We're in mid-February and it's time to assess the season so far. The first half has gone in a blink of an eye, and the expansive coverage across multiple platforms has made NCAA gymnastics available to a wider and wider audience. Here's a few thoughts so far.
Stanford posted a 410.3 to place second in a tri-meet that heavily featured their own current and former gymnasts. Winning the meet was a "Team USA" that included four current Cardinal stars along with former Cardinal Riley Loos, with all five competing AA. A third squad included additional Cardinal alumni. Stanford's Asher Hong, competed for Team USA, won the AA with an 86.85. Hong had the top scores on FX, R, PB and HB. He also tied for 1st on VT with teammate Khoi Young. Young won the PH.
Link: Release
Jordyn Ewing lead the Panthers, who post a mark that tied the 3rd highest score in school history. She won FX and tied for the UB title with teammate Arayah Simons and UNC's Lali Dekanoidze. Pitt's Jah'Liyah Bedminster won VT while teammate Hallie Copperwheat tied for 1st on BB with UNC's Taylor Schulze. UNC's Julia Knower won the AA
Link: Pitt Release
OU is #1 in the Nation with an average of 197.875, according to the statistics compiled by the RoadtoNationals.com. In 2nd is Cal, coming off a strong weekend at the Sprouts ESPN Collegiate Quad. Bama is #3 and Arkansas #4, with UCLA rounding out the Top 5.
This year's rankings were exceptionally difficult, with a large number of teams battling for the Top Ten and three in close competition for the top spot. Some teams that were in the Top 10 a year ago have fallen out of this year's ranking. In the end, Florida rebounds this year to take the top spot in the rankings.
Jayda Lewter, a L10 from Legacy, has committed to Minnesota, starting in 2024-2025. In 2023, she placed 9th AA at the Region 4 L10 Regionals and qualified to Nationals as an event specialist on VT. She also placed 9th AA at Regionals in 2022, and qualified to Nationals on VT.
Link: Insta
OU tops the 2024 Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll, placing 1st with 36 1st place votes. Florida is 2nd (3 1st place votes) and LSU third (5 first place votes). Utah slots in 4th (2 first place votes), UCLA 6th (1 first place vote) and Michigan 6th (1 first place vote).
Korynne Marquart, a L10 at Cypress, has committed to a full scholarship at MSU, starting in 2025-2026. In 2023, she placed 13th AA and tied for 6th on FX at the Women's Development Program Level 10 Nationals. She also tied for 37th AA at the 2022 L10 Nationals.
Link: Insta
Kent State has promoted Craig Ballard to Associate Head Coach.
Link: Release
Sanai Evans, a L10 at BIO Gymnastics, has committed to a full scholarship from EMU, starting in 2024-2025. In 2023, she placed 7th on UB as an individual event specialist at the Women's Development Program L10 Nationals. She also placed 4th(t) on UB and 8th AA at the 2023 Region 8 Regionals. She was also 14th AA at Regionals in 2022.
Link: Insta