Our third round of ratings was released a couple weeks ago with updates to the class of 2023 and first-time ratings for the class of 2024. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, head on over to the landing page for a look.
However, because our rating system was based on scores and video review for all four events, gymnasts with only one standout apparatus were often rated lower overall. Of course, teams that are weaker on one event or those that are looking to fill a hole will turn to event specialists to solidify those lineups. Recruits who excel on a single event may not have ratings that reflect how valuable they can be to their teams, so we wanted to highlight them here.
Let’s take a look at underrated bar workers in the classes of 2023 and 2024.
Class of 2023
Reese Samuelson
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.950 (2021), 9.875 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Samuelson’s routine isn’t the most difficult, but she regularly scores 9.800 or higher because her crisp technique and beautiful extension leaves very little room for deduction. Her gorgeous double layout dismount is the highlight of the routine.
Alyssa-Carolina Arana
College: Florida
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.950 (2022)
Why She Stands out: There’s a lot to like about Arana’s bars work, but her patient, precise handstands truly set her apart from the pack.
Taylor DeVries
College: Oregon State
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.875 (2022)
Why She Stands out: DeVries’s clean and consistent bars work would be a welcome addition to most any college gym lineup, but should make a huge impact for the Beavers on their weakest event. Her double layout dismount is a stunner, especially when she sticks it.
Destiny Denning
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.850 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Denning’s technique and execution are about as good as it gets, earning her second place at this year’s level 10 nationals and a spot on the top 100 bars scores. She also has several upgrades in the works, including a Church.
Katie Harper
College: NC State
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.850 (2019)
Why She Stands out: In a sea of Maloney to Pak combinations, Harper stands out for her unique routine construction that includes a clear hip to handstand, a Gienger and a full pirouette to double layout dismount.
Mallory Barron
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Barron earned third place and a career high at this year’s level 10 nationals. Her full pirouette to full-twisting double tuck dismount is a show-stopper!
Maisyn Rader
College: Ohio State
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.775 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Rader is an aggressive bars swinger who attacks every skill and handstand while maintaining tight, clean lines. Her combination of power and elegance is unique and a whole lot of fun to watch.
Carly Buell
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.775 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Buell has struggled with injury this season, limiting her competition time, but still managed to snag the Washington state title on bars. Her deliberate handstand positions and powerful swing are already enough to challenge for a spot in most college team lineups, but Buell is upping the ante by training a Ray.
Aaliyah Gilmore
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Gilmore qualified to her first level 10 nationals this year on bars thanks to her smooth swing and elegant combinations including a van Leeuwen and stalder to double tuck dismount.
Delaney Fisher
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.650 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Fisher has struggled with consistency in recent seasons, but has a beauty of a routine when she hits. From her precise blind change to straddled Jaeger to double layout dismount, her routine is jam-packed with difficulty.
Class of 2024
Addilyn Glazier
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.850 (2022)
Why She Stands out: With a high-flying straddled Jaeger and double layout, it’s no surprise that Glazer qualified to level 10 nationals on bars. Though she didn’t quite match the 9.850 score that earned her a share of the top spot at regionals, her impressive set snagged a top six finish.
Jaime Dugan
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Dugan has control and consistency in spades that should serve her well in college: She scored 9.525 or higher in every competition this season and notched two 9.800s, thanks in part to her frequently-stuck double layout dismount.
Tiara Platkin
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Platkin’s routine is already packed with difficulty from her piked Jaeger to full-twisting double tuck dismount that finishes well above the high bar. An uncharacteristic mishap at nationals kept her from challenging for a top spot, but she’s already planning on upgrades for next season to put her back in the mix.
Paityn Walker
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.775 (2020)
Why She Stands out: Walker has been primarily training elite since 2020, and most recently earned first place on bars at the 2022 KPAC national qualifier. With a combination of clean fundamentals and a variety of difficult skills to choose from, Walker certainly has the potential to score extremely well in college.
Sanai Evans
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.750
Why She Stands out: Evans’s fast-paced routine has more than enough difficulty already, but she’s training several likely-looking upgrades including a van Leeuwen, straddled Jaeger and full-twisting double layout.
Jessica Reith
CGN Rating: unrated
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Reith also trains elite and brings crisp execution and high difficulty to her level 10 routine. It’s no surprise that she won the bars titles at this year’s Pennsylvania and region 7 championships.
Cadence Goldberg
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Goldberg has gorgeous form and technique, highlighted by her stalder work and double tuck dismount (we can overlook it not quite being up to the level because of its height and Goldberg’s perfect toe point throughout).
Sammy Macasu
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Macasu’s hit at regionals on her signature event propelled her to her third-straight nationals appearance. She has precise handstands to go with a natural swing that also gives Macasu a sky-high full-in dismount.
Caroline Volk
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Finishing fifth on bars for her highest placement at nationals, Volk’s routine showcases a huge Ray to overshoot connection that’s only going to help her career best score rise in the years to come.
Teryn Crump
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐
Bars High Scores: 9.900 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Before unfortunately pulling out of nationals, Crump had been dominating bars in the postseason with her beautiful form. She scored a 9.900 to win the Texas state title before using a 9.850 to claim the top spot at regionals.
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Article by Claire Billman and Brandis Heffner
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