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 beam workers in the classes of 2023 and 2024.
Class of 2023
Sienna Robinson
College: Stanford
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands out: A former elite, Robinson’s switch back to level 10 this past year was a successful one, ending her season with a runner-up finish on beam at nationals. She scored consistently well on the event all season, finishing the year on a seven-meet streak of scoring 9.5 or better.
Mya Witte
College: Uncommitted
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.900 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Featuring an Onodi, Witte’s beam notched some eye-catching totals this level 10 season. Her 9.875 at the Florida state championships proved that her even-bigger 9.9 from earlier in the season was no fluke.
Whitney Bjerken
College: Alabama
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.825 (2022)
Why She Stands out: It may seem strange to call Bjerken—whose millions of social media followers have watched her gymnastics journey for over a decade—underrated. However, her uniquely elegant style on beam deserves some extra hype. Bjerken has struggled with a chronic elbow injury, which in turn has allowed her to focus on perfecting the various leaps and turns that elevate her current routine from good to great.
Lindsey Yang
College: Uncommitted
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.775 (2022)
Why She Stands out: A confident beam worker, Yang’s routine is highlighted by a clean Onodi and strong leaps. Her best routine of her career thus far also came in clutch time, hitting at regionals to earn a spot at nationals.
Brynlee Andersen
College: BYU
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.875 (2022)
Why She Stands out: With just one miss on the season, Andersen boasts consistency on beam in addition to high scoring potential. Her mid-season career-high foreshadowed her podium finish on the event at nationals to finish her year.
Zora Morgan
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: unrated
Beam High Scores: 9.650 (2022), 9.800 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Although she suffers from bouts of inconsistency, Morgan displays beautiful form on beam. Her straight legs and pointed toes are welcomed on leaps and acro and are worthy of a shoutout.
Megan Asher
College: uncommitted
CGN Rating: unrated
Beam High Scores: 9.750 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Asher was absent from competition in 2022, but her work from the season prior warrants a look. Beam is by far her most competitive event, where her consistency and calm demeanor shine.
Alyssa-Carolina Arana
College: Florida
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.825 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Projecting to be a dominant specialist at the collegiate level, Arana excels on beam the same way she does on bars. Beam is just a vehicle for her to flaunt her exquisite form and lines.
Jaydah Battle
College: Georgia
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands out: With ample height on all her skills, Battle put together a string of high totals on beam, including 9.8s at states and regionals. Battle also scored no lower than 9.450 all year, showing she’s bringing consistency to the table, too.
Abigayle Martin
College: Arizona
CGN Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Martin’s leaps help her stand out most on beam, where her all around good form propelled her to her four-star rating.
Class of 2024
Jahzara Swaby-Ranger
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.875 (2022)
Why She Stands out: First year level 10 Swaby-Ranger has demonstrated the potential to be an all around threat, but has already established herself as a consistently stellar beamer. Her level of difficulty wouldn’t be out of place at most elite competitions, but her poised and confident presentation makes even her hardest skills look effortless.
Danielle Latronica
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.825 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Latronica is nothing if not a gutsy beam worker, pushing herself to compete high risk/high reward skills and combinations like a front aerial to scale and transverse switch half. Though the risk doesn’t always pay off scorewise, it pays dividends when she hits.
Jamie Wright
CGN Rating: unrated
Beam High Scores: 9.775 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Wright displays good form throughout her entire routine, but it’s noticed most on her leaps where she really sets herself apart. Let’s hope we see more from her in 2023 after missing a majority of last season.
Madison Gustitus
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.750 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Starting with a distinctive handstand mount, Gustitus’s eye-catching beam routine has lots of difficulty and very little filler.
Hannah Clark
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.750 (2020)
Why She Stands out: 2021 beam national champion Clark’s routine makes the most of her long lines and graceful execution. Though she tends to lose a bit of form in her switch half, the high amplitude on her piked front toss and double twisting dismount more than make up for it.
Brooke Gleichowski
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.700 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Gleichowski’s low score of the season was a very respectable 9.425, and she hit her career-high 9.700 twice. The devil is in the details, and Gleichowsi’s polished presentation amplifies her already strong acro and dance technique.
Rayna Engelmayer
CGN Rating: unrated
Beam High Scores: 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Beam is Engelmayer’s best event by far, notching breakout scores on the event throughout this past season. Her nationals routine is proof, earning Engelmayer’s best placement and score of the meet.
Ava Harper
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.650 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Harper was unfortunately out most of the 2022 season, meaning her lovely beam work was too. When she returns, make sure to keep an eye out for her incredibly smooth routine with a stunning Y-turn.
Sophie Lassiter
CGN Rating: unrated
Beam High Scores: 9.625 (2021)
Why She Stands out: Whatever Lassiter lacks in consistency, she makes up for with a combination of maturity and confidence in her presentation. Throw in unexpected skills like a full L turn and piked front toss, and she’s just a lot of fun to watch.
Mika Webster-Longin
CGN Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.575 (2022)
Why She Stands out: Webster-Longin is one of the most graceful, balletic beam workers in her class and earned her a top ten finish at this year’s nationals. The precision of her leaps and jumps are, simply put, impeccable.
READ THIS NEXT: Underrated Recruits That Excel on Bars
Article by Claire Billman and Brandis Heffner
Like what you see? Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year! [wpedon id=”13158″]
One comment