Sibling Rivalry. Florida-Georgia Rivalry. Friday’s Meet Has Both.
Thursday, February 21, 2019 | Gymnastics
Age kept the two apart in the competitive arena while advancing in their gymnastics careers. Friday’s meet is the first time Alyssa and Rachel Baumann compete against each other.
Florida sophomore Alyssa Baumann is used to competing against her friends and former teammates during gymnastics meets.
But tomorrow, on the opposite side of the floor, she will be going up against someone she is even closer to: her younger sister Rachel.
Rachel is a freshman for Georgia, and tomorrow's matchup between No. 3 Florida and No. 7 Georgia, will be the first time the two siblings have ever competed against each other.
They are both excited for the opportunity to represent their respective teams and, of course, there's some friendly competition as well.
"We trash talk a little bit. (Rachel) said 'I'm coming for you on beam'," Alyssa said. "I know she's going to give me a run for my money this weekend and I'm prepared for it."
However, the significance of the meet goes beyond just the sister vs. sister competition.
Georgia vs. Florida is always a big rivalry meet for both schools.
"I texted my sister 'have a great day,' Rachel said. "And she texted me back, 'sorry can't talk to you, it's Rivalry Week'.'"
Despite the trash talk, the two sisters are extremely close and can't wait to see each other.
Rachel said she has always looked up to her big sister, especially when they were growing up.
"She's the main reason I got into gymnastics," Rachel said.
The two both trained at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) and were coached by Laurent Landi and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi.
"(They were) hardworking, always," Canqueteau-Landi said. "You almost had to tell them to stop sometimes. I think that's how they became so good."
Although both Baumann's are strong on all four events, they both like to think their signature one is the beam.
"We're both very similar in that area," Rachel said. "We both love the artistry that comes with beam and floor and showing off our personalities. We like to show each other and everyone else that we're similar but with small differences in our personalities when we compete beam and floor."
They also grew up with a beam in their Plano, Texas, home that they practiced on, which might be part of the reason why the two sisters grew up to be so talented on that event.
"I would make up a routine and make her do it for me," Alyssa said.
Two weeks ago, both sisters were honored with Southeastern Conference weekly awards.
Rachel was named SEC Freshman of the Week after notching on 9.9 on beam, and Alyssa was named Specialist of the Week after equaling her collegiate-best on floor and beam.
It was special for their mom Jarol, to see both of her daughters recognized.
"That was so much fun. We were so excited," she said. "(Alyssa) was most excited about Rachel getting Freshman of the Week. She's the one who told me."
The two sisters have always leaned on each other during their elite careers and now during college.
After Alyssa suffered an elbow injury in 2016 while training for the Olympic Trials, Rachel helped her get through the rehab and surgery that took both a mental and physical toll. Alyssa recalls a time after her elbow surgery she wanted to take a walk outside. Rachel was by her side, encouraging her big sister for each and every step.
"She's incredible. I look up to her in everything I do," Rachel said. "She's fought through that injury and came back stronger than ever before and she's just been growing."
Alyssa has helped to guide her younger sister by giving her advice on how to appreciate college and her final four years of gymnastics.
"I've told her to take in every moment. Four years goes really fast and college is an opportunity you only get once," Alyssa said. "Every time you get to represent your university, that's something special."
At least one of their parents have been at each one of their meets this season.
Alyssa said her dad usually comes to her meets, while her mom travels to see Rachel, both in Athens and on the road.
Jarol said she is looking forward most to being able to watch a college meet with Alyssa and Rachel's dad, Greg, for the first time this season.
"I went to all of Alyssa's meets last year, whether they were home or away," Greg said. "It's been a blessing. We weren't sure if she was ever going to make it back or not (after her elbow injury)."
Tomorrow, 15 Baumann family members will be in the Exactech Arena stands, including uncles, aunts and grandparents.
Although they will be cheering on both Alyssa and Rachel, they did have a hard time figuring out where they should sit and their attire for the meet.
"I told them they have to sit in the Florida section because we're at home and then next year when we're at Georgia, they can sit in the Georgia section," Alyssa said. "But for this year, they have to wear Florida gear with Georgia accessories."
But next year in Athens, Rachel expects her parents to repay the favor by them wearing red and black for Georgia.
And there is a reason why the sisters get to compete against each other three times in college, despite their three-year age difference.
Alyssa had to defer a year after her injury and Rachel graduated from high school a year early.
They both appreciate having the extra opportunities.
"We were only supposed to have one year together and now we have three," Alyssa said. "I'm really going to enjoy every moment of it."
Players Mentioned
