Selena Harris performs a handstand on uneven bars

Most Anticipated Level 10 Freshmen on Bars

The most anticipated series is back! We looked at the data for each incoming level 10 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 10 bars routines for 2023. 

We ranked every single level 10 gymnast from the class of 2022 by a modified average score. To calculate this, we took scores from the last three level 10 seasons (beginning in November 2019), dropped the single highest score and any scores that are extremely low (like ones that you’d expect from balks or injuries mid-routine — not falls) and averaged the rest. We didn’t include athletes with fewer than six scores on a certain event over the past three years.

The top 10 you’ll see in these lists are the top 10 in the country by modified average, no exceptions. The honorable mentions are a little more subjective: They’re usually athletes who ranked quite high, but they also have something a little special that makes them stand out.

If you’re wondering where elites like JaFree Scott are, don’t worry! We’ll be reprising our most anticipated elite freshmen series later in the summer.

10. Ava Piedrahita, Penn State (9.5542 modified average, 9.850 high score)

Bars was Penn State’s best event in 2022, but its top two performers graduated. Piedrahita’s routine should be an immediate weekly presence in the lineup with her beautiful Maloney to Pak combination and clean handstands.

9. Miki Aderinto, California (9.5768 modified average, 10.000 high score)

Aderinto’s routine has several highlights, but perhaps most impressive is her ability to stick her double front dismount. Cal’s bars lineup has been one of the top rotations in the country the past few seasons, but, like Penn State, two regular contributors must be replaced. Aderinto will be ready to step in immediately.

8. Casey Brown, California (9.5854 modified average, 9.925 high score)

Brown’s lines and toepoint are made for NCAA, and she has star potential in Cal’s already heralded bars lineup. As the only team with two athletes on this top 10 list, the Bears’ future on the uneven bars remains bright.

7. Kiley Rorich, Denver (9.6187 modified average, 9.875 high score)

Rorich has clean execution and excellent toepoint throughout her routine. In 2021 she upgraded her dismount to a full-twisting double layout; we can’t wait to see if it sticks around for college.

6. Gwen Fink, North Carolina (9.6529 modified average, 9.875 high score)

UNC has seen significant improvement to its uneven bars lineups in recent seasons, and all regular contributors from the 2022 rotation are returning. With her confident rhythm and clean double layout, Fink will add quality depth and increase competition to make the lineup.

5. Faith Torrez, Oklahoma (9.6611 modified average, 10.000 high score)

Defending national champions Oklahoma were the top-ranked team in the country on bars last year and will only lose one member of that rotation. Competition to make the lineup will be fierce, but Torrez has been one of the top level 10 athletes in her class for years so she is up to the challenge. Her routine features a Maloney to Pak combination and a double layout dismount.

T-3. Arielle Ward, Illinois (9.6617 modified average, 9.875 high score)

Ward’s routine highlights include a straddled Jaeger, a cleanly executed bail to handstand and a double arabian dismount. Illinois has to replace only one member of its highest-ranked lineup from 2022, and this incoming freshman should be a prime candidate for that position.

T-3. Selena Harris, UCLA (9.6617 modified average, 9.925 high score)

Harris’ routine features a stunning Ray, excellent handstands and a stickable double layout dismount. Bars was UCLA’s lowest-ranked event in 2022, so having this star freshman in the lineup will be an instant boost.

2. Ashley Cowan, LSU (9.6687 modified average, 9.875 high score)

LSU’s lowest-ranked event in 2022 was bars, and it loses an experienced 5th-year senior who tied for the team’s highest NQS on the event. However, Cowan brings a clean, dynamic routine packed full of difficulty, including a Ray and a double-twisting double layout dismount.

1. Natalia Pawlak, Pittsburgh (9.7028 modified average, 10.000 high score)

A former junior national team member for Poland, Pawlak has been turning heads with her form on bars for years. That has extended into her level 10 days as well, resulting in top placement in this list. She will be a game-changer for Pitt.

Honorable Mentions

Claire Dean, Stanford (9.5400 modified average, 9.800 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Anna Roberts, Stanford (9.5368 modified average, 9.900 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Naya Howard, Georgia (9.5266 modified average, 9.900 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Lilly Tubbs, Washington (9.5233 modified average, 9.850 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Paige Thaxton, Michigan (9.5083 modified average, 9.750 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Cally Swaney, Arkansas (9.5044 modified average, 9.800 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Jennifer McMillan, Oregon State (9.4922 modified average, 9.900 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Trista Goodman, Southern Utah (9.4912 modified average, 10.000 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Makenna Smith, Utah (9.4514 modified average, 9.900 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Jehaan Poonja, UC Davis (9.4450 modified average, 9.750 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Nikki Smith, Michigan State (9.4395 modified average, 9.875 high score)

Watch her routine here.

Bella Minervini, Towson (9.4303 modified average, 10.000 high score)

Watch her routine here.

WILDCARD: Jacquie Moran, Georgia (9.925 high score)

Watch her routine here.

READ THIS NEXT: Most Anticipated Level 10 Freshmen on Vault


Article by Jenna King

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