There’s less than a week left until the start of the long-awaited 2021 season. While this year may look a bit different than we’re used to, the gymnastics is still the same—and it wouldn’t be a new season without some predictions. Taking a page out of The Athletic’s book, we’ll be answering one pressing question over the course of 10 days as we gear up for the first meet. Check out the previous days’ questions and predictions here.
Which gymnast will have a breakout year?
Winners: Savannah Schoenherr, Makarri Doggette (2 votes)
Runners-up: Pauline Tratz, Sarah Edwards, Audrey Davis, Alyssa Baumann, Emily Shepard, Maile O’Keefe, Natalie Wojcik, Adrienne Randall (1 vote)
Elizabeth: Pauline Tratz has been training bars and beam, the former of which she said she hated and wouldn’t do ever again, so… I’m looking forward to her all around debut.
Talitha: Hmm, this is a difficult one. It’s usually a junior, so I’m going with Savannah Schoenherr of Florida. She is training beam, as well as some E passes on floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if she debuted in the all around this year and received her first perfect 10.0 on bars.
Katherine: We saw a watered down version of what Makarri Doggette was capable of last year, but I think she is going to excel in 2021 as she gets back to all around shape.
Katie: I think Sarah Edwards from LSU is really going to come up big as a leader and vault and floor specialist. Although we won’t see her in the AA, her scores and routines on those two events are needed more than ever. She seems to be confident in her gymnastics and looks routine ready after suffering an injury last season.
Emily M: While I think Bryant is going to take the top freshman spot, I’d put money on Audrey Davis having a stellar first season.
Brandis: She’s already made a name for herself, but I think Alyssa Baumann is going to have a standout year. She’s yet to compete bars collegiately, but there was plenty of offseason footage of her training the event and I’m optimistic we’re going to get an all around debut from the Gator senior at some point this season.
Mary Emma: Emily Shepard at N.C. State. She already had a stellar freshman season, but it looks like she’ll be adding beam this year to complete her all around set. Her skills may not be the most flashy, but she has the power and form to score well.
Jenna: I’ll echo Katherine here and say Makarri Doggette. If she’s competing in the all around, she’ll become an instant superstar.
Izzi: I also think that Savannah Schoenherr will have a great year. She has beautifully clean gymnastics and is definitely capable of a 10.0 on bars. She’s also training beam and a triple on floor, so I can see her really stepping it up this year.
Tara: Oh gosh, there’s so many possibilities! I think Maile O’Keefe will have a great sophomore campaign. She had a rough start to her freshman season but really seemed to come into her own later in the season and has looked great so far this preseason.
Claire: Junior Adrienne Randall has been a secret weapon for Utah, quietly delivering every single competition on beam and floor. I fully expect her to finally get a 10 on beam in 2021. Also worth noting: She made her collegiate all around debut at the team’s recent Red Rocks Preview.
Kalley: I’m not sure if this counts, but my answer is Natalie Wojcik. She seemed to struggle finding her groove last year, but she is simply too good not to reclaim her spot at the top in 2021.
Article by Elizabeth Grimsley, Talitha Ilacqua, Katherine Weaver, Katie Walsh, Emily Minehart, Brandis Heffner, Tara Graeve, Mary Emma Burton, Jenna King, Izzi Baskin, Claire Billman and Kalley Leer
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