This routine, after I watched others, was slow and tentative for the most part. However, not having the music doesnt give us the full picture. Anyway, Jennifer placed 8th at the US championships that way and would have competed in both the world championships and pan ams that year as the US Federation called her to compete in both. Apparently, she had a meltdown or had it with someone's insulting her and walked out of the gym and then quickly imploded and stopped training and that was the end
Yes when I watch these videos I catch myself thinking that compared to other people she is not that impressive. But I have to remember that this was the 80s. Gymnastics has come a long way since then.
Unsteady landing (slight slide back) on the first pass, poor position in the front tuck step out (flexed feet even) and NO amplitude in the dive roll, bad leg position before the final pass that also had labored tumbling, and the end is HORRIFIC (timing with the music is off and she seems lost, to be honest... way too choppy). Good... not great by any means. Many gymnasts did this compulsory routine MUCH better: Dobre, Silivas, Boginskaya, Shushunova, to name a few.
@gymnasticsloverxoxo Why WOULDN'T I? That was the point of even having compulsories. It gave a platform for comparing gymnasts with different styles and training. ?
@mrparke007 Yes that is the point of compulsories, but it is blatantly obvious that a gymnast trained at Parkettes where they destroy their gymnasts is not going to come near the best gymnasts the worlds' ever seen. My point being of course she is nowhere near them its not something that needs to be said.
Loving the book. I read parts and then run to youtube to see if I can find the footage of the competition she is talking about. Its kinda neat to know whats in her head while she goes through the routines.
Ok watch this routine and then watch the Soviet gymnasts at the 1987 Worlds ( Compulsory FX ) and you tell me which is better. That is extension , expression , and beauty of movement. Parkettes should of Sent Se
Wow? I looked this up because I'm reading her book right now, and she practiced alot...but I wasn't really impressed. I wouldn't say a level FIVE could do that. A level 6 or 7 probly could though. She is a very graceful dancer.
Well it was a compulsory routine-it was meant to show the level of a gymnast's basics. Few had great basics other than the Soviets-and Daniela Silivas of Romania especially.
Optionals in the '80's were much tougher stuff-even more so than today as they actually had to DANCE and express themselves, as well as do hard tumbles.
Level 5s dont' flip in their routine. PLus I dare you to find a Level 5 that can dance expressively and never have a form break (and kids that have repeated Level 5 a few times don't count)!
Agree with Fire. Routine was good, but I wouldnt say wonderful. It was slow in some parts, but some parts were very powerful, I liked the last pass, thought the first one could have had more height. Some of the extension could have been better also. Jennifer Sey did have good presence and elegance, I will definitely say that was one of her strenghts, and who knows, if she had treated her injuries and demons, maybe she could have been on the 88 team.
Taking into consideration that she was a parkette she had very nice lines and grace.
gymnasticsloverxoxo 1 year ago
This routine, after I watched others, was slow and tentative for the most part. However, not having the music doesnt give us the full picture. Anyway, Jennifer placed 8th at the US championships that way and would have competed in both the world championships and pan ams that year as the US Federation called her to compete in both. Apparently, she had a meltdown or had it with someone's insulting her and walked out of the gym and then quickly imploded and stopped training and that was the end
metsdudenj 1 year ago
This is from 1987 American Classic held in Boca Raton
FLACSC74 2 years ago
Yes when I watch these videos I catch myself thinking that compared to other people she is not that impressive. But I have to remember that this was the 80s. Gymnastics has come a long way since then.
cam2540 2 years ago
She did a great job here! Very elegant and graceful.
anikaatjuh 2 years ago
Unsteady landing (slight slide back) on the first pass, poor position in the front tuck step out (flexed feet even) and NO amplitude in the dive roll, bad leg position before the final pass that also had labored tumbling, and the end is HORRIFIC (timing with the music is off and she seems lost, to be honest... way too choppy). Good... not great by any means. Many gymnasts did this compulsory routine MUCH better: Dobre, Silivas, Boginskaya, Shushunova, to name a few.
mrparke007 2 years ago 3
@mrparke007 You are comparing a Parkette to some of the best Romanians and Soviets out there?
gymnasticsloverxoxo 1 year ago
@gymnasticsloverxoxo Why WOULDN'T I? That was the point of even having compulsories. It gave a platform for comparing gymnasts with different styles and training. ?
mrparke007 1 year ago
@mrparke007 Yes that is the point of compulsories, but it is blatantly obvious that a gymnast trained at Parkettes where they destroy their gymnasts is not going to come near the best gymnasts the worlds' ever seen. My point being of course she is nowhere near them its not something that needs to be said.
gymnasticsloverxoxo 1 year ago
@mrparke007 I'm confused as to how you can tell her timing with the music is off...if you can't hear the music.
triplefull368 1 year ago
Loving the book. I read parts and then run to youtube to see if I can find the footage of the competition she is talking about. Its kinda neat to know whats in her head while she goes through the routines.
connertonjamie 2 years ago 2
not that impressive
PshhItsRaachx3 2 years ago
I'm reading her book too and i'm not that impressed. Like it seems like shes only a level 8.
gymnastalliee 2 years ago
This is a compulsory routine. It's supposed to be easier that what the gymnasts can do.
jeyzi 2 years ago
She reminds me of Vera Caslavska; very graceful and artistic. The biggest difference if, of course, her higher skill level.
Loved the book, btw; appalled in many instances, but a riveting story. Highly rec.
karhill 2 years ago
...should of sent Sey to the Soviet Union for dance
FLACSC74 3 years ago 3
Ok watch this routine and then watch the Soviet gymnasts at the 1987 Worlds ( Compulsory FX ) and you tell me which is better. That is extension , expression , and beauty of movement. Parkettes should of Sent Se
FLACSC74 3 years ago 3
Wow? I looked this up because I'm reading her book right now, and she practiced alot...but I wasn't really impressed. I wouldn't say a level FIVE could do that. A level 6 or 7 probly could though. She is a very graceful dancer.
mtmigoi 3 years ago
This was COMPULSORY floor, all gymnasts had to do the same thing and they were never hard, not as hard as Optionals...
marieked 3 years ago
Jennifer was a great gymnast. She was USA National Champion in 1986, so...plase!!!
Felipemajo 3 years ago
Jennifer was a great gymnast. More importantly, she is a fantastic writer and an exceptional human being.
tokyochris 3 years ago
The 1985-88 FX routine was my favorite elite compulsory ever. The 1984 one was pretty too, but I like this one the best.
There aren't to many examples on YouTube of American elites doing this routine, so thanks for that.
DianaDeLuna 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Any level 5 these days could do that routine
plpattie 3 years ago
Well it was a compulsory routine-it was meant to show the level of a gymnast's basics. Few had great basics other than the Soviets-and Daniela Silivas of Romania especially.
Optionals in the '80's were much tougher stuff-even more so than today as they actually had to DANCE and express themselves, as well as do hard tumbles.
audie83 3 years ago 8
Level 5s dont' flip in their routine. PLus I dare you to find a Level 5 that can dance expressively and never have a form break (and kids that have repeated Level 5 a few times don't count)!
TuesdayPillow 3 years ago 5
Great compulsory floor. I just read the book and it is exceptional.
ICDaveIsGorges 4 years ago
Lets not get carried away here. It was decent (her expression was nice) but her extension is not very good.
FireDannyAinge 4 years ago 5
Certainly not when compared to the likes of Daniela Silivas or Oksana Omelianchik.
audie83 3 years ago 4
Agree with Fire. Routine was good, but I wouldnt say wonderful. It was slow in some parts, but some parts were very powerful, I liked the last pass, thought the first one could have had more height. Some of the extension could have been better also. Jennifer Sey did have good presence and elegance, I will definitely say that was one of her strenghts, and who knows, if she had treated her injuries and demons, maybe she could have been on the 88 team.
metsdudenj 4 years ago 5