Springfield’s 2018 Outlook

Springfield finished 2017 ranked No. 73, the team’s highest ranking since 2012. The Pride also placed third at the ECAC-III championship and qualified to NCGA nationals. The team graduated 6 seniors who will be missed, but look to strong freshman and the leadership of 2017 Coach of the Year Jennifer Najuch to build upon the success of 2017. While predicting lineups in DIII can be difficult, previews can give you a good idea of what to look for from the Pride this season.

Vault

Vault was a strong event for the Pride last season, coming in at No. 74 to close out the season. Springfield will lose two regular vaulters from last season’s lineups in NCGA All-American Marissa DeAngelo (9.555 RQS) and Nicole Silvia (9.465 RQS). However, the Pride returns Madi Bowen, Heather Gomes, Jessica Clemens and Tali Twomey who all had RQSs above 9.4. Additionally, Taylor Jackson contributed regularly to lineup and scored as high as 9.45 in 2017. From pictures, Springfield seems to have a slew of freshmen but we have only been able to confirm a few. Tabitha Schwab has scored as high as 9.4 on her powerful Yurchenko pike and Chloe Spencer showcases a clean Tsuk pike as well.

Bars

Bars was another strong event for Springfield, ranking 73rd. The team will lose regular lineup contributors DeAngelo and Corri Greis to graduation but will look to a strong crop of returners to maintain the team’s success. They will be lead by Clemens, who earned NCGA All-American status on the event in 2017. Brianna Kerr (9.725 high), Ashley Parchinski (9.4 high), and Jackson (9.45 high) all regularly contributed to the lineup as well and will look to do the same in 2018. Sarah Murphy and Lauren White also competed bars for the Pride and could challenge for lineup spots. The team will look to a group of strong returning athletes to maintain and improve upon their bar performance from last season.

Beam

Beam was Springfield’s lowest-ranked event last season, coming in at No. 77. The team has good potential, struggling only with a bit of consistency. With a strong group of returning athletes that now have another year of competition under their belts, the Pride should be primed for a very strong season on beam. They will lose two regular lineup contributors in DeAngelo and Silvia but Clemens, Gomes and Parchinski all return with RQS scores above 9.0. Additionally, Murphy, Jackson and White all scored above 9.3 in 2017 and will look to contribute regularly in the coming season. Incoming freshman Spencer is a beam standout, scoring as high as 9.375 in J.O. and showcasing a front tuck to beat jump connection as well as a front tuck mount. The Pride should fare even better on the event with plenty of talent and potential on next year’s squad.

Floor

Springfield’s strongest event last season was floor, finishing ranked No. 72. The team will be lead by NCGA All-American Twomey who scored as high as 9.775 in 2017. Bowen and Clemens also regularly contributed, earning RQS scores above 9.4. White scored as high as 9.575 and should look to make the top six frequently as well. Victoria Gendreau, Gomes and Taylor Campagnone all have competed on the event in the past and are strong contenders to enter the lineup in 2018. Floor is the strongest event for newcomer Schwab, as she has scored as high as 9.5 in level 10. She showcases beautiful technique and powerful tumbling with a one and a half to punch front pike and lovely double tuck. She should certainly look to fight for a spot in the lineup.

Follow NCAA DIII gymnastics all season and look for our weekly DIII previews every Tuesday in the fall at NCAA Gym News. Then, join the conversation by following NCAA Gym News on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


Article by Morgan Bradford

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