If you’re looking for excitement, look no further than the MIC. This conference has potentially more parity than any other in NCAA gymnastics, and it’s both close-knit and full of fierce rivalries. This year, the MIC will also have a new look after huge senior classes graduated from many teams in 2021. Plus, Lindenwood has a brand new coaching staff of former star collegiate gymnasts. Expect huge difficulty, tangible passion and just enough chaos to keep things fun.
We’re getting back into the groove of things and returning to the status quo for the 2022 season (as much as we can at least!). 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 the upcoming season—from who’s expected to contribute, holes that need to be filled and exciting upgrades fans should look out for.
No. 43 Illinois State
Illinois State stepped into its own last season, finishing with the top NQS in the conference and qualifying Angelica Labat to NCAA nationals on vault.
| Losses | Christin Bandy (VT, UB), Triniti Barron (BB, FX), Mary Kate Bihary, Savannah Remkus (VT, UB, BB, FX), Cameron Topp (VT, BB, FX) |
| Gains | Julia Heiner, Alana Laster, Jaye Mack, Mya Robinson, Sara Wabi |
| Returning from Injury | Reagan Hesterman (shoulder) |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Angelica Labat (9.881 NQS), J’Chelle Heard (9.825), Jazmine Neely (9.794), Isabelle Fox (9.769), Charlise Doctor (9.763), Mya Robinson, Jaye Mack, Alana Laster, Julia Heiner, Kaitlyn Donovan
How It Looked Before: Angelica Labat led the way with her 10.0 start value, but consistent performances from the rest of the lineup led to success on this event in 2021.
How it Looks Now: The Redbirds are working with all consistent members of the vault lineup and add high quality Yurchenko fulls from the freshmen as well. Mya Robinson has also been training a 10.0 start value, so that addition could also help with scoring potential.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? With Angelica Labat’s beautiful Yurchenko one and a half returning and increased depth coming from the freshmen, expect vault to trend up this season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Sofia Iribarren (9.863 NQS), Angelica Labat (9.838), Charlise Doctor (9.800), Isabelle Fox (9.731), Isabella Decroo (9.731), J’Chelle Heard (9.319), Alana Laster, Mya Robinson, Jaye Mack, Julia Heiner, Sara Wabi
How It Looked Before: Illinois State showed strong promise on bars, eclipsing 49 toward the end of last season. A slow start on this event proved to be surmountable as the team found its groove.
How it Looks Now: The freshmen have been showing off some BIG gymnastics during the preseason. Expect Alana Laster, Mya Robinson and Sara Wabi to add depth to an already stacked Redbird bar lineup.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Increased depth on this event will help the Redbirds trend up in 2022.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Angelica Labat (9.825 NQS), Madison Kipp (9.775), Isabelle Fox (9.744), Mia Quigg (9.588), Sofia Iribarren (9.588), Charlise Doctor (9.338), Mya Robinson, Julia Heiner, Sara Wabi
How It Looked Before: Beam was Illinois State’s weak link last season. There were bright spots in Angelica Labat, Madison Kipp and Isabelle Fox. However, consistency was a struggle throughout the season.
How it Looks Now: Illinois State will look to the freshmen to fill in some of the gaps in the beam lineup this season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? The beam team this year will be determined by who can compete well under pressure. It’s hard to say whether this team will be trending up or down this season as the Redbirds try to find a lineup that sticks.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Mia Quigg (9.850 NQS), Isabella Decroo (9.819), Angelica Labat (9.794), Isabelle Fox (9.781), Sofia Iribarren (9.775), Reagan Hestermann, Kaitlyn Donovan, Jaye Mack, Mya Robinson, Alana Laster, Sara Wabi
How It Looked Before: Led by senior Cameron Topp, the Redbirds soared to the top of the conference rankings on this event.
How it Looks Now: The Redbirds will have to replace strong performances from Topp and Savannah Remkus. However, Jaye Mack’s full-in and combination pass through to double tuck will definitely foot the bill.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Replacing an anchor is no easy feat, but Illinois State will likely be able to maintain the floor success it achieved in 2021.
Overall Outlook
Illinois State is poised for yet another strong season. The freshman class brings high quality gymnastics to the table that will make an immediate impact on every lineup.
No. 44 Lindenwood
Lindenwood showed more chinks in its armor in 2021 than we’ve become accustomed to in recent seasons. Despite a season high of 195.725, beam inconsistency left Lindenwood just short of defending its 2019 USAG national title. However, the vault lineup shined on the national stage when three individual qualifiers competed at regionals.
| Losses | Kyndall Baze (VT, FX), Jordan Boogerd (UB), Claire Bonacorsi, Aleah Leman (VT, FX), Audrey Manivong (retirement), Courtney Mitchell (VT, UB, BB), Aleah Turon (VT) |
| Gains | Hannah Appleget, Trinity Caffey, Kaylee Cooper, Payton Gatzlaff, Michelle Reed, Carley Scott |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Gayla Griswold (9.806 NQS), Sydney Lopez (9.769), Hannah Moon (9.700 avg), Hannah Appleget, Trinity Caffey, Kaylee Cooper, Payton Gatzlaff, Michelle Reed
How It Looked Before: The vault lineup relied heavily on the contributions of the senior class, three of which qualified to regionals to compete as individuals.
How it Looks Now: Lindenwood will have to tap into the depth of its large freshman class to make up for the loss of such strong routines from last season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? The majority of the Lions’ vault lineup graduated in 2021. This will be a rebuilding year for the group as Lindenwood searches for strong, consistent performances from the incoming class and returners who saw little action in 2021. Expect a slight trend down as Lindenwood constructs its new lineup.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Savannah Newsome (9.825 NQS), Nicole Wojcik (9.775), Hannah Moon (9.756), Riley Daniels (9.738), Sydney Lopez (9.275 avg), Hannah Appleget, Kaylee Cooper, Michelle Reed, Carley Scott
How It Looked Before: The bar lineup was largely centered around consistent performances from Courtney Mitchell and Jordan Boogerd. The rest of the lineup showed signs of inconsistency but worked out the kinks toward the end of the season.
How it Looks Now: Lindenwood will look to its returners with bars experience to lead the way this season. Hannah Appleget and Kaylee Cooper are also likely to shine here with their unique composition.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Trending down. The potential is there, but the uncertainty makes it less likely to find the same success as it had in 2021.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Madison Rush (9.781 NQS), Gayla Griswold (9.738), Hadley Roberts (9.719), Hannah Moon (9.675), Riley Daniels (9.506), Nicole Wojcik (9.431), Jenna Eagles, Hannah Appleget, Kaylee Cooper, Michelle Reed, Carley Scott, Paige Sorenson
How It Looked Before: Inconsistency plagued Lindenwood in 2021 as it tried to find a lineup that would stick.
How it Looks Now: Lindenwood has plenty of options for experienced performers on this event, and adding the large freshmen class should only increase the depth. The competition for a lineup spot should be a bit stiffer this year. Look for senior Hadley Roberts to lead the way. She’s only improved since her time at Lindenwood, and that trend should continue into her final season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? It’s too soon to tell, but expect beam to look about the same for the Lions this season if not better as the team finds more consistency.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Gayla Griswold (9.856 NQS), Nicole Baars (9.800), Hadley Roberts (9.794), Sydney Lopez (9.750), Hannah Moon (9.681), Hannah Appleget, Kaylee Cooper, Payton Gatzlaff, Michelle Reed
How It Looked Before: The floor squad shined on this event as usual, leaning on key performances from Gayla Griswold and Kyndall Baze. There was no real weak link here.
How it Looks Now: The freshman class brings a number of two-salto floor routines that will help to pad an already strong core of floor workers. Expect the lineup to pick up right where it left off.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Floor is the event where Lindenwood always shines. Combining the strong returning routines with the incoming class should increase the team’s depth and level of competitiveness on this event.
Overall Outlook
This is likely going to be a rebuilding year for the Lions as they replace a large, experienced class with six newcomers, as well as welcome a new coaching staff. However, the newcomers do have the potential to hold their own on the college stage. Expect some inconsistency to start as the team figures out which routines are more reliable week to week.
No. 47 SEMO
SEMO silenced all its nay-sayers when it came away with the USAG national title last season. Although the Redhawks did not start the season with the highest team scores, they proved that slow and steady really does win the race.
| Losses | Gabrielle Adams (VT), Lindsey Bates (UB, FX), Alana Fischer (UB, BB), Michael Sanders (VT, BB, FX), Dahlia Solorzano-Caruso (transfer to Bowling Green), Heidi Vanderboom (left team) |
| Gains | Madison Greene, Janelle Lopez, Lindsay Ockler, Nyah Reader |
| Returning from injury | Ashley Albrecht (Achilles), Mackenzie Marciniak (boot) |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Anna Kaziska (9.681 NQS), Lydia Test (9.669), Ashley Albrecht (9.563), Makenzie Marciniak (9.525), Molly Maxwell (9.288), Janelle Lopez, Lindsay Ockler, Nyah Reader
How It Looked Before: Solid performances from Dahlia Solorzano-Caruso, Gabrielle Adams and Michael Sanders were a guarantee. The rest of the lineup fluctuated weekly as it tried to find consistency. An upgraded vault from Lydia Test toward the end of the season helped to boost the scoring potential here.
How it Looks Now: Three of SEMO’s most consistent vaulters are no longer with the team this season. However, there is potential for three 10.0 start value vaults from Janelle Lopez, Nyah Reader and Lindsay Ockler. If those upgrades come to fruition, SEMO will be in a much better position in 2022.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Consistency and upgrades will be key in determining SEMO’s fate on vault this season. With three Yurchenko one and a halves, vault should trend up.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Jolie Miller (9.819 NQS), Ashley Albrecht (9.531), Lindsey Moffit (9.444), Makenzie Marciniak (9.558 avg), Molly Maxwell (8.975), Janelle Lopez, Lindsay Ockler, Nyah Reader
How It Looked Before: Solorzano-Caruso, Jolie Miller and Lindsay Bates were the backbone of the lineup. Some injuries left the lineup shallow in depth toward the end of the season.
How it Looks Now: There are quite a few holes to fill. Many consistent performers, including Lindsey Bates and Alana Fischer, have graduated while others are returning from injury. The returners will need to improve consistency, and the freshmen will need to step up in a major way for this event to be successful. Expect Miller’s unique routine to continue to score big.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Expect a slight trend down in scores this season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Anna Kaziska (9.863 NQS), Anna Speller (9.825), Molly Maxwell (9.713), Jolie Miller (9.706), Lydia Test (9.594), Jordan Jones, Janelle Lopez, Madison Greene, Nyah Reader
How It Looked Before: Beam took a while to hit its stride, but the team was able to eclipse 49 on the event three times last season. Kaziska and Anna Speller were rock solid all season long to lead the Redhawks.
How it Looks Now: Expect reigning USAG national beam champion Kaziska to continue to lead the way here. Preseason training videos indicate plenty of depth for a successful 2022 season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? SEMO will benefit from having so many consistent beam performers returning this season. Expect beam to continue to look strong.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Anna Kaziska (9.888 NQS), Jordan Jones (9.819), Molly Maxwell (9.744), Lindsey Moffit (9.713), Lydia Webb (9.694), Mallory Desch (9.525), Janelle Lopez, Lindsay Ockler, Madison Greene, Nyah Reader
How It Looked Before: The floor lineup also broke 49 three times last season. SEMO had plenty of depth to finish the season strong. The mid-season addition of Jordan Jones proved to be a spark that the Redhawks needed.
How it Looks Now: The core of the floor lineup is returning this season. Solorzano-Caruso will be missed, but expect the freshmen to hold their own here.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? With few graduating routines and strong incoming gymnasts on this event, expect floor to trend up this season.
Overall Outlook
SEMO is going to feel the loss of USAG all around national champion Dahlia Solorzano-Caruso, but Anna Kaziska will continue to lead the way in her senior season. The loss of strong performers on bars will not be enough to prevent another strong season as SEMO increases vault difficulty.
No. 48 Texas Woman’s
TWU had a bit of an up and down season in 2021 due to inconsistency on bars and beam. The Pioneers only lose two seniors, and 2022 brings six talented freshmen that will add depth on every event.
| Losses | Bridgette Peterson (FX), Paige Stuyniski (UB, BB, FX) |
| Gains | Emerson Adams, AnnaKate Bickel, Delaney Bruns, Lainey Hunt, Sierra Muns, Emily Six |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Madeline Gose (9.838 NQS), Daisy Woodring (9.831), Steelie King (9.781), Mara Johnson (9.750), Maddie Griffith (9.688), Domi Bonzagni (9.688), Lexi Leake (9.492), Sierra Muns, AnnaKate Bickel, Emerson Adams
How It Looked Before: Vault was a strong, consistent event for the Pioneers.
How it Looks Now: The entire vault lineup returns this season with the addition of potential 10.0 start values from Sierra Muns and AnnaKate Bickel.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: Trending up. Not only is the top six from 2021 still around, but upgrades are sure to raise the bar in Texas.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Isabel Goyco (9.806 NQS), Maddie Griffith (9.800), Steelie King (9.738), Domi Bonzagni (9.725), Mara Johnson (9.694), Lexi Leake (9.508 avg), Beth Lazarus, Kyla Podges, AnnaKate Bickel, Emerson Adams, Delaney Bruns, Lainey Hunt
How It Looked Before: Strong potential on this event was hindered by inconsistency toward the end of the season. Maddie Griffith continued to shine.
How it Looks Now: There are plenty of experienced performers to pull from, and the freshmen are strong in their own right. Lainey Hunt sports a personal best of 9.850 from level 10 that will translate well to college, and Bickel performs a unique double Arabian dismount.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. It’ll all depend on if the team can find consistency.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Madeline Gose (9.850 NQS), Daisy Woodring (9.788), Isabel Goyco (9.775), Alixandra Pierce (9.775), Domi Bonzagni (9.731), Mackenzie Balderas (9.388), Steelie King (9.500 avg), Kyla Podges, Sierra Muns, AnnaKate Bickel, Emerson Adams, Delaney Bruns, Lainey Hunt, Emily Six
How It Looked Before: Gose was a star all season. A few inconsistency problems held the Pioneers back from reaching their full potential, though.
How it Looks Now: The bulk of the beam lineup returns in 2022. Clean lines from Sierra Muns and strong beam work from Bickel will be welcomed into the ranks as well.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: Trending up. Once again, the team loses no routines but gains a number of options.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Isabel Goyco (9.875 NQS), Madeline Gose (9.863), Daisy Woodring (9.781), Mara Johnson (9.775), Domi Bonzagni (9.769), Mackenzie Balderas (9.381), Alixandria Pierce (9.319), Delaney Bruns, Lainey Hunt, AnnaKate Bickel,Emerson Adams, Sierra Muns, Emily Six
How It Looked Before: Floor was the Pioneers’ best event in 2021 with a season high of 49.275.
How it Looks Now: The entire floor lineup returns for the 2022 season. The entire freshman class also shows promise on this event, so the fight for the top six should get interesting. Expect Gose and Isabel Goyco to continue to lead the way. Sierra Muns’ two double salto routine will also feature in the lineup.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: Increased depth will lead to improvement on floor.
Overall Outlook
Most of TWU’s routines are returning across the board. The Pioneers will have the privilege of depth this season, with two graduating seniors and six incoming freshmen. That extra depth should allow for more competitive lineups and an improved NQS in 2022.
No. 55 Centenary
The 2021 season was highlighted by a team appearance at the USAG national championships where Taylor Ann Wilson snagged the individual bar title in a major upset. Overall, Centenary was hot and cold, but it did manage to make sparks fly on senior night with a 192.300 for its highest team total since 2015.
| Losses | Jerrica Harris (BB, FX), Jenny Jackson (VT, UB, FX), Sierra Ponder (VT, UB, BB), Courtney Tripp (VT, BB) |
| Gains | Chloe Armentor, Emma Lavelle, Carissa Martinez, Mylia Vidtor |
| Returning from injury | Kendall Knaps (bulging disc), Madison McCary (ankle surgery), Lauryn Stiff (elbow) |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kendall Huff (9.731 NQS), Kendall Sanders (9.681), Leilani Johnson (9.594), Lauryn Stiff (9.594), Xian Baumgartner (9.050), Chloe Armentor, Emma Lavelle, Lacey Wedge,
How It Looked Before: More consistent twisting vaults from Kendall Huff and Kendall Sanders helped to increase the team’s performance on vault in 2021. However, the potential never came to fruition.
How it Looks Now: Huff and Sanders are still expected to lead the way with additional potential for twisting vaults from Leilani Johnson, Chloe Armentor, Carissa Martinez and Emma Lavelle. Lacey Wedge’s front handspring front could also contribute to extra depth on this event.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: Vault should continue to improve for the Ladies this season, as there’s greater potential for twisting vaults and higher start values.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kendall Sanders (9.638 NQS), Xian Baumgartner (9.500), Kendall Knaps (9.263), Lauryn Stiff (9.144), Taylor Ann Wilson, Chloe Armentor, Emma Lavelle, Carissa Martinez, Roxanne Myers, Rose Deshler
How It Looked Before: Bars was inconsistent for the Ladies and was marked by several injuries at the end of the season. Centenary largely depended on consistent scores from Jenny Jackson, Sierra Ponder and Sanders.
How it Looks Now: Depth should improve in 2022. Chloe Armentor and Lavelle both have shown potential for competing 10.0 start value routines. In addition, USAG national champion Taylor Ann Wilson should make more of an impact this season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: Due to the youth of the bar lineup and those returning from injury, it’s too early to tell. Consistency will likely be an issue, especially early in the season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Kendall Sanders (9.681 NQS), Xian Baumgartner (9.575), Kennedy Stephens (9.550), Riley Molina (9.313), Kendall Knaps (9.163), Rose Deshler, Emma Lavelle, Carissa Martinez
How It Looked Before: Centenary worked with a relatively inexperienced beam lineup in 2021. Several athletes had to rise to the occasion after the loss of scores from Cami Bea Austin and Dorothy Mims. Sanders was a consistent anchor performer while Xian Baumgartner and Kennedy Stephens stepped in to be more consistent contributors.
How it Looks Now: Several consistent performers from the 2021 lineup return this season.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell?: With many returners getting experience last season and the addition of strong beamers in the freshmen class, expect improvement in 2022.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Kendall Sanders (9.700), Lauryn Stiff (9.450), Kendall Huff (9.444), Leilani Johnson (9.281), Kendall Knaps, Xian Baumgartner, Lacey Wedge, Rose Deshler, Emma Lavelle
How It Looked Before: The floor lineup also could feel the loss of Austin. Competitors each weekend were a sort of revolving door as the Ladies searched for the most consistent top six while also juggling injuries.
How it Looks Now: The fight to get into the floor lineup should be more intense this season. USAG First-team All-American Sanders will lead the way.
Trending up, down, or too early to tell? Consistency will be the name of the game on floor. Hypothetically, scores should improve with increased consistency from returning athletes and strong potential from the freshmen.
Overall Outlook
Centenary has some question marks in the injury department right now, so it’s hard to tell which of its assets it will be able to be fully utilized this season. Higher start values on vault and the potential for greater consistency on beam and floor should lead to improvements in overall team NQS in 2022. Consistency and leadership will ultimately determine the Ladies’ fate.
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Article by Tavia Smith
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