Texas Metroplex Challenge holds greater significance for these two GymDogs. Here’s why.

Once Rachel Baumann steps off of the plane Friday and inhales a whiff of Lone Star State air, fond memories will develop in her mind.

The bustling metropolis of Dallas makes the north Texas native and sophomore GymDog smile. She thinks back to her days as a Junior Olympic gymnast, the friendships forged throughout her childhood and all of the lessons learned while building a foundation to become a nationally-prominent athlete.

All of it began at the age of 18 months old. Baumann started a movement at the famed World Gymnastics Olympic Academy (WOGA). Her older sister, Alyssa Baumann (now a junior at Florida), was 3-years-old at the time. Baumann’s parents, Greg and Jarol Baumann, couldn’t get their infant daughter to stay still.

“They started (a mommy-and-me class) just for me,” Baumann said. “Now, WOGA has helped me with everything I have.”

Baumann tried soccer and ballet growing up, but neither produced the same feeling as gymnastics with its balance of eloquence and intensity.

From then on, WOGA became the focal point and taught Baumann the basics of being a college gymnast — her signature spin on floor being one of the most-recognizable lessons learned. The Baumann sisters, before going their separate ways within the SEC, learned under the tutelage of Laurent Landi and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi at a club gym that has produced some of the world’s premier gymnasts. That list includes Olympic gold medalists Madison Kocian, Nastia Liukin and Carly Patterson.

Baumann joins fellow sophomore Mikayla Magee as the two GymDogs to return to their home state Saturday. Georgia is set to compete in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Metroplex Challenge (7:45 p.m.) against Alabama, Denver and Oklahoma — all three are ranked in the top-five. Georgia competed at the Fort Worth Convention Center last season for national championships, and hope to return to the area again for a chance at this season’s title at the nearby Dickie’s Arena.

These trips to Texas also have significance for the GymDogs’ program. Over the past decade (2010-20), Georgia has had seven players from Texas and five from WOGA — Baumann, Ashlyn Broussard (graduated in 2017), Hayley Sanders (2018), Christa Tanella (2013) and Kati Breazeal (2013). A 2020 signee, Victoria Nguyen, is an elite gymnast out of Houston and will join the program next season.

Saturday’s meet will also feature seven opposing Texas-born gymnasts. Alabama brings home freshmen Macy Orosco and Luisa Blanco. Oklahoma carries the biggest haul with freshmen Ragan Smith and Erin Hutchison, sophomore Emma LaPinta and junior Jordan Draper. Denver’s Amoree Lockhart, a freshman from Fort Worth, will also return to her proverbial backyard.

“I love having all of my family and friends back there for the meet,” Baumann said. “It’s so much better knowing you’re home.”

For Magee, the last trip to Fort Worth marked a memory. Her father, Bill Magee, saw the then-freshman compete as a GymDog for the first time. Magee posted a 9.700 on vault and a 9.725 on balance beam to finish her first season with her father watching. Bill didn’t get to see her daughter compete much during club gymnastics (at Pearland Elite near Houston) due to other siblings’ obligations, Magee said.

Both parents, Bill and Mary Ann Magee, will attend the latest trip to Fort Worth. A group of friends and coaches will be, too. Four of Magee’s coaches from club gymnastics will make the trip, and they last saw her compete at the “Elevate the Stage” event last season in Birmingham, Alabama.

“I’ve enjoyed their support and look forward to having them there,” Magee said. “They’ve all helped me with key thoughts throughout this process. They’re all invested and I’m grateful.”

For these GymDogs and many others competing Saturday, the Lone Star State holds deeper significance. Baumann and Magee hope to impress in front of those who built their foundations in gymnastics.

Because there’s nothing sweeter than home.

“It has been with me through everything I do,” Baumann said.

This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Texas Metroplex Challenge holds greater significance for these two GymDogs. Here’s why.."