Although many of the top Pac-12 teams lost big senior classes, star athletes and numerous key routines, the conference will yet again have several teams in the national title conversation. Most have reloaded with impressive freshmen, while others will have some work to do to fill out lineups and remain in the top half of the conference. Regardless, the Pac-12 will remain one of the nation’s top conferences, producing stunning gymnastics worth watching every weekend.
While there’s still so much uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season, it’s business as usual until we hear otherwise. That means it’s time for our annual potential lineups analysis! With preseason training in full swing for most teams, we’re breaking it all down and taking a look at every squad’s prospects for 2021—from who’s expected to contribute, holes that need to be filled and exciting upgrades fans should look out for.
No. 3 UCLA
The Bruins are one of the teams with a bit of work to do in 2021, needing to replace half of their NQS routines from a season ago. The freshman class also looks drastically different than planned due to the postponement of the Olympics, but UCLA has plenty of returnees with lineup experience who will keep it in the championship hunt.
| Losses: | Anna Glenn, Grace Glenn (BB), Felicia Hano (AA), Madison Kocian (UB, FX), Gracie Kramer (VT, FX), Kyla Ross (AA), Mercedez Sanchez (transferred to San Jose State), Macy Toronjo | |||
| Gains: | Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza, Sara Ulias, Lilia Waller (rejoined team, was last on roster in 2018) | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Nia Dennis (9.875 NQS), Kendal Poston (9.820), Margzetta Frazier (9.817 AVG), Pauline Tratz (9.800), Chloe Lashbrooke (9.775), Sekai Wright (9.750), Emma Andres (9.750), Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza, Norah Flatley, Sara Ulias
How It Looked Before: Vault was a relatively consistent event for UCLA last season with a quartet of 10.0 start values complemented by a handful of sturdy Yurchenko full options.
How It Looks Now: Kendal Poston and Sekai Wright are the only two returning 10.0 start values, and the Bruins aren’t adding any from the freshmen. Chae Campbell and Frida Esparza do have lineup-worthy Yurchenko fulls, but that doesn’t solve the start value issue.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too early to tell. Several Bruins have been working on upgraded vaults during the offseason, but if none of them come to fruition, UCLA might just take a small step back here.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Margzetta Frazier (9.915 NQS), Norah Flatley (9.845), Savannah Kooyman (9.805), Kalyany Steele (9.660), Nicki Shapiro (9.775 AVG), Chae Campbell, Nia Dennis, Frida Esparza, Pauline Tratz, Sara Ulias
How It Looked Before: The back half of the lineup featured two Olympic gold medalists, leading the Bruins to the second-highest NQS on the event in the NCAA.
How It Looks Now: There are some big pieces to replace, but Esparza is bringing in a set that can score well immediately, and Campbell’s routine is a viable early lineup option. But the dark horse may just be Sara Ulias, who is gorgeous on the event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars should stay about the same for UCLA in 2021. The Bruins have enough options on the event to be able to maintain consistent scores every week.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Norah Flatley (9.885 NQS), Samantha Sakti (9.830), Kendal Poston (9.630), Margzetta Frazier (9.800 AVG), Nicki Shapiro (9.690), Nia Dennis (9.488), Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza, Pauline Tratz, Sara Ulias
How It Looked Before: The Bruins had all the pieces to be stellar, but caught the inconsistency bug and didn’t perform to their abilities on several occasions.
How It Looks Now: The only positive to the inconsistency issues last season meant that many Bruins got a chance to be in the lineup, so some of that experience should translate to consistency in 2021.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. Beam isn’t the strength of any of the freshmen, but they all provide lineup-ready routines that give UCLA some added depth as well.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Nia Dennis (9.915 NQS), Chloe Lashbrooke (9.860), Norah Flatley (9.765), Margzetta Frazier (9.925 AVG), Emma Andres (9.817), Pauline Tratz (9.638), Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza, Samantha Sakti, Sara Ulias
How It Looked Before: UCLA finished atop the country in NQS on floor thanks to a slurry of high-scoring and crowd-engaging routines.
How It Looks Now: Despite losing three big routines, the Bruins showed enough depth on the event last season to prove that they have six solid routines for 2021. Campbell should also factor into this lineup at some point during the season.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending even, but only because you can’t get better than first.
Overall Outlook
The Bruins should expect another successful season in 2021 with Campbell and Esparza both coming in with all around potential. However, the deciding factor for UCLA will be if anyone can step into the superstar roles vacated by last year’s senior class. Are Nia Dennis, Norah Flatley and Margzetta Frazier up to the task?
No. 4 Utah
The Utes enter 2021 in a similar position to UCLA, having lost a number of key routines from last season and having a change in the makeup of their freshman class with the unfortunate medical retirement of Deanne Soza. However, Utah does return a bulk of its lineups, and they have a highly-touted freshman class capable of contributing on every event.
| Losses: | Hunter Dula (UB – medically retired), Missy Reinstadtler (VT, UB, FX), Kim Tessen (VT, UB, FX) | |||
| Gains: | Jaylene Gilstrap, Alani Sabado, Lucy Stanhope | |||
| Returning From Injury: | Jaedyn Rucker | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Alexia Burch (9.890 NQS), Cammy Hall (9.865), Sydney Soloski (9.805), Cristal Isa (9.825 AVG), Maile O’Keefe (9.775), Jaylene Gilstrap, Jaedyn Rucker, Alani Sabado, Lucy Stanhope
How It Looked Before: Utah was a bit inconsistent on vault in 2020 and lacked start value compared to other teams, with only a pair of Yurchenko one and a halfs.
How It Looks Now: Lucy Stanhope’s best event as an elite was vault, so the Utes will expect a 10.0 start value from her and Jaedyn Rucker, who missed last season due to an injury but excelled on vault as a level 10.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too early to tell. The Utes still won’t have a full lineup of 10.0 vaults, but they have the potential to improve slightly if the newcomers are able to bring the difficulty.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Cristal Isa (9.900 NQS), Emilie LeBlanc (9.855), Maile O’Keefe (9.810), Abby Paulson (9.838 AVG), Jaylene Gilstrap, Jaedyn Rucker, Alani Sabado, Lucy Stanhope
How It Looked Before: As we saw towards the end of the season, Utah had the potential to score really well on bars. However, a small mistake or two always kept the team total lower than it should’ve been.
How It Looks Now: With half of 2020’s lineup departed, there is a little concern here. Expect Alani Sabado to contribute right away, but finding two more high-scoring routines may be a challenging task.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending slightly down. This is where the medical retirement of freshman Deanne Soza hurts the most, as she had a set that Utah needed on bars, even if just for added depth. This is where the freshmen will be put to the test.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Cristal Isa (9.930), Abby Paulson (9.930), Maile O’Keefe (9.925), Adrienne Randall (9.915), Alexia Burch (9.880), Emilie LeBlanc (9.850), Jaylene Gilstrap, Jaedyn Rucker, Alani Sabado, Lucy Stanhope
How It Looked Before: Easily the Utes’ best event. The same six gymnasts filled the lineup for every meet and finished 2020 ranked second in NQS.
How It Looks Now: The entire lineup from last season returns and each of the freshmen are potential options as well. If Utah dares to mix up its lineup, Gilstrap is the most likely to make an appearance.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. Expect this Utah lineup to lead the country on beam in 2021.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Sydney Soloski (9.925 NQS), Adrienne Randall (9.880), Maile O’Keefe (9.870), Abby Paulson (9.855), Cristal Isa (9.840), Alexia Burch (9.725 AVG), Jillian Hoffman (9.463), Jaylene Gilstrap, Jaedyn Rucker, Alani Sabado, Lucy Stanhope
How It Looked Before: Other than one disastrous meet, Utah was consistent on floor, finishing eighth in the country in NQS.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen, again, all bring realistic routines to the table and the Utes return a number of lineup mainstays as well. Depth will likely not be an issue here.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. It may take a few meets to figure out the ideal top six, but that’s only because Utah should have plenty of options to choose from.
Overall Outlook
Can Utah’s freshman class live up to the hype? If it can, the Utes have a shot at outperforming their 2020 team and making a realistic push toward conference and national titles. If not, it’ll be another year of waiting for a return to the top of the NCAA.
No. 9 California
The 2021 season could be a historic one for California. Last year’s team finished in the top 10, it needs to replace only two routines and it boasts one of the best freshmen classes in the country. The Golden Bears have been a team on the rise over the past few years, and they now have a legitimate chance at asserting themselves into title conversations.
| Losses: | Cassidy Keelen, Rachael Mastrangelo (VT, FX) | |||
| Gains: | Elise Byun, Cosette Carranza, Blake Gozashti, Andrea Li, Gabby Perea, Kennedy Quay | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kyana George (9.890 NQS), Milan Clausi (9.885), Nevaeh DeSouza (9.855), Nina Schank (9.920), Maya Bordas (9.810), Grace Quinn (9.756 AVG), Talitha Jones (9.742), Natalie Sadighi (9.650), Elise Byun, Andrea Li, Gabby Perea, Kennedy Quay
How It Looked Before: A trio of Yurchenko one and a halfs and three sturdy fulls led this consistent lineup to finish sixth in NQS.
How It Looks Now: The Golden Bears are losing a 10.0 start value vault and are not bringing any in, but the freshmen do have fulls with the potential to score slightly higher than some of the returnees’.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending even. With all but one vault returning, there should not be much change in 2021.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Maya Bordas (9.910 NQS), Emi Watterson (9.890), Kyana George (9.865), Nina Schank (9.865), Nevaeh DeSouza (9.845), Alma Kuc (9.819 AVG), Talitha Jones (9.800), Grace Quinn (9.775), Maya Green (9.645), Elise Byun, Andrea Li, Gabby Perea, Kennedy Quay
How It Looked Before: Bars was the best event for the Golden Bears, but unfortunately also the most inconsistent. California could’ve easily finished in the top five in NQS but finished eighth.
How It Looks Now: Last season’s entire lineup returns, and freshmen Andrea Li and Gabby Perea are near-guarantees to make the top six as well. California has unbelievable depth on this event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending way up. If all goes according to plan, the Golden Bears should be in the conversation for the best bar lineup in the NCAA.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Kyana George (9.885 NQS), Nevaeh DeSouza (9.865), Maya Bordas (9.855), Milan Clausi (9.840), Emi Watterson (9.810), Talitha Jones (9.795), Nina Schank (9.838 AVG), Grace Quinn (9.537), Elise Byun, Blake Gozashti, Andrea Li, Gabby Perea, Kennedy Quay
How It Looked Before: Although it was the weakest event for California, it was never a problem. The Golden Bears lacked a standout routine to bring in a huge score at the end of the lineup.
How It Looks Now: Another event where the entire lineup returns and Li is expect to be featured prominently. Perea is also still training her standing full, a skill that could potentially give the Golden Bears the standout routine they’re lacking.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. Scores should improve across the board with the year of experience and the freshmen to provide plenty of depth yet again.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Kyana George (9.895 NQS), Milan Clausi (9.885), Maya Bordas (9.865), Grace Quinn (9.835), Nevaeh DeSouza (9.830), Nina Schank (9.850 AVG), Elise Byun, Blake Gozashti, Andrea Li, Gabby Perea, Kennedy Quay
How It Looked Before: Floor was a consistent event for the Golden Bears in 2020 despite an early season disaster that contributed to their NQS finish of 13th.
How It Looks Now: Li and Perea are both easy options to replace the one routine California lost, and if Kennedy Quay is at her best, she could make an appearance here.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. Another event where the Golden Bears will have more than enough options to fill their lineup.
Overall Outlook
Just how impactful will Li and Perea be? Their arrival to college gymnastics has been anticipated for years now, and for good reason. The Golden Bears should be a team on everyone’s radar in 2021 thanks to their enormous depth.
No. 11 Washington
The Huskies had a breakout year in 2020, upsetting a few top teams and securing a spot in the top half of the conference. Most of last season’s routines have now departed, but luckily the Huskies are bringing in a large freshman class with gymnasts capable of filling the holes right away. However, depth could be an issue for Washington this season depending on how much the returners are able to contribute.
| Losses: | Madison Copiak (VT, UB, BB), Kristyn Hoffa (VT, FX), Michaela Nelson (UB, BB, FX), Evanni Roberson (AA), Hannah Vandenkolk (BB – medically retired), Maya Washington (AA) | |||
| Gains: | Cathy Eksteen, Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Katie McNamara, Taylor Russon, Lauren Thomas, Gabi Wickman | |||
| Returning From Injury | Allie Smith | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Geneva Thompson (9.885 NQS), Amara Cunningham (9.835), Allie Smith (9.775 AVG), Brenna Brooks (9.467), Cathy Eksteen, Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Katie McNamara, Taylor Russon, Lauren Thomas, Gabi Wickman
How It Looked Before: Vault was consistent for Washington in 2020, but the lineup lacked huge vaults capable of bringing in giant scores.
How It Looks Now: Although only two vault regulars return, the Huskies are getting two 10.0 start values in Allie Smith’s tucked Yurchenko one and a half and Katie McNamara’s new Yurchenko full-on. Geneva Thompson is also back with her full that is capable of a perfect score.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too early to tell. Washington actually has the potential to improve slightly here, but it all depends on how big the big vaults can score.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Geneva Thompson (9.830 NQS), Brenna Brooks (9.825), Talia Brovedani (9.775 AVG), Cathy Eksteen, Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Katie McNamara, Taylor Russon, Lauren Thomas, Gabi Wickman
How It Looked Before: Bars was not the strength of the 2020 team, nor was it very consistent. The Huskies finished 12th in NQS.
How It Looks Now: Washington returns two solid routines, and freshmen Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, McNamara and Taylor Russon should all fit right into the lineup. Beyond that, there doesn’t appear to be much more depth.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending down. Finding a reliable leadoff and two-hole routine may be a tricky task for the Huskies this season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Brenna Brooks (9.825 NQS), Meaghan Ruttan (9.640), Cathy Eksteen, Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Katie McNamara, Taylor Russon, Lauren Thomas, Gabi Wickman
How It Looked Before: The most inconsistent event for the Huskies, having scored as high as 49.650 but also lower than 48.400 twice.
How It Looks Now: With only one lineup regular from 2020’s team returning, the responsibility of filling the lineup falls primarily on the hands of the freshman class. All of them need to have a lineup-worthy routine ready to go.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending down. Washington is in a precarious situation with a bulk of the lineup in the hands of newcomers.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Amara Cunningham (9.870 NQS), Meaghan Ruttan (9.820), Brenna Brooks (9.700), Geneva Thompson (9.675 AVG), Cathy Eksteen, Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Katie McNamara, Taylor Russon, Lauren Thomas, Gabi Wickman
How It Looked Before: Finishing fourth in NQS, floor was Washington’s best and most consistent event.
How It Looks Now: Unlike the other events, the Huskies are bringing back a handful of returnees with lineup experience. Killough-Wilhelm is going to ideally be an all arounder, so expect to see her here.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too early to tell. This event is in the best shape of the four, but we won’t know how well the freshmen will score until the season begins.
Overall Outlook
The 2021 season looks as if it will be a rebuilding year for the Huskies. Having to rely so heavily on freshmen is never ideal, but Killough-Wilhelm and McNamara appear to be bright spots among the class. Like a few other teams, how well the freshmen are able to contribute will determine the success of Washington in the upcoming season.
READ THIS NEXT: Potential Lineups: Big Ten Part II
Article by Brandis Heffner
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Real good assessments but the PAC has been hurt by the loss of Olympic opportunities and large Senior Classes. Will be fun as always.
elise byun has been training a tsuk full
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