In one other historic milestone for HBCU gymnastics, Fisk College’s Morgan Value has as soon as once more captured the nationwide highlight. The standout junior gymnast claimed her second consecutive all-around title on the Ladies’s Collegiate Gymnastics Nationwide Invitational Championships (WCGNIC) on Friday night time, scoring a powerful 39.350 to defend her crown.
Previously referred to as the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationwide Championships, the WCGNIC showcases top-tier expertise from throughout the nation. Value, competing for the one HBCU gymnastics staff within the discipline, stood tall towards elite competitors. She outpaced SEMO’s Taylor Ingle, who completed because the runner-up with a 39.225, and Bridgeport’s Abigail Kenney, who took third with a 38.95.
The HBCU star certified for all 4 particular person occasion finals with top-eight finishes throughout the board, additional underscoring her dominance. However Value received’t be representing Fisk alone within the subsequent spherical. Her teammate Aliyah Reed-Hammon delivered a breakout efficiency of her personal, ending within the prime two on each vault and beam to safe spots in each occasion finals.
Value’s repeat efficiency is not only a private triumph — it’s one other highly effective chapter within the progress of HBCU gymnastics. Since becoming a member of Fisk, she’s been a trailblazer for the game at traditionally Black faculties and universities, proving that excellence is aware of no boundaries. Earlier this yr she turned the primary gymnast from an HBCU to file an ideal rating.
“I do know that that loads of little gymnasts, whether or not they’re a minority or not, look as much as us as a result of they see an entire staff filled with black and brown gymnasts doing the game that they love, and it might probably present you can additionally do (school gymnastics) as effectively, so long as you retain working exhausting and placing your thoughts to it,” she informed Forbes after repeating as champion.
With each Value and Reed-Hammon advancing to the occasion finals, Fisk College is as soon as once more proving that HBCU applications can shine on the nationwide stage in gymnastics. The duo’s success highlights the persevering with evolution of a program that has damaged obstacles and redefined what’s potential in collegiate athletics.
