A fight to the finish, we are ready to announce our winner of this year's Loveliest Leo! With an overwhelming majority, Arkansas takes the crown with their spirited "mullet" leo! Arkansas unveiled this leo in the 2013 post-season, but to the Gymbacks it is so much more than a piece of clothing.

 
Katherine Grable of Arkansas on floor. Photo by Erin Long.

When debating a design for the 2013 post season leotard, Arkansas Co-Head Coach Renee Lyst relied heavily on the team's input. The team quickly established the basic design of clean lines with a low back, but not every part of the decision process was easy. "We went back and forth with what to put on the front: Arkansas or Gymbacks" Lyst stated. "Since this was a post season leos and given the struggles of the year I felt Gymbacks would be more motivating." And so the leotard was born.

With a design in place, Lyst took the leotard a step further transforming it from a uniform to a badge of honor. Before handing the leo over to the girls, Lyst asked the team to share five words that described the Gymback identity, and then write a full statement describing what being a Gymback meant to them personally. She held onto these statements until the leotard unveiling.

Coach Lyst also recruited the help of some past Gymbacks when gearing up for the leotard debut. Alumni of the Arkansas gymnastics program sent in video recordings of themselves outlining what their experience in the program meant to them and the values they believe the Gymbacks represent. Coach Lyst compiled these clips with highlights of the 2013 season creating a motivational video for the team that Lyst saved until just before the Regional competition got underway.

A week before the Regional competition, the Arkansas team gathered together and went over the words and statements they collected as a team, discussing what they decided it means to be Razorback. The team then created a series of collages and posters incorporating the ideas they just shared. Arkansas carried these signs with them throughout their Regional competition.

Finally, the girls received their leos, and Coach Lyst talked with the girls about the values of their program, the goals they had for the post-season, and their preparation up to this point. We said, "this was our super hero suit." Lyst emphasized that when the Gymbacks took to the floor they did so not for themselves, not just for their current teammates, but for the Gymbacks that came before them. They had a legacy to uphold, and the work they did in the gym prepared them for this moment. The leotard symbolized team pride and above all, team glory. 

It is with great pleasure that we the Arkansas Gymbacks the 2013 NCAA Loveliest Leo title. 
Check out final product of the Gymback's Regional pre-meet motivational video below.




Want to see how the other finalists stacked up?

Arkansas took first place with 45.55% of the votes. Taking the second spot is Alabama's "A" leo with 22.34%.


Kim Jacob of Alabama on floor. Photo by Erin Long.

Not far behind was Oklahoma with 21.25%.


Oklahoma on floor. Photo by Gymshark. 

Fourth goes to UCLA with 6.9% followed by Georgia with 3.87%. 


Vanessa Zamarripa of UCLA on floor. Photo by Erin Long.


Shayla Worley of Georgia on floor. Photo by Erin Long.

Thanks for you participation in this year's voting. Didn't see your favorite on the list? Be sure to nominate your favorites during next year's NCAA season!