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)
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).
A fundraising and advocacy campaign has started, aimed at saving the program. They have a short term goal of raising 500K by December 31st via pledges (no payment necessary for now). Although the school has said no amount of donations can save the program, they aim to raise $2.5M, which is enough they believe to fund the program for five years. It was one of ten programs cut by Lindenwood last month, with this season intended to be their last.
Link: Save Lindenwood Website
Link: Instagram
Utah has named Carly Dockendorf as their new Head Coach, removing the "interim" from her title following the departure of former Head Coach Tom Farden. She has signed a new four year contract. Dockendorf began her stint at Utah as a volunteer assistant in 2018 and became an assistant in 2020. She was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2022. Dockendorf was previously an assistant at SPU for nine seasons in gymnastics and three in track and field. She's a former All American in both Gymnastics and Track and Field (Pole Vault) at Washington.
Link: Utah Release
Lindenwood has announced to intent to end its gymnastics program, after the 2024 season. The team most recently won the National team title at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals and the school as a whole has been making a move to the Division 1 level. Started in 2013, the squad went on to win National titles in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023 as well as six conference titles.
Link: Lindenwood Release
Tom Farden is leaving Utah, in the wake of reports of emotional and verbal ubuse, a wave of departures and the latest report in the Washington Post. In the report. Farden and his legal team threatened legal action against his accusers. Carly Dockendorf will continue as interim Head Coach for this season.
Link: Utah Release
Link: Deseret News
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
Late Sunday night, Utah announced that Utah Head Coach Tom Farden has been placed on paid administrative leave. Associate Head Coach Carly Dockendorf was named interim Head Coach. According to a statement, "This action comes after recent conduct and actions by Coach Farden not related to student-athlete welfare, which simply do not align with our values and expectations".
Link: ESPN
Kent State has promoted Craig Ballard to Associate Head Coach.
Link: Release
Maryland has signed Nichollette Crochet, Rayna Engelmayer, and Sarah Saville for 2024-2025, as expected.
Link: Release
Faye Rodio, a L10 from Bull City, has committed to continue her athletic and academic career at Alabama, starting in 2024-2025. Rodio competed mostly as VT/UB specialist in 2023, tying for 6th on VT at the Region 8 Regionals with her pike front 1/2 vault. She placed 11th AA at the 2022 Region 8 Regionals.
Link: Insta
Finley Weldon, a L10 at Olympus, has committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Iowa State, starting in 2025-2026. In 2023, competing for WOGA, she tied for 33rd AA at the Women's Development Program Level 10 Nationals. She competed as a junior elite in 2022, placing 10th AA at the US Classic.
Link: Insta
Kaydence Lockhart, a L10 from Desert Lights, has committed to a full scholarship at ASU, starting in 2025-2026. In 2023, she tied for 9th AA, 6th on UB and 9th on FX at the Women's Development Program Level 10 Nationals. She also was a Regional qualifier in 2021 and 2022.
Link: Insta
Oregon State's Jade Carey and former Sooner star Yul Moldauer won the Swiss Cup, defeating the team from Japan in the unique mixed pair, round-by-round elimination format.
Videos (with searchable bookmarks for each routine): Link