Here are the first 8 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2026 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Associate (WCGA) Preseason Coaches' Poll.  All recruit ratings are based on our 2025 assessment.    (Last update:  12/26/25)

Official Web Site:    Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 3 UB, 2 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Assistant:  Ashley Kerr
Finish Last Season:  1st
Returning Starters (5):  Addison Fatta (So),  Elle Mueller (So), Lily Pederson (So), Faith Torrez (Sr), Keira Wells (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Elizabeth Blessey (So), Aspen Lenczner (Jr), Hannah Scheible (Jr/I), Ava Siegfeldt (Sr), Kelsey Slade (So), Caitlin Smith (RS Jr), Hurley Snow (So/I)
Graduated (3):  Jordan Bowers, Audrey Davis, Danielle Sievers
Other Losses (1):  Danae Fletcher (Gr/R/I)
Newcomers (5):  Nicole Desmond (Fr), Mackenzie Estep (Fr), Ella Murphy (Fr), Kamilla Pawlak (Fr), Blakely Roten (Fr/I)

Quick Assessment: Oklahoma captured the National Title in 2025, rebounding from an unsteady vault and beam performance in 2024 to win the National Title with a decisive win.  This time, in a turnabout, the win was fueled by team wins on VT and BB, the same events that gave them problems the previuos year.  They lose two critical gymnasts from that squad: 2025 AA champ Jordan Bowers and 2024 UB and BB co-champion Audrey Bowers.  These two stars accounted for 9 routines in 2025, with nearly all being "end of the lineup" sets.  They also lose Danielle Sievers, a second team All-American at Nationals last year, and a four-time All-American.  All three also provided critical leadership and experience for the Sooners.

OU was the overwhelming choice of the Coaches' as the preseason favorite in 2026.  Leading the way in 2026 will be six returners, highlighted by senior Faith Torrez, an eight-time All-American.  She finished 3rd AA in 2025 and was the BB co-champion in 2024.  She'll be slowed in the early season due to an ankle injury but is already working her way back.  Another first team All-American in the AA in 2025, Addison Fatta, will look to make an even bigger impact this season, after her first year of NCAA competition.  Fellow sophs Elle Mueller and Lily Pederson will both look to make bigger contributions in 2025, after earning second-team All-American honors in their rookie campaigns.  Pederson stepped into the AA in 2025 at times and is potentially slated to be a regular in 2026.  Mueller contributed on up to three events last season but has been slowed by a minor injury in the preseason.  Junior Keira Wells was a standout in the preseason exhibition, and looks to take a much bigger role in 2026, potentially on all four events.  OU also looks forward to getting bigger contributions from junior Hannah Scheible, who has returned strongly from her Achilles injury.  

OU also welcomes five strong newcomers, who could be counted upon immediately to contribute.  It is always a challenge and a bit unpredictable to see how standout recruits adapt to their first year of competition.  However, the coaching staff at OU not only excels in developing the maximum from their roster, but they also tend to help frosh quickly adapt.  Leading the way is CollegeGymFans.com 5* star recruit Mackenzie Estep and 4.5* recruits Ella Murphy, Kamila Pawlak and Nicole Desmond.  The fifth, Blakely Roten, is coming back from an Achilles' injury.  Estep, a seven-time Women's Development Program National Champion, was the 2025 Nastia Liukin Cup champion and has been the strongest of the quintet in preseason and also during the past club season.  She's in the mix for 3 or 4 events as a frosh.  Former elite Murphy excels on UB and BB and along with Pawlak and former elite Desmond, all three have been training well.  Pawlak excels on FX with a pike full-in and placed 1st AA(t), 1st on FX, 2nd on VT and 4th(t) on BB and UB at the 2024 Women's Development Program L10 Nationals.  She, however, has been working around a wrist problem.  Desmond entered college a year early and is expected to be strongest on VT/BB/FX, with an array of elite skills at her disposal.      

OU has a very strong core and a coaching staff that is well-known for preparing their rosters for a high level of competition. Combined with a strong set of newcomers, the Sooners look ready to contend once again for the title.  There are some question marks, as is typical, surrounding the frosh and the injury status of various athletes, especially on FX and UB , where the lost routines to replace are the most numerous.   

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 13/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 2 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Associate Head Coach:  Courtney McCool Griffeth, Garrett Griffeth
Assistant:  Haleigh Bryant
Finish Last Season:  5th
Returning Starters (6):  Kailin Chio (So), Kylie Coen (Jr), Ashley Cowan (Sr), Amari Drayton (Jr), Konnor McClain (Jr), Lexi Zeiss (So)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Chase Brock (Gr), Leah Miller (Jr), Alexis Jeffrey (Gr), Kaliya Lincoln (So), Zoe Miller (RS Fr/I), Victoria Roberts (So), Tori Tatum (Gr), Kathryn Weilbacher (5th Yr)
Graduated (6):   Sierra Ballard, Haleigh Bryant, Olivia Dunne, Aleah Finnegan, KJ Johnson, Alyona Shchennikova
Other Losses (1):  Bryce Wilson (Sr/I/Retired)
Newcomers (7):   Nina Ballou (Fr), Courtney Blackson (Gr/TR/Boise State), Molly Brinkman (Fr), Emily Innes (Sr/TR/Washington), Haley Mustari (Fr), Madison Ulrich (Jr/TR/Denver), Elyse Wenner (Fr)

Quick Assessment:   LSU is looking to rebound from a 5th place finish in 2025 and return to contention for the title in 2026.  They lose 11 routines from 7 departed gymnasts, including former NCAA Champs Haleigh Bryant (2024 AA, 2021 VT) and Aleah Finnegan (2024 FX).  Those two AAers were a critical part of the Tiger program and the 2024 National Team title run.  Also gone are former SEC FX champ KJ Johnson and important leadoff Sierra Ballard. 

Leading the way for the returners is 2025 First Team All-American AAer and 2025 NCAA Vault champ Kailin Chio, a standout in her frosh season who is back to lead the squad.  With so many of the stars now departed, she will be challenging for the top scoring position on every event.  Also key for the squad is junior Konnor McClain, a former US National AA Champion.  She is a potential all-arounder but has struggled in the past with injuries, so pacing and injury management will be key.  Junior Amari Drayton, a former Olympic Trials participant, was a key athlete on the leg events last season (Yurchenko 1 1/2 and Double Layout).  Sophomore Lexi Zeiss is another former elite who could see expanded action this season, as well as junior Kylie Coen, who emerged as contributor in her 2nd season.  The Tigers also welcome back grad student Alexis Jeffrey, who has extensive lineup experience on UB and BB and former National Team member Kaliya Lincoln.  Lincoln showed a double twisting Yurchenko in last intrasquad, indicating she is fully back.  The deep LSU roster offers many opportunities to help replace the missing 11 routines.  

LSU welcomes 7 newcomers, including frosh Nina Ballou (5*), Molly Brinkman (4.5*), Haley Mustari (4.5*) and Elyse Wenner (4*).  Ballou placed 1st AA, 1st on FX, 2nd on BB, 6th(t) on VT and 7th on BB at the 2025 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals (Sr F).  She was also 1st on UB and FX and 2nd AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Brinkman had an excellent club season in 2025, winning VT at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals (Sr E), tying for 3rd on FX and 11th AA.  Mustari placed 1st on UB, 1st(t) on BB, 6th(t) on FX at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also placed 1st AA, 1st on UB and 2nd(t) on BB at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  Unfortunately, she and Wenner are both working their way back from injury, with the later from concussions.  In addition to the frosh, LSU welcomes some high profile transfers in Courtney Blackson, Emily Innes and Madison Ulrich.  Blackson took a year off but has competed a strong 1 1/2 Yurchenko and was an All-American on both VT and UB.  Innes was a Regional champ on FX and lends depth and experience on three events while Ulrich was a 2nd team All-American on UB, BB and in the AA.  The trio's experience will also help give the frosh time to adapt to college competition.         

LSU missed last year's finals and graduated a bevy of stars.  But with a deep roster, some talented frosh and high impact transfers, they could be ready to challenge the Sooner for the title.  Injury avoidance and injury recovery for some of their stars could be a big factor, as it is with any squad, but the team's overall depth will help mitigate that.         

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone: 2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Associate Head Coaches: Adrian Burde, Owen Field
Assistant:  Jeremy Miranda
Finish Last Season:  7th
Returning Starters (10):  Alyssa Arana (Jr), Skye Blakely (So), Ly Bui (So), Taylor Clark (So), Gabby Disidore (Jr), Skylar Draser (Jr), Danie Ferris (Jr), Selena Harris-Miranda (Sr), Riley McCusker (Sr), Anya Pilgrim (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):   Lori Brubach (Sr), Lily Bruce (So), Kayla DiCello (Jr)
Graduated (5):  Sloane Blakely, Bri Edwards, Ellie Lazzari, Victoria Nguyen, Leanne Wong
Other Losses (1):  Kaylee Bluffstone (Jr/TR/Auburn)
Newcomers (5):  Jayla Booker (Fr), Amelia Disidore (Fr), Maddy Dorbin (Fr), eMjae Frazier (Sr/TR/Cal), Jocelyn Sasson (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Florida finished 7th last season, which might be considered a disappointment for a team with Championships aspirations.  This is moreso true because they finished just 0.1 behind Missouri in the 1st semifinal at the NCAA finals.  They are back to #3 in the Preseason rankings, based on a strong set of returners and another strong set of newcomers.  They do say goodbye to some key contributors, led by Leanne Wong.  Wong won silver medals in the AA at the 2021 and 2025 World Championships, and was a 12-time championship All-American and the 2024 NCAA UB champion.  The Gators will also miss All-American Sloane Blakely, who missed the post-season in 2025 but was a force for the Gators.  ALso departed is three-time All American Victoria Nguyen and All-American Ellie Lazari. All four competed on up to four events during their careers.

Despite losing 7 routines from 6 gymnasts, the Gators return 10 strong returning starters and three other experienced returners, led by 7 time NCAA Nationals nd 11-time WCGA Regular Season All-American Selena Harris-Miranda as well as sophomore Anya Pilgrim, a two-time NCAA nationals and Regular Season All-American.  They will also look forward to expanded contributions from former Senior US National Team member Skye Blakely, who was limited by injury last season, and the return of Kayla DiCello, another Senior US National Team Member and two-time NCAA National and 3 time Regular Season All-American.  Also back strongly last season was junior Danie Ferris, a 2025 VT All-American who was also a key athlete on FX as well as junior Alyssa Arana, who demonstrates excellent form on BB and on UB, where she earned 1st team All-American honors in 2025.  Also looking strong in the preseason is Ly Bui, a sophomore who joined the team early last season and who has added a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2. Another junior, Gabby Dididore, earned 2nd team All-American honors on FX at the 2025 nationals while classmate Skylar Drasar competed AA as a frosh.          

Florida welcomes four frosh and a high profile transfer for 2026.  Senior eMjae Frazier was a five-time National All-American and five-time WCGA Regular Season All-American for Cal.  She could provide an immediate high level impact across all four events.  Four frosh join the ranks, including elite Amelia Disidore (4*) and three top L10s in Jayla Booker (3.5*), Maddy Dorbin (5*) and Jocelyn Sasson (5*).  Former US Senior National Team member Disidore was 10th AA, 6th on VT and 8th on FX at the 2023 Xfinity US Championships.  Although she worked through an injury-filled 2024, she has been looking strong in preseason training, showing a double layout on FX and big Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Sasson, a three-time WDP L10 National Team member, placed 7th AA and 2nd on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 3rd on VT, 5th(t) on UB, 6th(t) on FX and 8th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also the BB and AA champ in 2022.  Durbon placed 2nd AA, 2nd on UB, 4th(t) VT and 6th on FX at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 3rd on BB, 5th on FX, 6th on VT and 14th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Furthermore, she was the AA champ (and tied for 1st on UB) at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Booker tied for 9th on UB and placed 18th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 29th AA and tied for 9th on FX in 2024. 

Florida enters the 2026 season with some high profile stars, exciting newcomers and potentially the most depth of any of the contending teams.  They showed no less than 11 10.0 start value vaults in their public intrasquad and up to 18 routines per event.  Their biggest challenge with be for the coaches to pace and develop the squad so they can have a peak performance in the National final.          

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 12/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Janelle McDonald
Associate Head Coach:  BJ Das
Assistants:  Lacey Dagen, Mark Freeman
Finish Last Season:  2nd
Returning Starters (5):  Ciena Alipio (Sr), Jordan Chiles (Sr), Riley Jenkins (So), Macy McGowan (So), Katelyn Rosen (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Maddie Anyimi (Sr), Sydney Barros (Jr), Clarissa Clay (Gr), Sasha Fujisaka (So/I), Bronwyn Hoffman (So), Mika Webster-Longin (So/I)
Graduated (7):  Chae Campbell, Mia Erdoes, Frida Esparza, Emily Lee, Emma Malabuyo, Brooklyn Moors, Clara Wren
Other Losses (1):  Paige Anastasi (Jr/TR/)
Newcomers (7):  Ava Callahan (Fr), Jordis Eichman (Fr), Lauren Little (Jr/TR/Bama), Kai Mattei (Fr), Nola Matthews (Fr), Ashlee Sullivan (Fr), Tiana Sumanasekera (Fr)     

Quick Assessment:  UCLA finished 2nd last season, defying some lower preseason expectations to deliver a standard performance at the National final.  Gone from that squad are 8 athletes and half the lineups, including standouts Chae Campbell, Emma Malabuyo and Broooklyn Moors.  Campbell won 14 All-American honors during her career (National and Regular Season) and was the Big Ten AA Champ in 2025.  Malabuyo was runnerup on BB in 2025 and won four All-American honors on the event during her career.  A 2024 Olympian for the Philippines, she was also a key contributor on FX and UB.  Moors, a former Olympic AA finalist for Canada, captured the 2025 title on FX, and was a two-time All-American on the event.  Emily Lee was also a steadfast competitor, especially on BB, while Frida Esparza was a two-time All-American on the UB.

The Bruins bring back plenty of firepower for 2026, led by two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles.  The 16-time All-American and 2025 NCAA UB champ is a standout leader for the Bruins.  She's complemented by four other returners, including senior Ciena Alipio, sophomore Macy McGowan and junior Katelyn Rosen.  Alipio was a 2025 first team All-American on BB and has scored a 10 on the event.  A former four-time US National Team member, she has the potential to add events this season. McGowan, who has been slowed by injury in preseason, competed on three events in 2025 and earned second team All-Big Ten honors.  Rosen has competed AA in the past and was an All-Pac 12 honoree in the AA in 2024.  UCLA also welcomes back sophomore Mika Webster Longin, who missed the National finals last year but was a key athlete on up to four events last season and who has been looking strong in preseason training.                

The excitement around the Bruins is high, with a highly anticipated class of 7 newcomers that includes three top elite National Team members.  Nola Matthews (5*) is five-time National Team member who is know for her expressive style on FX.  She won UB and FX at the 2025 Varna World Challenge Cup and placed 14th AA at the 2025 XFinity US Championships.  She was also 18th AA in 2024.  Ashlee Sullivan (5*) is coming off a breakthrough elite season, where she placed 4th AA and 3rd on FX at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships.  She also won the AA title at the 2025 Winter Cup, and the silver in the AA at the City of Jesolo Trophy.  Tiana Sumanasekera (5*) is another US National Team fixture who won golds in the AA and BB at the 2023 Pan American Championships.  She was 9th AA at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships and 8th AA at the 2024 Olympic Trials.  Complementing these three elites are elite Jordis Eichman (3.5*) and L10s Ava Callahan and Kai Mattei.  Bama transfer Lauren Little completes the class.  Eichman is coming off a strong elite season where she placed 8th on UB and 18th AA at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships.  She has been slowed by a toe injury this fall but showed UB and BB at the Meet the Bruins event.  

UCLA is back in contention for the Four on the Floor final, led by superstar Jordan Chiles.  The adjustment and development of the three star elite frosh will be critical to the Bruins success, and depth on VT with quality 10.0 Start Values will need to develop over the course of the season.

Official Web Site:    Link     Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Carly Dockendorf
Assistants:  Myia Hambrick, Mike Hunger, Jimmy Pratt
Finish Last Season:  4th
Returning Starters (7):  Elizabeth Gantner (Jr), Ashley Glynn (Sr), Zoe Johnson (So), Avery Neff (So), Ana Padurariu (Sr), Makenna Smith (Sr), Ella Zirbes (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Olivia Kennedy (Jr), Sarah Krump (Sr), Clara Raposo (So), Poppy-Grace Sticker (So/I), Camie Winger (Jr) 
Graduated (3):  Jaylene Gilstrap, Grace McCallum, Amelie Morgan
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Norah Christian (Fr/I), Sage Curtis (Fr), Abbi Ryssman (Fr), Bailey Stroud (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Utah made their way to the Four on the Floor in 2025 and will seek to return in 2026.  They lose eight routines from 3 departed athletes, including superstar Grace McCallum, who is now serving as a student assistant.  McCallum had a stellar season in 2025, as the Olympian placed 2nd AA, 2nd on VT, 2nd UB and 2nd on FX at the 2025 NCAA Championships.  She was a 15 time All-American (8x regular season, 7x NCAA Nationals) who will leave a large hole in the lineups.  The Utes also lose the services of Jaylene Gilstrap and Amelie Morgan.  Gilstrap was a two-time NCAA nationals All-American on the FX, but who also contributed on VT and at times, on BB.  Morgan, a British Olympian, was a 2nd team NCAA national All-American on UB in 2025, and held the important lead-off position on BB.

Utah however welcomes back seven starters and 5 other returners, as they seek to return to the Four on the Floor final.  They are led by sophomore Avery Neff and senior Makenna Smith.  Neff overcame an early season injury to win three All-Amercan honors at the NCAA Nationals, along with one regular season honor.  She was also a Regional AA and VT champion and has looked even stronger in preseason training this fall.  Smith is a key AAer and 10-time All American (3 regular season, 7 NCAA National).  A consistent fixture in the Utah lineups, she has posted 34 event wins during her career.  Junior Ella Zirbes seems poised for a breakout season, after a strong showing at the Red Rocks preview.  She is a three-time NCAA national All-American (1x VT, 2x BB).  The Utes also welcome back sophomore Ashley Glynn, Zoe Johnson, Ana Padurariu and Ella Zirbes.  Glynn competed on up to three events last season and brings a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Johnson broke through in the latter part of the season on VT while Padurariu was a Big 12 co-champion on BB and also can contribute on UB.  Sophomore Clara Raposo is also looking strong in preseason, with a Yurcehenko 1 1/2 on VT while junior Camie Winger was a regular season All-American on BB who can compete on all four events.  British elite Poppy-Grace Stickler also returns, and is rapidly working her way back into lineup contention. 

Utah welcomes four frosh for 2026:  Norah Christian (4*), Sage Curtis (3*), Abbi Ryssman (4.5*) and Bailey Stroud (5*).  Stroud tied for 4th(t) AA and placed 3rd on BB, 7th on VT and 10th on UB at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was the AA and BB co-champion in Sr. B at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals, where she also finished 3rd on VT, 4th on UB and tied for 5th on FX.  Her precise, consistent gymnastics should translate well to NCAA competition.  Ryssman had a standout club season in 2025, tying for the UB title in Senior D at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th AA, 6th on BB and placed 7th on VT.  The prior season, she tied for 5th on BB, 7th on VT and placed 25th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Christian was an senior elite gymnast and US Championship qualifier who has a very high level of difficulty at her disposal (Yurchenko double twist, double twisting double on FX).  However, she is coming back from injury and could blossom once she fully recovers and adjusts to NCAA competition.  Curtis is a three-event specialist with tremendous power on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and FX (double layout), and clean execution on BB.     

Utah will seek to return to the NCAA Four on the Final by leverage a strong returning core and by focusing on improving their VT totals.  They've been working hard on upgrading VT in the offseason and have recruited some strong vaulters, and have made a lot of progress as a result.  If they can make it back to the finals and handle the pressure, the could pull a surprise.         

Official Web Site:     Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Rowe
Associate Head Coach:  Nicole Jones
Assistant:  Devin Wright
Starting Routines Returning: 13/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Finish Last Season:  6th
Returning Starters (8):  Amy Doyle (So/I), Cady Duplissis (So), Sage Kellerman (Sr), Emma Misenheimer (Jr), Gabi Ortiz (Jr), Nikki Smith (Sr), MaKayla Tucker (Jr), Olivia Zsarmani (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Kendall Abney (Jr), Elle Beaufait (Sr), Stephanie Lebster (Sr), Isabella Trostel (Jr)
Graduated (7):  Delanie Harkness, Giana Kalefe, Gabrielle Stephen, Lauren Hsu, Genna Lebster, Katie Sawyer, Skyla Schulte 
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (8):   Abby Bednar (So/TR/Kentucky), Isabel Biro (Fr), Brooke Boggess (Fr), Jazlyn Chism (Fr/), Lilia Cosman (Fr), Retoisha Halsell (RS So/I/TR/Towson), Naya Howard (Sr/TR/UGA), Korynne Marquart (Fr) 

Quick Assessment:  MSU returns ranked #6 in the Coaches' Preseason Poll, matching their finish last season.  They lose 11 routines from 8 departed gymnasts from last season, including key sets from Delanie Harkness, Giana Kalefe, Gabrielle Stephen and Skyla Schulte.  Stephen, along with Schulte, helped lead the Spartans in their rise up the Rankings and their breakthrough to the National scene.  The All-American was the Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, the Regional AA/VT/UB champ and was named the George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year and a Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient.  Similarly, Schulte was a high impact gymnast and a 2025 NCAA first team All-American on the FX and a three-time All-American overall.  With careers highs of 9.925+ on all four events and a 39.675 AA high, she will be sorely missed.  Harkness was another key gymnast and a regular on three events, with career highs of 9.9+ on UB/BB/FX.  She was also a three-time member of the All Big Ten Team (2x 2nd, 1x 1st).  Specialist Kalefe was a key leadoff on BB and hit for 9.9+ career highs on BB and FX.   Replacing the leadership and "end of the lineup" scores will be a challenge.

Leading the Spartan charge in 2026 will be seniors Sage Kellerman, Nikki Smith and Olivia Zsarmani and junior MaKayla Tucker.  Smith is a standout AAer with a 39.775 career high and career highs of 9.95+ on all four events.  The reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, she'll be a critical athlete for MSU.  Kellerman brings an exceptional 10.0 start value vault (front pike half) and perhaps the cleanest execution of the entire squad on UB.  She was a first team All-American in 2025 on VT and a second team honoree on UB.  Tucker is a potential AAer for MSU, having competed on all four events in her career.  She has career highs of 9.9+ on VT/BB/FX and was a 2nd team All Big Ten selection in 2024.  At 5'10", she's one of the tallest gymnasts in the NCAA.  Zsarmani was the Big Ten VT champion last year and is a potential AAer, having hit for a 39.425 career high last season.  A second team NCAA All-American on VT and UB, she is looking strong in preseason.  MSU also welcomes back sophomore Cady Duplissis, who looked strong in preseason training, showing a Yurchenko 1 1/2 and pike full-in at the public intrasquad.  Junior Isabel Trostel, after being slowed by injury during her first two years, is looking strong in the preseason and is training a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT.  Unfortunately, another sophomore, Amy Doyle, a first team All-American on VT in 2025, was spotted in a knee brace and crutches at the recent intrasquad.

Michigan State welcomes no less than 8 newcomers, including three transfers.  They will be pressing the returners for lineup spots immediately.  The frosh include Isabel Biro (4*), Brooke Boggess, Jazlyn Chism (4*), Lilia Cosman (4.5*), and Korynne Marquart (3*).  Cosman is a Romanian Olympian who placed 8th AA with a 52.366 at the 2024 European Championships.  She was also 4th on BB at the 2025 City of Jesolo Trophy.  Before switching to compete for Team Romania, she was a WDP L10 National Team member in 2022, and tied for 4th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Chism was the WDP L10 National champ on UB and co-champ on BB in 2023.  She also placed 3rd AA and tied for 6th on VT.   She also tied for 4th on UB and placed 10th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  However, she has competed sparingly the last two seasons and did not participate at the most recent intrasquad. Another frosh, Biro tied for 17th AA and placed 6th on UB at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 9th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Powerhouse Marquart tied for 6th on VT, 6th on BB, 8th on FX and 14th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on VT at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  With a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT and a full-in on FX, she excels on the leg events.  The Spartans will also welcome three key transfers in Abby Bednar, Retoisha Halsell and Naya Howard.  Howard was an AAer in the past for UGA, with a career high of 39.475 and highs of 9.9+ on each event,  Her experience and leadership will help MSU with some of the key lineup routines, especially on UB.  Halsell was injured last season but was a strong vaulter and floor worker for Towson, with career highs of 9.9 and 9.975, respectively.

MSU seeks to return to the NCAA Nationals in 2026, fueled by some strong core AAers and key multi-event specialists, and some high impact newcomers.  One key question mark in on the UB, where MSU may not have the same quality of depth as on the other events.  Avoiding injuries to the stars will also be critical, as it is for many teams, but is especially true as many of the top teams otherwise have very deep rosters.  

Official Web Site:      Link       Schedule       Roster
Head Coach:  Shannon Welker
Associate Head Coach:  Whitney Snowden
Assistants:   Lacey Rubin, Jackie Terpak
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 4 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Finish Last Season:  3rd
Returning Starters (9):  Kennedy Griffin (Jr), Hannah Horton (Jr), Railey Jackson (So), Olivia Kelly (So), Addison Lawrence (Sr), Rayna Light (Jr), Kaia Tanskanen (So), Elise Tisler (RS Sr),  Amy Wier (RS Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Ayla Acevedo (So), Grace Anne Davis (Gr/I), Lauren Macpherson (Gr/I), Lisa Szeibert (So)
Graduated (6):  Kyra Burns, Amari Celestine, Helen Hu, Jocelyn Moore, Abby Mueller, Mara Titarsolej
Other Losses (3):  Jessa Conedera (Jr/?), Kylie Minard (Jr/TR/TWU), Courtney Woods (Jr/TR/Illinois State)
Newcomers (7):  Kimarra Echols (Fr), Dakota Essenpries (Jr/TR/Arkansas), Makayla Green (Gr/TR/Illinois), Bryce Kupbens (Fr), Maiya Terry (Fr), Sara Wabi (Gr/TR/Illinois State), Hayli Westerlind (Fr/I)

Quick Assessment:  Missouri had a spectacular finish last season finishing 3rd in the Four on the Floor final.  They return with a #7 preseason ranking, likely reflecting the loss of 10 key routines and 9 departed gymnasts, including stars Amari Celestine, Helen Hu, Jocelyn Moore and Mara Titarsolej.  Celestine was a six-time All-American (3x NCAA national, 2x regular season) with career highs of 9.925+ on all four events, and a career best AA of 39.65.  Now training elite, she was a top scorer for four seasons at Mizzou.  Hu returned to Missouri after a year off, post graduation, and won the 2025 NCAA BB title.  A six-time All-American (2x NCAA national, 4x regular season) her BB excellence will be hard to replace.  Moore was a five-time All-American (1x NCAA national, 4x regular season) with a huge Yurchenko 1 1 /2.  The SEC Event Specialist of the Year in 2024, she was also the SEC VT champion in 2023.  Titarsolj, a former Dutch elite, was the bronze medalist on UB at the 2025 NCAA Nationals.  She was also a four-time regular season All-American on UB.  The loss of these top scoring athletes will be challenging to replace.

Leading the charge for the Tigers in 2026 are junior Kennedy Griffin and Hannah Horton plus sophomores Railey Jackson, Olivia Kelly and Kaia Tanskanen.   Horton has been a key gymnast on up to three events for the Tigers, earning 2nd team NCAA All-American honors on UB in 2025, and winning the Regional title on the event.  She's gone 9.95 on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2), UB and FX.  Griffin was a regular season All-American (2nd team) on FX in 2025, and an All-SEC Team member in 2024.  She's posted a 10 on the event, and was also the leadoff on VT in the 2nd half of last season.  Kelly came on strong at the end of last season, earning second team NCAA All-American honors on UB and BB at the National meet.  Jackson also appears ready to expand her contributions in 2026, after competing on up to three events in 2025.  She also showed strong sets on all four events at the recent intrasquad.  Tanskanen is coming off an exceptionally strong elite season, placing 15th AA at the 2025 World Championships for Finland.  She will look to expand her impact this season, after competing on VT and FX last season.  Missouri also welcomes back a number of other returnees, including Addison Lawrence, who came back from injury in 2024 to earn 2nd team NCAA All-American honors on BB in 2025.  Missouri also welcomes back the injured Grace Anne Davis and Lauren McPherson, who could provide experience and depth.  Macpherson in particular could figure prominently on BB and especially on UB, where the Tigers have four scores to replace.

Missouri welcomes 7 newcomers, including four frosh:  Kimarra Echols (5*), Bryce Kupbens, Maiya Terry (3*) and Hayli Westerlind (3.5*).  Echols is a potential standout as a frosh.  In 2025, she tied for 3rd on FX, 10th on UB and 5th AA at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 3rd AA, 2nd on FX, 4th on UB and 4th(t) on VT at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Westerlind missed the 2025 club season but has returned ready for this season.  She placed 12th AA and tied for 7th on BB and 9th on VT at the 2024 WDOP L10 Nationals.  She was also 5th AA and tied for 5th on BB, 8th on UB and 9th on FX at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.   Former Pitt commit Terry tied for 7th on UB and FX as well as 14th AA at the 2024 WDP L1 Nationals.  She also placed 27th AA at the the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  In addition to the frosh, the Tigers added three transfers.  Dakota Essenpreis brings a solid 1 1/2 twisting Yurchenko, while Makayla Green and Sara Wabi will both help bolster the UB lineup, which was clearly a focus for the coaching staff in the transfer portal.

Missouri will seek to return to the NCAA Nationals, bolstered by key leaders and a large class of newcomers, including potential standout Echols.  Missouri will need to develp their large roster to replace some of the top scores lost to graduation, while working to improve depth, especially on UB where the losses to graduation were the highest.       

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnston
Associate Head Coach:  Justin Spring
Assistants:  Amelia Hundley, Ross Thompson
Finish Last Season:  8th
Returning Starters (9): Ryan Fuller (So), Karis German (Sr/I), Gabby Gladieux (Sr), Kylee Kvamme (So), Chloe LaCoursiere (Jr), Gabby Ladanyi (Jr), Jordyn Paradise (Gr), Jamison Sears (Jr), Paityn Walker (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Love Birt (So/I), Natalia Pawlak (Sr), Rachel Rybicki (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Shania Adams,  Lilly Hudson, Cam Machado
Other Losses (3):  Corinne Bunagan (Gr/I/R), Brooke Dennis (So/R/I), Faye Rodio (So/TR/Towson)
Newcomers (5):  Jasmine Cawley (Fr), Noella Marshall (Fr), McKenzie Matters (Fr), Azaraya Ra-Akbar (Fr), Derin Tanriyasukur (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Alabama enters the 2026 season needing to replace 8 of 24 routines from a squad that placed 8th nationally last season.  They lose a total of six gymnasts, including graduates Shania Adams, Lilly Hudson and Cam Machado.  Hudson was a top AAer for the Tide, having scored 10s during her career on VT, BB and FX.  She was a four-time All American (3x NCAA nationals, 1s regular season) and five times hit a 39.575 career best AA.  Adams competed on all four events during her career, and was the SEC uneven bar champion in 2021.  Although Machado missed the 2025 season due to injury, she was a fixure in the UB and FX lineups in 2024.  In addition, Bama lost the services of Corinne Bunagan, after she retired following an ACL injury in the preseason.  She had a standout season in 2025, earning 2nd team All-American honors at the NCAA Nationals in 2025.  

Bama returns nine starters and three other returnes as they work towards returning to the NCAA National meet.  Leading the way is senior AAer Gabby Gladieux.  Gladieux is coming off a terrific 2025 season, where she was named to the All-American AA first team and VT, BB and FX 2nd team at the NCAA nationals.  She was also named to the 2025 All-SEC team.  She'll be complemented by junior Chloe LaCoursiere, who competed on up to four events last season but could become a regular AAer.  She earned All-American second team honors on the UB, her best event, at the 2025 NCAA nationals.  Alabama will also look to expanded contributions from Kylee Kvamme and Jamison Sears in 2026.  Kvamme competed on VT and BB, but could also break through the FX lineup again as well.  Sears, a junior, has competed primarily on VT and FX, but has the potential to be a top scorer on those events.  Jordyn Paradise has come back for her fifth year, after missing 2024.  Last season, she was a regular in the VT lineup and will be counted upon once again.  Unfortunately, the Tide has lost the services of senior Karis German to an Achilles' injury, but she has already signalled an intent to return.  Any number of the other returners could step forward this season as well, expanding their role as specialists.

Bama welcomes four frosh for this season:  Jasmine Cawley (5*), Noella Marshall, McKenzie Matters (4.5*), Azaraya Ra-Akbar (3*) and Derin Tanniyasukar (3*).  Cawley leads the way for the frosh, and this past season she placed 3rd AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 2nd on FX, 7th on UB, 10th on VT and placed 5th on BB.  She also tied for the BB title at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals, as well as tying for 3rd AA and placing 7th on VT.  Matters is also another strong L10, having placed 4th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Natiionals.  She also placed 4th on BB and tied for 6th on VT.  The prior seaon she was 3rd on VT, tied for 7th on BB and placed 12th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Canadian eltie and former US junior elite Ra-Akbar has struggled the past few years with injuries.  She is training well, however and competed on all four events at both the Halloween and December intrasquads  Tannisyasukar is a Turkish National Team member who placed 39th AA at the European Championships in 2024.  Marshall brings another strong VT to the Tide, with a pike front half that could impact the lineup immediately.              

Bama returns a strong set of returners, led by Gladieux and some talented newcomers like Cawley and Matters, as they seek a return trip to Nationals.  Injuries have made their mark on the squad already, impacting depth on events like VT, but with some stepup performances from either returners or the newcomers, Bama should move themselves back into contention.  

Link:  Teams #9 to #16

Link:  Intro

The 2026 NCAA season is about to start, and we're here to recap each of the top 16 teams, as ranked in the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Preseason Coaches' Poll.  We'll also give a brief overview preview of each team's prospects and challenges.   

The 2025 NCAA season is just around the corner, and we'll soon find out who will be able to prevent LSU from defending their 2024 National TItle.  This year we are publishing, in a slightly abbreviated format, Season Previews for the entire Top 25 teams, as ranked by the Coaches' Preseason Poll.  In each Preview, we've summarized the team's returning routines, their lost routines, their returning starters and the rest of their roster, with a special focus on their newcomers.  We'll also give a brief overview preview of their prospects and challenges.  In a change for this year, we've incorporated our recruit ratings for your reference.   

Here are the first 12 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2025 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  All recruit ratings are based on our 2024 assessment.    (Last update:  12/28/24)

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Assistant:  Ashley Kerr
Finish Last Season:  6th
Returning Starters (7):  Jordan Bowers (Sr), Audrey Davis (Gr), Hannah Scheible (So), Ava Siegfeldt (Jr), Danielle Sievers (Sr), Faith Torrez (Jr), Keira Wells (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Danae Fletcher (5th Yr Sr/I), Aspen Lenczner (So), Caitlin Smith (RS So)
Graduated (6):  Soraya Hawthorne, Bell Johnson, Katherine Levasseur,  Sheridan Ramsey, Ragan Smith, Meilin Sullivan
Other Losses (3):  Caitin Kirkpatrick (Sr/R), Madison Snook (Sr/?), Amy Wier, (Sr/TR/Missouri)
Newcomers (6):  Elizabeth Blessey (Fr), Addison Fatta (Fr), Elle Mueller (Fr), Lily Pederson (Fr), Kelsey Slade (Fr), Hurley Snow (Fr)

Quick Assessment: Oklahoma had an unexpected early end to their season in 2024, as a series of falls and missteps on vault, in a shocking result, led to them not advancing to the final. Gone from that squad are stars Kat Levasseur and Ragan Smith, along with a total of seven routines from ten departed or injured athletes. However, the coaches have selected the Sooners as the predominant favorite to regain their title in 2025. They will be led by senior all-arounder Jordan Bowers and grad student Audrey Davis. Sophomore Faith Torrez will be another key gymnast, as will senior Danielle Sievers, junior Ava Siegfeldt and soph Keira Wells.  Sophomore Hannah Scheible could be another key gymnast back, but is currently injured and is projected to return in the second half of the season.  In addition, Danae Fletcher is injured and will return for a redshirt year next season.

OU will look to get an immediate boost from their outstanding frosh class, including former two-time National Team member Addison Fatta (5*) and top Level 10s Elle Mueller (5*), Lily Pederson (5*), and Kelsey Slade (4.5*). Fatta is a powerful vaulter and tumbler who tied for 19th all-around at the 2024 XFinity US Championships.  She also qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2021. A former senior elite and two-time US National Team member, Mueller won the all-around title (Senior F division) at the 2024 Women's Development Program (WDP) Level 10 Nationals. She also placed 2nd on uneven bars and floor exercise, tied for 2nd on vault, and tied for 6th on balance beam. Pederson is a four-time Level 10 National Team member who placed 4th all-around, 3rd on uneven bars and tied for 7th on floor exercise, and 9th on balance beam at the 2024 WDP Nationals. She has amassed 15 individual top-3 finishes at the Level 10 Nationals in her career. Slade is coming off a 5th place all-around finish at the 2024 WDPs. She also tied for 3rd on uneven bars, 6th on balance beam, and 8th on vault at that National meet. She was also a National vault champion in 2022.

OU's redemption tour begins in January, and they look ready to set aside their problems from 2024 and turn the page. Although they have battled some injuries, they have sufficient depth that any number of athletes could step forward in their place. The Sooners remain the frontrunner for the 2025 title.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Associate Head Coach:  Courtney McCool Griffeth
Assistants: Ashleigh Gnat, Garrett Griffeth
Finish Last Season:  1st
Returning Starters (8):  Sierra Ballard (Gr), Haleigh Bryant (Gr), Ashley Cowan (Jr), Amari Drayton (So), Aleah Finnegan (Sr), Alexis Jeffrey (Sr), KJ Johnson (Sr), Konnor McClain (So/I)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Annie Beard (Jr), Chase Brock (5th Yr Sr), Kylie Coen (So), Olivia Dunne (5th Yr Sr/I), Leah Miller (So), Alyona Shchennikova (Gr/I), Tori Tatum (Sr), Bryce Wilson (Jr/I)
Graduated (5):   Elena Arenas, Cammy Hall, Jillian Huffman, Kiya Johnson, Savannah Schoenherr
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (6):  Kailin Chio (Fr), Kaliya Lincoln (Fr), Zoe Miller (Fr/I), Victoria Roberts (Fr), Katheryn Weilbacher (Sr/TR/BGSU), Lexi Zeiss (Fr)

Quick Assessment:   LSU won their first National title in 2024, joining an elite group that included just four schools. They return 17 routines from that squad, having lost the services of all-around star Kiya Johnson and Savannah Schoenherr. The coaches have voted the Tigers #2, just behind OU, based on the depth of the squad and a strong incoming class. Haleigh Bryant, the 2024 NCAA all-around champion and Honda Sport Award winner, returns to lead the Tigers. She'll be supported by senior Aleah Finnegan and KJ Johnson, along with sophomores Amari Drayton and Konnor McClain. Unfortunately, Bryant will have a delayed start after an elbow injury during the Gymnastics 101 preview meet, and McClain is coming back from a torn Achilles suffered in May (but is already back on UB and BB).  On the other hand, Drayton appears to be ready to challenge for lineups on all four events. In addition, LSU has a deep roster that includes the return from injury of Alyona Shchennikova and fifth-year seniors Chase Brock (Yurchenko 1 1/2 VT) and Olivia Dunne.

LSU should be getting an immediate boost from their frosh class, led by Kailin Chio (5*), Kaliya Lincoln (5*), and Lexi Zeiss (4.5*). Chio is a former junior National Team member who dropped down to Level 10 in 2023. She dominated the 2024 WDP Nationals (Senior D), winning the all-around, vault (10.0), uneven bars, and balance beam. She also won vault and tied for the uneven bars title in 2023, placing 3rd all-around. Lincoln, a 2024 Olympic alternate, is a four-time member of the US National Team. This past season, she placed 6th all-around, 5th on floor exercise, and 6th on uneven bars at the XFinity US Championships.  However, in a recent press conference, Head Coach Jay Clark said she may be limited to Vault.  Zeiss, another former senior National Team member, placed 28th AA at the XFinity US Championships.  She finished 6th on UB at the 2023 XFinity US Championships, after winning the Winter Cup AA earlier in the year. She was also the 1st alternate to the 2022 US World Championships squad.  She may also be in contention for an AA role.  Unfortunately, former three-time US National Team member and 2023 Pan Am Games gold medalist (team, uneven bars) Zoe Miller (4.5*) will miss the season due to ongoing recovery from a shoulder injury.

With the confidence gained from their title run in 2024, the Tigers look set to defend their title. Despite some key losses and injuries, the squad has the depth and experience to navigate another successful title run.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone: 0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Associate Head Coaches: Adrian Burde, Owen Field
Assistant:  Jeremy Miranda
Finish Last Season:  4th
Returning Starters (7):  Sloane Blakely (Sr), Skylar Draser (So), Danie Ferris (So), Ellie Lazzari (Gr), Victoria Nguyen (Gr), Anya Pilgrim (So), Leanne Wong (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Alyssa Arana (So), Kaylee Bluffstone (So), Lori Brubach (Jr), Kayla DiCello (RS So/I), Gabby Disidore (So), Bri Edwards (Sr), Riley McCusker (Sr/I)
Graduated (3):  Payton Richards (I), Chloi Clark, Michaela Magee
Other Losses (1):  Morgan Hurd (Sr/R/I)
Newcomers (4):  Skye Blakely (Fr/I), Lily Bruce (Fr), Ly Bui (Fr), Taylor Clark (Fr), Selena Harris-Miranda (Jr/TR/UCLA)

Quick Assessment:  Florida finished their 2024 season in 4th position and will look to challenge the front-runners for the title. They lose no routines from the NCAA Finals lineup.  (By the end of the season, the departed Payton Richards and Morgan Hurd were not able to compete). The Gators will be led once again by seniors Sloane Blakely and Leanne Wong, grad students Ellie Lazzari and Victoria Nguyen, and soph Skylar Draser, Dani Ferris, and Anya Pilgrim. These seven comprised the entirety of the final Gator lineup in 2024. The Gators will be deeper in 2025, with the return of seven others, including senior Riley McCusker and some talented sophomores who may have benefited from another year of adjustment and training. Unfortunately for Florida, sophomore Kayla DiCello and incoming frosh Skye Blakely (5*) both suffered Achilles' tears last summer during their runs for spots on the Olympic Team.

Florida, however, will be getting a major boost from UCLA transfer Selena Harris-Miranda. The former Bruin is a capable all-arounder and will push the returning Gator lineups immediately. Florida also welcomes freshmen Ly Bui (4.5*), Lily Bruce (4.5*), and Taylor Clark (3*). Senior elite Bui (4.5*)was a late addition to the Florida roster for 2025. Graduating over a year early (and just 16), Bui qualified on two events to the 2024 Xfinity US Championships, after tying for 1st on uneven bars at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic. The prior year, as a junior elite, she was 7th all-around and 4th on uneven bars at the 2023 Xfinity US Championships. Bruce is a two-time Level 10 National Team member who placed 9th all-around, tied for 2nd on uneven bars, and tied for 6th on vault at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She missed much of the 2024 season due to an ankle injury. Clark is a powerful athlete who tied for 5th on vault (pike front half) and placed 2nd on floor exercise as an individual event specialist at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also tied for the floor exercise title, placed 4th on vault, and 6th all-around at the 2022 WDP Level 10 Nationals.

Florida has the core ingredients it needs to put together another title run, with their seven key starters returning and standout transfer Harris. However, some key injuries have impacted the Gators' overall depth, and they'll need to work hard to close the gaps on the front-runners.

Official Web Site:   Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coaches:  Justin Howell and Elizabeth Crandall-Howell
Assistant Coach:  John Carney, Seth Helland
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  2nd
Returning Starters (6):  Ella Cesario (Sr), eMjae Frazier (Jr), Mya Lauzon (Sr), Kyen Mayhew (So), Jayden Silvers (Jr), Madelyn Williams (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Miki Aderinto (Jr), Casey Brown (Jr), Jordan Kane (Sr), Brandi Kikuno (So), Annalise Newman-Achee (So), Abbey Scanlon (Sr/I)
Graduated (3):  Elise Byun, Andi Li, Gabby Perea
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (5):  Ondine Achampong (Fr/I), CJ Keuneke (Fr), Sage Melkonian (Fr), Brianna Taurek (Fr), Mya Wiley (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Cal had a historic 2nd place finish in 2024 and looks to make the final step and challenge for the National title in 2025. They lose two key gymnasts in Andi Li and Gabby Perea, accounting for five routines in total. However, they will be led by a talented core, including four all-arounders: seniors Ella Cesario, Mya Lauzon, and Madelyn Williams, plus junior eMjae Frazier. The Bears also welcome back sophomore Kyen Mayhew, as well as fellow sophomore Annalise Newman-Achee, who should both benefit from another year of adjustment and training in the NCAA system. Juniors Casey Brown and Miki Aderinto could also step into a lineup spot, especially on uneven bars.

The Bears welcome five newcomers for 2025, led by British champion Ondine Achampong (4.5*) and Level 10s CJ Keuneke (3.5*) and Mya Wiley (3*). Achampong is unfortunately coming back from a torn ACL, an injury that derailed her almost-certain path to the 2024 Olympics as one of the UK's top athletes. Achampong was the 2024 British champion in the all-around, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. She also placed 13th all-around at the 2023 World Championships and has the skill and execution worthy of one of the top gymnasts in the world. Keuneke was the co-champion on floor exercise at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals, where she tied for 20th all-around. She was also 4th on floor exercise at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. Wiley is a top vaulter (Yurchenko 1½) who placed 5th on vault, tied for 9th on balance beam, and tied for 17th all-around at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also placed 3rd on vault, 7th all-around, and tied for 7th on floor exercise at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also the vault co-champion in 2022.

Cal's small but talented squad looks to challenge for their first-ever National Title in 2025. To do so, they'll need to find top replacements on uneven bars and balance beam, the events where Li and Perea will be missed the most. In addition, the newcomers and other returners will further strengthen the Bear lineups on vault and floor exercise.

Official Web Site:    Link     Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Carly Dockendorf
Assistants:  Myia Hambrick, Mike Hunger, Jimmy Pratt
Finish Last Season:  3rd
Returning Starters (8):  Elizabeth Gantner (So), Jaylene Gilstrap (5th Yr), Ashley Glynn (Jr), Grace McCallum (Sr), Amelie Morgan (Sr), Makenna Smith (Jr), Camie Winger (So), Ella Zirbes (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Olivia Kennedy (So), Sarah Krump (Jr)
Graduated (3):  Maile O'Keefe (5th Yr), Abby Paulson (5th Yr), Alani Sabado
Other Losses (1):  Jaedyn Rucker (6th Year/I)
Newcomers (5):  Zoe Johnson (Fr), Avery Neff (Fr), Ana Padurariu (Jr/TR/UCLA), Clara Raposo (Fr), Poppy-Grace Stickler (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Utah overcame some big challenges (including a major coaching shakeup and transfer exodus) to finish a remarkable 3rd at the 2024 NCAA Finals. They lose 7 routines from that squad, including those from former four-time NCAA Champion, 19-time All-American, and school 10.0 record holder Maile O'Keefe. The Utes also lose six-time balance beam All-American Abby Paulson. Eight Utes return for 2025, led by 5th-year Jaylene Gilstrap, seniors Grace McCallum and Amelie Morgan, junior Makenna Smith, and sophomore Ella Zirbes. Unfortunately, 6th-year senior Jaedyn Rucker recently suffered a career-ending injury. The former NCAA vault champion was also a key fixture in the floor exercise lineup.

The Utes welcome five newcomers, including Level 10s Avery Neff (5*) and Zoe Johnson (4.5*), and foreign elites Clara Raposo (4.5*) and Poppy-Grace Stickler (4*). Utah also welcomes UCLA transfer Ana Padurariu, a former silver medalist on balance beam at the World Championships. Her execution on uneven bars and balance beam should help immediately address losses there. Leading the newcomers is top Level 10 Neff. This past season, at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals, she placed 1st on floor exercise, 2nd on vault and balance beam, tied for 3rd on floor exercise, and placed 2nd all-around. She's a four-time Level 10 National Team member who has amassed 8 National Titles and 18 top-3 event finishes in her Level 10 career. She potentially will be an immediate all-around force for the Utes. Johnson is another top Level 10 who tied for 2nd on vault, placed 4th on floor exercise, and took 13th all-around at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also 4th all-around in 2022 and 2023. Stickler is a standout on floor exercise (double layout, pike full-in) who was on the British team at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships. She was also 4th all-around and 2nd on floor exercise at the 2023 British Championships. She unfortunately suffered a back and hip injury early in 2024 but appears to be well on her way to a full recovery. Similarly, Raposo is a five-time Canadian National Team member who has battled injuries for several years.  However, she successully came back and placed 8th all-around at the 2023 Canadian Championships. She was also 12th all-around at the 2024 Canadian Championships.

Utah looks to take the final step back to prominence to claim a National title in 2025. To do that, the Utes seek to shore up their vaulting start values while cleaning up some last fine details on uneven bars and balance beam. After a strong showing in the preseason, they appear to be on their way.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 2 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnston
Associate Head Coach:  Justin Spring
Assistants:  Amelia Hundley, Ross Thompson
Finish Last Season:  8th
Returning Starters (7):  Shania Adams (Gr), Karis German (Jr), Gabby Gladieux (Jr), Lilly Hudson (Sr), Chloe LaCoursiere (So), Cam Machado (Gr), Jamison Sears (So)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Corinne Bunagan (Sr), Gabby Ladanyi (So), Jordyn Paradise (Sr/I), Natalia Pawlak (Jr), Rachel Rybicki (Jr)
Graduated (4):  Luisa Blanco, Ella Burgess, Makarri Doggette, Isabella Martin
Other Losses (2):  Lillian Lewis (Jr/I/R), Mati Waligora (Gr/TR/Arkansas)
Newcomers (6):  Love Birt (Fr/I), Brooke Dennis (Fr), Ryan Fuller (Fr), Kylee Kvamme (Fr), Faye Rodio (Fr), Paityn Walker (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Alabama looks to finish even stronger in 2025, after making the National meet but struggling through a rough balance beam set in the semi-final. They have lost nine routines from that squad, including routines from standout all-arounder and Olympian Luisa Blanco.  They also said goodbye to lineup stalwarts Ella Burgess, Makarri Doggette, and Mati Waligora. They return a strong core of seven gymnasts, led by senior Lilly Hudson, grad students Shania Adams and Cam Machado, junior Gabby Gladieux, and sophomores Chloe LaCoursiere and Jamison Sears. The two sophomores, in particular, have the potential to contribute even more in 2025, after another year to get used to the rigors of NCAA competition.

Bama welcomes six gymnasts, led by freshmen Love Birt (3*), Ryan Fuller (4.5*), Kylee Kvamme (4*), and Paityn Walker (4.5*). All four have elite experience and strong Level 10 accomplishments. Birt is a former junior elite who placed 7th all-around and tied for 6th on balance beam and floor exercise at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also tied for 18th all-around at the 2023 WDP Nationals. Fuller was the uneven bars National Champion (Senior E) at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals and the balance beam Champion at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also 12th all-around in 2024 and 2nd in 2023. She also tied for 2nd on uneven bars and 6th on floor exercise in 2023. Kvamme won National titles on vault (Yurchenko 1½) and balance beam (tied) at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She then went on to represent the Philippines at the 2023 Asian Championships and World Championships. This past season, she won Region 2 Regional titles on vault, floor exercise (pike full-in), and the all-around (but did not compete at Nationals). Walker is a former senior elite who won the uneven bars title at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals (Junior F). She also tied for 3rd all-around and 6th on balance beam while placing 8th on vault at the meet. She also won a Level 10 National floor exercise title in 2019. Her 2024 season was cut short, and she appears to be working back into top form.

In order to return to the National Final and close the gap on the top tier of teams, Bama will need to get some step-up performances from their returners and newcomers alike, especially from the sophomore class. Injuries and recoveries will also be key, as Bama seeks to address the gaps created by the departure of their top stars.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Tim Garrison
Associate Head Coach:  Rachel Garrison
Assistants: Chad Wiest, Raena Worley
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 3 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  9th
Returning Starters (7):  Creslyn Brose (So), Hailey Davis (5th Yr), Isabella Magnelli (5th Yr), Jillian Procasky (Sr), Cecily Rizo (So), Delayne Rodriguez (So), Makenzie Wilson (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Cadence Gormley (So/I), Kaila Lawrence (So), Sharon Lee (So), Anna Riegert (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Bailey Bunn, Arianna Patterson, Raena Worley 
Other Losses (5):  Bridget Borque (Jr/?), Clarissa Clay (Gr/TR/UCLA), Samantha Forman (Jr/R/Manager), Megan Sapp (Jr/TR/Illinois), Claire Stippich (Jr/TR/UNC)
Newcomers (8):  Abby Bednar (Fr), Chesney Bennett (Fr), Carly Busch (Fr), Anna Flynn Cashion (Fr), Skylar Killough-Wilhelm (5th Yr/TR/Washington), Ryan Noonan (Fr), Alyssa Orgen (Fr/I), Isabella Rivelli (Jr/TR/BGSU) 

Quick Assessment:  Kentucky missed the National final last season, placing 9th overall after a solid 3rd place finish behind LSU and host Arkansas at Regionals. They lose a total of 8 routines, including three on balance beam. Foremost of those losses is all-around superstar Worley, along with standouts Bailey Bunn and Arianna Patterson. With 8 gymnasts gone from 2024, the Wildcat depth chart will need to be replenished. Leading the way in 2025 will be potential all-arounder Delaynee Rodriguez, a rookie standout last year. She'll also be complemented by 5th years Isabella Magnelli and Hailey Davis, and seniors Julian Procasky and Makenzie Wilson. Sophomore standouts Creslyn Brose and Cecily Rizo should also benefit from another year of experience. Unfortunately, another potential standout sophomore, Cadence Gormley, is out with an injury.

Kentucky has a strong history of getting their freshmen ready to compete, and they have six to choose from, led by Abby Bednar (3*), Chesney Bennett (3.5*), Anna Flynn Cashion (4.5*), and Ryan Noonan (3*). However, the big get for the Wildcats is All-American Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, a 5th-year transfer from Washington, who looks to immediately step into a major all-around role. Another transfer, junior Isabella Rivelli, was an uneven bars standout at BGSU.  Cashion looks to make an immediate impact on vault with her pike front 1/2. The 2024 vault National Champion (Senior F) also tied for 3rd on uneven bars and in the all-around. Bennett was the 2024 Region 8 Level 10 all-around and balance beam champion, who went on to finish tied for 7th on balance beam at the WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also tied for the floor exercise title and placed 7th on vault at the 2022 WDP Nationals. Bednar is a four-time Level 10 National qualifier. Her best finish was in 2022, when she placed 6th all-around and tied for 3rd on balance beam and 8th on floor exercise at the WDP Level 10 Nationals. Noonan placed 4th on uneven bars as an Individual Event Specialist at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also 28th all-around in 2023.

Kentucky moved quickly to address some experience and scoring gaps in this year's lineup to create another strong team, capable of competing for a spot at Nationals. With strong step-up performances from the returners and big contributions from Killough-Wilhelm and Cashion, Kentucky should be set to contend once again.

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 21/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 2 UB, 1 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Jordyn Wieber
Assistants: Catelyn Branson, Chris Brooks, Kyla Ross
Finish Last Season:  7th
Returning Starters (11):  Reese Drotar (Jr), Dakota Essenpries (So), Kalyxta Gamiao (Sr), Maddie Jones (Sr), Hailey Klein (So), Priscilla Park (So), Frankie Price (RS Jr), Leah Smith (Sr), Cally Swaney (Jr), Cami Weaver (Jr), Lauren Williams (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Chandler Buntin (So)
Graduated (3):  Emma Kelly, Serena Linton, Jensen Scalzo
Other Losses (2):  Jaime Pratt (Jr/TR), Makenzie Sedlacek (Sr/R)
Newcomers (7):  Grace Drexler (Fr), Kaitlyn Ewald (Gr/TR/Illinois), Ja'Leigh Lang (Fr), Joscelyn Roberson (Fr), Sadie Smith (Fr), Mati Waligora (Gr/TR/Bama), Julianna Weeks (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Arkansas and Head Coach Jordyn Weber are looking to return to the National finals after finishing 7th last season. They return a strong 21 of 24 routines from last season, despite saying goodbye to five athletes. All but one of the returners featured in their final lineup last season, led by seniors Maddie Jones, Kalyxta Gamiao, and Leah Smith, juniors Cally Swaney, Cami Weaver, Lauren Williams, and Frankie Price, and sophomores Hailey Kline and Priscilla Park. In particular, Park, after a season of adjustment, has the potential to break through and contribute more this season. These gymnasts form a strong and experienced core, upon which Weber will look to build a "Four on the Floor" contender.

The GymBacks welcome 7 gymnasts, including two transfers. Mati Waligora, a grad transfer from Bama, could make an immediate impact, especially on uneven bars and balance beam, where Arkansas could use some high-potential routines. Kaitlyn Ewald, a transfer from Illinois, will hope to leverage her consistency to break through, especially on uneven bars. The freshmen are led by senior US National Team member Joscelyn Roberson (5*). Her high level of difficulty and dynamics could make her a future superstar for Arkansas and the type of athlete that can help push them to the next level. She excels on vault, floor exercise, and balance beam, and her weak event, uneven bars, can be easily adjusted to excel under the much lower rigors of NCAA competition. Arkansas also welcomes Grace Drexler (3*), a standout on vault (Yurchenko 1½) and floor exercise (full-in), who tied for 4th on vault and 28th all-around at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also the all-around champion and floor exercise co-champion at the 2022 WDP Level 10 Nationals.

With a very strong and experienced core of athletes, Arkansas is ready to battle to return to Nationals. With some key strategic additions, including elite Roberson and Bama transfer Waligora, the GymBacks could be ready to achieve even more.

Official Web Site:      Link       Schedule       Roster
Head Coach:  Shannon Welker
Associate Head Coach:  Whitney Snowden
Assistants:   Lacey Rubin, Jackie Terpak
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 2 FX
Finish Last Season:  11th
Returning Starters (7):  Kyra Burns (Gr), Amari Celestine (Sr), Kennedy Griffin (So), Hannah Horton (So), Rayna Light (So), Jocelyn Moore (Sr), Mara Titarsolej (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Jessa Conedera (So), Grace Anne Davis (Sr/I), Helen Hu (RS Sr), Addison Lawrence (Jr/I), Kylie Minard (So), Courtney Woods (Jr)
Graduated (6):  Alonna Kratzer (Early Grad), Amaya Marshall, Kelise Newson, Hollyn Patrick, Sydney Schaffer, Sienna Schreiber
Other Losses (2):  Jalene Jachna (Jr/?), Mackenzie Patricelli (Jr/R)
Newcomers (9):  Ayla Acevedo (Fr), Railey Jackson (Fr), Olivia Kelly (Fr), Lauren Macpherson (Gr/TR/SJSU), Abby Mueller (Gr/TR/Illinois), Lisa Szeibert (Fr), Kaia Tanskanen (Fr), Elise Tisler (RS Jr/TR/Towson), Amy Wier (RS Jr/TR/OU)

Quick Assessment:  Missouri finished the season in 11th place after making the Region final and finishing 3rd, just 0.25 behind Utah. They return just 14 of their 24 routines from that final lineup, including half of their uneven bars and balance beam lineups. They'll especially miss routines from All-Americans Sienna Schreiber and Sydney Shafer, as well as Alonna Kratzer and Hollyn Patrick. Their returners are led by seniors Amari Celestine and Jocelyn Moore, grad student Mara Titarsolej, and sophomores Kennedy Griffin and Hannah Horton. Unfortunately, Grace Ann Davis suffered an injury during the preseason, removing a key vault and balance beam score. However, the Tigers are celebrating the return of star Helen Hu. She graduated in 2023 and did not take her fifth year in 2024. However, she returns for this season and is rapidly coming into form.  Also returning strongly is soph Jessa Conedera, who showed strong sets in the preseason.  Classmate Addison Lawrence has also returned from injury, and looks stet to challenge as well. 

Despite the losses, the Tigers find themselves ranked higher this preseason than their prior finish. This is likely due to the return of Hu and the addition of nine newcomers, including some talented transfers. Lauren McPherson joins the Tigers from SJSU, where she competed all-around (39.55 career high) but excelled on uneven bars and balance beam, two events where the Tigers could use a high level competitor. Another all-arounder, Abby Mueller, competed for the Illini, where she posted a career high of 39.3. She excels on balance beam and floor exercise, with career highs of 9.925 and 9.95, respectively. Another transfer, Elise Tisler, brings a consistent Yurchenko 1½ and also excels on floor exercise. The freshmen are headed up by Ayla Aceveo (3*), Railey Jackson (4.5*), Olivia Kelly (4*), Lisa Szeibert (4*), and Kaia Tanskanen (4*). Jackson is a two-time Level 10 National Team member who unfortunately missed the 2024 season. She tied for 3rd all-around and placed 3rd on balance beam, tied for 7th on uneven bars and floor exercise, and placed 8th on vault at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also tied for the uneven bars national title in 2022, placing 2nd all-around, 5th on balance beam, and 6th on vault. Back in 2021, she won a national title on the balance beam as well. Kelly, Szeibert, and Tanskanen are US Level 10s with international experience. Kelly is a two-time World Championships competitor for Barbados. She also placed 3rd on balance beam and 4th on floor exercise at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also 13th all-around in 2023. Szeibert has competed for Romania and finished 12th all-around at the 2023 Romanian Championships. In 2024, she placed 3rd on uneven bars and tied for 8th all-around at the WDP Level 10 Nationals. She was also 12th all-around in 2023. Tanskanen has been an active elite competitor for the last several seasons. She last competed nationally as a Level 10 in 2022, where she finished tied for 2nd all-around, 4th on balance beam, and tied for 5th on uneven bars. Competing for Finland, she won the Finnish all-around and floor exercise titles and placed 18th all-around at the European Championships.

There are some open questions as Missouri proceeds to rebuild their full lineups, using a solid returning core, strong transfers, and some talented newcomers. That is an unpredictable mix, and as the season progresses, we'll expect to see Missouri continue to strengthen as the younger gymnasts gain experience.

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 4 FX
Head Coach: Janelle McDonald
Assistants:  BJ Das, Lacey Dagen, Mark Freeman
Finish Last Season:  17th
Returning Starters (8):  Ciena Alipio (Jr), Paige Anastasi (So), Chae Campbell (Gr), Frida Esparza (Gr), Emily Lee (Sr), Emma Malabuyo (Sr), Brooklyn Moors (Gr), Katelyn Rosen (So)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Maddie Anyimi (Jr), Sydney Barros (So/I), Jordan Chiles (Jr), Mia Erdoes (Sr), Clara Wren (So)
Graduated (6):  Emma Andres, Margzetta Frazier, Chloe Lashbrooke, Katie McNamara, Nya Reed, Sara Ulias
Other Losses (4):  Selena Harris (Jr/TR/Florida), Alex Irvine (So/TR/Auburn) Ana Padurariu (RS Jr/TR/Utah), Camryn Richardson (Fr/?)
Newcomers (6):  Clarissa Clay (Gr/TR/Kentucky), Sasha Fujisaka (Fr), Bronwyn Hoffman (Fr), Riley Jenkins (Fr), Macy McGowan (Fr), Mika Webster-Longin (Fr) 

Quick Assessment:  UCLA finished 17th last season, the highest rated team that did not advance from Round 2 of the NCAA Regionals. They lose 10 of 24 routines from their final lineups, including four on the floor exercise. Gone are standout sets from the likes of Margzetta Frazier and Nya Reed, but the loss that perhaps hurt the most was the high-profile transfer of Selena Harris to Florida. In addition, to add to the losses, uneven bars/balance beam standout Ana Padurariu transferred to Utah. Leading the way for the Bruins in 2025 is a gymnast who was missing from the roster in 2024: superstar Olympian Jordan Chiles returns to attempt to bring UCLA back to prominence in 2025. UCLA will also be paced by grad students Chae Campbell and Brooklyn Moors, seniors Emma Malabuyo and Emily Lee, and sophomore Katelyn Rosen. The Bruins also welcome back Sydney Barros, who sat out 2024 while rehabbing injuries, and Frida Esparza, who has been limited in the past due to injury.

With 10 departed gymnasts, UCLA brought in six newcomers, led by Sasha Fujisaka (4*), Macy McGowan (5*), and Mika Webster-Longin (4*). McGowan won the Senior E all-around title at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals, tying for 1st on vault (Yurchenko 1½) and floor exercise (full-in), and placing 2nd on balance beam. She was 5th all-around in 2023, placing 4th on vault and tying for 7th on uneven bars, 8th on floor exercise, and 10th on balance beam. She'll make an immediate impact, especially on vault, where the Bruins have lagged behind the top teams. Webster-Longin has competed internationally for Belgium, including at the European Championships in 2024. In 2023, she had a breakout season, winning the uneven bars, floor exercise, and all-around at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals (Senior B). She was also 5th on vault.  Her long lines and elegant polish should adapt well to NCAA competition.  Finally, Fujisaka graduated from high school a year early to join the Bruins for 2025.  She tied for 7th on FX and placed 27th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also placed 3rd on UB and 5th on FX, while taking 12th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals. 

With plenty of talent and experience, UCLA is well set to improve upon last season's finish. The coaches think the same, and have made them the #10 preseason pick. With some hard work and a quick adjustment period by the frosh, we could see UCLA once again in the mix for a spot at Nationals.

Official Web Site:     Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Rowe
Associate Head Coach:  Nicole Jones
Assistant:  Devin Wright
Starting Routines Returning: 23/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 1 BB, 0 FX
Finish Last Season:  14th
Returning Starters (9):  Elle Beaufait (Jr), Delanie Harkness (5th Yr), Giana Kalefe (5th Yr), Sage Kellerman (Jr), Skyla Schulte (Sr), Nikki Smith (Jr), Gabrielle Stephen (Sr), MaKayla Tucker (So), Olivia Zsarmani (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Kendall Abney (So), Lauren Hsu (Sr), Genna Lebster (Sr), Stephanie Lebster (Jr), Emma Misenheimer (So), Gabi Ortiz (So), Katie Sawyer (Sr), Isabella Trostel (So/I)
Graduated (5):  Baleigh Garcia, Jori Jackard, Nyah Smith, Noami German, Sydney Hayashi
Other Losses (1):  Tara Welsh (Gr/TR/Clemson)
Newcomers (2):   Amy Doyle (Fr), Cady Duplissis (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  MSU loses just one routine from a team that finished 14th in the nation last spring, placing third in a tough Florida Regional final. They did lose a total of six gymnasts, which impacted their overall depth. However, with returning all-arounders Skyla Schulte, Gabrielle Stephen, and Nikki Smith leading the way, the Spartans will seek to break through and qualify for Nationals in 2025. To that 1-2-3 punch, the Spartans add juniors Sage Kellerman and Olivia Zsarmani, senior Delanie Harkness, and sophomore MaKayla Tucker. MSU will also look for more contributions from their talented sophomore class, especially Isabella Trostel (who was out last season with an injury), Emma Misenheimer, and Gabi Ortiz. Sometimes, it takes two seasons for gymnasts to completely adapt to the rigors of NCAA competition and break through to the lineups, especially when a team has so many veterans locked into the lineups.

MSU adds just two newcomers for 2025, Amy Doyle (3*) and Cady Duplissis (3.5*). Duplissis placed 10th on vault (Yurchenko 1½) and tied for 23rd all-around at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals (Senior F). She was also 6th on vault and tied for 10th all-around at the 2023 WDP Level 10 Nationals. Doyle was limited for most of the 2024 season while coming back from an injury. In 2023, she placed 2nd all-around, 1st on uneven bars, and 1st on balance beam at the Region 3 Level 10 Regionals. She also hit a career-high 38.975 in the all-around to win the Arkansas state meet. The prior season, she placed 33rd all-around at the WDP Level 10 Nationals.

MSU will look to break through to Nationals in 2025, paced by an experienced set of all-arounders. To succeed, they will need ongoing excellence from the key returners plus some step-up performances from the sophomore class and the two new freshmen. The Spartans will also look to improve their consistency on balance beam while upping their difficulty on vault.

Official Web Site:    Link     Schedule      Roster
Head Coach: Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
Associate Head Coach:  Linas Gaveika
Assistant: Stephen Hood, Mia Sundstrom
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Routines Gone/Missing:  1 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  10th
Returning Starters (10):  Mila Brusch (Jr), Rosie Casali (5th Yr), Amanda Hargraves (So), Mia Hebinck (Sr), Momoko Iwai (Sr), Bella Mabanta (Gr), Rylie Mundell (Gr), Kiley Rorich (Jr), Abbie Thompson (Gr), Madison Ulrich (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Cecelia Cooley (Jr/I), Ashley Gallen (So), Ava Mabanta (Jr/I), Maddison Reidenbach (So)
Graduated (1):  Jessica Hutchinson
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (1):  Sophia Hampp (Fr)

Quick Assessment: Denver wrapped up the season in 10th place overall, after placing 3rd by 0.125 points to Stanford. They lose just four routines from last season, all from all-around star Jessica Hutchinson. Although a big score on each event will have to be replaced, DU returns no less than 10 starters from last year's lineup. Sophomore Madison Ulrich is the top returning all-arounder, and she'll be expected to continue from where she left off. Fifth-year Rosie Casali also returns, as do grad students Bella Mabanta and Rylie Mundell. Senior Momoko Iwai has been a key contributor as well, along with classmate Mia Hebinck. Juniors Kiley Rorich and Mila Brusch also return. The Pioneers also hope to see more output from sophomore Maddison Reidenbach, who has been looking strong in training, with a solid Yurchenko 1½.

Denver adds just one gymnast, Sophia Hampp (3*). DU traditionally has had relatively small rosters, so 15 gymnasts is actually on the larger side for the squad. Depth has been a problem in the past, though they've managed to do quite well with just five to seven gymnasts available on each events. Hampp tied for 10th on floor exercise and 26th all-around at the 2024 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She also placed 4th on floor exercise and tied for 4th on balance beam en route to a 16th place all-around finish at the 2022 WDP Level 10 Nationals. She missed most of the 2023 season.

Despite the loss of Hutchinson, Denver returns the core of a team that finished last season in 10th place. With the return of Reidenbach and the debut of Hampp, the Pioneers can continue to improve individually and push the team forward. Injuries are always a key factor for this team, and this year is no exception.

Link:  Teams #13 to #25

Link:  Intro

The 2024 season is about to kick off, and we're anticipating a high-flying season with plenty of record high scores.  We're once again publishing Season Previews for the entire Top 25 teams, as ranked by the Coaches' Preseason Poll.  In each Preview, we've summarized the team's returning routines, their lost routines, their returning starters and the rest of their roster, with a special focus on their newcomers.  We'll also give a brief overview preview of their prospects and challenges.  (Note:  All of the Previews are now complete)

Here are the first 12 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2024 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  (Last update:  1/1/24)

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Assistant:  Ashley Kerr
Finish Last Season:  1st
Returning Starters (7):  Jordan Bowers (Jr), Audrey Davis (Sr), Danae Fletcher (Sr), Katherine Levasseur (Sr), Danielle Sievers (Jr), Ragan Smith (5th Yr), Faith Torrez (So)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Bell Johnson (Sr), Caitin Kirkpatrick (Jr), Sheridan Ramsey (Sr/I), Ava Siegfeldt (So), Caitlin Smith (So/I), Madison Snook (Jr), Meilin Sullivan (Sr), Amy Wier (Jr)
Graduated (3):   Jenna Dunn, Allie Stern, Olivia Trautman
Other Losses (1):  Audrey Lynn (Sr/?)
Newcomers (4):  Soraya Hawthorne (5th Yr/TR/UGA), Aspen Lenczner (Fr), Hannah Scheible (Fr), Keira Wells (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  The defending NCAA Champions have been dubbed the preseason favorite to repeat by the Coaches, with 36 first place votes.  With 19 of 24 returning routines and some talented newcomers, the Sooners are well set for another run at the title.  They will be led by seniors Audrey Davis, Katherine Levasseur, 5th year Ragan Smith, junior Jordan Bowers and sophomore Faith Torrez.  Bowers is a standout AAer capable of 10s on every event -- it is only on BB where her career high is just short (9.975).  She's completed by Smith, who may join Bowers in the AA following the addition of a new Yurchenko 1 1/2 vault.  While Davis is exceptional on UB (NCAA runner-up in 2022), she's another legitimate AAer while sophomore Torrez hit a 39.525 AA in her frosh campaign, and was an All-American on VT.  Both Levasseur and Sievers are regulars on three events while Fletcher shines brightest on FX, but she has competed on three events as well.  OU also returns Bell Johnson, a challenge for the FX worker and sophomore Ava Siegfeldt, a former elite National Team member who could step up at any time. 

Oklahoma welcomes four newcomers, including frosh Aspen Lenczner, Hannah Scheible and Keira Wells, along with UGA transfer Soraya Hawthorne.  Hawthorne brings a crowd-pleasing and high scoring FX (double layout) and a 1 1/2 Yurchenko VT.  Top frosh Scheible was a standout L10, winning National Titles last season in the AA, VT and BB.  She's a three-time L10 National Champ on BB (2021-2023), a two-time AA Champ (2021, 2023, runner-up in 2022) and a champ on FX (2021).  She's got the big skills (full-in on FX, pike front 1/2 on VT, bhs-bhs-layout on BB), execution and consistency to become a future Sooner standout.  Wells placed 6th AA, 5th(t) on BB and 6th on VT at the 2023 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She shines brightest on VT, where she won National titles in 2019, 2021 and 2022 and has posted multiple 10s for her Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Lenczner, who originally committed to Minnesota, tied 8th BB and placed 10th on FX at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals. 

Last season, OU used six well-executed 10.0 Start Value VTs and upgraded FX sets to edge Florida for the National title.  While they have some holes in the lineup to fill (particularly on BB), their depth from the array of potential AAers remains strong.  The exceptional coaching staff continues to build championship contenders year and year.  This year remains no exception and they remain the target for all the other programs.              

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Routines Gone: 2 VT, 3 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Associate Head Coach: Adrian Burde,
Assistants:  Owen Field, Jeremy Miranda
Finish Last Season:  2nd
Returning Starters (6):  Sloane Blakely (Jr), Ellie Lazzari (Sr), Riley McCusker (Jr/I), Victoria Nguyen (Sr), Payton Richards (Gr), Leanne Wong (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Lori Brubach (So), Chloi Clark (Sr), Bri Edwards (Jr), Morgan Hurd (Jr/I), Michala Magee (Sr)
Graduated (4):  Rachel Baumann, Leah Clapper,  Trinity Thomas, Halley Taylor
Other Losses (2):  Kayla DiCello (So/Training Elite), Savannah Schoenherr (Gr/TR/LSU)
Newcomers (6):  Alyssa Arana, Kaylee Bluffstone, Gabby Disidore, Skylar Draser, Danie Ferris, Anya Pilgrim

Quick Assessment:  Florida finished the season just 0.15 points behind OU, at the NCAA Finals.  And this finish was despite the fact the Gators were without the services of several athletes, most notably superstar Trinity Thomas, who was limited to VT and UB due to injury.   Thomas, of course, was a two-time Honda Award winner, a 34-time All-American (11 NCAA/23 Regular Season) and the 2022 NCAA AA, UB and FX Champion.  The Gators also lost other key contributors from prior seasons, including Rachel Bauman, Leah Clapper and Savannah Schoenherr.  In addition, last year's standout AA frosh, Kayla DiCello, will be taking the season off to focus on training for the Paris Olympics.  And unfortunately, UB and BB standout Riley McCusker is injured and will miss the season.  Florida seeks to contend for the title once again, led by juniors Leanne Wong and Sloane Blakely, and last year's surprise, UGA transfer Victoria Nguyen.  That trio of AAers forms a strong base, supplemented by grad student Payton Richards.  Florida will also look to get contributions this season from junior Morgan Hurd, who looks to be coming back from injury quite well. 

In order to keep up with the Sooners, Florida will need immediate contributions from six talented frosh:  Alyssa Arana, Kaylee Bluffstone, Gabby Disidore, Skylar Draser, Danie Ferris and Anya Pilgrim.  Arana who trained junior elite at Leyva, placed 3rd on BB and tied for 26th AA at the 2022 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also won the Individual Event Specialist titles on UB and BB at the 2023 Nationals.  Bluffstone had a strong club season in 2023, placing 3rd on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2), 4th on FX (full-in mount), 7th(t) BB and 9th AA at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on VT and FX while placing 12th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Disidore trained as an elite at GAGE and won the Vegas Cup elite qualifier in 2023.  She was also 2nd AA and 5th AA at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.  Draser is former senior elite who dropped down to L10 in 2023.  She placed 3rd on UB and tied for 15th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  Ferris is a two-time L10 National Champ on VT (2021, 2022), winning in 2022 with a 10.0 on her Yurchenko 1 1/2.  She also won the UB, tied for 1st on FX (full-in) and placed 4th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 4th AA at the 2021 Nationals but did not compete in 2023.  The final frosh, Anya Pilgrim, has been competing as an elite this summer for Barbados at the World Championships and the Pan American Games.   As a L10 at Hill's this season, she placed 2nd AA, 4th on VT, 4th on UB and tied for 7th on BB at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for the VT title, placed 2nd on FX and tied for 3rd on BB en route to a 7th place AA finish at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.               

The Gators are once again loaded with talent but have several open questions heading into the season.  While they have a very strong core set of AA athletes, they will need to get step-up performances from their other returnees and from their large frosh class.  With only five healthy starters and 9 routines to replace, they'll need strong contributions from the likes of Hurd and frosh like Pilgrim, Draser and the rest.  Injuries will also be a key hinge factor for Florida, as they'll need to use the season to build their depth, gain experience, recover from injuries and put forth their strongest lineups during the post-season.  

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Assistants: Ashleigh Gnat, Garrett Griffeth, Courtney McCool Griffeth
Finish Last Season:  4th
Returning Starters (10):  Elena Arenas (Sr), Sierra Ballard (Sr), Chase Brock (Sr), Haleigh Bryant (Sr), Ashley Cowan (So), Aleah Finnegan (Jr), Alexis Jeffrey (Jr), Alyona Shchennikova (Gr), Tori Tatum (Jr), Bryce Wilson (So)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Annie Beard (So), Olivia Dunne (Sr/I), Cammy Hall (Gr/I), Kiya Johnson (Gr/I), KJ Johnson (Jr/I), Kai Rivers (Gr/I)
Graduated (3):   Lexie Nibbs, Maddie Rau, Kamryn Ryan
Other Losses (1):  Brooke Simpson (Fr/R)
Newcomers (6):  Kylie Coen, Amari Drayton, Jillian Hoffman (Gr/TR/Utah), Konnor McClain, Leah Miller, Savannah Schoenherr (Gr/TR/UF/I)

Quick Assessment:   LSU finished the NCAA Finals in 4th which was a tremendous achievement for a squad hit by numerous injuries to key gymnasts last season.  They start the season ranked 3rd, likely based on the strength of returning 24 of 24 routines, the recovery of key injured gymnasts and some super strong frosh and transfers joining the roster.  The Tigers also return every single routine from their NCAA Final lineups.  LSU was led in 2023 by Haleigh Bryant, Aleah Finnegan and Alyona Shchennikova.  The three competed AA while contributing some top scores on each event.  Finnegan continued her momentum through the summer, representing the Philippines as an elite and qualifying to the 2024 Olympic Games as an individual.   But other members of the roster stepped up as well, like Elena Areas (who is reportedly currently slowed by back issues), Sierra Ballard, Chase Brock, and Alexis Jeffrey.  Sophomore Bryce Wilson could also see an expanded role in 2024, as her progress last season was slowed due to injury.  The Tigers also welcome back some key returnees from injury, led by superstar Kiya Johnson.  Also showing strong comebacks during the preseason training Olivia Dunne and KJ Johnson.  The continued recovery and pacing of this trio could help elevate the Tigers to new heights in 2024.

LSU also welcome two elite frosh, two L10s and two transfers in 2024.  Konnor McClain was the 2022 US National AA Champion who has been through a number of injuries and gym changes in the last year.  However, she looks strong across all four events, and could make a huge impact in her frosh campaign.  Also looking strong in preseason is former US National Team member and Olympic Trials qualifier Amari Drayton.  She returned to action in 2023, competing in the Winter Cup.  Top L10 recruit Kylie Coen hails from Empire.  She has unfortunately missed almost all of the last two seasons due to injury.  In 2021, she won the National AA title at the Women's Development Program L10 Nationals.  She also won the FX and tied for the UB title, while finishing as the runnerup on BB.  She also tied for 2nd on UB, placed 4th on VT and tied for 15th AA at the 2019 WDP L10 Nationals.   The Tigers also welcome two transfers in 2024:  Jillian Hoffman, a grad transfer from Utah and Savannah Schoenherr, a grad transfer from Florida.  Hoffman excels on VT and FX while Schoenherr is best known on VT and UB, but showed all four events at the recent LSU preview.  The final newcomer, Leah Miller, is a L10 Regional qualifier.  

Although LSU finished a bit back from the top teams at last year's NCAA finals, getting to the finals was a huge accomplishment after the squad suffered a number of injuries.  With all their starting routines retuning and stars like Bryant, Finnegan and Shchennikova being joined by Kiya Johnson, Konnor McClain and Amari Drayton, LSU is well set for a title run in 2024.  Building top level scores on UB and BB will be key, and that is where gymnasts like Dunne, Schoennherr, and KJ Johnson could also help out.  BB in particular is one area where LSU will need to close the gap on OU -- last year's the squad's final NQS (National Qualifying Score) was just 10th and they finished roughly 0.275 to 0.5 behind the other teams at the NCAA finals.                 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 3 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Carly Dockendorf
Assistants:  Myia Hambrick, Jimmy Pratt
Finish Last Season:  3rd
Returning Starters (7):  Jaylene Gilstrap (Sr), Grace McCallum (Jr), Amelie Morgan (Jr), Maile O'Keefe (5th Yr), Abby Paulson (5th Yr), Jaedyn Rucker (5th Yr), Makenna Smith (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Sarah Krump (So), Alani Sabado (Jr)
Graduated (2):  Abby Brenner, Cristal Isa
Other Losses (4):  Kara Eaker (Jr/R), Jillian Hoffmann (Gr/TR/LSU), Lucy Stanhope (Sr/TR/Nebraska), Sage Thompson (Jr/TR/Oregon State)
Newcomers (5):  Elizabeth Gantner, Ashley Glynn (So/TR/Temple), Olivia Kennedy, Camie Winger, Ella Zirbes

Quick Assessment:  Utah has been through a tumultuous off-season, with a rash of transfers and a retirement, allegations of abuse, an investigation and the departure of former Head Coach Tom Farden.  Coming off last year's third place finish, the 2024 Utes are looking for a new start under new Head Coach Carly Dockendorf.  They will have a number of gaps to fill, with 8 missing routines from their lineups.  This includes a trio of routines from transfer Abby Brenner and a pair of key UB/BB routines from Cristal Isa.  Leading the other departures was former Olympic alternate Kara Eaker, who sadly retired this Fall, citing the ongoing impacts of verbal and mental abuse.  Sage Thompson, a second team All-American on UB, transferred to Oregon State while Brit Lucy Stanhope is now at Nebraska.  Also gone is VT/FX specialist Jillian Hoffman, who is doing her grad work at LSU.  Utah however returns a strong core of athletes ready to set aside the events of the past and move forward in 2024.  They are led by fifth year Maile O'Keefe, the defending NCAA AA champion and a 16-time All-American (6 regular season, 10 NCAA) and four-time NCAA Champ ('21 - UB, FX; '23 - AA, BB).  She's complemented by Olympian Grace McCallum, a junior with an AA best of 39.775.   She's a six-time All-American (3 regular season, 3 NCAA) and the runner-up on UB at the 2023 NCAAs.  The Utes also welcome back fifth year Jaedyn Rucker, the 2022 NCAA Vault champion, and fellow fifth year Abby Paulson, a 10 threat on BB.  Jaylene Gilstrap, a senior, is coming off a strong junior season while Makenna Smith was a standout as a rookie.  The Utes are also citing Amelie Morgan as a big breakout athlete this season, as she is now contending for an AA spot.  

The Utes welcome five newcomers, including four frosh and a transfer.  Ella Zirbes leads the frosh, as was touted as a "Newcomer to Watch".  In 2023, she won the AA title at the Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also was runner-up on FX, 4th on BB and tied for 2nd on VT and UB.  A former junior elite, she has the form and execution to make an immediate impact.  Camie Winger is another top L10, a three-time L10 National Team member with some big skills.  She was 4th AA, 5th(t) UB, 7th VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and 9th(t) on FX at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th AA in 2022 and placed 5th AA in 2021.  Elizabeth Gantner is another former junior elite who placed 2nd AA. 1st on BB and tied for the UB title at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on VT and FX.  After missing 2022, she came back on two events during the 2023 L10 season.  She qualified to the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals as an event specialist on UB, placing 2nd.  Olivia Kennedy is a L10 from Georgia Elite who placed 29th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals but who missed the post-season in 2023.  The Utes also expect immediate contributions from Temple transfer Ashley Glynn, who performed strongly at the Red Rocks Preview.  She had a 39.25 AA as a frosh and a National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 9.85 on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and 9.82 on UB.    

Utah has been focusing hard on training and it showed during the Red Rock Preview.  They have some roster holes to fill, especially on UB, and Zirbes will be key there and on all four events as a potential AAer.  Depth could be an issue relative to some of the other programs in the top tier, especially on UB.  VT was an issue in the finals last season, but the addition of the newcomers and some strong off-season work from the returners could help the Utes to close the gap there.  However, BB remains a strength and any team that excels under pressure on that event is set up well to be a contender.  

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 3 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Janelle McDonald
Assistants:  BJ Das, Kyle Grable, Autumn Grable
Finish Last Season:  5th
Returning Starters (7):  Ciena Alipio (So), Chae Campbell (Sr), Margzetta Frazier (Gr), Selena Harris (So), Emily Lee (Jr), Emma Malabuyo (Jr), Brooklyn Moors (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Maddie Anyimi (So), Emma Andres (Gr), Mia Erdoes (Jr), Frida Esparza (Sr/I), Chloe Lashbrooke (Gr), Katie McNamara (Sr/I), Sara Ulias (Sr/I), Clara Wren (So)
Graduated (2):  Paige Hogan, Kalyany Steele
Other Losses (2): Jordan Chiles (Jr/Sitting out to train elite), Ana Padurariu (Jr/sitting out to train elite)
Newcomers (5):  Paige Anastasi, Sydney Barros (I), Alex Irvine, Nya Reed (Gr/TR/Florida), Katelyn Rosen

Quick Assessment:  The Bruins finished fifth last season, a strong comeback to national prominence under new Head Coach Janelle McDonald.  UCLA has been slotted in fifth by the Coaches, reflect faith in the ongoing trajectory of the program.  The Bruins enter 2024 however without the services of superstar Jordan Chiles.  The standout is taking the year off to train for a run at her second Olympic Games.  Also likely sitting out this season is junior Ana Padurariu, who is attempting to make the Canadian Olympic Team.  In total, the Bruins look to replace 7 routines, 3 of which are on UB.  Leading the way in 2024 will be senior Chae Campbell and sophomore sensation Selena Harris.   Campbell is a seven-time All-American who excels on VT and FX but is a strong AAer as well.  Harris was the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year and a seven-time All-American.  They are complemented by Margzetta Frazier, a four-time All-American and former US National Team member who can contribute on all four events when healthy.   Junior Emily Lee rebounded last season after missing her rookie campaign to be a key contributor, hitting a high of 39.5 in the AA and being a regular contributor on two events.  Another junior, Brooklyn Moors, provides a key VT and another crowd-pleasing FX to the mix.  Classmate Emma Malabuyo has been an AAer in the past but will be especially needed on UB and BB, as they manage through her past knee issues.  Likewise, sophomore Ciena Alipio has been working through injury issues but the Bruins look to get her back during the course of the season.  In contrast, senior Frida Esparza appears to be back strongly this preseason, after missing 2023 due to injury.  Her UB and BB will address the gaps on those two events, caused by the missing the routines from last season.  

The Bruins welcome five newcomers, headlined by Florida grad transfer Nya Reed and US National Team member Katelyn Rosen.  Reed is a six-time All American that brings a much needed 10.0 start value vault and another dynamic FX to the Bruin lineup.  Rosen, a five-time US Championships qualifier, is a potential AA threat for the Bruins.  In 2022, she placed 12th AA at the OOFOS US Championships.  She also tied for 10th AA at the 2023 Winter Cup.  A balanced AAer, she also brings a double layout on FX and another Yurchenko 1 1/2 to the VT lineup.  Two additional frosh could also make an impact.  Paige Anastasi, a L10 from Brestyan's, placed 40th AA at the 2023 Women's Development Program L10 Nationals.  She brings a potential Yurchenko 1 1/2 to the mix.  Irvine is an in-state L10 from Byers who qualified to the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals as an event specialist on VT and FX.  She brings a piked Luconi (10.0 SV) on VT.  The Bruins also add Sydney Barros, a former US elite who currently competes for Puerto Rico.  Due an injury she is sitting out the season but is attending school.   

UCLA will look to make the NCAA Finals in 2024 and improve upon their 5th place finish from last season.  Led by Harris and Campbell, and energized by the addition of Reed and Rosen, the Bruins will look to move past the loss of Chiles to exceed last year's finish.  They'll need to keep their top athletes healthy and ready for their best performances in the post season, especially on UB, where their depth is less.  They will also look to improve their vaulting, an event where they finished just 11th in the National Qualifying Score (NQS) rankings last season and had the lowest VT score among the 8 teams at the NCAA Semi-Finals last season.             

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 13/24
Routines Gone: 2 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Bev Plocki
Associate Head Coach:  Scott Sherman
Assistants: Maile'ana Kenewa-Hermelyn, Cali Hager
Finish Last Season:  9th
Returning Starters (6):  Carly Bauman (Sr), Sierra Brooks (Gr), Reyna Guggino (Sr), Kaylen Morgan (So/I), Naomi Morrison (Sr), Gabby Wilson (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Lily Clapper (So/I), Ashley Lane (Jr), Farah Lipetz (So), Jenna Mulligan (Sr), Paige Thaxton (So), Abigael Vides (Jr), Jacey Vore (Jr)
Graduated (3):  Abby Heiskell, Nicoletta Koulos, Natalie Wojcik
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Kayli Boozer, Ava Jordan, McCaleigh Marr (Gr/TR/Penn), Haylen Zabrowski

Quick Assessment:  Michigan enters in the #6 position, after having finished 9th last season.  They heartbreakingly missed making it to the NCAA Semi-Finals, after losing the tiebreaker for 2nd at Regionals.  They are losing just three athletes but 11 routines from their final lineup, including key sets from Abby Heiskell and Natalie Wojcik.  Wojcik was a 21 time All-American (14 regular season, 7 NCAA) and the 2019 NCAA BB champ.  The 2022 AAI Award winner she was a 9.975+ scoring threat on all four events.  Heiskell was a 12 time All-American (4 regular season, 8 NCAA) and a six time Big 10 champion, including twice in the AA (2022, 2023).  Their leadership and end of the lineup marks are going to be tough to replace.   Leading the way for the Wolverines in 2024 are grad students Sierra Brooks and Gabby Wilson.  Brooks was the 2023 AAI Award Winner and a 17 time All-American (10 regular season, 7 NCAA).  With highs of 9.9625 or higher on all four events, she'll be the backbone of the 2024 squad.  Wilson is a 7 time All American (3 regular season, 4 NCAA) and a two-time Regional champion on FX.  With an AA high of 39.8, she provides Michigan with a solid one-two punch. Senior Naomi Morrison is a five-time All American (3 regular season, 2 NCAA) and another potential AAer.  She's a two-time Regional co-champion on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2).  Another strong vaulter (Yurchenko 1 1/2) is Reyna Guggino, who has also competed on up to three events for Michigan and classmate Carly Bauman, who rebounded from injury to win the Big 10 UB title.  She's also competed on up to three events.  Michigan will also look to get a boost from the rest of their returning lineup, especially junior Jacy Vore, senior Jenna Mulligan and sophomores Fara Lipetz and Paige Thaxton.  All four looked solid in their preseason exhibition meet.        

Michigan welcomes four newcomers for 2024, three frosh and one transfer.   Transfer McCaleigh Marr was a standout at Penn and was the GEC Co-Specialist of the Year in 2023.  She excels on BB and UB.  Signee Haylen Zabrowski, a L10 from American Twisters, placed 23rd AA and tied for 5th on UB at the 2023 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 8th on FX and 24th AA at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.  Ava Jordan, a L10 from Deveau's, qualified to the WDP Nationals as an event specialist on BB, placing 4th.  She specialized on BB in 2023.  She also tied for 13th AA and 10th on BB at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  The final frosh, Kayli Boozer, was the 2023 Region 1 Level 10 BB Champion (Sr. E).   She excels on BB, having hit as high as 9.85 last season.  

Michigan looks to overcome the disappointment of just missing out on a trip to Nationals in 2023.  The Coaches have slotted them in sixth, based on the strength of returning stars like Brooks and Wilson.  However, they'll need some of their newcomers and other experienced returnees to step up this season.  Even with a strong and healthy core, they will need to fill out key lineup spots on every event.  This may take some time, as the new lineups gain experience competing and refine their sets.  And as always, having their stars healthy and in top form for the past-season will be critical, if the Wolverines are to make it back to Nationals.  

Official Web Site:   Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coaches:  Justin Howell and Elizabeth Crandall-Howell
Assistant Coach:  John Carney
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  7th
Returning Starters (7):  Casey Brown (So), Ella Cesario (Jr), eMjae Frazier (So), Mya Lauzon (Jr), Andi Li (Sr), Gabby Perea (Sr), Madelyn Williams (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Miki Aderinto (So), Elise Byun (Sr), Jordan Kane (Jr), Abbey Scanlon (Jr/I), Jayden Silvers (So)
Graduated (3):  Neveah DeSouza, Maya Green, Natalie Sadighi
Other Losses (1):  Blake Gozashti (Sr/?)
Newcomers (2):  Kyen Mayhew, Annalise Newman-Achee

Quick Assessment:   Cal won the Pittsburgh Regional last season, defeating Florida and advancing to the NCAA Semi-Finals where they eventually finished 7th.  As of result of the team's great season, the WCGA named the Powells Co-Head Coaches of the Year and John Carney as Assistant of the Year.  The Bears lose just four routines from last season from ultra-consistent AAer Neveah DeSouza.  DeSouza was a stable and consistent competitor, often taking the all important leadoff spot for the Bears while sporting a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT.  Cal will be powered in 2024 by seniors Andi Li and Gabby Perea, juniors Madelyn Williams and Mya Lauzon and sophomore eMjae Frazier.  Li is a top AAer who finished 14th in the final National Qualifying Score (NQS) rankings.  She excels on UB, but her lines, grace and execution generate big marks on all four events.  Perea competed on up to three events last season.  She's known for her unusual skills, especially on BB.  Lauzon was a standout on three events last season but could go AA.  She has a big Yurchenko 1 1/2 and posts some of the team's highest marks on BB and FX.  Classmate Williams was a solid AAer last season, placing 18th in the final regular season NQS standings.  She has beautiful toe point and execution across all four events, with her highest marks coming on the UB.  Sophomore sensation and former National Team member Frazier, younger sister of UCLA Bruin Margzetta, brings high level difficulty and dynamic performances across all four events.  She especially excels on FX, where she hit a 10 last season.   Cal also welcomes back a number of other key sets, including Casey Brown's Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT and Ella Cesario, who competed on up to three events last season.  

Cal welcomes just two newcomers this season, frosh Kyen Mayhew and Annalise Newman-Achee.  Newman-Achee is coming off a strong L10 season, placing 7th AA and tying for 4th on UB and 9th on FX at the 2023 Women's Development Program L10 Nationals.  She also placed 12th AA and 4th on UB at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  She's a former US junior elite but has switched to competing for Trinidad-Tobago.  She represented the country at the 2022 World Championships and 2023 Pan American Championships.  Mayhew, a L10 from Desert Devils, placed 12th AA, 2nd on VT and 2nd(t) on FX at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.   She also placed 2nd on VT and 8th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She brings another strong Yurchenko 1 1/2 to the Bear vault lineup.     

Cal suffered through some unusual problems on their best event, UB, in the NCAA Semi-Finals last season.  They'll look to turn the page and return once again to Nationals, with an additional year of experience.  They are not the largest team (in terms of roster count), nor the most powerful on the leg events, but excel on UB and BB.  However, with strong contributions from their frosh and the continued health and strong performances from their core stars, the Bears are in position once again to return to Natonals.  Taking the next step to the NCAA finals is clearly the goal, and the Bears are dark horse candidates to take that next step.  

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 23/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnston
Assistants:  Gina Quinlan, Justin Spring, Amelia Hundley
Finish Last Season:  10th
Returning Starters (9):  Shania Adams (Sr), Luisa Blanco (Gr), Ella Burgess (Gr), Makarri Doggette (Gr), Gabby Gladieux (So), Lilly Hudson (Jr), Cam Machado (Sr), Jordyn Paradise (Jr), Mati Waligora (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Corinne Bunagan (Jr), Karis German (So), Lillian Lewis (So), Isabella Martin (Sr), Rachel Rybicki (So)
Graduated (2):  Shallon Olsen, Sania Mitchell
Other Losses (2):  Zoe Gravier (So/R), Lauren Little (So/?)
Newcomers (4):  Chloe LaCoursiere, Gabby Ladanyi, Natalia Pawlak (So/TR/Pitt), Jamison Sears

Quick Assessment:  Alabama returns 23 of 24 routines from last year's squad, one that finished 10th in the final rankings.  They do lose standout Shallon Olsen, who has exhausted her eligibility.  She had been a key athlete on up to three events for the Tide.  The Tide return nine starters from their final lineup in 2023, led by grad students Luisa Blanco, Makarri Doggett and Mati Waligora, seniors Shania Adams, junior Lilly Hudson and sophomore Gabby Gladieux.  Blanco was the 2021 NCAA Champ on the BB and is a 16 time All-American (9 regular season, 7 NCAA).  A top performer on all four events, she returned to elite competition this past summer, competing for Colombia.  After winning the Colombia national title, she qualified for the 2024 Olympics by placing 8th AA at the Pan American Games.  Doggette is a former All-American and SEC Champion on the UB but competed on up to four events last season.  Another grad student, Waligora regularly on three events for the Tide last season.  Senior Adams competed on up to three events for the Tide last season, becoming a regular on FX and hitting a career high 9.925.  Hudson was a 2nd team All-American in the AA in 2022 and earned regular season honors on FX in 2023.  She was a rock in the Bama lineups, competing AA in every meet last season.  Gladieux wrapped up her rookie campaign as the SEC Champion on VT, competing on three events the entire season.  She'll be a key part of the Tide's effort moving forward.  Alabama will also look their other returners, including Corinne Bunagan and Karis German, for increased contributions in 2024.  

The Tide welcome three high impact frosh and one transfer in 2024:  Chloe LaCoursiere, Gabby Ladanyi, Jamison Sears and transfer Natalia Pawlak.  LaCoursiere tied for the UB title and placed 2nd on FX and 2nd AA at the 2023 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also won the VT, UB and AA titles at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  A three-time L10 National champ on UB, she sports an elite-level skills set and tremendous extension and execution.  Sears is a former senior elite who won the AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals with a huge 39.275.  She also won the VT, FX and tied for the UB title while placing 3rd on BB.  In 2022, she won L10 National titles on BB, FX and tied for 6th on VT and 10th AA.  She also won the Nastia Liukin Cup.  The third frosh, Ladanyi, tied for 7th on BB and placed 10th on UB en route to a 15th(t) AA finish at the 2023 WDP Nationals.  She also tied for the UB title and 4th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  The Tide also add Natalia Pawlak, a transfer from Pitt who competed primarily on UB last season, posting a 9.95 as a frosh.  As a L10 in 2022, she tied for 4th on UB and placed 13th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She was also a co-champ on UB at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.              

Bama returns nearly their entire lineup from 2023, and have a large and experienced lineup that is well-prepared for the pressure situations of post-season competition.  They finished the NCAA Regional final just 0.2 behind Kentucky and 0.4 behind the Champion Sooners and look to close the gap this season.  To make that next step and return to Nationals (and perhaps the Finals), they need to keep their stars healthy while developing their standout newcomers into top contributors.  UB was their lowest scoring event last season (by National Qualifying Score) while VT was their lowest scoring event at Regionals.  The newcomers could give a boost to those lineups, as long as they adapt quickly to the rigors of NCAA competition.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Tim Garrison
Associate Head Coach:  Rachel Garrison
Assistant: Chad Wiest
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 2 UB, 1 BB, 0 FX
Finish Last Season:  6th
Returning Starters (7):  Bailey Bunn (Sr), Hailey Davis (Sr), Isabella Magnelli (Sr), Arianna Patterson (5th Yr), Jillian Procasky (Jr), Makenzie Wilson (Jr), Raena Worley (5th Yr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Bridget Borque (So), Carissa Clay (Sr), Samantha Forman (So/I), Anna Riegert (Jr), Megan Sapp (So/I), Claire Stippich (So)
Graduated (4):   Raena Albores, Makenna Clarke, Kassidy Howell, Shaelyn Luksik
Other Losses (4):  Kaitlin DeGuzman (Sr/TR/Clemson), Ashlyn Laclair (5th Yr/TR/UGA), Elyssa Roberts (Sr), Lila Smith (Jr/TR/Auburn)
Newcomers (6):  Creslyn Brose, Cadence Gormley, Kaila Lawrence, Sharon Lee, Cecily Rizo, Delayne Rodriguez

Quick Assessment:   Kentucky had one of their finest finishes last season, placing 6th during the NCAA Semi-Finals.  They made the National meet by placing 2nd to OU at the Norman Regional, just 0.2 behind the Sooners and 0.1 tenth ahead of Ohio State.   From that squad, they say goodbye to 8 athletes, including UB/BB specialist Shealyn Luksik and grad transfers Kaitin DeGuzman and Ashlyn Laclair.   They return 20 of 24 starting routines from their final meet in 2023, led by 5th year athletes Arianna Patterson and Raena Worley, and seniors Bailey Bunn and Isabella Magnelli and junior Jillian Procasky.  Superstar Worley is a 9-time All-American (6 regular season, 3 NCAA) and was a finalist for the AAI and Honda Awards.  She delivers big difficulty and top-level marks across all four events.  Patterson excels on three events and is known for her big pike front 1/2 on VT and top marks on BB and FX.  Bunn has competed all four events for the Wildcats in the past but has worked past injuries to post career highs on UB and BB last season.   Magnelli competed on three events for UK last season, but excels on BB, taking first team All-American honors at the NCAA last season.  Procasky emerged to be a strong AAer last season, earning 2nd team All-American honors at the NCAA and hitting a 39.525 at the NCAA Regional final.  Another junior, Makenzie Wilson, contributed on VT and FX, the former with a big pike front 1/2 that helped propel the Wildcat's new strength on that event.  Kentucky will also look to get expanded contributions from sophomore Bridget Borque, a high potential recruit who contributed primarily on VT last season.    

Kentucky welcomes perhaps one of their strongest incoming classes in years.  Delayne Rodriguez, a three-time L10 National Team member from Gymcats, leads the way.  She won the BB and FX and placed 2nd AA at the 2023 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also placed 8th on UB.  In 2022, she placed 3rd on BB, and tied for 4th AA, 5th on VT and 6th on FX at the L10 Nationals.  Creslyn Brose is coming off a standout L10 club season, having placed 3rd AA, 3rd on FX and having tied for 8th on VT and UB and 10th on BB at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on FX and placed 19th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals, but really broke through in 2023, hitting 38.825 in the AA at Regionals.  Cadence Gormley, a L10 from VIGS, placed 3rd on UB and 10th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 5th on UB, 6th on VT and placed 8th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She's also known for her expressive dance and choreography on FX.  Cecily Rizo, a L10 from Texas Dreams who previously trained elite, placed 4th AA, 2nd(t) on UB and 3rd on VT at the 2023 Region 3 L10 Regionals.  However, she did not compete at Nationals due to an injury.  She also won the UB title and placed 8th AA at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.  She brings an important Yurchenko 1 1/2 to the UK lineups.  The Wildcats also welcome L10s Kaila Lawrence and Sharon Lee.  Lee tied for 8th on UB and placed 12th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.

With all their key stars returning and 20 of 24 routines, the Wildcats would be a formidable challenger, even with the impact of the newcomers.  However, with the addition of some top frosh, a new ceiling will be tested for this squad.  Returning to Natoinals will still be a tough goal for any squad, due to the number of teams that are so closely matched.  However, the talented set of newcomers plus a large set of experienced newcomers could help Kentucky return to Nationals and compete for an even higher finish in 2024. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach: Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
Associate Head Coach:  Linas Gaveika
Assistant: Stephen Hood, Mia Sundstrom
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone/Missing:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  8th
Returning Starters (8):  Mila Brusch (So), Rosie Casali (Sr), Cecelia Cooley (So/I), Jessica Hutchinson (Sr), Momoko Iwai (Jr), Bella Mabanta (Sr), Kiley Rorich (So), Abbie Thompson (Sr) 
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Mia Hebinck (Jr), Ava Mabanta (So), Rylie Mundell (Sr/I)
Graduated (4):  Lynnzee Brown, Victoria Fitts, Alexandra Ruiz, Callie Schlottman
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Ashley Gallen, Amanda Hargraves, Maddison Reidenbach, Madison Ulrich

Quick Assessment:  Denver enters the season at 10th, after having finished 8th in last year NCAA Semi-Finals.  They made the Semi-Finals last season by coming in 1st at the Denver Regional last season, defeating LSU, Michigan and Oregon State.  All four teams were separated by just 0.225.  From that squad, they lose superstar Lynnzee Brown.  Brown was the 2019 National Co-Champ on FX and the co-runner-up on VT in 2023.  A 20 time All-American (10 regular season, 10 NCAA), she had an AA high of 39.25 and events highs of 9.95 and above.  The Pioneers also lose Alexandra Ruiz, a former second-team regular season All-American who provide key routines, often in leadoff, for Denver.  In total, Denver will look to replace 7 lost routines.   Leading the way for Denver in 2024 are seniors Rose Casali, Jessica Hutchinson and Bella Mabanta. and junior Momoko Iwai.  Hutchinson was a first team All-American at the NCAAs last season and the 2022 Big 12 All Around Champion.  She hit 10s on both BB and FX last season and set career highs on all four events, plus the AA.  Casali competed on VT, UB and FX for DU and captured 2nd team regular season All-American honors on UB last season.  Mabanta competed on up to three events last season as well and set career highs last season on VT, BB and FX.  Iwai also set career highs on VT, BB and FX but shines brightest on BB.  She's also been in the mix for the UB lineup, making her a potential AAer as well.  Senior Thompson is another potential AAer but excels on BB, where she was an individual NCAA qualifier in 2022.  Denver will also look to get back the full services of Rylie Mundell, who missed the post-season last year.  The 2023 Big 12 Vault co-champion and 2022 Big 12 UB co-champion hit a career high of 39.625 in the AA last season.       

Four newcomers look to power the Pioneers forward in 2024.  Leading the way is Madison Ulrich, a three-time L10 National Team member from Southeastern.  In 2023, she won UB and placed 3rd AA at the Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 3rd on FX (double layout) and VT (Pike front 1/2).  With tight, precise form and execution, she has all the makings of a future NCAA standout.  She was also a the L10 National AA champ (Jr 3) in 2021, placing 2nd on UB, 3rd on BB and 5th on VT.  Also new this season is Maddison Reidenbach, a L10 from Flips.  In 2022, she tied for 8th on VT and 33rd AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 6th on UB and 11th AA at the 2021 WDP L10 Nationals.  However, her season ended early (late January) in 2023.  Denver also welcomes Ashley Gallen and Amanda Hargraves.  Gallen is a L10 from Capital, placed 4th on VT and 11th AA at the 2023 Region 3 L10 Regionals.  She also tied for 26th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Hargraves is a L10 from Metropolitan who finished 37th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also qualified as an event specialist to Nationals on VT and FX in 2022.        

Denver will look to repeat their trip to Nationals in 2024.  However, the field was extremely tight to make Nationals last season and they will also have the added boost of being a Regional host in 2024. (Being a host is generally an advantage due to the home equipment, lack of travel and strong fan support).  To make it back to Nationals, they will need to keep stars like Mundell and Hutchinson available in peak health in post-season and have others like newcomer Ulhrich ready to contribute at a high level.  

Official Web Site:   Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Rowe
Associate Head Coach:  Nicole Jones
Assistant:  Devin Wright, Rachael Donovan
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Finish Last Season:  11th
Returning Starters (10):  Baleigh Garcia (Sr), Delanie Harkness (Sr), Lauren Hsu (Jr), Jori Jackard (5th Yr), Giana Kalefe (Sr), Skyla Schulte (Jr), Nikki Smith (So), Nyah Smith (5th Yr), Gabrielle Stephen (Jr), Olivia Zsarmani (So)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Elle Beaufait (So), Naomi German (Sr), Sydney Hayashi (Sr), Sage Kellerman (So), Genna Lebster (Jr), Stephanie Lebster (So), Katie Sawyer (Jr) Tara Walsh (Sr)
Graduated (1):  Tori Loomis
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (5):   Kendall Abney, Emma Misenheimer, Gabi Ortiz, Isabella Trostel, MaKayla Tucker

Quick Assessment:   MSU looks to continue their climb in 2024, having missed out on a trip to Nationals again in 2023.  They finished 3rd at the Pittsburgh Regional, just 0.15 points behind Florida.  They return a remarkable 24 of 24 routines from the last starting lineup in 2023, giving them a ton of experience in high pressure situations.  Leading the way for MSU in 2024 are seniors Baleigh Garcia and Delanie Harkness, juniors Skyla Schulte and Gabrille Stephen and sophomore Nikki Smith.  Sophomore Smith had a standout frosh campaign, scoring a 10 on VT and 39.775 in the AA.  The Big Ten frosh of the year hit 9.925 or higher on each of the four events.  Schulte was the 2022 Big Ten frosh of the year and was a second team NCAA All-American in 2022.  With an AA high of 39.675, she's part of the Spartans 1-2-3 punch.  The final member of this trio of AAer is Stephens.  With a career high of 39.725, Stephen holds career highs of 9.95 on VT and BB and 9.975 on UB and FX.  She looks to upgrade her perfect 9.95 start value Yurchenko Full to an equally well-executed Yurchenko 1 1/2 this season.  Complementing this trio is Garcia, a senior who has gone AA in the past but is best known for her excellent work on BB.  Another senior, Harkness, lifts the Spartan lineup on FX with her full-in.  She's a regular on three events, with highs of 9.95 on UB and FX, and 9.9 on BB.  Grad student Nyah Smith, sister of Nikki, has competed AA in the past but last season contributed most on VT and FX, serving in the key leadoff position.  Senior Gianna Kalefe takes another critical leadoff position, on BB, and also competes on FX.  MSU will also look to get expanded contributions from Olivia Zsarmini in 2024.  She's been slowed by injury at times but has competed on as many as three events as a frosh.  Another key sophomore, Sage Kellerman, won a share of the Big Ten VT title as a frosh.             

MSU welcomes five newcomers in 2024:  Kendall Abney, Emma Misenheimer, Gabi Ortiz, Isabel Trostel and Makayla Tucker.  Tucker, a L10 from DeVeau's, won the VT title (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and tied for the FX title at the Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals in 2023.  She also tied for 5th on UB and 10th AA.  She also tied for 5th on UB, 6th on BT, 7th on BB and 8th on FX en route to a 6th place AA finish at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Trostel is a L10 from Buckeye.  In 2023, she tied for 7th on BB and placed 11th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 2nd on BB, her best event, and placed 14th AA in 2022.  Ortiz, who was originally committed to Pitt, had a strong final club season.  She won the Region 8 L10 AA title with a 38.85 and then went on to tie for 5th on VT and 14th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also qualified to Nationals in 2022, tying for 4th on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2).  Misenheimer trains as a L10 at Sonshine and tied for 15th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 7th on VT and placed 22nd AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  The final frosh, Abney, is an in-state L10 from Michigan Elite.  She tied for 7th on BB and placed 34th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 21st AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.

With nearly their full roster returning and 24 of 24 starters back from their final 2023 lineup, MSU is well set for another run at the Regional Final in 2024.  However, the Spartans have also added some additional pieces to the puzzle in a solid frosh class.  Depending on how the frosh adapt and the remaining returnees advance, the MSU could be deeper and stronger in 2024.  With continued progress, they will be contending again for a spot at Nationals.

Official Web Site: Link       Schedule       Roster
Head Coach:  Shannon Welker
Assistants:   Whitney Snowden, Lacey Rubin, Jackie Terpak
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 2 UB, 3 BB, 2 FX
Finish Last Season:  14th
Returning Starters (8):  Kyra Burns (Sr), Amari Celestine (Jr), Grace Anne Davis (Jr), Alonna Kratzer (Jr), Addison Lawrence (So/I), Jocelyn Moore (Jr), Sydney Schaffer (Sr), Sienna Schreiber (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Jalene Jachna (So), Amaya Marshall (Sr), Kalise Newson (Sr), Mackenzie Patricelli (So), Hollyn Patrick (Gr), Courtney Woods (So)
Graduated (4):  Helen Hu, Hannah McCrary, Alisa Sheremeta, Adalayna Hufendiek
Other Losses (3):  Reese Baechle (So/TR/Lindenwood), Alyssa Ojeda (Jr/R), Casey Poddig (So/?)
Newcomers (6):  Jessa Conedera, Kennedy Griffin, Hannah Horton, Rayna Light, Kylie Minard, Mara Titarsolej (Sr/TR/LIU)

Quick Assessment:  Missouri finished 14th last season but find themselves slotted in the preseason #12 position in the Coaches' Poll.  They seek to replace 8 missing routines from their last competition lineup in 2023.  They Tigers suffered some pretty large losses, with stars like Helen Hu, Hannah McCrary and Alyssa Sheremata now graduated.  The tigers also lost four other athletes and Associate Head Coach Casey Jo MacPherson, who is the new Head Coach at Pitt.  Although slowed by injury, Hu was a four-time All-American who excelled on UB and BB with her original skill selection, extreme flexibility and exceptional form.  McCrary excelled on three events for the Tigers, posting marks of 9.9+ or better on BB, FX and VT.  Sheremeta competed in all 13 meets for Mizzou on UB, BB and FX last season.  She too had career highs of 9.9 or higher on each event she competed.  Missouri still returns 8 starters and 6 other returners to their 2024 squad.  They will be led by grad student Sienna Schreiber, senior Sydney Schaffer and juniors Amari Celestine and Jocelyn Moore.  Schreiber, the 2022 NCAA runner-up on the BB, is a four time All-American (3 regular season, 1 NCAA).  She's a key AAer, having hit a high of 39.625 and has 41 scores of 9.9 or higher in her career (including 25 on BB).  Schaffer is another top beamer, having qualified as an individual to the NCAAs in 2021.  She competed on three events for the Tigers last season.  Celestine was the NCAA runner-up on VT in 2022 for her Yurchenko 1 1/2.  She was also a 2nd team All-American on FX in 2022, where she mounts with a full-in.  While she has competed primarily on VT, UB and FX, she did show BB at the recent Mizzou public exhibition.  Classmate Moore is another dynamic vaulter, with one of the best Yurchenko 1 1/2s in the NCAA.  The 2023 SEC champion on VT, she is a two-time regular season All-American on the VT.  She too competed three events for the Tigers in 2023.  Missouri also welcomes back Grace Anne Davis, who brings a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT but who also hit 9.9 twice on BB in 2023.  Kyra Burns also stepped up in 2023, coming back in midseason to compete on VT and UB. 

Missouri welcomes five frosh and a high impact transfer.  Hannah Horton, a L10 from Revolution, placed 2nd on FX and tied for 3rd on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and 15th AA at the 2023 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals.  She also placed 8th on BB and tied for 9th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Another high impact L10, Rayna Light, is a L10 from Golden City.  In 2023, she tied for 3rd on FX and 9th AA at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 5th on VT and 13th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Transfer Mara Titasolej, a senior who competed previously at LIU, should make an immediate impact on UB and possibly on BB.  One of the top UB workers in the NCAA, she's posted 10s on the event and is a two-time regular season All-American.  Three more L10s complete the class:  Jessa Conedera, Kennedy Griffin and Kylie Minard.  Griffin tied for 9th on VT and 30th AA at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also placed 1st on BB and tied for 5th on FX en route to a 27th place finish at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Minard, an in-state L10 from Fuzion, placed 3rd on FX and 7th AA at the Region 4 L10 Regionals in 2023, qualifying to the WDP L10 Nationals.  Conedera placed 38th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also placed 11th AA at the Region 4 L10 Regionals in 2023.  

Missouri enters 2024 with some major lineup spots to replace, but with a large set of returning starters and other returners.   The Tigers should see strong leadership and high scores from the likes of Schreiber, Celestine and Moore.  However, they also look forward to some immediate contributions from Horton and Light.  With a strong experienced core and some talented newcomers, they should challenge once again for the Regional Final.  And once there, recent history has shown that it will be in the battle to advance.         

Link:  Teams #13 to #25

Link:  Intro

The 2023 is about to kick off, and we're anticipating a high flying season with plenty of record high scores.  We're once again publishing Season Previews for the entire Top 25 teams, as ranked by the Coaches' Preseason Poll.  In each Preview, we've summarized the team's returning routines, their lost routines, their returning starters and the rest of their roster, with a special focus on their newcomers.  We'll also give a brief overview preview of their prospects and challenges.

Here are the first 12 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2023 Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 22/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Finish Last Season:  1st
Returning Starters (10):  Jordan Bowers (So), Audrey Davis (Jr), Jenna Dunn (Sr), Danae Fletcher (Jr), Bell Johnson (Jr), Katherine Levasseur (Jr), Danielle Sievers (So), Ragan Smith (Sr), Allie Stern (5th Yr), Olivia Trautman (5th Yr),
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Caitin Kirkpatrick (So), Audrey Lynn (Jr/I), Sheridan Ramsey (Jr), Madison Snook (So), Meilin Sullivan (Jr), Amy Wier (So)
Graduated (3):   Emma LaPinta, Karrie Thomas, Carly Woodard
Other Losses (2):  Vanessa Deniz (SR/TR/UGA), Moorea Linker (So/I/R)
Newcomers (2):  Ava Siegfeldt, Caitlin Smith (expected in January), Faith Torrez

Quick Assessment:  The defending NCAA Champions lose just two routines from last year's squad, both from the departed Woodward.  They said goodbye to a total of five gymnasts, but compared to prior seasons, the graduations losses for OU are relatively muted.  Leading the way for OU in 2023 will be sophomore Jordan Bowers, junior Audrey Davis, senior Ragan Smith and 5th year Olivia Trautman. AAer Bowers looks strong as ever, and has been showing an upgraded tuck full-in mount on FX.  Similarly, Davis looks to have an even greater impact in 2023.  Known for her immaculate work on UB and BB, she's training a Yurchenko 1 1/2.  OU seems to be pacing Trautman, to ensure she's ready and healthy for the post-season, just like last season.  OU should also get big contributions from junior Levasseur and sophomore Sievers as well.

OU is widely known for continuing to develop their roster into stars, so the frosh don't have to be depended on too early.  However, this season a stellar class, led by Torrez and Siegfeldt, looks to make an immediate impact.  Torrez, who competed AA at the recent intrasquad, has beautiful form complemented by big skills like a double layout on FX and a back tuck full and side aerial to layout stepout on BB.  Former US National Team member Siegfeldt looks to impact first on VT, where her Yurchenko 1 ½ will help OU establish 6 10.0 Start Value (SV) vaults from early in the season.  However, she is another potential AAer down the road.  The Sooners also welcome Caitlin Smith, who graduated early and will join the Sooners in January.  A L10 from World Champion Centre, she tied for 6th AA and 5th on FX (full-in mount) at the 2021 Women's Development Program (WDP) Nationals.  In 2022, she placed 2nd on VT and UB at the Region 3 Regionals but problems on BB and FX kept her from qualifying to Nationals as an AAer.  She is also a former L10 National Champion in the AA, winning the title back in 2019. 

With a loaded and experienced roster and a talented frosh class, the Sooners look to be even deeper and more talented than last season.  They'll be a formidable force in the post-season as they pursue their sixth National Team Title.  FX was the Sooner's weak event at the Four on the Floor last season (and their lowest ranking event nationally).  This is where the newcomers and a healthy Trautman could help out the most.     

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone: 2 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Owen Field
Finish Last Season:  2nd
Returning Starters (7):  Sloane Blakely (So), Leah Clapper (Gr),  Riley McCusker (So), Payton Richards (Sr), Savannah Schoenherr (Gr), Trinity Thomas (Gr), Leanne Wong (So)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Chloi Clark (Jr), Bri Edwards (So), Morgan Hurd (RS Fr/I), Ellie Lazzari (Jr/I), Alex Magee (Jr), Halley Taylor (Gr)
Graduated (4):  Alyssa Baumann, Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, Nya Reed, Megan Skaggs
Other Losses (1):  Gabrielle Gallentine (Jr/TR/PSU), 
Newcomers (4):  Rachel Baumann (Gr/TR/UGA), Lori Brubach, Kayla DiCello, Victoria Nguyen (Jr/TR/UGA)

Quick Assessment:  Florida has suffered some pretty large losses from 2022, perhaps even beyond the 8 routines lost.  The loss of Baumann, Reed and AAer Skaggs, along with Gallentine and Johnson-Scharpf, impact not just the returning routines but the entire depth chart.  Fortunately, the Gators have plenty of firepower remaining, led by 2022 NCAA AA, UB and FX champ Thomas.  The 27-time All-American and Honda Award winner leads a veteran core that includes dynamic sophomores Blakely and 2022 World Championship Gold Medalist Wong.  Classmate McCusker is also back, along with key veterans Clapper, Richards and Schoenherr.  Florida should also get a boost from the debut of redshirt frosh Hurd, the former World AA champion, and Lazzari, who was a standout in her rookie campaign.  They could easily complete their lineups with the returning class, as long as everyone remains healthy.  

The Gators should also get immediate contributions from DiCello, one of the top recruits in the country and a bronze medalist in the AA at the 2021 World Championships.  This past season, she placed 4th AA at the OOFOS US Championships.  She has the skills and execution to take a place as a top AAer, once she adapts to NCAA competition.  She vaults a Yurchenko Double Full, swings a stalder full, Church and Van Leewen on UB and tumbles a bhs-layout-layout on BB,  She also has a variety of tumbling skills, from a full-twisting double layout to the double double (Silivas) that should impress the judges and fans alike.  Florida also welcomes a pair of transfers, both from UGA.  Bauman was a top gymnast on BB and FX while Nguyen excels on UB and BB, but has added a Yurchenko 1 1/2 in training.

Last season Florida came just 0.1125 from defeating OU for the title.  They were unable to capitalize on OU's lower marks on FX by ceding too much ground on the other three events.  The key for the Gators will be to get improved scores in the 2nd half of the lineup, particularly on VT, while replacing some big scores they've lost.  Better luck with injuries could also be difference maker this season for the Gators as they chase down the ever-improving Sooners. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 21/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Tom Farden
Assistant:  Carly Dockendorf, Jimmy Pratt
Finish Last Season:  3rd
Returning Starters (10):  Kara Eaker (So), Jaylene Gilstrap (Jr), Cristal Isa (5th Yr), Grace McCallum (So), Amelie Morgan (So), Maile O'Keefe (Sr), Abby Paulson (Sr), Jaedyn Rucker (Sr), Lucy Stanhope (Jr), Sage Thompson (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Jillian Hoffmann (Sr/I), Alani Sabado (Jr)
Graduated (4):  Alexia Birch, Cammy Hall (Gr/TR/LSU), Adrienne Randall, Sydney Soloski
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3):  Abby Brenner (5th Yr/TR/Michigan), Sarah Krump, Makenna Smith

Quick Assessment:  Utah loses 3 routines from four graduated gymnasts including Soloski, a top ten performer on the FX last season.  The impact on the depth chart is even greater, with Birch having gone AA in the past and two 10.0 Start Value (SV) vault gone.  The Utes will be led this season by senior O'Keefe. an 11 time All-American and 2021 UB and FX NCAA Champ.  She'll be completed by Olympian McCallum, the #5 returning AAer from last regular season, who has had another year to adjust and is looking strong in preseason training.  Utah also welcomes back 2022 NCAA Vault champ Rucker, and key All-American specialists Isa and Paulson.  The Red Rocks will also hope to see stronger contributions from Eaker, who was slowed by injury last season and Gilstrap, who has shown big improvements in difficulty and execution in preseason training.   Sophomore Thompson also looks ready to continue her momentum from last season.  The oft-injured Hoffman showed flashes of brilliance last season, and could provide a spark on FX as well. 

Utah should get a lineup boost from Michigan transfer Brenner and top frosh Smith.  Brenner is a former regular season All-American on VT who also competed UB and FX (full-in) for the Wolverines.   Smith was the ’21 regional vault (10.0), bars (9.9) and floor (9.925) champ and tied for 5th on VT and 6th on FX en route to a 13th(t) AA finish at the 2021 National meet (fall on BB).  She was also the ’22 Region 1 L10 Regional vault (9.925, pike Omelianchik), bars (9.875) and floor (9.675, double Arabian) champ.  The pair bring strength on the leg events and can also bolster the UB lineup.    

Utah is looking to burst back onto the top of the podium but faces some tough competition to get there from OU and FLorida.  While this squad is proven to be excellent on BB, they need to close the gap with the top teams on VT.  Brenner and Smith will be key in that regard, but the other returning Utes will also need to claw back tenths on the other events as well, in order to keep up with the front-runners.        

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 22/24
Routines Gone: 0 VT, 1 UB, 0 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Bev Plocki
Associate Head Coach:  Scott Sherman
Assistant: Maile'ana Kenewa-Hermelyn
Finish Last Season:  8th
Returning Starters (7):  Sierra Brooks (Sr), Reyna Guggino (Jr), Abby Heiskell (Gr), Naomi Morrison (Jr), Jacey Vore (So), Gabby Wilson (Sr), Natalie Wojcik (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Carly Bauman (Jr/I), Nicoletta Koulos (Sr), Ashley Lane (So), Jenna Mulligan (Jr), Abigael Vides (So/I)
Graduated (1):  Abby Brenner (Gr/TR/Utah)
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Lilly Clapper, Farah Lipetz, Kaylen Morgan, Paige Thaxton

Quick Assessment:  After a strong start, the 2021 NCAA Champs faltered last season to finish back in 8th. They lose just one gymnast from last year's squad, accounting for two routines (plus a key reserve vault).  They will be led in 2023 by graduate students Abby Heiskell and Natalie Wojcik, seniors Seirra Brooks and Gabby Wilson, and junior Naomi Morrison.  Wojcik, the 2022 AIA Award Winner and 2019 BB National Champ is an 18 time All-American.  Heiskell had the best season of her career as a senior, winning three Big 10 titles (AA, UB, FX).  Brook is a 13-time All-American and three-time Regional Champion.  Along with Wilson and Morrison, Michigan can count on five potential AAers among the core returning starters.  Michigan would also like to see expanded contributions from Guggino and Vore, but are also anticipating the return of Bauaman, who missed last season but who was a standout as a frosh.  

Michigan welcomes a quartet of talented newcomers, who could provide a much needed boost of depth.   Clapper was the only athlete in this class to have a complete ’22 season and she finished well, taking 8th AA, UB and BB at the WDP Nationals.  She also placed 7th on VT and tied for 13th AA at the 2021 Level 10 Nationals.  Morgan, who has competed at the elite level since 2019, placed 21st AA (senior) at the 2021 US Championships.  She showed a strong Yurchenko Full on VT, Maloney to Pak and Van Leeuwen on UB, an unusual side somi to straddle jump ½ on BB and an Arabian double front on FX.     This season, however, she did not reach her qualifying score at the Elite Qualifiers.  Michigan will look to get Thaxton healthy and ready for all lineups, after her 2022 season ended early.  She has a double layout and full-in on floor, a Gienger and full-in off bars, a punch front and double back off BB and a Yurchenko 1 ½ vault (and training a double).  At the 2021 L10 Nationals, she tied for 1st on UB, placed 6th on BB and placed 11th AA.  She was a L10 National Team member in 2019, placing 3rd on UB and BB and placing 4th AA. 

Michigan would like a return to the NCAA Final and a chance to repeat their 2021 National title. To do this, they'll need to avoid injuries and develop their depth by getting stepup performances from their frosh and other returning athletes.  Consistency, especially on BB, will be another key, as the Wolverines suffered mistakes on Day 1 of the NCAAs on both UB and BB.  BB was also their lowest ranked event last season during the regular season.    

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach: Jeff Graba
Associate Head Coach:  Sara Carver-Milne
Assistants: Kurt Hettinger
Starting Routines Returning: 22/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  4th
Returning Starters (9):  Aria Brusch (Sr), Derrian Gobourne (5th Yr), Sophia Groth (So), Olivia Hollingsworth (Jr), Sara Hubbard (So), Sunisa Lee (So), Gabby McLaughlin (Jr), Adeline Sabados (Sr), Cassie Stevens (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Ananda Brown (So), Caroline Leonard (So), Morgan Leigh Oldham (Sr), Piper Smith (Sr), Anna Sumner (Sr)
Graduated (3):   Jada Glenn, Drew Watson, Allie Riddle
Other Losses (2): Payton Smith (Jr/?), Tara Walsh (TR/Jr/MSU)
Newcomers (3):  Olivia Greaves (I), Hannah Hagle, Hailey John

Quick Assessment:  Auburn had a breakthrough season in 2022, finishing 4th and setting records along the way.  They lose just two routines from last year's final lineup, although the roster is down five athletes and a bit of depth.  Leading the way in 2023 will be Olympic Champ Lee, who has announced that this will be her last as a Tiger.  She's looking terrific as she has spent this summer preparing for her elite return.  Also back for a final bow is grad student Gobourne.  A 2019 NCAA VT champ and the 2022 runnerup on UB and FX, she provides high scoring 9.95+ potential on three events.  Also returning are two key all-arounders from 2022, sophomore Groth and senior Stevens as well as three event stalwart Brusch.  Groth excels on BB but emerged as the #2 AAer last season.  Junior Hollingsworth has made big strides in the offseason and appears ready to make a major impact this season.  The former elite now opens FX with a clean open full-in.     

Auburn welcomes a trio of frosh this season but Hagle should be the first to see action.  Hagle is a former junior international elite who dropped back to L10.  This past season, she tied for 9th on BB and FX at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 10th on VT while finishing 20th AA (problems on UB).  In 2021, she was 6th on UB and 7th AA at the L10 Nationals.  She shows solid, tight form with good flexibility across her events.  She also vaults a Yurchenko Full and throws two double backs on FX.    Senior international elite Greaves is the top name in the Tiger class.  The Senior National Team member is a standout on UB who as a junior international elite, won the UB and placed 3rd AA at the US Championships in 2019.  In 2022, she competed only UB at the OOFOS US Championships and tied for 9th.  Injuries have unfortunately kept her from key competitions in 2020 and 2021 and a new ACL injury will keep her out this season. 

Auburn will be seeking a return to the NCAA finals, a task complicated by a strong set of contenders and an unfortunate injury with their top frosh.  However, they have superstars Lee and Gobourne complemented by a strong core set of experienced gymnasts.  They'll need continued improvements from the likes of Hollingsworth and others to help strengthen the lower half of the lineups. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Assistants: Ashleigh Gnat, Garrett Griffeth
Finish Last Season:  18th
Returning Starters (8):  Elena Arenas (Jr), Haleigh Bryant (Jr), Olivia Dunne (Jr), Aleah Finnegan (So), Kiya Johnson (Sr), KJ Johnson (So), Kai Rivers (Sr), Alyona Shchennikova (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Sierra Ballard (Jr), Chase Brock (Jr), Alexis Jeffrey (So), Lexie Nibbs (Sr), Maddie Rau (Sr), Kamryn Ryan (Sr), Tori Tatum (So)
Graduated (5):   Reagan Campbell, Bridget Dean, Christina Desiderio, Sami Durante, Sara Edwards
Other Losses (1):  Rebecca D'Antonio (Sr/?)
Newcomers (4):  Annie Beard, Ashley Cowan, Cammy Hall (GR/TR/Utah/I), Bryce Wilson

Quick Assessment:   LSU stumbled last season at Regionals, posting just a 196.575 after problems on UB and BB and failed to advance to the Regional final.  However, the Coaches' have installed the Tigers in the #6 position, reflecting the talent on the roster.  They return 19 of 24 routines from last season, losing five sets from six departed gymnasts.  The Tigers will be led in 2023 by seniors Kiya Johnson and Shchennkiova and junior Bryant.  Johnson, a nine-time All-American, has worked around Achilles' problems to excel in the AA, when needed.  Shchennkova was a strong AA competitor last season and is set for a repeat.  Bryant is another potential AAer but was also the NCAA Vault Champ in 2021 with her terrific pike front-half.  LSU is also anticipating bigger contributions this season from Finnegan, who has looked stronger in preseason training and appears ready to impact in the AA.  Another sophomore, KJ Johnson, could see an expanded role this season as well.  Unfortunately, former elite Dunne has been struggling with shoulder problems.  The Tigers could also see other returners rise up to fill the spots opened up by the graduating seniors, especially Ballard and Brock.  

LSU welcomes a trio of frosh and Utah transfer Hall, who unfortunately is already out for the season.  Wilson placed 2nd on VT, 4th(t) on FX and 8th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She won the VT title at the 2021 L10 Nationals and placed 8th on UB.  Wilson scored three 10s on vault this season and may bring another Yurchenko Double to the Tiger lineup.  She also competes a pike full-in on FX and a Downie on UB.  She has struggled a bit with consistency in the past, especially on BB, and that will likely be a focus area as she adapts to college competition.   Cowan will strengthen the Tiger depth, but especially shines on UB and FX.  She placed 1st on UB in every ’22 meet and took a share of the title at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 3rd on FX and 11th on AA (problems on BB).  Her UB set features a Ray and a full twisting double layout dismount while she also won FX at state and Regionals with a front double twist mount.  Beard is a former junior international elite (10th AA at the 2017 P&G Championships) who was limited to three events (no UB) for most of the 2022 season.  Her problems unfortunately have continued and she reportedly underwent surgery in the fall and is likely out for the season.  

While LSU will need to avoid the inconsistency problems that struck at Regionals, they've also run into a string of injury problems that will impact their depth, especially on UB.  UB is a particular focus area for the team in preseason, according to Head Coach Jay Clark.  However, they do have enough core talent and a big enough roster to weather these setbacks and make their way back to the NCAA Finals.   

Starting Routines Returning: 18/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnston
Assistants:  Gina Quinlan, Justin Spring
Finish Last Season:  7th
Returning Starters (10):  Shania Adams (Jr), Luisa Blanco (Sr), Ella Burgess (Sr), Makarri Doggette (Sr), Lilly Hudson (So), Cam Machado (Jr), Shallon Olsen (Gr), Jordyn Paradise (So), Mati Waligora (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Corinne Bunagan (So), Isabella Martin (Jr), Sania Mitchell (GS)
Graduated (4):  Emily Gaskins, Lexi Graber, Griffin James, Kaylee Quinn
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (6):  Karis German, Gabby Gladieux, Zoe Gravier, Lillian Lewis, Lauren Little, Rachel Rybicki

Quick Assessment:  Alabama returns 18 of 24 routines from a squad that finished 7th at last year's Nationals.  They'll certainly miss star Lexi Graber, the 2021 NCAA FX champ as well as Gaskins and Quinn.  However, they have a strong core returning including sophomore standout Hudson and veteran stars Blanco, Doggette, Olsen and Waligora.  Hudson will look to an even stronger season after hitting 2nd team All American in the AA last year.  Blanco was a 2021 NCAA Champ on BB and is another potential AAer.  Olympian Olsen has contributed on up to three events while Waligora has also gone AA before.   Doggette has struggled at times with injuries, but is a standout on UB who can also compete all four event when healthy.  Machado showed big improvements last season while Paradise and Adams are both capable of a bigger impact.  One returner who is looking stronger in preseason training is Bunagan, who did not compete as a frosh.

The Tide welcome a strong frosh class of six, filled with elites and L10s that will not only provide depth but will challenge for lineup positions.  Former US National Team member German placed 19th AA and 6th on FX at the US Championships.  In 2022, she placed 7th AA at the Winter Cup.  Although she is a potential contender for the all -around, she is especially strong on floor where she has competed a double-double (Silivas), full twisting double layout and full-in.   Gladieux is coming off a strong club season that saw her win the AA and BB at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She was also 2nd on FX and tied for 5th on UB and 6th on VT.  She looks to impact the Tide lineups immediately with strong potential across all four events.  She also has top level skills, including a Yurchenko 1 ½ on VT, a full-in on FX and a two-footed back whip/layout on BB.  

Little has competed on the elite level since 2016.  In the ’22 season she won the Metroplex Challenge (1st VT/UB/BB) and the KPAC Cup (1st V/UB/FX).  She also placed 3rd on bars at the Winter Cup and 7th AA at the US Classic.  She excels on the UB, with good stalder technique and stalder entries on her Shaposhnikova (aka Chow) and Van Leeuwen.  Gravier competed as an elite as a junior, then moved back to L10 after the ’18 season.  She tied for 9th AA and placed 9th on UB at ’22 WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 33rd at the 2021 Nationals.  Another former junior elite, Lewis finished off the ’22 season with an 8th place AA finish at the WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 10th on BB. 

Alabama will look to break into the National final with a strong core group of returners and a talented frosh class.  Although they will miss Graber's big score potential on VT/FX, they have plenty of talent on the roster.  The health of their stars and how quickly the frosh can adapt to NCAA competition could tell the tale on how far Bama will rise this season. 

Official Web Site:   Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coaches:  Justin Howell and Elizabeth Crandall-Howell
Assistant Coach:  John Carney
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 3 FX
Finish Last Season:  11th
Returning Starters (5):  Neveah DeSouza (Sr), Mya Lauzon (So), Andi Li (Jr), Gabby Perea (Jr), Madelyn Williams (So)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Elise Byun (Jr), Ella Cesario (So), Blake Gozashti (Jr), Maya Green (Sr), Jordan Kane (So), Natalie Sadighi (Sr), Abbey Scanlon (So)
Graduated (8):  Maya Bordas, Milan Clausi, Kyana George, Talitha Jones, Grace Quinn, Nina Schank, Abi Solari, Emi Watterson
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3):  Miki Aderinto, Casey Brown, eMjae Frazier, Jayden Silvers

Quick Assessment:   Cal suffered some of the biggest losses of the Top 12 teams, with 9 routines gone from the last starting lineup of a team that finished 11th in 2022 (and 9th in the final National Qualifying Score(NQS) standings).  The losses include 2021 NCAA UB Champ and key AAer Maya Bordes plus key lineup members Clausi, Quinn, Schank and Watterson.  Also gone is George, an AAer who was sadly injured last season and unable to compete her final year.  Leading the way for the Bears in 2023 is senior all-arounder DeSouza and junior AAer Li.  Junior Perea looks ready to expand her contributions in 2023 after a strong preseason while sophomore Lauzon competed AA at times as a frosh.  Classmate Williams was also in up to three events last season.  This is a small but talented core of returning athletes.  Cal should also see the debut of Cesario, who did not compete in 2022 but has rebounded strongly from injury.  Green has been part of the strong Bear UB lineup in the past, and looks set to reclaim a spot. 

A likely contributor to Cal's higher preseason rank, despite the large losses to graduation, is the strength of their frosh class.  Cal’s standout income class is headlined by US National Team member eMjae Frazier.  The 2021 World Championships Team member placed 3rd AA and won the FX at the 2022 Winter Cup.  She then went on to place 6th AA and 2nd on FX at the 2022 City of Jesolo Trophy.  With an array of top level skills and strong execution, she is ready to make a big mark on the NCAA this season as one of the top incoming recruits.  Cal is also joined by two top L10s in Brown and Aderinto.  Aderinto is a two-time L10 Women’s Development Program (WDP) National Team member who tied for the National Title in her division on the UB in 2022.  She also placed 2nd on BB, tied for 4th on UB and placed 3rd AA.  In 2021, she tied for 4th AA, UB and on FX at the WDP National meet, while placing 6th on VT.  She specially excels on UB, where she hit a 10 last season.   Brown placed 5th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals, tying for 4th on VT and FX, 9th on UB and 10th on BB.  In 2021, she made the WDP National Team, placing 3rd AA and tying for 4th on VT and UB and 6th on BB at the National meet.  With a 39.325 career high AA in L10, she excels on VT with a Yurchenko 1 ½ and shows beautiful form and extension on all four events. 

Although Cal finished short of Nationals last season, they look set to put forth a strong bid in 2023.  With veterans like DeSouza, Li and Perea leading the way and some potential standout contributions from the frosh and sophs, they have all the pieces to put up a challenge.  Improvements on VT and FX will especially be key, as these have been the weakest pieces for Cal the last several seasons.    

Official Web Site: Link       Schedule       Roster
Head Coach:  Shannon Welker
Associate Head Coach:  Casey Jo (Magee) MacPherson
Assistants:   Whitney Snowden
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Finish Last Season:  5th
Returning Starters (11):  Amari Celestine (So), Grace Anne Davis (So), Helen Hu (Sr), Alonna Kratzer (So), Amaya Marshall (Jr), Hannah McCrary (Gr), Jocelyn Moore (So), Hollyn Patrick (Sr), Sydney Schaffer (Jr), Sienna Schreiber (Sr), Alisa Sheremeta (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Kyra Burns (Jr), Adalayna Hufendiek (Sr), Kalise Newson (Jr), Alyssa Ojeda (So/I)
Graduated (0): N/A 
Other Losses (2):  Victoria Gatzendorfer (TR/So/Maryland), Jena Swanson (Jr/I/Team Manager)
Newcomers (6):  Reese Baechle, Jalene Jachna, Addison Lawrence, Mackenzie Patricelli, Casey Poddig, Courtney Woods

Quick Assessment:  Missouri returns every routine from the last starting lineup in 2022.  They did lose some potential depth (particularly on UB) but the Tigers will look to improve on their 5th place finish from 2022.  They are ranked 9th in the preseason, as perhaps their 11th place NQS finish factored into the voting by the Coaches.  They return no less than 11 starters, led by grad students McCrary and Sheremeta, senior Schreiber, RS junior Hu, junior Schaffer and super sophs Celestine and Moore.  Schreiber was the primary AAer last season, earning All-American honors, but excels on BB.  Hu was a standout as a frosh but sat out 2021 with an injury.  She was restricted to UB and BB in 2022, where she demonstrates her superb form and flexibility with 9.95+ potential on both.  McCrary has been a lineup regular on three events, as was Sheremeta.  Celestine was the runnerup on VT at the 2022 NCAA and is also a tremendous performer on FX.  Classmate Moore has a huge Yurchenko 1 1/2 and some big tumbling on FX as well.  Schaffer qualified to the NCAAs as an individual on BB in 2021, her best event.  

In addition to the large returning class, Mizzou brings on six newcomers.  Lawrence leads the way.  The GAGE trained L10 placed 5th AA at the 2022 L10 Nationals, including a tie for 3rd on FX, 7th on UB and 8th on BB.  She also placed 6th AA in 2021 and tied for 4th on BB and 5th on both VT and FX.   Baechle placed 9th AA and tied for 2nd on VT at the 2022 Region 4 L10 Regionals, but competed on UB at the December intrasquad.  Poddig qualified as an individual to the WDP Nationals in 2022 and placed 27th AA  at the 2021 WDP Nationals.  Woods placed 8th AA in the Wildcard session of the 2022 WDP Nationals, after an 8th place finish on BB.  She also tied for 2nd on BB, the same event she exhibitioned at the Mizzou public intrasquad in early December.     

The Tigers will look to build upon 2022's strong finish and return back to Nationals.  Getting key improvements from their returners will be a key, especially Hu's ongoing comeback and the ongoing improvements from the sophomore class.  One of the focus areas for Mizzou will be to improve its marks and consistency on UB, the event in which they ranked just #22 last season.  They also need to improve the first half of the lineup on VT, where they ranked #17.      

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Janelle McDonald
Assistants:  BJ Das, Kyle Grable
Finish Last Season:  12th
Returning Starters (6):  Chae Campbell (Jr), Jordan Chiles (So), Frida Esparza (Jr), Emma Malabuyo (So), Brooklyn Moors (So), Ana Padurariu (So)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Emma Andres (Sr), Mia Erdoes (So), Margzetta Frazier (Sr), Paige Hogan (Sr), Chloe Lashbrooke (Sr/I), Katie McNamara (Jr), Kalyany Steele (Sr), Sara Ulias (Jr/I)
Graduated (6):  Nora Flatley (GS/TR/Arkansas), Kendal Poston, Samantha Sakti, Pauline Tratz, Sara Taubman, Sekai Wright
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Ciena Alipio, Maddie Anyimi, Selena Harris, Clara Wren

Quick Assessment:  The Bruin lose 7 routines (from the last lineup in 2022) from six athletes, including standout AAer Norah Flatley, who opted to take her fifth year at Arkansas.  The Bruins did lose quite a bit of depth and experience beyond those 7 routines, as 4 of the other 5 competed on at least two events each during their careers.  UCLA also welcomes a new coaching staff, after a season marked by well-documented strife and emotional turmoil.  The Bruins will look to start a new chapter, led by World Championship Gold medalist and Olympian Chiles, plus junior Campbell.  Both were key AAers for the Bruins and will be critical in 2023.  The Bruins also welcome back former elites Esparza, Malabuyo, Moors and Padurariu, who all have tremendous potential across all four events.  UCLA also welcomes back eight other gymnasts, led by Frazier, who is back for her fifth year and is looking strong across multiple events in training.  She, along with Ulias and Steele, could bolster the UB lineup.  

UCLA welcomes a quartet of talented newcomers.  Harris, a highly sought-after recruit, is the full package and a potential future NCAA standout.  She tied for 1st AA and won the VT, FX and tied for the UB title at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 3rd on BB.  She won the WDP National AA title outright in 2021, picking up titles on the UB and BB while placing 2nd on VT.  Her Yurchenko 1 1/2 earned her a 10.0 in 2021 and a number of 9.9+ scores throughout her career.  She’s an expressive floor worker capable of a full-in.  She has beautiful flexibility on beam and excellent technique on bars. 

Alipio, a senior international elite, placed 17th AA and 2nd on BB at the 2022 OOFOS US Gymnastics Championships.  She also placed 22nd AA at the 2021 US Championships.  This past season, she showed a Yurchenko 1 ½ on VT and her BB is packed with difficulty including a layout mount and side aerial to layout-layout.  Anyimi had a breakout season as a L10 in 2022 and reportedly enrolled at UCLA before asking to join the team.  She placed 15th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals, including a tie for 9th on UB.   She shines brightest on VT (Yurchenko Full) and UB (pike Jaeger, full-in).  Along with Wren's potential pike front 1/2, the frosh could play key roles in the Bruin VT lineup. 

The UCLA roster is loaded with elite-level talent and some L10 standouts.  With an all new coaching staff and the opportunity to start anew in 2023, the Bruins have all the tools to succeed.  Some better luck with injuries and hard work could set up the Bruins for a return back to National prominence.  Depth on VT is an early area of concern, based on the Meet the Bruins intrasquad.  This should improve, however, as gymnasts return from injury.   

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Tim Garrison
Associate Head Coach:  Rachel Garrison
Assistant: Chad Wiest
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Finish Last Season:  12th
Returning Starters (6):  Hailey Davis (Jr), Shealyn Luksik (Sr), Isabella Magnelli (Jr), Arianna Patterson (5th Yr), Jillian Procasky (So), Raena Worley (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (11):  Raina Albores (Sr), Bailey Bunn (Jr/I), Makenna Clarke (Sr/I), Carissa Clay (Jr), Kaitlin DeGuzman (Sr/I), Kassidy Howell (Sr), Ashlyn Laclair (Sr), Anna Riegert (So), Elyssa Roberts (Sr), Lila Smith (So), Makenzie Wilson (So)
Graduated (3):   Josie Angeny (GS/TR/UGA), Anna Haigis (volunteer assistant), Cally Nixon
Other Losses (1):  Krista Zultevicz (TR/Jr/NC State)
Newcomers (4):  Bridget Bourque, Samantha Forman (I), Megan Sapp, Claire Stippich

Quick Assessment:   Kentucky returns 17 of 24 routines from a team that placed 12th in last year's final rankings (and 10th in the final NQS standings).  They lose four gymnasts, including Angeny, now taking her COVID year at UGA>  Also departed are Nixon and Haigis, the latter serving as an assistant coach this season.  They have six starters returning led by superstar senior Worley.  Worley rose to be one of the best AAers in the country last season, finishing #4 in the regular season and hitting All-American honors.  She's supported by 5th year Patterson, junior Magnelli and sophomore Procasky, who competed AA three times last season. Davis was standout on FX, qualifying to Nationals as an individual, while Luksik was a key member of the UB lineup.  The Wildcats have a large returning roster with 11 other gymnasts.  They'll look to the return of Bunn, a standout AAer as a frosh who was injured last season.  Also returning is Wilson, a regular on VT, as well as Albores and DeGuzman.  All four bring plenty of experience in the lineup from past seasons.          

UK welcomes four newcomers in a strong class led by Bourque and Stippich.  Bourque brings some big skills (full-in on FX, Yurchenko 1 1/2) that will bring some added difficulty and high scores to the Wildcat lineups.  She tied for 3rd on UB and 10th on VT en route to a tie for 16th AA at the 2022 WDP Nationals (she had some problems on BB).  She tied for 2nd on FX and placed 12th AA at the 2021 WDP Nationals.  Stippich had a strong year in 2022, placing 9th on FX and 10th AA at the WDP Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on UB and placed 14th AA in 2021.  Forman placed 9th AA and tied for 8th on FX at the 2021 WDP Nationals.  However, her 2022 season was cut short in January.  The fourth frosh, Sapp, is a L10 who qualified as an individual event specialist on BB at the 2022 WDP Nationals.  

Kentucky brings back a big experienced roster that will look to improve on last year's 12th place finish. Kentucky has been hit with some untimely injuries in the past, and they look to improve their luck this season.  Having Bunn back and having immediate contributions from Bourque could be a difference maker in how competitive UK is for those final slots at Nationals.          

Official Web Site:   Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Rowe
Associate Head Coah:  Nicole Jones
Assistant:  Devin Wright
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 3 FX
Finish Last Season:  9th
Returning Starters (9):  Baleigh Garcia (Jr), Delanie Harkness (Jr), Lauren Hsu (So), Jori Jackard (Sr), Giana Kalefe (Jr), Tori Loomis (Sr), Skyla Schulte (So), Nyah Smith (Sr), Gabrielle Stephen (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Naomi German (Jr), Sydney Hayashi (Jr), Genna Lebster (So), Katie Sawyer (So)
Graduated (5):  Sydney Ewing, Ashley Hofelich, Lea Mitchell, Alaina Raybon, Alyssa Wiedeman
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (6):   Elle Beaufait (Fr), Sage Kellerman (Fr), Stephanie Lebster (Fr), Nikki Smith (Fr), Tara Walsh (TR/Jr/Auburn), Olivia Zsarmani (Fr)

Quick Assessment:   MSU had a breakthrough season last year, powered by an experienced set of returners and lifted by a dynamic set of frosh and sophs.  They finished 9th last season, outpeforming their 12th place NQS finish.  One year later, the Spartans have lost 8 routines from last year's squad, including former AAer Mitchell and VT/FX standout Hofelich.  The core of the Spartan lineup returns, including dynamic AAers Schulte and Stephen, both back for their sophomore campaigns.  They also return junior Harkness, a potential AAer who excels on UB and FX (full-in) and classmate Garcia, a three event standout last season.  A wide range of returning specialists also serve to bolster MSU's depth, including Hsu on VT, Loomis and Jackard on UB, Kalefe on BB and Smith on FX.     

However, MSU's best shot at replacing their missing routines could come from their frosh class, perhaps their strongest ever.  The class is headlined by Smith, one of the top L10 recruits in the country this season.  At the 2022 WDP Nationals, she won titles in the AA (39.025), VT and BB.  She also tied for the UB title and for 6th on FX.  In 2021, she was National Champ on the FX and tied for 4th AA at the 2021 WDP Nationals.  She also placed 4th on UB and tied for 4th on BB.  She has an array of big skills: a Yurchenko 1 ½ on VT, a punch front and double back off BB, and a double layout on FX.  She's complemented by Zsarmani, a rising L10 who made a big step up this past season.  At the 2022 WDP Nationals, she placed 2nd AA, 2nd UB and 2nd on BB.  She also tied for 6th on VT (big Yurchenko Full).  In 2021, she placed 16th AA at the WDP Nationals, including a tie for 4th on VT and 9th on UB.  She also competes some big skills like a Maloney to Gienger on UB and a pike full-in on FX.

Kellerman is a L10 standout known for her excellent pike front ½ vault.  She tied for 4th on VT at the 2022 WDP Nationals and was 2nd in 2021.  She also placed 9th AA at the 2022 National meet, including a tie for 10th on BB.  She’s also capable of a solid UB set (pike Jaeger) and could easily contribute on FX as well (two double backs, front layout to rudi).  Beaufait, an in-state L10 from Olympia, brings forth some beautiful execution on BB and FX.  She was the Region 5 champ on FX in 2022.  

MSU has some challenges to replenish their lineups and repeat last season's success, but with a strong returning core and a high impact frosh class, they have all the tools to do that and more.  Last season VT was their weakest event, and this is where the frosh could supercharge the event and help propel the Spartans into contention for a spot in the National finals.   

Link:  Teams #13 to #25

Link:  Intro

The 2022 Season is upon us, with a little sense of déja vu.  We have seniors returning for their fifth or sixth years, a load of exciting frosh and some of the largest rosters in our 22 seasons of publishing these reviews.  We're once again publishing Season Previews for the entire Top 25 teams, as ranked by the Coaches' Preseason Poll.  In each Preview, we've summarized the team's returning routines, their lost routines, their returning starters and the rest of their roster, with a special focus on their newcomers.  We'll also give a brief overview preview of their prospects and challenges.

Here are the first 12 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2022 Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Routines Gone: 0 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Bev Plocki
Associate Head Coach:  Scott Sherman
Assistant: Maile'ana Kenewa-Hermelyn
Returning Starters (8):  Carly Bauman (So/I), Abby Brenner (Sr), Sierra Brooks (Jr), Reyna Guggino (So), Abby Heiskell (Sr), Naomi Morrison (So), Gabby Wilson (Jr), Natalie Wojcik (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Nicoletta Koulos (Jr), Jenna Mulligan (So)
Graduated (3):  Anna Dayton, Lauren Farley, Anna Maxim
Other Losses (2):  Abigail Gaies (Jr/?), Maddie Mariani (Sr/R)
Newcomers (3):  Ashley Lane, Abigael Vides, Jacey Vore

Quick Assessment:  Michigan broke through into an exclusive club last season and claimed their first National Championship.  The squad started strong in December and never looked back as they used an unbeatable vault rotation to build a cushion on the remaining top contenders.  They are led by seniors Abby Heiskell and Natalie Wojcik and juniors Sierra Brooks and Gaby Wilson.  The four competed all four events at last year's finals, a remarkable feat of leadership and grace under pressure.  They all return and look strong at the team's recent intrasquad and exhibition meet.     

Unfortunately, the Wolverines lost sophomore Carly Bauman to a torn Achilles' in early December.  The sophomore was looking strong in preseason training and figured to challenge for an AA spot.  Her loss highlights one of the few soft spots in the Michigan lineup, the balance beam.  They miss routines from Bauman plus the graduated Lauren Farley and a potential backup from the recently retired Maddie Mariani.  In her stead, classmate Naomi Morrison has also been looking strong in the preseason, and competed AA at the preseason exhibition meet.  

The Wolverines welcome three frosh:  Ashley Lane, Abigael Vides and Jacey Vore.  Vore has been a club standout the last several years, with particular strength on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2).  She was the 2019 L10 National AA champion, with four top five event finishes.  She also placed 2nd at the 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup.  Unfortunately, she too reportedly suffered an Achilles' injury in February 2021.  However, she has successfully returned to training and has been competing on UB and BB.  Vides is a former senior elite with strong skills across the events.  On FX, she can do a full-in or double layout, a 1 1/2 twisting Yurchenko on VT and a full-in off UB.  In 2021, she placed 10th in the AA at the L10 Nationals and was also 5th AA at the 2019 L10 Nationals.  She did not compete at either the public intrasquad or the exhibition meet.  The third frosh, Lane, apparently did not compete in the 2021 club season also did not compete on UB in 2020.  However, she did show a solid VT and clean UB set at the fall intrasquad.  

Michigan heads into the season as the rightfully earned #1 position.  To hold on to this rank through the end of the season, Michigan will need some luck with injuries, as they depend heavily on five key gymnasts.  With one of the smallest squads and Bauman's injury, they are further hampered by some injury issues with their frosh/soph classes.  They'll need Morrison and one of the frosh to step up and help bolstered the depth, particularly on UB and BB.  Barring injury, they will be around to defend their title, but will have some other talented teams looking to take advantage of any mistake they might make.      

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone: 0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Owen Field
Returning Starters (8):  Alyssa Baumann (Sr), Leah Clapper (Sr), Ellie Lazzari (So), Nya Reed (Sr), Payton Richards (Jr), Savannah Schoenherr (Sr), Megan Skaggs (Sr), Trinity Thomas (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Chloi Clark (So), Gabrielle Gallentine (So), Sydney Johnson-Scharpf (Sr/I), Alex Magee (So), Halley Taylor (Sr)
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (1):  Jazmyn Foberg (Sr/R)
Newcomers (5):  Sloane Blakely, Bri Edwards, Morgan Hurd, Riley McCusker, Leanne Wong

Quick Assessment:  Florida placed fourth at the NCAA finals, after some problems on BB.  This was somewhat surprising after they led the NCAA on the event during the regular season NQS (National Qualifying Score) stands.   In addition, last year's squad was also impacted by an injury to star Trinity Thomas, who was not quite at 100% at Nationals.  But with their entire lineup intact and five talented newcomers, Florida has all the tools to win the title. 

Thomas, an 18-time All-American, once again leads the way.  The standout is a threat to score a 10 on every event (only on VT is her career high a 9.975) and potentially tie the NCAA AA record of 40.,  Thomas is far from alone, with senior Alyssa Baumann, sophomore Ellie Lazzari, and senior Megan Skaggs all stepping into AA roles at last year's Finals.  The Gators also got key contributions from seniors Nya Reed and Savannah Schoenherr, plus junior Payton Richards, another potential AAer.  There is a tremendous amount of experience and talent among the 13 returners, and they would be competitive for a title even without any new additions.

But what a incoming class it is, led by 2021 World AA silver medalist Leanne Wong and former World AA champ Morgan Hurd.  The Gators also welcome seven-time US National Team member and 2018 World Team Gold Medalist Riley McCusker and former US National Team member and 2021 L10 National AA champ Sloane Blakely.  Wong, Blakely and McCusker have been looking strong in Fall training.  Hurd has joined the Gators in January, following a successful tour and a disappointing year preceded by some untimely injuries.  It may take some time for her to adjust to college competition.  The five frosh should boost the Gator lineups and provide more depth in 2022, in case injury issues develop, like was the case last season.  (This analysis assumes that National Team member Shilese Jones will not enter school in January).  They also can bring some potential high scoring routines on all four events, with some 10 Start Value (SV) vaults and strong UB and BB routines.  

With the entire lineup returning and a standout frosh class, the Gators have all the ingredients for a successful run for the title.  However, they've had the talent before, so we'll see if they can overcome the nerves and achieve the level of consistent polish demonstrated by the other challengers.  A big difference for Florida this season will be increased depth, which could allow the coaches the time to pace the squad for optimal post-season performances. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 1 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Returning Starters (9):  Audrey Davis (So), Jenna Dunn (Jr), Bell Johnson (So), Emily LaPinta (Sr), Katherine Levasseur (So), Ragan Smith (Jr), Allie Stern (Sr), Olivia Trautman (Sr), Carly Woodard (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Vanessa Deniz (Jr), Danae Fletcher (So), Audrey Lynn (So/I), Sheridan Ramsey (So/I), Meilin Sullivan (So/I), Karrie Thomas (Sr/I)
Graduated (3):  Jordan Draper (Sr), Evy Schoepfer (Sr), Anastasia Webb (Sr)
Other Losses (3):  Julianne Fehring (So/R), Erin Hutchison (Jr/TR/Pitt), Quinn Smith (So/R)
Newcomers (6):  Jordan Bowers, Caitin Kirkpatrick, Moorea Linker, Danielle Sievers, Madison Snook, Amy Wier

Quick Assessment:  OU loses eight routines from last year's runnerup squad, one that finished just less than a tenth from the title.  Gone from that squad is superstrar Anastasia Webb, the 2021 NCAA AA, VT and FX champion as well as Evy Schoepfer, who tied with Webb for top spot in the country in the regular season NQS rankings.  The Sooners will feel the loss of the three seniors most acutely on VT and FX, the two events where they lagged behind the Wolverines at the National meet.

The 2022 Wolverines will be lead by senior Olivia Trautman and sophomores Audrey Davis.  Although limited in the past by injury, Trautman stepped up last season into an AA role, nearly matching Webb's performance in the final.  Davis competed on up to three events for the Sooners last season but her form and execution stand out on UB and BB.  Also key to the Sooner's fortunes will be two potential AAers, junior Ragan Smith and sophomore Katherine Lavasseur.  OU has had a strong history of top three finishes since 2013, including 1st in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.  They've accomplished this my managing to have other gymnasts step up to take the high scoring place of the departed athletes.  With the current program pipeline in place, there is no reason to expect anything otherwise from the coaching staff.    

OU also welcomes six frosh, headlined by former junior and senior National Team member Jordan Bowers.  She's a former AA champ at the junior Pan American Championships and Pacific Rim Championships.  Injuries caused her to drop back to L10, where she finished 3rd AA at the L10 Nationals in 2021.  She's joined by a pair of L10 standouts, Moorea Linker and Danielle Sievers.  Linker posted a rare 10 in the L10 ranks twice during the 2021 L10 season, with her Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT.  She's also a standout tumbler, with a full-in and L10 National titles to her credit in 2018 and 2019.  She a fine four event gymnast, and was 3rd AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals, as well as 2nd in 2019.  Sievers had an outstanding club year in 2021 and has some high level skills as well (Yurchenko 1 1/2, full-in on FX).  She was 4th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals and owns a trio of National titles on FX (ties in 2017 and 2019 and a solo win in 2018).

OU will once again be in the mix for the finals, and the National finals.  Although their losses are great, Bowers and the rest of the roster should be able to step up.  The key difference could be the health of the standout frosh, and how quickly they are able to make the transition.  Otherwise, the large roster includes several gymnasts capable of stepping up on one event or more, to help fill in the depth chart behind the established stars.  Vault and FX are two events most impacted by graduation and retirements, and where the squad will need to make up ground on the other challengers.  

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 23/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 1 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Tom Farden
Assistant:  Carly Dockendorf, Jimmy Pratt
Returning Starters (10):  Alexia Burch (Sr), Cammy Hall (Sr), Maile O'Keefe (Jr), Abby Paulson (Jr), Adrienne Randall (Sr), Cristal Isa (Sr), Jaedyn Rucker (Jr), Alani Sabado (So), Sydney Soloski (Sr), Lucy Stanhope (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Jaylene Gilstrap (So), Jillian Hoffmann (Jr/I)
Graduated (1):  Emilie LeBlanc
Other Losses (0):   N/A
Newcomers (4):  Kara Eaker, Grace McCallum, Amelie Morgan, Sage Thompson

Quick Assessment:  Utah loses just one gymnast and one routine from a team that finished just 0.2625 behind the National Champions.  The Utes look to improve upon their 3rd place finish with 12 returners and four standout frosh.  Leading the way in 2022 will be junior Maile O'Keefe, a NCAA champion on UB and FX in 2021 and the Pac 12 Gymnast of the Year.  She'll be joined by seniors Alexia Burch and Cristal Isa, plus fellow junior Abby Paulson.  All three are potential AAers, with Paulson looking solid on VT during the Fall training period. Sophomore Lucy Stanhope also had a strong rookie campaign and is another potential AAer, while Jaedyn Rucker rebounded from injury her first year for a standout campaign in 2021.  She too is looking solid on all four events this Fall.  

In the finals last year, the Utes excelled on the BB but lagged behind on the VT.  They will look to strong VTs from Burch, Rucker, Stanhope and Cammy Hall, while counting on the frosh to bring additional 10.0 SV vaults into the mix.  The Utes also look to get back junior Jillian Hoffman.  She competed a strong Yurchenko Full at the Red Rocks Preview, after missing her first two seasons due to injury. 

The Utes welcome one of their strongest class in years, featuring US Olympian Grace McCallum, alternate Kara Eaker, UK Olympian Ameliie Morgan and L10 standout Sage Thompson.  McCallum has a high level of difficulty throughout, but will most help the Utes on VT and FX where her big skills will help Utah close the gap on the top contenders. Eaker is looking strong in the preseason on all four events, although she is best known for her outstanding BB work.  She'll also add another 10.0 SV VT and a triple full on FX.  Morgan's best works is on UB and BB, while Thompson is a former L10 National Champ on the UB and figures to make the lineup there.  Thompson also has some strong tumbling potential on the FX.  This class will form the cornerstone of future Utah squads for years to come.

Utah has brought aboard all the ingredients they need to close the gap on the leaders and challenge for a national team title in 2022.  This somewhat depends on keeping their stars healthy while having their frosh adjust quickly to NCAA competition.  The signs are positive already in the preseason, but what happens in April is what ultimately counts.     

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 0 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Assistants: Ashleigh Gnat, Garrett Griffeth
Returning Starters (12):  Elena Arenas (So), Sierra Ballard (So), Chase Brock (So), Haleigh Bryant (So), Reagan Campbell (Sr), Bridget Dean (Sr), Christina Desiderio (Sr), Olivia Dunne (So), Sami Durante (Sr), Sarah Edwards (Sr), Kiya Johnson (Jr), Alyona Shchennikova (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Rebecca D'Antonio (Jr), Lexie Nibbs (Jr), Maddie Rau (Jr), Kai Rivers (Jr/I), Kamryn Ryan (Jr)
Graduated (1):   Olivia Gunter
Other Losses (2):  Courtney Goodrich (Jr/?), Caitlin Smith (Jr/R)
Newcomers (3):  Aleah Finnegan, KJ Johnson, Tori Tatum

Quick Assessment:   LSU returns all 24 routines from a squad that finished 4th in their semifinal at the NCAA Championships.  They were led last season by juniors Kira Johnson and Alyona Shchennikova and sophomore Haleigh Bryant.  Johnson battled a tender Achilles' last season and was paced by the coaching staff for maximum impact in the post-season.  Shchennikova had a breakout season last year, becoming an AAer and showing improvement on all four events.  The dynamic Bryant was the NCAA VT champion with a tremendously well-executed front pike 1/2 on vault and clean work through her all-around program.     

BB was the Tigers downfall last year, and they'll need seniors like Reagan Campbell, Bridget Dean and Christina Desiderio in top form and consistent under pressure in the post-season.  Another senior, Sarah Edwards is a key vaulter and FX worker.  Classmate Sami Durante has been slowed by injury, but is a top UB and worker when healthy.  Also providing additional upside potential is sophomore Olivia Dunne, a former elite who could add another strong BB set.

LSU welcomes a trio of talented frosh, headlined by National Team member Aleah Finnegan, younger sister of Tiger great Sarah Finnegan.   She has star potential as an AAer, but especially shines on BB.  She's joined by two former junior elites who both dropped back to L10.  KJ Johnson excels on VT (big Yurchenko Full) and FX (full-in), and she tied for 4th on each event at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  Tatum won the BB at the 2019 L10 Nationals, where she placed 2nd AA and on the VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2).  She also placed 4th AA at Regionals this past season but did not compete at Nationals.  When in top form, she'll be another strong contender for every lineup.

LSU settles in fifth in the current rankings, with a tremendous amount of talent on the roster but with also the need to address the BB problems that have been their problem in the past.  They will also need to manage the health of their standouts, in order to present the strongest lineups as possible at the end of the season.  If the pieces come into place, LSU can certainly contend for a place among the title contenders. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 22/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 0 FX
Head Coach:  Dana Duckworth
Assistants:  Gina Quinlan, Ryan Roberts
Returning Starters (10):  Shania Adams (So), Luisa Blanco (Jr), Makarri Doggette (Jr), Emily Gaskins (Sr), Lexi Graber (Sr), Griffin James (Sr), Cam Machado (So), Shallon Olsen (Sr), Kaylee Quinn (Sr), Mati Waligora (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Ella Burgess (Jr/I), Isabella Martin (So), Sania Mitchell (Sr)
Graduated (1):  Alonza Klopfer
Other Losses (3):  Sara Duhe (So/TR/PSU), Audrey Evans (Fr/?), Jensie Givens (Sr/?)
Newcomers (3):  Corinne Bunagan, Lilly Hudson, Jordyn Paradise

Quick Assessment:  Alabama loses just a pair of routines from last year's squad that finished 5th at the National meet, placing 3rd in their semi-final just 0.025 behind Utah.  They will be led in 2022 by a pair of National Champions, Luisa Blanco (BB) and Lexi Graber (FX).  Both are potential AAers who provide a strong 1-2 punch at the bottom of the Tide lineups.  Alabama will also count on key contributions from senior Shallon Olsen, whose double twisting Yurchenko, double-double on FX and double pike off BB push the envelope of difficulty in the NCAA.  Classmate Emily Gaskins also emerged as an AAer last season, although all of the Tide AAers will have to battle hard for slots on all four lineups.  

Juniors Makarri Doggette and Mati Waligora could also play a bigger role in 2022, along with sophomore Shania Adams.  The two juniors have battled some injury issues while Adams should benefit from another year of experience under her belt.  Adams is a former elite National Team member who can also be an AA threat.  The two juniors have been training well in the in the preseason.  However, any number of the remaining Tide athletes could also step up to challenge this season, like Ella Burgess, who was out with an injury last season but shone as a frosh, or Kaylee Quinn, who can bring big power skills on VT and FX.

Bama welcomes a trio of frosh: Corinne Bunagan, Lilly Hudson and Jordyn Paradise.  L10 National Team member and former jr. international elite Hudson leads the way.  She finished 4th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals and 3rd AA at the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup.  She shows clean form, good extension and precise execution on all four events, and looks to challenge the lineups on three to four events.   Bunagan is a former Philippine National Team member and US L10.  She won the L10 BB title in 2017, which is perhaps her best event.  Paradise is another L10 who won the 2021 L10 Florida State meet with a big 39.125 AA score.  She tied for 22nd AA and placed 2nd on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and 2nd(t) on UB at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  She has been slowed by an injury, however, but could be a key for the Tide on VT, UB and FX (double Arabian).  

The Tide have been sometimes overlooked in preseason rankings in recent years but continue to challenge for a top spot at Nationals and in the SEC.  This year should be no different, as they have a core of talented and experienced athletes.  With some better luck with injuries and some immediate contributions from their frosh, the Tide could be a threat for the NCAA final.  As is the case for many contenders, getting an extra tenth or two on VT will be key, either through 10.0 start values or more consistent sticks.  In addition, specific to the Tide, they also have an opportunity to clean up the details and strengthen their depth on the UB to close a gap on the event with the other contenders.     

Official Web Site:   Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coaches:  Justin Howell and Elizabeth Crandall-Howell
Assistant Coach:  Janelle McDonald
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Returning Starters (9):  Maya Bordas (Sr), Milan Clausi (Sr), Neveah DeSouza (Jr), Kyana George (Sr/I), Andi Li (So), Grace Quinn (Sr), Natalie Sadighi (Jr), Nina Schank (Sr), Emi Watterson (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Elise Byun (So/I), Blake Gozashti (So), Maya Green (Jr), Talitha Jones (Sr/I), Gabby Perea (So), Abi Solari (Sr)
Graduated (2):  Alma Kuc, Victoria Salem
Other Losses (2):  Cosette Carranza (So/?), Kennedy Quay (So/Student Coach)
Newcomers (5):  Ella Cesario, Jordan Kane, Mya Lauzon, Abbey Scanlon, Madelyn Williams

Quick Assessment:   Cal placed 3rd in their NCAA semi-final last season, just 0.075 behind Florida.  They graduated just one routine last season, an UB set from Alma Kuc.  Unfortunately for the Bears, star Kyana George tore her Achiilles' in the preseason.  Thus, the Bears enter the season missing a potential AAer and one of their top VT/FX performers.

The Bears will be led in 2022 by National UB Champ Maya Bordes, a top AAer.  She'll be joined by classmate Milan Clausi, fifth year Nina Schank, junior AAer Neveah DeSouza, and standout sophomore Andi Li.  These five form a powerful core on each event, supplemented by top specialists like Emi Watterson.  Cal will also seek to get increased contributions from other returners like former elite Gabby Perea and senior Talitha Jones, who was out last season with an injury. 

A talented frosh class may see more opportunity than expected, due to some injury issues in a few returners.  They featured prominently in the recent intrasquad meet.  There are five frosh, led by Mya Lauzon and Madelyn Williams.  Lauzon is a two-time L10 VT champion (2021, 2019(tie)) who has a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2 and is a two-time L10 National Team member.  She's a lineup threat on all four events.  Joining her is former jr. international elite and L10 Williams.  She was the L10 National AA champ in the Sr. A division at the 2019 L10 Nationals.  Her work is characterized by beautiful execution and extension, in particular on UB and BB.  A third frosh, Abbey Scanlon, is another former jr. international elite who shines on BB and FX (capable of a double layout, but a double pike at the exhibition).  

The Bears also welcome Ella Cesario, a two-time L10 National Team member and former ('19) L10 National UB champ.  She does not appear to have competed in 2021 and did not compete at the intrasquad.  The final frosh, Jordan Kane, is a two-time L10 National qualifier.  In the most recent public intrasquad, she competed a strong aerial to back layout series on BB.     

Cal returns a strong and talented core and looks again to challenge for a spot at the National finals.  In order to move even higher, they'll need to have their strongest lineups available for the post-season on VT and FX, where their difficulty and depth lag a little behind the top challengers.  Look for the squad to build throughout the season, as the frosh gain experience and key gymnasts become available. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Chris Waller
Associate Head Coach:  Kristina Comforte
Assistant:  Dom Palange
Returning Starters (10):  Emma Andres (Jr), Chae Campbell (So), Frida Esparza (So), Norah Flatley (Sr), Margzetta Frazier (Sr), Kendal Poston (Sr), Samantha Sakti (Sr), Pauline Tratz (Sr), Sara Ulias (So), Sekai Wright (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Paige Hogan (Jr), Chloe Lashbrooke (Jr/I), Brooklyn Moors (RS Fr), Kalyany Steele (Jr), Sara Taubman (Sr)
Graduated (4):  Nia Dennis, Savannah Kooyman, Nicki Shapiro, Lilia Waller
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (6):  Jordan Chiles, Alexis Jeffrey, Emily Lee (I), Emma Malabuyo, Katie McNamara (So/TR/Washington), Ana Padurariu

Quick Assessment:  The Bruins welcomes back 19 routines from a squad that missed the National Championships, after placing 3rd behind Michigan and Cal at the Regionals.  However, high expectations remain from the Coaches' pull, that elevate the team into the top eight.  This is not only due to their past history of success and the talent on the roster, but is also likely due to their outstanding frosh class.  The Bruins will be without the services of four gymnasts, including standout Nia Dennis.  Dennis' potential big scores and dynamic presentation will be missed.  

The Bruins will be led in 2022 by seniors Norah Flatley and Margzetta Frazier, along with sophomore AAer Chae Campbell.  Flatley stood out at the recent Meet the Bruins meet, sporting an updated triple series on BB (front aerial to back handspring to layout) and a triple full on FX. They will capably supported by senior Kendall Poston, who brings a key 10.0 SV vault and a triple series on BB.  Senior Pauline Tratz also looks to be back on track after some injuries.  She brings a key VT and FX set, and has added back her full-in mount during her performance at the recent Meet the Bruins meet.  Sophomore Frida Esparza also could be due for an expanded role this season, while a fully healthy Sekai Wright could give a lift on her best events.

The story for the Bruins is the full arrival of a superb frosh class, headlined by Olympian Jordan Chiles.  Following her gym switch, Chiles became of the country's most outstanding gymnasts, winning the Winter Cup and placing 3rd AA at the US Championships and the Olympic Trials.  Another gymnast with an outstanding 2021 was Emma Malabuyo.  After a period of injury, she rebounded in 2021 to grab an alternate spot on the US Olympic Team and placed 4th AA at the US Championships.  Both gymnasts appear ready to adapt quickly to college competition, based on their exhibitions at the Meet the Bruins event.  The Bruins also welcome Canadian Olympian Brooklyn Moors, who enrolled last season but took off the year to train.  She is potentially another impact gymnast on all four events, but in particular on FX.  The Bruins also add World BB Silver Medalist Ana Padruriu of Canada.  She is working back from an ankle injury but showed her progress at the Meet the Bruins event.  Another standout American elite, Emma Lee, was an Olympic Trials finalist.  However, she tore her Achilles' at the trials and is still working her way back.  Not to be overlooked, however, is former jr. international elite and L10 drop back Alexis Jeffrey.  Having focused on getting ready for college, she appears set to contribute immediately this season.  In top form at the recent exhbition, she also finished 6th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals.        

The Bruins have plenty of potential to contend for titles in the future.  Whether it is this year or a future year depends on how quickly the frosh can adjust to collegiate competition and contribute to bolster the Bruin lineups. They are a big wild card, with a spot at Nationals or even on the podium within their grasp. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Jenny Hansen
Associate Head Coach:  Rich Stenger
Assistant:  Geralen Stack-Eaton
Starting Routines Returning: 22/24
Routines Gone:  0 VT, 0 UB, 2 BB, 0 FX
Returning Starters (12):  Gianna Gerdes (So), Kate Grotenhuis (Jr), Mya Hooten (So), Emily Koch (So), Mallory LeNeave (Jr), Ona Loper (Sr), Abbie Nylin (Sr), Maddie Quarles (Jr), Lexy Ramler (Sr), Halle Remlinger (Jr), Tiarre Sales (Sr), Hannah Willmarth (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Maya Albertin (Jr), Erin Fortman (So/I), Katie Horak (So), Ella Sirjord (So/I), Ali Sonier (Sr)
Graduated (2):  Mary Korlin-Down (RS Sr), Lexi Montgomery (Sr)
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (5):  Alissa Fuelling, Marissa Jencks, Lauren Pearl, Olivia Reed, Haley Tyson

Quick Assessment:   Minnesota looks to improve on last year's fourth place finish at the NCAA semi-final.  They finished just 0.25 out of 2nd place at the meet, and return all the key pieces from 2021.  Leading the way are two superstar fifth year athletes:  2021 AA/VT All-American Ona Loper and 2021 Big Ten AA champ Lexy Ramler.

Ten other starters return to support the Gophers effort to break through to the finals. Sophomore All-American Mya Hooten looks to build on her breakout sophomore campaign.  She especially shines on FX, with one of the cleanest full-in mounts in the NCAA.  Senior Tiarre Sales was a key gymnast on two events last season, but can also go AA.  She's also a key part of the UB and BB lineups.   Junior Maddie Quarles brings her Yurchenko 1 1/2, a top event for the Gophers.  Minnesota has a large squad, with 12 returner starters from last year's lineup.  Unlike other large rosters, most of the returners have lineup experience already, standing out in particular events or providing depth.

Minnesota welcomes five newcomers for 2022, led by L10 standout Haley Tyson.  Tyson is a former two-time L10 National Team member (2017, 2018) who tied for 15th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals (she had a mistake on her Ray on UB).  She brings another potential Yurchenko 1 1/2 to the strong Gopher VT lineup but is a lineup threat on all four events.  The Gophers also add former jr. elite Lauren Pearl.  She brings another strong VT option but is also capable of a big number on BB.  A third frosh, Marissa Jencks, won the 2021 Region 4 L10 Regional title on BB and placed 4th AA.  However, she missed out on the National meet.  She tied for 15th AA at the 2019 L10 Nationals.

The Gophers are led by an experienced and talented core, and could easily field a top lineup from their 17 returners.  The newcomers, however, have the potential to bolster the squad's depth on the key events and help close any gaps with the other squads.  With a quick adjustment from the frosh and the avoidance of major injuries, Minnesota should once against contend for a spot at Nationals, if not more. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Head Coach: Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
Associate Head Coach:  Linas Gaveika
Assistant: Dave Kuzara
Starting Routines Returning: 22/23
Routines Gone/Missing:  0 VT, 0 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Returning Starters (8):  Lynnzee Brown (Sr), Rosie Casali (So), Jessica Hutchinson (So), Bella Mabanta (So), Rylie Mundell (So), Alexandra Ruiz (Sr), Mia Sundstrom (Sr/I), Abbie Thompson (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Emma Brown (Jr/TR/LIU), Victoria Fitts (Jr), Emily Glynn (Sr), Callie Schlottmann (Jr)
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (4):  Amoree Lockhart (Jr/R), Natalie Morton (Jr/?), Akoray "AK" Subject (Jr/?), Alexis Vasquez (Jr/R)
Newcomers (2):  Mia Hebinck, Momoko Iwai

Quick Assessment:  Denver placed 3rd at the Athens Regional final last season, just 0.15 behind Minnesota.  They did this tremendous feat despite only competing five gymnasts on FX.  They return 22 routines from that squad but experienced a wave of retirements in the offseason, including BB standout Alexis Vasquez.  Vasquez had a career high of 10 on the BB and competed up to three events for the Pioneers. 

However, the core of the Pioneer squad returns, led by superstar Lynnzee Brown.  The 2019 NCAA co-champ on FX, Brown rebounded from injury in 2020 to return to her status as a top AA threat.  She was joined last year in the AA by sophomore Jessica Hutchinson and senior Alexandra Ruiz.  Sophomore Rose Casali is another top returner, with big skills on all her events.  She competed up to three events last season and is capable of a pike full-in on FX and a Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Her cassmate Rylie Mundell contributes key sets on UB and VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) but is also capable of being an AAer.  Both sophomores could be even stronger this year, after a full offseason of training and the added experience from last season.   

Another fifth year senior, Mia Sundstrum, has had to overcome injuries in the past but is another key piece of the DU puzzle.  Her classmate Emily Glynn, who provides a key VT (layout Kasamatsu) and missed last year's Regional meet.  Having both seniors in top form would be a big boost for DU.    

DU welcomes two frosh to the squad for 2022.  Momoko Iwai placed 7th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals but stands out for her presentation and form on UB and BB.  As a junior elite, she competed in her native Japan.  The second frosh, Mia Hebinck, did not appear to compete in 2021 but finished 18th AA at the 2019 L10 Nationals.  She's been training strongly this fall and appears set to break into the lineups as well.  The Pioneers also welcome back Emma Brown, who transferred to LIU for her sophomore season but transferred back for her junior year.  She gives some necessary depth on FX and BB. 

With a smaller squad, depth will continue to be a watchword for the Pioneers.  Behind the strength of Brown, the Pioneers do have enough pieces available to once again challenge for a spot at Nationals.  Having nearly the full squad together in the post-season could be the difference maker for DU, as they have the skills and execution to keep up with the leading contenders. 

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 1 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Jordyn Wieber
Assistants: Chris Brooks, Felicia Hano
Returning Starters (9):  Amanda Elswick (Sr), Kiara Gianfagna (Jr), Kennedy Hambrick (Sr), Madison Hickey (Jr), Abby Johnston (Sr), Maggie O'Hara (Gr), Savannah Pennese (Sr), Jensen Scalzo (So), Sarah Shaffer (Gr)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Emma Kelley (So), Bailey Lovett (Sr/I), Claire Rogers (Jr)
Graduated (1):  Sophia Carter
Other Losses (3):  Katarina Derrick (Sr/R), Jordan Olszewski (So/I/R), Gillian Rutz (So/?)
Newcomers (6):  Kalyxta Gamiao, Maddie Jones, Frankie Price (I), Makenzie Sedlacek, Leah Smith, Cami Weaver

Quick Assessment:  Arkansas returns 20 of 24 routines from a squad that placed third at their 2021 Regional Final.  They lose a number of gymnasts from that squad, including standout BB/FX worker Sophia Carter.  However, the GymBacks return 12 athletes from their final linups including senior AA standout Kennedy Hambrick.  Hambrick had a breakout season last year, winning three regular season All-American honors and four 2nd team NCAA All-American honors.

She's capably supported by grad student Sarah Shaffer, another standout AAer.  Seniors Amanda Elswick and Savannah Pennese also were key contributors, along with juniors Kiara Gianfagna and Madison Hickey.   Arkansas also got a boost from two transfers last season, grad student Maggie O'Hara and senior Abby Johnston.  At the Regional meet, the GymBacks were missing the services of Bailey Lovett, a senior who brings a big double layout on FX and some big scoring potential on BB.  She's working her way back into top form, and looks ready to contribute at a high level once again.

To this strong set of returners, Arkansas brings an exciting class of newcomers, led by 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup champion Leah Smith.  Smith brings some big tumbling (pike full-in), super clean work on UB (double layout) and huge Yurchenko Full.  She was also 2nd AA and 2nd on UB at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  Coach Wieber has also called out Makenzie Sedlacek as a potential standout.  The 2018 L10 National Team member brings a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT and full-in on FX.  She also excels on UB, where she tied for 3rd at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  2019 L10 National Team Member Kalyxta Gamaio is capable of the same E skills as Sedlacek on VT and FX, and adds strong skills on BB as well.  She placed 2nd on FX and 17th AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  Unfortunately, L10 Frankie Price tore her ACL in the spring after a strong club season.  Fellow frosh Cami Weaver and Maddie Jones are also challenging for lineups.  Weaver is a three-time L10 National qualifier while Jones has excellent form and technique, and was a Region 8 AA champ in 2019 and L10 National FX co-champ in 2018. 

After a strong initial season in the Weber era, Arkansas looks to continue the momentum and challenge for a spot at Nationals.  They have a gap to close on the top eight, but with Hambrick, a solid set of returners and a potential high impact frosh class it will be interesting to see how far they can progress this season.    

Official Web Site:   Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coaches:  Jay and Jessica Santos
Assistant:  Kristin White
Starting Routines Returning: 21/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 1 UB, 0 BB, 1 FX
Returning Starters (10):  Cassi Barbanente (So), Juliette Boyer (Jr), Sarah Clark (So), Jasmine Gutierrez (Sr), Jada Mangahas (So), Gracie Reeves (Jr), Hannah Scharf (Jr), Anaya Smith (So), Megan Thompson (Sr), Emily White (So)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Skye Harper (So), Jordyn Jaslow (Jr), Alina Miller (Jr), Isabel Redmond (Jr), Cienna Samiley (So)
Graduated (2):  Cairo Leonard-Baker, Maya Williams
Other Losses (1):  Kaitlin Harvey (Jr/Manager)
Newcomers (2):   Mallory Marcheli, Alex Theodorou

Quick Assessment:   ASU returns 21 of 24 routines from a squad that finished just 0.15 from 2nd place at the Salt Lake City Regional Final.  Gone from that squad is star Cairo Leonard-Baker.  Despite being limited at times by injury, she was a major end-of-the lineup athlete for the Gym Devils.  Her leadership and big 9.9+ scores will be missed. 

ASU welcomes ten starters from last year's Regional Final lineup.  They are led by junior AAer Hannah Scharf.  Scharf emerged as a top AAer last season, with clean execution on all four events.  Another junior, Juliette Boyer, competed on UB in every meet last year and went AA twice.  Sophomore Emily White also has competed on every event, but excels on UB (Van Leeuwen) and BB where her beautiful form and clean execution pay off.  Classmate Sarah Clark also made a big splash last year, competing on all but VT.  She can bring in big scores on UB and BB.  Another sophomore, Jada Mangahas, was a key part of the high impact sophomore class and looks even stronger in the preseason, especially on VT and FX (full-in).  The Gym Devils also count on a key vault from another sophomores, Anaya Smith as well as solid contributions from classmate Cassi Barbarente.  All told, ASU had 11 routines at the Regional Final coming from frosh.  That level of experience will serve the squad well for years to come.

ASU welcomes a pair of frosh, Mallory Marcheli and Alex Theodorou.  Theodorou will be looked upon to replace the high impact routines of Leonard-Baker.  She has a 10.0 SV vault, a full-in on FX and clean work on BB and UB (Jaeger, double layout).  She placed 2nd AA at the 2021 L10 Nationals and tied for 6th at the 2019 L10 Nationals.  Marcheli, a former jr. elite, excels on BB (side aerial to back handspring series), where she tied for 4th at the 2021 L10 Nationals.  She'll also provide depth on the other events.

ASU just missed a spot at Nationals last season, using a remarkable performance from some key veterans and a strong class of newcomers.  Now with one more year of experience, we'll see if the Gym Devils are ready to take the next step to Nationals.  They'll need to keep their key athletes healthy, particularly on VT, and get immediate contributions from frosh Theodorou.     

Teams #13 to #25

Intro