The most anticipated series is back! We looked at the data and videos for each incoming elite 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 elite floor workers for 2022. Without as much data to work with as the level 10 rankings, and since many of the difficult routines will be downgraded once the gymnast gets to college, we focused on the factors that are typically the source of most deductions in NCAA: acrobatic form, extension in dance elements, musicality and dancing ability. We also took into account the potential impact the gymnast could make to their school’s floor lineup.
Jade Carey, Oregon State
The newly crowned Olympic gold medalist on floor will have myriad tumbling passes to choose from in college, and it will be interesting to see if she keeps some of her more difficult skills due to her consistently superior landings.
https://youtu.be/Sf_fv-WuGIk?t=25
Kara Eaker, Utah
Eaker sometimes struggled with consistency on her more difficult floor passes in elite competition, but much like beam, she will be able to remove those troublesome elements in favor of simpler passes and dance skills that she can perform well. Her elegance and execution will make her one of the top gymnasts in the country on this event.
Leanne Wong, Florida
Like fellow GAGE alumna Eaker, Wong’s form and execution will allow her to excel on the floor in college. She is particularly known for her twisting passes; we would love to see her keep her triple twist during her time in Gainesville.
Morgan Hurd, Florida
Despite her injury troubles this year, Hurd was able to compete floor at nationals with four passes that could all be used in college, so we are optimistic that she will be ready to compete the event when she joins the Gators in January. Her elegant, emotional dance style will bring the crowd to its feet every time.
Sunisa Lee, Auburn
With Lee reportedly taking a breather this fall after her whirlwind summer, it’s unknown if she’s going to compete floor at the start of the season, but when she does, she should instantly find herself in the back half of the lineup. Her dance elements in particular stand out, and she should have no difficulty putting together two or three college-level tumbling passes with clean landings.
Aleah Finnegan, LSU
Finnegan’s double Arabian is high, powerful and stickable; combine it with some fun choreography and she should join Haleigh Bryant and Kiya Johnson at the end of the lineup from the start. She will be a new fan favorite on the event.
Jordan Chiles, UCLA
Chiles is known for her tumbling versatility, so it’ll be fun to watch her routine composition throughout her college career. Having taken inspiration from characters like Wonder Woman and Spider-Man in her elite routines, she will thrive in the more creative NCAA environment. She could easily be the next UCLA floor routine to go viral (though Chae Campbell may have something to say about that).
Brooklyn Moors, UCLA
In recent years Moors has taken everyone’s heart with her heartfelt, elegant choreography. We hope she will replicate it at UCLA, and we cannot wait to see how her beautiful dance moves will be translated into a collegiate routine. Moors’ elite tumbling passes had some form issues, but that’s nothing a smart NCAA construction can’t cover. We would love to see her perform her Podkopayeva in college.
Grace McCallum, Utah
McCallum significantly improved her tumbling form in the lead-up to the Olympics, which will bode well for her NCAA prospects on the event. She is also known for her clean landings, though she can sometimes overpower her simpler passes. Smart routine construction will be key to her collegiate success on floor.
Riley McCusker, Florida
While we may not immediately see her compete collegiate floor due to lingering ankle issues, we would be remiss to leave McCusker’s beautiful dance skills off this list.
Emma Malabuyo, UCLA
After missing multiple elite seasons due to injury, Malabuyo’s form is not as clean as it was in her peak junior days, but we are hopeful the reduced difficulty in college can get her back there. Regardless, she has star potential at UCLA.
Amelie Morgan, Utah
While Morgan may need to clean up some of her tumbling passes before we see her in Utah’s floor lineup, she competed several unique dance combinations that we hope to see retained in her collegiate routine.
Ana Padurariu, UCLA
Padurariu may not be the first name most fans think of for the UCLA floor lineup, but she is very underrated on the event: Her clean tumbling and fun dance style will thrive in college.
Phoebe Jakubczyk, Oregon State
Jakubczyk’s double Arabian could be one of the best in the NCAA next season, and it is well complemented by her clean dance skills. Her routine is college-ready and should see immediate action in the Beavers’ lineup.
Quinn Skrupa, Central Michigan
The Chippewas are losing two contributors from its 14th-ranked floor lineup, and Skrupa is a top choice to fill one of those holes. She brings two E passes and plenty of elite competitive experience to Mount Pleasant.
Izabella Trejo, UC Davis
We’re still waiting for last year’s star freshmen Emma Otsu and Kaitlyn Lyle to make their collegiate debuts, but don’t sleep on Swedish elite Izabella Trejo as well. She brings a powerful full-twisting double back that should see immediate time in the Davis lineup.
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Article by Jenna King
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