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 floor workers 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 Kaylen Morgan are, don’t worry! We’ll be reprising our most anticipated elite freshmen series later in the summer.
10. Ava Piedrahita, Penn State (9.6208 modified average, 9.925 high score)
Piedrahita showcases powerful tumbling throughout her routine, including a full-in as her first pass. She should be a solid contributor from the start of her career, as the Nittany Lions are losing three members of its 2022 lineup.
9. Kaylyn Mintz, Ohio State (9.6268 modified average, 9.825 high score)
Ohio State returns its entire 16th-ranked floor lineup, but it’s hard to imagine Mintz not being featured during her freshman season. Her dynamic tumbling, clean landings and fully extended leaps will score very well in college.
8. Makenna Smith, Utah (9.6278 modified average, 9.925 high score)
Smith has multiple E-pass options to choose from, having competed a double Arabian her junior year and a front double twist in 2022. Between her tumbling skills and her fun dance style, she is a prime candidate to replace the irreplaceable Sydney Soloski in the Utes’ floor lineup.
7. Savannah Miller, Oregon State (9.6333 modified average, 9.775 high score)
Miller did not compete during her senior season, but prior to that she was one of the most consistent floor workers in the country; the lowest score she received in 2021 was a 9.575. Her powerful tumbling combined with some engaging choreography could make her a crowd favorite in Corvallis.
6. Selena Harris, UCLA (9.6406 modified average, 9.900 high score)
Just like on the other events, Harris’ execution stands out on floor. From her pointed toes to her fully extended leaps, Harris excels in all the areas that matter in college gymnastics scoring.
5. Taralyn Nguyen, Stanford (9.6658 modified average, 9.900 high score)
Nguyen’s routine stands out for its difficulty (she finishes with a piked full-in!), but she is also an engaging performer who will shine with the right choreography. It will be interesting to see how her routine composition evolves in college.
4. Anna Roberts, Stanford (9.6921 modified average, 9.850 high score)
Roberts is a gymnast who balances power and finesse extremely well, and nowhere is that more evident than on floor. Her toe point is exceptional throughout her routine, including on double salto skills where toe point is increasingly a rarity. Floor was Stanford’s best event, but the loss of its top three scorers will hurt. Roberts should immediately find herself in the back half of the lineup.
3. Gabrielle Gladieux, Alabama (9.7063 modified average, 9.875 high score)
It was once again difficult to find recent, publicly available video of Gladieux’s floor routine, but her 2019 Nastia Liukin Cup performance shows beautiful extension on her leaps. A late 2021 routine shows off a full-in as her first pass rather than the previous double layout, a move which shows that she is ready to shine in college.
2. Nikki Smith, Michigan State (9.7112 modified average, 9.875 high score)
Smith’s power and height on her tumbling make her floor routine stand out, but she manages to preserve excellent execution as well. She is an engaging performer who should find herself deep in the Spartans’ lineup from the start of her career.
1. Faith Torrez, Oklahoma (9.7694 modified average, 9.850 high score)
Torrez’ elite routine showed off her many E-pass options, but her preferred first pass in level 10 was the double layout; it’s likely we’ll see that stick around for her college career. The defending national champions lose only one member of their final floor lineup, and Torrez will likely be at the top of the list to replace her.
Honorable Mentions
Payton Harris, Ohio State (9.6079 modified average, 9.825 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Arielle Ward, Illinois (9.5800 modified average, 9.900 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Jordan Schultz, Arizona (9.5673 modified average, 9.825 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Alea Byrne, Illinois (9.5583 modified average, 9.875 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Reese DeHaan, Temple (9.5536 modified average, 9.725 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Miranda Smith, West Virginia (9.5344 modified average, 9.825 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Deana Sheremeta, George Washington (9.5214 modified average, 9.925 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Morgan Price, Fisk (9.5000 modified average, 9.875 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Bryce Wilson, LSU (9.4987 modified average, 9.850 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Amani Herring, Penn State (9.4861 modified average, 9.900 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Samantha Forman, Kentucky (9.3917 modified average, 9.825 high score)
Watch her routine here.
Jordynn Cromartie, Fisk (9.1000 modified average, 9.950 high score)
Watch her routine here.
READ THIS NEXT: Most Anticipated Level 10 Freshmen on Beam
Article by Jenna King
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