Back in 2024, when Simone Biles’ ex-coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi was appointed as the co-head coach of Georgia gymnastics with Ryan Roberts, a lot of factors came into play. One of them was this Virginia native speaking up about the uncomfortable environment. “It wasn’t working for me, and I wasn’t just going to sit there like I was happy,” she had said. Back in the day, if Cecile hadn’t come, she might have left Georgia. But as they say: ‘you can delay destiny, not deny it.’ What does that mean?
“To start, I want to share that I will not be continuing gymnastics at Georgia.” Naya Howard shared a post on Instagram on April 12. Sharing a picture of her donning the black leotard, she wrote, “After some reflection, I’ve decided to explore new places and opportunities that feel more in line with the direction I see for myself moving forward.” She has had quite a time in Georgia. In her freshman year, Simone Biles’ former coach’s student became the first GymDog freshman to compete all-around since 2017 and in the most meets since Courtney Kupets in 2006. Then, as a sophomore, she was coming back from an injury.
She further captioned, “I’m genuinely grateful for the experiences, growth, and connections I’ve made along the way, and I carry them with me as I step into this next chapter of my life.” Talk about her growth! Oh boy, she did see growth! In 2024, despite recovering from an injury, she was there in floor once, three times on vault, seven times on beam, eight times on bars, and once all-around. She also scored her season best of 9.900 on bars, beams, and vault.
She was Georgia’s top scorer on vault at Regionals and on beam at Michigan in 2024 and named to UGA’s J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics honor roll in the fall. An honor she also had in 2023. But this wasn’t it! In the meet against Boise State on January 17, 2025, Howard played a crucial role in Georgia’s victory, scoring 9.750 on Bars and Beams and 9.725 on Vault. This performance was a big contributor to the team’s total of 196.8250.
If, as a Georgia fan, you were wondering about seeing Howard for one last time in the GymDogs leotard, that looks a bit impossible now. Also, she made her last appearance in the SEC Conference and was absent from regionals.
March 22, 2025 – the SEC championship. Georgia finished at number 7 with a score of 195.950. Naya Howard stepped only on one apparatus, i.e., the beam, and scored a 9.800. This was the last time she would have been in Georgia leotards as she pulled out of the regionals. On April 7, 2025, she wrote on her Instagram, “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be competing at regionals. I wish my team and everyone else competing the best of luck!”
Yes, so while we will see her on the mats again but not in Georgia leos anymore. She started the season with a bang in the opening match against Denver on January 12, scoring 9.275 on the beam, then 9.875 on bars, and 9.825 on the Vault. She hit her beam career best on February 21, in the meet against Missouri, and March 14, in the meet against Oklahoma.
In the Washington regional afternoon semi-final, Georgia finished third with a score of 196.175. Do you think they must have missed her?
