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Saturday, 09 December 2023 20:55

2024 Season Previews: Teams #1 to #12

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)

 

 1.  Oklahoma Sooners

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.              

 

 2.  Florida

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.  

 

 3.  LSU

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.                 

 

 4.  Utah Utes

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.  

 

 5.  UCLA Bruins

Official Web SiteLink      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.             

 

 6.  Michigan

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.  

 

 7.  Cal Bears

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.  

 

 8.  Alabama Crimson Tide

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.

 9.  Kentucky Wildcats

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. 

 

 10.  Denver Pioneers

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.  

 

 11.  MSU Spartans

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.

 

 12.  Missouri Tigers

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

 

Key to the Tables:

 

Ranking: By 2024 Preseason Coaches' Poll

Coaches: Only regular, paid coaches are listed.

Starting Routines: Defined by starting lineup in last meet of the post season.
Returning Starters:
Defined by starting lineup in last competition
Year in School:
(Is listed as reported on the school's roster)

Fr = Freshman
So = Sophomore
Jr = Junior
Sr = Senior

Gr = Graduate Student

Status Codes for Returners:

I = major season ending injury in 2024 or preseason 2023-2024
R = retirement/not competing (for any other reason than transfer or injury)
TR = Transfer
RS = Redshirt (note:  not all eligible gymnasts will employ or are awarded a redshirt year)
?=unconfirmed/unknown information

Last modified on Monday, 01 January 2024 20:31