GymDogs set timetable for ‘hopeful’ return of junior Emily Schild to uneven bars

Following a knee injury in mid-March of last season, Georgia junior gymnast Emily Schild now has a timeline for a potential return to the uneven bars lineup.

Since her injury, Schild has led vocally and helped out in a variety of ways — like moving mats before meets, watching routines intently and giving feedback to teammates.

But Schild is ready to get back to swinging on the uneven bars — her strongest area as seen by scoring a 9.925 on the event to debut back in 2018. She has endured a long path to recovery. Schild underwent surgery on March 20, 2019 for a torn MCL, had screws inserted into the bone and depended on a full-legged knee brace and crutches for an extended period of time.

Now back to full mobility, Schild’s path to a return into the lineup has consisted of small progressions. GymDog coaches (mainly assistant coach Josh Overton who focuses on the event) laid out a step-by-step protocol to give guidance about which steps need to be taken, according to head coach Courtney Kupets Carter.

In an event with such fine-tuned movements as the uneven bars, regaining strength in smaller muscles is at a greater priority than floor or vault, for example.

“She’s to the point now where we have every single skill on bars that we need,” Kupets Carter said. “We’re working on connecting some of them, and the dismount is the biggest factor for her.”

Overton, according to Kupets Carter, set a projection date toward the end of January for the full bar routine to come together and for pieces to be connected. That doesn’t mean Schild can automatically make a return, however, because Georgia needs to see those connections pieced together with endurance and technical improvements — which take re-developing due to time out of the practice gym.

That set date does give coaches the chance to strategize where Schild could fit into the lineup. As of last Friday’s meet against LSU, Georgia had two freshmen (Haley de Jong and Amanda Cashman) in the lineup along with senior Sabrina Vega appearing on the apparatus for only the second time in her four-year career. Freshman Loulie Hattaway, known as a bar specialist, competed to open the season in Orlando, Florida.

“Everything has to work together for the swing to happen,” Kupets Carter said. “She’s done it, but we’re excited to see those progressions.”

Due to the injury, Georgia has tweaked Schild’s routine to ensure safety. The dismount serves as the biggest change, because once more, the GymDogs want to ensure safety. Schild will switch from a double layout to a giant full double back. Kupets Carter said it’s safer on the knees, and fits Schild’s “body chemistry” based on her landing motion and how her knees turn slightly inward.

She made the bars lineup nine times last season, and appeared three times on the balance beam.

“We are working on what the best elements are to have the best success and come into that lineup,” Kupets Carter said. “We need to find the assurance for her that we can consistently land safely and not hurt the knee more. Last thing we want is for her to come in and hurt that knee again.”

Schild would be a welcome addition to the GymDogs’ uneven bars rotation. Georgia plans to slowly improve on the event and Kupets Carter believes there’s “no problem” with progress made despite lower-than-normal scores. After averaging a 48.100 through two meets (while being very strong on other events) and losing Alexa Al-Hameed (retired from sport) and Rachel Dickson (torn Achilles), Georgia has to work without the immense depth it desires.

Schild’s return would mean increased competition during practice for a spot in the lineup. She averaged a 9.673 and scored above a 9.800 on uneven bars five times last season.

Schild’s return would bolster the lineup and give Georgia an edge during competition through the rest of the season.

A few more steps, however, remain.

“We’re hopeful to see her back out there,” Kupets Carter said.

This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "GymDogs set timetable for ‘hopeful’ return of junior Emily Schild to uneven bars."