We're about to start the 2016 season, and we're here once again to release our ranking of the Top Recruiting Classes. We wait until the last possible moment to release this ranking, as the final picture never seems clear until January 1st. Once again, this season, we're seeing some of the impacts of the acceleration in early recruiting. In some cases, the gymnasts who originally committed at age 16 or younger did not end up matriculating at their original college choice. And, with scholarships opening up due to transfers or retirement, we're seeing an increase in late recruiting, early college entries (early graduation), and mid-year starts.
MSU has announced the addition of Lindsey Lemke to the 2016 squad. Lindsey transferred from UNC.
Akoray Subject, L10 at Twin City Twisters, has committed to Denver. Last season she placed 1st on bars and 3rd AA at her state meet. She place 2nd AA at regionals and 21st AA at JOs. She recently competed the Peppermint Twist meet, placing 1st AA and 1st on vault, bars and beam.
Tessa Phillips, L10 at Gymnastics World in Ohio, has committed to Illinois. Last season she finished 1st on beam and 5th AA at her state meet. She placed 8th AA at regionals at qualified to JOs.
Charlotte Reynolds, L10 at 10.0 Academy of Gymnastics. She qualified to the 2015 regionals (8th AA) and the NIT (9th AA). She recently won a preseason meet, the Myrtle Beach Cup.
Greg Marsden, Samantha Peszek and Alicia Sacramone Quinn join PAC-12 Network broadcast team as analysts.
Emily Gaskins, an elite who was previously committed to Florida, is now committed to Alabama for 2018-2019.
Link: Instagram
Mallory Mizuki has committed to Illinois for 2018-2019. The L10 trains at Olympia. At the 2015 JO Nationals, she placed 13th AA including a 2nd on FX and 8th on VT. In 2014, as a Level 9, she was 2nd AA, 1st on VT, and 1st (t) on BB at the Level 9 Eastern Nationals.
Link: Videos
Australian Stella Savvidou has been added to the UCLA roster for the upcoming season.
Renata Hilbourn, L10 at Metroplex, has committed to Minnesota. In 2014 she placed 1st on beam and 2nd AA at her state meet, 3rd AA at regionals and 48th AA at JOs.
Cassie Stevens, L10 at Arizona Sunrays, has announced her commitment to Auburn. Last season she placed 1st on beam and in the all around at her state meet. She placed 6th AA at regionals and 7th AA at JOs.
The Capsule Previews for the Top 25 Women's Teams, as determined by the Preseason Coaches' Poll, are now available. In each case, we have summarized the rosters and list of newcomers, and quickly summarized their prospects and challenges. But who will challenge? And which 12 teams are in the best position to make Nationals this April?
Many of my clients have asked me what they should do when they are injured and did not get to complete or start their season. Of course, injuries are never part of your plan, but you must remember injuries are a part of sports. College coaches deal with injuries all the time and you should not let this deter you from continuing your college search.
Hallie Thompson, L10 from Southeastern, has committed to UNC. She place 1st on vault and 3rd AA at her 2015 state meet and 1st on vault at regionals.
Rylie Dewhurst, L10 at Brown's Las Vegas, has committed to UNC. Last season she finished 1st on bars and beam at her state meet and she competed two events at regionals.
International elite Ragen Smith of Texas Dreams has announced her commitment to Oklahoma. In 2015 she placed 1st on floor and 2nd AA at the Secret Classic. She placed 1st on floor and beam and 3rd AA at the P&G Championships.