The most anticipated series is back! We looked at the data for each incoming J.O. freshman on each event to see which gymnasts are at the top of their class across the apparatuses and in the all around. This week we’re looking at the top 10 beam routines for 2021.
We’ve ranked every single gymnast from the Class of 2020 who competed level 10 within the last two years by a modified average score. We took scores from the last two J.O. seasons (beginning in November 2018), dropped the single highest score and any scores that are extremely low (like ones that you’d expect from injuries mid-routine, not falls) and averaged the rest. We didn’t include athletes with three or less scores on a certain event over the past two years.
The top 10 you’ll see in these lists are the top 10 in the country by modified average, no exceptions. The honorary mentions are a little more subjective: They’re usually athletes who ranked quite high, but they also have something a little special that makes them stand out.
If you’re wondering where Brooklyn Moors and Irina Alexeeva are, don’t worry! We’ll be reprising our Most Anticipated Elite Freshmen series later in the summer.
10. Isabella Magnelli, Kentucky (9.4875 modified average score, 9.825 highest score)
Magnelli competes a solid set, which includes a front aerial, a triple series (BHS + LOSO + LOSO) and a 1.5 twist dismount. Kentucky graduated two of its beam workers this year—Mollie Korth and Hailey Poland—so Magnelli will be expected to fill one of the two vacant spots in the lineup.
9. Gabby Perea, California (9.5188 mod, 9.875 high)
Perea performs a difficult routine, reminiscent of her elite days. Her skills include a standing full, a BHS +two-foot layout, a side somi, a switch leap to switch half and a double twist dismount. She will want to keep her nerves at bay and hit each skill without major breaks. Co-head coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell will likely decide to have her compete her standing full only sporadically in order to increase consistency, but this routine will score well.
8. Emily Lopez, Boise State (9.5225 mod, 9.725 high)
Lopez performs a dynamic set, which includes a front toss, a BHS + LOSO series and a front full dismount. Given that Boise State has graduated two of its best senior gymnasts on beam, Isabella Amado and Courtney McGregor, Lopez will be a welcome addition to the lineup.
7. Deanne Soza, Utah (9.5528 mod, 9.775 high)
Soza’s form is excellent on this event. She competes a complex routine: front tuck, front aerial to BHS series, full turn with the leg held horizontal, illusion turn, BHS + LOSO + full twist dismount. Utah’s beam rotation will be the most competitive in the country to crack next year, but Soza is capable of doing it.
6. Eliana Lazzari, Florida (9.6023 mod, 9.925 high)
The 2019 J.O. national champion (junior F) is another gymnast with impeccable form on beam. She performs a triple series (BHS + LOSO + LOSO), a front aerial and a double tuck dismount. With a career high of 9.925, she seems Rachel Gowey’s perfect replacement. Head coach Jenny Rowland may want to replace her dismount with an easier element to avoid deductions.
5. Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Washington (9.6187 mod, 9.825 high)
The 2018 J.O. national silver medalist (senior A) on beam is a consistent beam worker. She performs a BHS + LOSO series, a full turn with the leg held horizontal, a front toss and a side aerial to 1.5 twist dismount. Some connections are perhaps a bit slow, but Killough-Wilhelm will be an asset for Washington, especially given that its three best beam workers—Evanni Roberson, Maya Washington and Madison Copiak—have graduated.
4. Abbie Thompson, Denver (9.6269 mod, 9.825 high)
The 2018 J.O. national champion (senior B) on beam has a difficult routine: side aerial to LOSO series, side somi and a 2.5 twist dismount. Denver may want to polish her form on some of her skills, but she presents herself as a solid replacement for Maddie Karr.
3. Andrea Li, California (9.6833 mod, 9.850 high)
A multiple J.O. medalist on beam, Li performs a solid set that includes a front aerial, a BHS + LOSO series, a sheep jump and a double twist dismount. She is known for her consistency on this event, which is exactly what California needs.
2. Audrey Davis, Oklahoma (9.6938 mod, 9.800 high)
Davis brings her elite experience to Norman, where, given Maggie Nichols’ graduation, she will be needed. She has beautiful lines and competes a front aerial, an Onodi, a BHS + LOSO and a double twist dismount. She could anchor one of the top beam lineups in the country, even as a freshman.
1. Carly Bauman, Michigan (9.7050 mod, 9.850 high)
Bauman has impeccable form on beam. She performs a side somi with straight legs, a BHS + LOSO series and a double tuck dismount. She will compete with Natalie Wojcik for the Wolverines’ anchor spot.
Honorable mentions
Olivia Dunne, LSU (9.4536 mod, 9.775 high)
Elena Deets, Arizona (9.4068 mod, 9.800 high)
Adeline Kenlin, Iowa (9.3893 mod, 9.775 high)
Kaitlyn Lyle, UC Davis (9.3850 mod, 9.875 high)
Article by Jenna King, Rebecca Scally and Talitha Ilacqua
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