
A gymnast may qualify to the State Meet as an Event Specialist. She must score a 9.10 at a USAG Sanctioned meet to be qualified into the state meet as a Specialist. The gymnast must declare her intent to be a specialist when she sends in her state entry fee. The gymnast will still pay the full entry fee.
In order to qualify as an Event Specialist to Regionals, the following scores must be posted at the State Competition.
Levels Xcel Gold, Xcel Platinum & Xcel Diamond - 9.0 or greater to qualify.
Levels 9 & 10 - 9.3 or greater to qualify.
Switching gyms – Any Oklahoma gymnast who switches gyms less than 2 weeks prior to the Oklahoma State Championships will be eligible to receive individual awards, but her scores will not be allowed to count towards a team score.
Meet fees for State Championships- The meet fees are set yearly by the State Board and are approved by the Regional Chairman. Those fees are found in the beginning of the State Directory. The deadline date for state meet entries is at the front of the State Directory also. Any entry turned in after this date will be assessed a $50 late fee per individual entry.
State Meet Door Fees – The door fees for admittance to all State Competitions will be $10 per session for all spectators.
Members on the competition floor- Coaches and Judges must show their USAG Professional Membership card to be on the floor at any sanctioned gymnastics meet. They must be a Professional Member. **Only athletes who are competing during that session or an athlete that would have competed in that session, but is injured, may be on the floor. No other athletes, children, or adults may enter the competition area.
Last minute qualifiers – A gymnast may qualify two weeks before the State Meet. Her coach must notify the State Chairman on the Monday following the meet by e-mail and the State Chairman must have that gymnast’s entry fee, and an official copy of the competition scores in hand by the following Friday. If these two requirements are not met, the gymnast will not be allowed in the State Meet unless a $50 late fee is paid in addition to the entry fee.
All State Banquet and Qualification
To qualify to the Oklahoma All-State Banquet, a gymnast level 3-10 has to receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place finish (ties go),
37.00 AA or higher at the Oklahoma State Championship Competition.
Qualifying to Oklahoma All State Banquet for Xcel will NOW include silver, gold, platinum, and diamond NOT bronze.
Only the following criteria would qualify a gymnast to the banquet: 1st place individual event finisher (ties go), top 3 all-around finisher (ties go), 37.5 AA or higher at the Oklahoma State Championship Competition.
Only USA Gymnastics members may qualify for this event. All level 7-10 Regional, Western and National qualifiers are included, but they must compete at State, Regionals, or both in order to be All-State. Oklahoma Elite gymnast qualifiers are also included.
Each gymnast is responsible for buying her own banquet ticket.
Shannon Miller Award – The Shannon Miller Award is presented at the Oklahoma All-State Banquet. There are two categories. One award is presented to a gymnast who has brought recognition through her gymnastics to the state of Oklahoma. The second category is for a coach, judge, or professional that also brings service or recognition to enhance the quality of gymnastics to the State of Oklahoma. It is mandatory that the state give this award every year. Nominations must be made prior to the Oklahoma State Board Meeting.
Betty Roberts Heart Award- The Betty Roberts Heart Award is presented to an Oklahoma gymnast who has overcome a major life challenge in her personal life or in her family life. Despite major obstacles, this gymnast has shown great heart and courageously continues to shine in the sport of gymnastics being an inspiration to others.
Ken Hensley Spirit Award- The Ken Hensley Spirit Award is awarded to a well-rounded, high-school gymnast in the State of Oklahoma who has excelled in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and in gymnastics. This young lady is a gymnast with leadership qualities who displays an exceptional attitude and strong work ethic in all she does.
Oklahoma Program of the Year
The Oklahoma Program of the Year is required by USAG. The State Committee has decided on a point system at the Oklahoma Compulsory, Optional, and Excel State Team Competitions.
Levels 3-10
1st Place = 5 points
2nd Place = 4 points
3rd Place = 3 points
4th Place = 2 points
5th Place = 1 point
Excel Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum)
1st Place = 3 points
2nd Place = 2 points
3rd Place = 1 point
Top 3 finishers to be recognized on the Oklahoma USAG website and at the Oklahoma State Clinic in August.
How to Host a Meet – Meet directors must send in a meet request to the State Judging Director. A sanction with fee is sent to USA Gymnastics. A meet must be sanctioned to count as a qualifying meet for Oklahoma. A judges finders’ fee of $3 per judge must be sent to the State Judging Director. After completion of a meet, the official meet results, plus a copy of the sanction, must be sent to the State Tabulator within 24 hours. Mitzi Terry is the current State Tabulator. A copy of the sanction must be sent to USA Gymnastics and the Regional Chairman. *All of these addresses can be found in the front of the State Directory.
State Meets – The Oklahoma State Championships are run by the State with the help of host gyms. The State is responsible for the payments of sanctions, judge’s fees and expenses, and awards. Judges meals during the competition must be provided by the host team. All entry fees go to the State. The host gym receives all revenues from door admissions, concessions, programs, booth rentals and t-shirt sales. The State Meets are bid on during the summer and selected by the board. The board tries to rotate yearly, based on meet site, equipment, etc.
Courtesy Guidelines for Entering Meets
· Enter on or before the deadline.
· Pay for the number of gymnasts that you entered, not the number that competed.
· Give parents directions and competition information so they will not need to call the host gym.
· Include all information on the entry form including birthdates, levels, and athlete numbers.
Special Circumstances –
An injured athlete may petition to the State Meet, but she must provide a doctor’s note to the State Chairman. The gymnast must also provide proof of 2 all-around scores from the current season that meet the qualification score to State.
Judges-
Compulsory State – 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability
Optional State – 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability
*Please note a judge cannot go into a gym to evaluate / critique a USAG Compulsory or Optional gymnast between the drop back date in February and the State Meet.
XCEL
CONTACT YOUR USA GYMNASTICS STATE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
Overview - The USA Gymnastics Xcel program was developed as an alternative competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience.
ATHLETES: MUST HAVE A USA GYMNASTICS INTRODUCTORY OR ATHLETE MEMBERSHIP TO COMPETE AT A SANTIONED EVENT.
If a gymnast has never competed in the USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympic Program (Levels 1-10) and wishes to compete in the Xcel Program, she may choose to register as an Introductory Member.
· If at a later time in the same competitive year she wishes to move to JO Levels 3 or 4, she must upgrade her membership by submitting a regular Athlete Membership application and paying the difference in price.
· B. If a gymnast already has an Athlete Membership she is not required to change or purchase a new membership for Xcel. However, she must change to her appropriate Xcel division. This can be done online through USA Gymnastics.
· C. Athletes competing in both Xcel and the JO Program in the same competition year should register as an Athlete member.
· D. Athletes must have the appropriate Xcel division OR JO level box checked before participating in a sanctioned USA Gymnastics competition.
· A gymnast may compete in a maximum of two (2) State meets per competitive year (one per season), either at the same or higher division.
· A gymnast is not required to compete in the All-Around. If she chooses not to compete in the AA, she must touch the event(s) she is NOT competing. Her scores may count towards team scores.
The Xcel program includes five competitive divisions – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
Xcel competitions are conducted throughout the United States and are organized by the USA Gymnastics State and Regional Administrative Committees. Each state has the jurisdiction to determine its state calendar, according to the needs of its members. An Xcel COMPETITIVE YEAR is defined as the period from August 1 through July 31. A COMPETITIVE SEASON is defined as that period from the first designated qualifying competition through the culminating Championships at each division.
OKLAHOMA DRESS CODE FOR COMPETITION
The State Board has adopted the USAG’s National Policy of proper coaching attire for all sanctioned competitions held in Oklahoma. The following clothing is considered proper coaching attire.
SHOES: Appropriate athletic shoes
PANTS: Athletic warm-ups or “Docker-Style” Pants (NO JEANS)
SHORTS: Athletic or Tailored shorts that are a reasonable length (7 inch inseam). NO SOFI SHORTS and NO SHORTS WITH TEARS OR HOLES, AND NO SHORT SHORTS OR JEAN SHORTS.
SHIRTS: Collared shirts, Business Casual Shirts, or T-shirts with gym logo. NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS, LOW CUT TOPS, OR MIDRIFF REVEALING SHIRTS.
HATS: NO HATS OR VISORS
Is required by USAG. The State Committee has decided on a point system at the Oklahoma Optional, and Xcel State Team Competitions:
Levels 3-10
1st place - 5 points
2nd place - 4 points
3rd place - 3 points
4th place - 2 points
5th place - 1 point
Xcel Levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum)
1st place - 3 points
2nd place - 2 points
3rd place - 1 point
Top 3 finishers to be recognized on the Oklahoma gymnastics website and at the Oklahoma State Clinic in August.
JUDGES:
Should read 2 or 4 judging panels depending on availability.
