We’re just two years out from the class of 2023 entering college and competing in front of NCAA gym fans for the first time. And while there’s still a lot of time for the top gymnasts to step to the forefront, these 10 athletes are already strong competitors who perform college-ready routines every time out. While a handful are already committed to their future schools—managing to squeeze in a verbal before the rule change—all are now allowed to officially share their intentions, with the June 15 date for rising juniors having officially passed. That being said, the following gymnasts are some you should keep an eye on, not only for college but for discovering their future college choices as well.
Elizabeth Gantner
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Georgia
After her performance at level 10 nationals in May, we knew that Gantner was good, but we didn’t quite realize she was this good. The top-rated gymnast in the class of 2023 is a former junior elite, and the ease with which she performs most of her gymnastics skills shows that. She has two more years to perfect her execution; if she does, she could be a game changer at Georgia.
Caitlin Smith
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
The former junior elite is both a powerful and graceful gymnast who shines on bars, beam and floor. On the latter event she performs a full-in, two whips to a double tuck and a double pike dismount to underscore the power that all World Champions Centre gymnasts seem to generate. On beam her side aerial to layout step-out would make even Utah jealous. On bars her Maloney to Pak salto, Van Leuween and double layout dismount will score very well in college.
Lily Smith
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
An athlete capable of scoring over 39, Smith will be one of the most interesting gymnasts to watch grow over the next couple of years. Her potential is huge, but some of her routines, especially on vault and beam, are not quite ready for college yet. We expect a change of gear from her next year, at which point the sky’s the limit.
Kylie Coen
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
One of the most technically perfect gymnasts in the class of 2023, Coen had a stellar 2021 season, winning three gold medals at level 10 nationals, including in the all around, posting three consecutive scores of 9.900 or better on floor in the three final meets of the year, and scoring a huge 39.225 at regionals. Needless to say we are beyond excited about what the future has in store for her.
Madison Ulrich
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Denver
The future Pioneer is powerful, polished and consistent. Her routines are increasingly looking like the ones she’ll bring to the NCAA, and her front handspring front pike half on vault, which starts from a 10.0 in college, will especially delight Denver head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. She’s a new Maddie Karr in the making.
Ui Soma
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
Soma is the highest rated elite in the class of 2023 thanks to her exquisite lines and difficult skills on all four events. She was close to making the Japanese Olympic team, but unfortunately her campaign was cut short due to injury. If she’s feeling better, we’d love to see her at the world championships in 2021 and 2022 before returning to the U.S. for college.
Morgan Price
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
Another rising star, Price is improving by the day, debuting a Yurchenko 1.5 at nationals and posting a 9.950 on bars earlier this year. She’s so good that she won bronze in the all around at nationals despite a shaky beam routine. She also scored over 39 points this season, and we expect her to reach that mark a few more times next year as her new skills get more consistent.
Konnor McClain
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
There’s nothing we can say that can do justice to McClain’s immense talent. This year hasn’t quite been her year yet, but her basics and form on the essential skills she will need in college are exceptional. Similar to Soma, we hope to see her at worlds before joining the NCAA.
Skye Blakely
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
Although she narrowly missed the 5-star cut, we want to include Blakely on this list because of her impressive 2021 season so far. At only 16 she qualified to the Olympic Trials, and although she may not make it to Tokyo, she’s a favorite for the world team where she could contend for the all around title. Her gymnastics is solid, and as with all gymnasts with older sisters in the NCAA, we can’t wait to find out whether she’ll follow Sloane’s steps to Florida or if she will choose her own collegiate path.
Jennifer Gadirova
CGN Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
Let’s conclude with an exciting international athlete. We still don’t know whether Gadirova and her twin sister Jessica will choose to do college gymnastics, but they have at least shown interest; all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. The recently named member of the Tokyo Olympic team for Great Britain is extremely talented, especially on vault, beam and floor. She caught NCAA fans’ attention when she stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 at junior worlds in 2019, and since then her difficulty and execution have kept steadily improving. As an Olympian at only 16, a lot of college coaches will have their eyes on her.
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Article by Talitha Ilacqua
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