HBCU Gymnasts Price And Johnson 1st In Events, Qualify For The USAG Women's Collegiate National Championship Final

HBCU gymnasts from Fisk and Talladega scored top marks and will compete in the all-around competition at the 2024 USAG Women's Collegiate National Championships.

Kyrstin Johnson (Talladega) and Morgan Price (Fisk) qualify for the Individual Final and All-Around Competition at the 2024 USAG Women's Collegiate National Championship.
Kyrstin Johnson (Talladega) and Morgan Price (Fisk) qualify for the Individual Final and All-Around Competition at the 2024 USAG Women's Collegiate National Championship. / USAG Women's Collegiate National Championship

HOUSTON - The 2024 USAG Women's Collegiate National Championships ended Day 1, with two HBCU gymnasts earning the top all-around individual performances. Fisk University's Morgan Price finished first with a score of 39.225. Kyrstin Johnson of Talladega was second, scoring 39.050.

Price claimed first place on the balance beam, scoring 9.725. Yet, Johnson wasn't to be outdone in what has become one of her specialties, the vault. After the fourth rotation, Kyrstin Johnson recorded a 9.925 in the event.  

"YES!!!!! I thought they were going to give me a perfect 10. One judge had a 10, and I started jumping up and down with my coaches. Unfortunately, the other judge felt different, but I ended with a 9.925!!!," Johnson posted on social media.  

Johnson learned the Yurchenko 1 and 1/2 vault this season and has made the event her specialty. "Some people can actually take them a minute because you're literally running towards an object," Johnson told HBCU Legends about learning the vault in February. She continued, "Which can actually be hard for people. Honestly, I just happened to be really good at that event, and it's actually my favorite event."

"The Yurchenko vault is named after Natalia Yurchenko, a former Soviet Union world champion who introduced the vault in 1982. The Yurchenko double pike is considered the most difficult vault in women's gymnastics, and where Simone Biles was the first woman to use the maneuver in a 2021 competition. The vault will officially be named after Biles once she lands it at the world championships."

The team's overall scores were as follows:

  1. Texas Women's University: 195.175
  2. Air Force: 193.675
  3. Cornell: 193.025

The top five competitors in each team event will qualify for Sunday's individual competition. Three athletes per team are allowed in each event. 

On Sunday, Morgan Price and Kyrstin Johnson will battle against one another in the vault and floor exercise routines.

Vault Results

  1. Kyrstin Johnson - Talladega
  2. Kaitlyn Hoiland - TWU
  3. Sophia Isbell - TWU
  4. Morgan Price - Fisk and Sydney Beers - Cornell

*Aliyah Reed-Hammon (Fisk) was 6th

Uneven Bars Results

  • Morgan Price (Fisk) is tied with two gymnasts in 1st place at 9.85.

Balance Beam Results

  •  Kyrstin Johnson is in 2nd place, tied with five other competitors at 9.825. 
  • Liberty Mora ranks 7th at 9.800.

Floor Exercise Results

  • Kyrstin Johnson is ranked 2nd and tied with Maggie Slife of the Air Force with a score of 9.875.
  • Morgan Price is in 4th place at 9.85, tied with five competitors.

The event is at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, from Friday, Apr. 12 through Sunday, Apr. 14. Sessions for teams, individuals, and the individual all-around will crown new champions.


Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: