The WIAC was particularly competitive in 2022 with Whitewater leading the way during the regular season and Oshkosh peaking just in time for nationals. The WIAC would not be outdone by the NCGA-East’s record breaking, with Oshkosh scoring over 194 for the first time in program history to win the national championship. There’s fresh talent and Division I transfers entering the playing field in 2023, so don’t expect the conference to slow down anytime soon.
The preseason is starting and 2023 will be here before we know it. That means it’s time for our annual potential lineups analysis! As gymnasts get back into the gym with new goals for the new season, we’re breaking their prospects down and taking a look at what each team’s lineups may look like come January—from who’s expected to contribute, holes that need to be filled and exciting upgrades fans should look out for.
No. 66 UW-Whitewater
Whitewater led the conference throughout the back half of the season. Oshkosh outpaced the Warhawks at regionals, and a flat performance on bars left the team out of contention at nationals.
| Losses: | Rachel Llewellen (VT), Emily North (VT, UB, BB, FX) |
| Gains: | Brianna Balian, Trinity Bellamy, Shannon Chase, Elaine Copeland, Danielle Dudziak, Grace Gorham (CMU transfer), Ashnaya Gupta, Tegan Haberstock, Gabrielle Hinkle, Brookelyn Klepfer, Carleigh Moore, Ava Ridlehoover, Eliana Thompson |
| Returning From Injury: | Kelsey Kollhoff, Zoe Jenks, Gracie Talley |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kara Welsh (NQS 9.680), Meg McGinley (9.500), Faith Mylin (9.415), Taiya Stelmachowski (avg 9.608), Morgan McEntire (9.575), Kelsey Kollhoff (9.442), Alayna Fern (8.967), Brianna Balian, Ashnaya Gupta, Ava Ridlehoover
How It Looked Before: Rachel Llewellen and Kara Welsh led the way with their duo of Yurchenko tuck fulls.
How It Looks Now: The Warhawks will push toward a full lineup of twisting vaults with the addition of fulls from Brianna Balian and Ashnaya Gupta and a potential 10.0 start from Ava Ridlehoover.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kelsey Kollhoff (NQS 9.600), Estee Flom (9.570), Taiya Stelmachowski (9.535), Richella Velarmino (9.480), Mia Falcone (avg 9.519), Faith Mylin (9.25), Brianna Balian, Gracie Talley, Shannon Chase, Elaine Copeland, Grace Goreham
How It Looked Before: While bars had the potential to be a strong event for Whitewater, the team struggled with inconsistency sporadically throughout the season.
How It Looks Now: Newcomers bring the potential for greater depth of 10.0 start value routines. The return of Gracie Talley from injury and Faith Mylin’s offseason upgrades will also prove helpful. Kollhoff, the leading returning routine, suffered an elbow dislocation in the preseason that will likely impact her level of participation on this event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars’ trendline will be more dependent on consistency than difficulty. Right now, it’s too soon to tell.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Lauren Goble (NQS 9.510), Kelsey Kollhoff (9.495), Meg McGinley (9.465), Faith Mylin (9.240), Morgan McEntire (8.945), Sarah Knetzke (avg 9.733), Richelle Velarmino (8.250), Shannon Chase, Danielle Dudziak, Ashnaya Gupta, Tegan Haberstock, Caleigh Moore, Eliana Thompson
How It Looked Before: Led by Emily North, Lauren Goble and Kelsey Kollhoff the majority of the season, Sarah Knetzke burst onto the scene at the end of the season to claim the beam national title.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen bring unmatched difficulty with a triple series from Danielle Dudziak and a punch front from Ashnaya Gupta. The question still lies in the full lineup’s ability to hit consistently.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With Knetzke available for the entire season, talented freshmen and many returners with experience, beam should be looking up this year.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Faith Mylin (NQS 9.705), Kelsey Kollhoff (9.605), Kara Welsh (9.540), Meg McGinley (9.360), Richelle Velarmino (avg 9.200), Alayna Fern (8.800), Brianna Balian, Shannon Chase, Danielle Dudziak, Grace Gorham, Ashnaya Gupta, Gabrielle Hinkle, Carleigh Moore
How It Looked Before: Faith Mylin and Emily North led the way with their consistency.
How It Looks Now: The newcomers will liven up the lineup, contending to contribute from the start. The top three returners are likely to remain staples while the other lineup spots will be up for grabs to the strongest contenders.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Three Big Questions
What’s the key to standing atop the national podium?
Consistency on bars and beam will be the determining factor. The difficulty on bars this year should be where it needs to be to keep the Warhawks in the mix with the best in the country, but can the team hit when it counts? Moreover, the increase in potential vault start values will help to differentiate Whitewater from other NCGA teams.
With a large freshman class, who will stand out?
With larger classes, it becomes more difficult to make a name for yourself as a freshman. There’s only so many lineup spots to go around, especially on a team like Whitewater’s where the talent is high and the number of graduating routines are few. However, preseason has introduced the gymternet to Dudziak and Bailan. Both bring difficulty, power and grace that will make for BIG scores in the years to come.
Old dog, new tricks?
Mylin has been showing off upgrades all preseason. Increasing her start values on vault and bars will not only better secure her lineup spots but make her a contender to be Whitewater’s next great all-arounder. With the graduation of North, the reigning NCGA national all-around champion, the crown is ripe for the taking.
No. 67 UW-Oshkosh
UW-Oshkosh had a record-breaking year that was topped off with a record-smashing victory at NCGA nationals, surpassing the 194 mark.
| Losses: | Emily Gilot (VT, UB, FX), Kaira Hammond (BB), Olivia Keller (BB, FX), Haley Minor, Alyssa Nore (FX) |
| Gains: | Madelyn Bellmore, Erin Donovan, Mackenzie Havlik, Lydia Hayden, Amaya McConkay, Reanna McGibboney, Aleah Radojevich |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Emily Buffington (NQS 9.705), Mia Lucero (9.535), Rahdea Jarvis (9.480), Audrey Koester (9.390), Trinity Sawyer (9.390), Delaney Cienkus (avg 9.425), Haley Volstad (9.263), Samantha Zeilinger (8.825), Amaya McConkay, Reanna McGibboney
How It Looked Before: Buffington led the way with a string of stuck vaults. Oshkosh sported a lineup with many twisting vaults, boosting the team’s scoring potential.
How It Looks Now: The lineup should be complete with six 9.9-plus start value vaults considering the seven twisting vaults featured in preseason videos.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect vault to trend up. With only one consistent routine to replace from last year, the rest of the team has more than enough talent to fill in the gap.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Emily Buffington (NQS 9.625), Rahdea Jarvis (9.540), Trinity Sawyer (9.485), Samantha Zeilinger (9.485), Kaylie Berens (avg 9.663), Meaghan O’Connor (9.335), Haley Volstad (9.175), Daeja Rose, Erin Donovan, Lydia Hayden, Amaya McConkay, Reanna McGibboney
How It Looked Before: Led by Emily Buffington’s sky high Jaeger, the bar lineup went for increased difficulty throughout the season.
How It Looks Now: Expect for the 10.0 start value bar routines to be here to stay. McGibboney brings a swing half Tkatchev combo while Amaya McConkay’s Geinger could also be a valid addition to the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? This is a team who really hits bars, or really doesn’t. It’s too soon to tell whether it will trend up or down, but the skill potential is there to make a solid team score
Beam
Potential Contributors: Delaney Cienkus (NQS 9.555), Kaylie Berens (9.540), Anna Zoromski (9.495), Emily Buffington (9.300), Mia Lucero (9.017), Liz Romano (avg 9.388), Ella Wilson (9.075), Madelyn Bellmore, Mackenzie Havlik, Lydia Hayden, Amaya McConkay, Reanna McGibboney, Aleah Radojevich
How It Looked Before: While beam had a shaky start, it really peaked at the end of the season as the lineup got its footing.
How It Looks Now: Returners better step up their game because the freshmen are bringing the difficulty and lines to contend for lineup spots. The top six will all come down to consistency.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Rahdea Jarvis (NQS 9.650), Trinity Sawyer (9.625), Emily Buffington (9.460), Delaney Cienkus (9.285), Kennedy Springer (avg 9.700), Madelyn Bellmore, Mackenzie Havlik, Lydia Hayden, Amaya McConkay, Aleah Radojevich
How It Looked Before: Floor was carried by a senior-heavy lineup.
How It Looks Now: The newcomers will be pressing the returners for lineup spots. Hopefully Kennedy Springer will get to see more action on this event in 2023. Her power and landings are unmatched.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Replacing half the lineup in 2023 means it’s a little too soon to tell how floor will fare this season. However, there are plenty of freshmen who are capable of putting up big scores, so only time will tell.
Three Big Questions
What’s the impact of Rahdea Jarvis’ fifth year?
Rahdea Jarvis surprised everyone by announcing her return to Oshkosh for a fifth season in October. Her return means increasing depth with a consistent performer on vault, bars and floor. She slides into the spot as the highest-scoring returning floor routine and brings one of the largest Tkatchevs in the NCAA. She will help to dampen the blow of losing the large 2022 senior class, especially on floor where three routines graduated.
Who will step up to replace that large senior class?
Speaking of the class of 2022, who is going to fill in the gaps left behind? Buffington already sits among the best on all three events she competes, capturing the national bars title and scoring a near-perfect 9.875 on vault in 2022. Expect more of the same. Also, keep an eye out for McGibboney and McConkay. Both freshmen are ready to contribute on multiple events come January.
Is a repeat in the works?
While a repeat is possible, the Titans will have to work for it. All the stars aligned at the end of 2022 as Oshkosh claimed both WIAC and NCGA titles. However, this year involves replacing the likes of Gilot who consistently competed all four years. Moreover, half the floor lineup is likely to be fresh faces. If Oskosh can manage consistency and peaking at the right time yet again, the rest of the country will have to bring its A-game to challenge the Titans.
No. 69 UW-La Crosse
La Crosse kept its hat in the ring throughout the season by remaining the most consistent in the conference, exhibiting few dips in scores.
| Losses: | Keira Boetel (VT), Annie Clarmo, Jenna Danninger (VT, FX), Kaitlyn Farley (UB), Emma Grant (BB, FX), Megan Hawkins (VT), Molly Lyngaas (UB), Olivia Opheim (BB, FX), Katie Saladin |
| Gains: | Ashlyn Barker, Madison DeBernardo, Rachel Hettiarachchy, Grace Kehr,Hunter Matulka, Lily Millington, Kadence Nguyen, Sarah Pastore, Renata Stefaniuk, Jordan Halcom (Rutgers transfer), Hannah Hautala, Caelen Lansing (Iowa transfer), Abby Mitchell |
| Returning From Injury: | Abby Mitchell, Hannah Hautala |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Rachel Chesley (NQS 9.625), Alex Wood (9.570), Madi Vanderpool (9.505), Megan Hawkins (9.440), Sara Beck (9.415), Kyla Dickson (9.395), Audrey Kaufman (avg 9.600), Grace Kehr, Hunter Matulka, Lily Millington, Sarah Pastore
How It Looked Before: La Crosse’s vault lineup sported some upgraded difficulty, increasing its scoring potential.
How It Looks Now: The back-half of twisting vaults from last season should be joined by the difficulty of Lily Millington and Sarah Pastore. Expect increased landing consistency from the returners.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Increased start value potential should help vault trend up a bit this season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kerrie Legault (NQS 9.635), Madi Vanderpool (9.515), Rachel Chesley (9.300), Cate Sandvik (8.910), Claudia Walter (avg 9.000), Sara Beck (8.933), Ashlyn Barker, Kyla Dickson, Rachel Hettiarachchy, Jordan Halcom, Grace Kehr, Abby Mitchell, Kadence Nguyen, Sarah Pastore
How It Looked Before: Legault’s toe point and lines led the way all season. While the potential was there with the amount of difficulty in the lineup, consistency held the team totals back.
How It Looks Now: Expect Legault to continue to be a show stopper. However, look for newcomers like Rachel Hettiarachchy to make a name for themselves on this event. Rutgers transfer Jordan Halcom has a very usable Geinger while Kadence Nguyen brings a strong straddle Jaeger and double layout.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With an increase in depth of difficulty, bars should trend up this season.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Cate Sandvik (NQS 9.555), Kyla Dickson (9.420), Jordyn Faust (9.320), Audrey Kaufman (avg 9.238), Ashlyn Barker, Madison DeBernardo, Grace Kehr, Sarah Pastore, Renata Stefaniuk, Jordan Halcom
How It Looked Before: Led by senior Emma Grant, the lineup struggled a bit with consistency.
How It Looks Now: Expect to see some new faces in the lineup. Ashlyn Barker sports a unique side somi, and Madison DeBernardo exudes a calm confidence on beam with strong leaps to boot.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? This is likely to be a slightly revamped lineup without Grant and Opheim. It’s a little too soon to tell what competitive consistency will look like in 2023.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Cate Sandvik (NQS 9.560), Rachel Chesley (9.535), Jessica Taylor (9.425), Alex Wood (9.395), Kyla Dickson (avg 9.150), Ashlyn Barker, Madison DeBernardo, Grace Kehr, Caelen Lansing, Hunter Matulka, Jessica Qualich, Renata Stefaniuk
How It Looked Before: The lineup presented fun floor routines that the crowds really loved. While depth was more limited on this event, the lineup showed the potential to put up big scores.
How It Looks Now: Expect to see a couple more E passes this year with both Madison DeBernardo and Renata Stefaniuk bringing front double twists to the table.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Three Big Questions
Is La Crosse the DI transfer destination?
2023 brings not one but two Division I transfers to La Crosse. Jordan Halcom is joining the Eagles after two seasons at Rutgers while La Crosse native Caelen Lansing spent her freshman season at Iowa. Both should see some lineup time this season, particularly on bars, beam and floor. If these transfers both prove to be a solid fit for the athletes, who’s to say that moving to La Crosse won’t become a trend?
Who are the standout newcomers?
La Crosse has a host of freshmen heading into the 2023 season. New faces to watch out for include DeBernardo and Hettiarachchy. DeBernardo has the perfect combination of power and split positions to score big on beam and floor. Hettiarachchy’s piked Jaeger to overshoot combination will bring difficulty to the bar lineup.
Adding difficulty to match the consistency?
La Crosse was one of the only teams in the NCGA not to have major scoring dips throughout 2022. However, the team total was not one that could challenge the scoring potentials of Oshkosh and Brockport due to lower difficulty, particularly on vault. The incoming freshmen are going to solve that problem with Millington’s tuck full and Pastore’s Yurchenko layout half. That will make for at least five twisting vaults—a level of increased scoring potential that will increase the team’s chances of being in the running for the national title.
No. 73 UW-Stout
Stout sat steadily in the fourth conference position throughout the season, led by Mikala Bugge, Kiara Brown, and Effie Ferguson.
| Losses: | Mikala Bugge (VT, UB, FX) |
| Gains: | Heidi Benningfield, Ashtyn Gagner, Teagan Green, Camille Lindley, Lucy Krieg, Sarah Lutz, Anna Mielke, Jessica Qualich |
| Returning From Injury: | Chloe Beatty |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kiara Brown (NQS 9.445), Gabrielle Winstead (9.390), Jensen DeJong (9.310), Isabela Krulich (9.235), Jenna Jones (avg 9.425), Gillian Cummins (9.344), Carlie Beatty (9.206), Sarah Lutz
How It Looked Before: Sixth year Mikala Bugge led the way with her difficulty and precision.
How It Looks Now: Sarah Lutz’s Yurchenko tuck full will be a solid addition to the lineup. Upgrades from returners could also increase the scoring potential on this event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Losing Mikala Bugge’s vault will be felt this season. It’s too soon to tell what the lineup will look like this season. Landing consistency and the number of upgrades that materialize come season will be the determining factors.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Kiara Brown (NQS 9.560), Effie Ferguson (8.790), Emma Brittingham (avg 9.288), Gillian Cummins (9.119), Alia Wilson (8.906), Isabela Krulich (8.800), Jenna Jones (8.740), Abi Rose (8.717), Heidi Benningfield, Teagan Green, Camille Lindley, Sarah Lutz
How It Looked Before: Bars was consistently the worst rotation throughout the season, never eclipsing the 47 mark.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen bring a slew of difficulty with three having competed major releases in DP competition. Teagan Green sports a stalder to Geinger combination while Sarah Lutz has a
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up! The difficulty increase will increase scoring potential, and the returners got plenty of competitive experience last season to improve in 2023.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Effie Ferguson (NQS 9.610), Carlie Beatty (9.485), Genevieve Czaplewski (9.380), Kiara Brown (9.345), Isabela Krulich (avg 9.200), Alia Wilson (9.194), Gabrielle Winstead (8.915), Heidi Benningfield, Ashtyn Gagner, Teagan Green cummins? anna?
How It Looked Before: Effie Ferguson stole the show all season long with her solid demeanor and strong leap lines, eventually tying for second place at nationals with a season high 9.800.
How It Looks Now: Expect Ferguson to continue to lead the way, but watch out for the unique skill combinations of freshman Heidi Benningfield.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Losing no beam routines heading into 2023 should fare well for the Blue Devils. Expect a slight trend up.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Effie Ferguson (NQS 9.495), Isabela Krulich (9.465), Gabrielle Winstead (9.445), Genevieve Czaplewski (9.355), Carlie Beatty (9.320), Kiara Brown (avg 9.569), Abi Rose (8.650), Heidi Benningfield, Ashtyn Gagner, Camille Lindley
How It Looked Before: Floor was Stout’s best event on the season, led by freshman Effie Ferguson.
How It Looks Now: Most consistent performers are returning for 2023, but be on the lookout for Ashtyn Gagner and her front double full.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect a slight trend up this season as many returners got competitive experience last season, and the freshmen add a jolt of difficulty of their own.
Three Big Questions
What returners should you keep an eye on?
This answer is three fold. Brown made her name known last season, entering 2023 as the top returning routine on vault and bars. She also represented the Blue Devils on bars at nationals. Ferguson is the team’s top beam and floor performer but still has room for growth. Winstead has been posting upgrade videos all offseason, so be on the lookout for her to increase her contributions to lineups this year.
Will the recruiting strategies pay off?
Bars was the event that the Blue Devils struggled with the most in 2022. It’s refreshing to see that the incoming class almost fully addresses the deficits on this event. Increasing start values on bars will be an integral part of Stout’s ability to keep up with the top-three WIAC teams this year. Be on the lookout for straddle Jaegers from Benningfield and Lutz.
Ready for unique skills?
We should be seeing some interesting skills and combinations on beam this year. Benningfield does a sheep jump while Gagner performs a back handspring to side aerial series. A back-to-front series is one that’s hard to get credit for, but Gagner performs hers with smoothness and ease.
No. 78 Winona State
Winona had a solid year in 2022, ending the year with multiple individual all americans.
| Losses: | Hailey Bryant (VT, UB, FX), Katie Curtis (VT, FX), Gabrielle Johnson (UB, BB), Hannah Matuszak, Kaitlyn West (VT, UB, BB, FX) |
| Gains: | Kaylee Bateman, Jaci Fothergill, Courtney Knutson, Jessica Miley, Kayla Miller, Ashley Phillips, Ellie Sampson, Rachel Van Namen |
| Returning From Injury: | Taryn Sellner |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Kennedy O’Connor (NQS 9.515), Breanna Ho (9.390), Izzy Kropiwiec (9.305), Bryce Stoltz (9.245), Jaci Fothergill, Courtney Knutson, Jessica Miley, Ashley Phillips, Rachel Van Namen
How It Looked Before: Kennedy O’Connor led the way throughout the season, capturing a share of the vault national title with her unique full-on Yurchenko.
How It Looks Now: Kennedy O’Connor and Jaci Fothergill are both working on upgraded 10.0 vaults. Even if only the 9.95 versions materialize, the vault lineup will be in good shape.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect a slight trend upward.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Breanna Ho (NQS 9.270), Bryce Stoltz (8.980), Allison Crescimanno (8.670), Ashley Roth (8.370), Izzy Kropiwiec (avg 8.317), Kayla Miller, Jessica Miley, Ashley Phillips, Ellie Sampson
How It Looked Before: Bars was consistently the Warriors lowest scoring event.
How It Looks Now: 2023 brings upgraded routines with more single bar releases. Expect scoring potential to increase.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars should trend up slightly this year if the Warriors can manage to hit their upgrades.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Bryce Stoltz (NQS 9.450), Ava Gaudet (9.005), Lydia Anderson (8.910), Breanna Ho (8.680), Taryn Sellner (avg 9.033), Izzy Kropiwiec (8.088), Camdyn McSweeney (8.013), Kaylee Bateman, Kayla Miller, Rachel Van Namen
How It Looked Before: Beam steadily improved throughout the season as the team got its footing.
How It Looks Now: Increased contribution from Taryn Sellner should be helpful this season. Also, be on the lookout for Kayla Miller’s unique skill combinations. It’s not everyday that we see a back tuck-swing down in collegiate competition.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Graduating two of the top three beam routines could be an issue this season. It’s a little too soon to tell how beam will shake out in 2023.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Izzy Kropiwiec (NQS 9.575), Bryce Stoltz (9.345), Camdyn McSweeney (9.335), Kennedy O’Connor (9.195), Gabrielle Gray (avg 8.900), Jaci Fothergill, Courtney Knutson, Jessica Miley, Ashley Phillips
How It Looked Before: Izzy Kropiwiec led the way, competing as an individual on the event at nationals.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen bring a duo of front double fulls from Jaci Fothergill and Jessica Miley. Expect to see the difficulty to make its way into the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Replacing half the lineup is not a small feat for any team, but I think this team can do it with ease. Expect floor to trend up.
Three Big Questions
What is the most improved event?
BARS, hello! The Warriors have really gone to work this summer upgrading routines and recruiting newcomers who can contribute big releases. Bars should look like a completely different event for Winona State this year. You’ll see a variety of releases, including a Maloney, Jaeger and multiple Tkatchevs. Upgrades will be key in bringing up Winona’s scoring potential.
What are some routines to watch?
Fothergill has a stickable Yurchenko full and was seen training a one and a half during early preseason. Her vault will score big right next to O’Connor’s. Ashley Phillips’ bar routine features a swing half + Gienger + overshoot connection that’s a show stopper as well.
What event will be the game changer?
Beam will be the event to watch this season. Consistently hitting all five counting routines was difficult even before two of the team’s top routines graduated. The returners will need to step it up a bit. While the team has the difficulty level to hang with the best of them, staying on the beam will be the prerequisite to success.
No. 79 UW-Eau Claire
The Blugolds had a slow start to 2022 but picked up the pace for the last three meets of the season.
| Losses: | Karly Albers (FX), Bailey Davidson (FX), Andrea Gessner (VT), Dani Malecha (UB, BB), Tayla Thome (BB, FX) |
| Gains: | Sierra Bradford, Molly Campbell, Brooklynn Einck, Haiven Gipson, Georgia Guynn, Emma Loen, Ava Obermoller |
| Returning From Injury: | Andrea O’Connell, Bailey Thomas |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Harriet Toth (NQS 9.345), Andrea O’Connell (9.175), Tia Ravara (9.160), Katie Fahrenkamp (avg 9.1), Katy vanNatta (8.950), Bailey Thomas (8.893), Kelsey Donovan (8.815), Sierra Bradford, Brooklynn Einck, Haiven Gipson, Georgia Guynn, Ava Obermoller
How It Looked Before: Vault was the most consistent-scoring event on the season.
How It Looks Now: The freshman class will liven up this lineup a bit. Look for Haiven Gipson’s front handspring front pike.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Emma Barry (NQS 8.900), Harriet Toth (8.815), Liliana Shank (8.705), Christina Leikam (8.640), Bailey Thomas (avg 9.000), Tia Ravara (8.905), Sierra Bradford, Ava Obermoller
How It Looked Before: Bars consistently was the lowest scoring event throughout the season. However, there were steady improvements as the year went on.
How It Looks Now: Watch for Sierra Bradford and Ava Obermoller’s single bar releases. Their difficulty should help increase the scoring potential on this event a bit.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Scoring potential should be higher this year, but it’s the consistency of made routines that will make the most difference on team total. Hypothetically, the bar squad should trend up slightly in 2023.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Tia Ravara (NQS 9.525), Harriet Toth (9.150), Abby Weber (8.965), Christina Leikam (8.940), Liliana Shank (avg 8.965), Georgia Guynn
How It Looked Before: Tia Ravara led the way throughout the season with her calm confidence on the event.
How It Looks Now: The main contributors will be the same, excluding the two graduating routines from Tayla Thome and Dani Malecha. Expect Georgia Guynn to begin to make a name for herself on this event.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Emma Barry (NQS 9.420), Andrea O’Connell (9.365), Katie Fahrenkamp (9.130), Kelsey Donovan (avg 9.000), Harriet Toth (8.825), Tia Ravara (8.792), Molly Campbell, Brooklynn Einck, Haiven Gipson, Ava Obermoller
How It Looked Before: Floor exhibited the highest scoring potential in 2022, led by Emma Barry and individual national competitor Andrea O’Connell.
How It Looks Now: The freshman class brings some strong tumbling that will give the returners a run for their money. With O’Connell coming back from an offseason lower leg injury, her level of participation on this event, especially at the beginning of the season, is questionable.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell.
Three Big Questions
What’s the impact of those returning from injury?
O’Connell was one of the consistent performers on vault and floor last season. However, a lower leg injury has taken her out of a good portion of preseason, so her timeline for return is currently unknown. While there are others who can step into her place short-term, there’s still a question about who can replace the big scores that O’Connell is capable of. Moreover, the team already has to replace three graduating floor routines from 2022, increasing the urgency for O’Connell’s return.
Thomas’ return on bars will be an important one for the Blugolds as she was able to break the 9.000 mark multiple times last season. Having another athlete with competitive collegiate experience is always helpful to the team’s success.
What event will be most exciting to watch?
Not only will bars be one of the determining factors in the team’s ability to post big totals, but the freshmen bring the potential for new single bar releases. Brandford competed a clear hip + Gienger combination while Obermoller has a Tkatchev of her own. With Ravara’s release combination, this will make for a high flying bar lineup.
Who is the athlete most likely to be the next national qualifier?
Ravara has a beautiful beam routine that scored as high as 9.700 last season. With more competitive experience under her belt, expect her consistency and SAS to only get better. SAS is one of the factors considered for individual national qualification, along with scores at regionals.
No. 80 Gustavus Adolphus
Seniors Brooke Merilla and Sophie Redding led the way, both becoming All Americans at the national championships. Redding even inked her name in the record book twice in 2022, becoming the bars program record holder. The loss of Annie Corbett due to injury toward the beginning of the year had a significant impact.
| Losses: | Brooke Merila (VT, UB, BB, FX), Sophie Redding (VT, UB, BB), Lauren Smith |
| Gains: | Maddox Lee, Ella Nash, Alyssa Sciulli |
| Returning From Injury: | Annie Corbett, Lili Guy, Kimika Ishikawa-Temple |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Abby Willis (NQS 9.420), Marley Michaud (9.345), Emma Esteb (9.260), Lindsay Bangs (9.220), Lily Horsch (9.308), Annie Corbett (avg 9.025), Ella Nash, Alyssa Sciulli, Lili Guy
How It Looked Before: Vault was the highest scoring event on the season, led by consistent performances in the latter half of 2022.
How It Looks Now: Without leading vaulter Sophie Redding, some returners will need to step up to the plate with consistent landings. Look out for Alyssa Sciulli’s Tsuk entry vault in the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Katy Cash (NQS 8.920), Abby Willis (8.485), Marley Michaud (8.475), Annie Corbett (avg 9.250), Lili Guy (8.900), Kendra Smaby (8.390), Ashley Goeltl (8.325), Maddox Lee, Ella Nash
How It Looked Before: Sophie Redding led the way, breaking the program record on the event twice in 2022.
How It Looks Now: This event is going to severely feel the loss of Sophie Redding and Brooke Merila. Maddox Lee is likely to be the next big name on this event. Her Maloney to overshoot combination is lineup ready.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trend down.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Emma Esteb (NQS 9.220), Lindsay Bangs (8.860), Katy Cash (8.500), Annie Corbett (avg 9.283), McKenna Zelenka, Kendra Smaby (8.875), Izzy Breitkreutz (8.800), Marle Michaud (8.500), Kimika Ishikawa-Temple
How It Looked Before: Beam felt the absence of Annie Corbett after her injury toward the beginning of the season.
How It Looks Now: Beam is another event that will feel the loss of Redding and Merila. Increased competitive consistency will be needed to improve on this event in 2023.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trend down.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Jenna Griffith (NQS 9.325), Emma Esteb (9.215), Caylee Greeder (9.205), Olivia Jahnke (9.250), Annie Corbett (avg 9.238), Abby Willis (9.160), Lindsay Bangs (8.825), Katy Cash (8.815), Ella Binfet (8.025), Alyssa Sciulli
How It Looked Before: Floor was relatively consistent throughout the season, peaking at the 47 mark.
How It Looks Now: Alyssa Sciulli’s power should be a nice addition to the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? With so many returners getting experience last season, floor should be in good shape for 2023.
Three Big Questions
What’s the impact of Brooke Merila and Sophie Redding’s graduation?
Merilla was an all-around All-American, competing on all events all four years of her career. Classmate Redding is the program record holder on bars. Needless to say these are gigantic shoes to fill for the Gusties. It will likely take a few years to see anyone approach Redding’s record, but we can’t forget her impact as the No. 1 vaulter as well. While the scoring potential on bars will likely go down some this year, freshmen and those returning from injury will help pick up the pace on the other three events.
Wherefore art thou, Annie Corbett?
Speaking of those returning from injury, Corbett suffered a season-ending injury at the end of January. She has been another all-around star for the Gusties in her tenure, so integrating her back into the lineups will be key. Watch out for her especially on bars and beam.
Small freshman class…what does it mean?
This year sports a freshman class of only three athletes. After adding nine to the fold heading into 2022, the Gusties still have a sizable roster, though. This means there’s a major opportunity for returners we didn’t get a chance to see often last season slide into lineup spots this year. For example, Guy missed 2022 due to an Achilles tear but is back training. Other names to watch for are Ishikawa-Temple and Cash.
No. 81 Hamline
Although the Pipers had a slow start to the season, the team ultimately improved its team score by 10 points by season’s end.
| Losses: | Nikki Johnsen (VT, UB, BB, FX), Katie Kalland (BB), Madison Latzke (VT), Carolina Schlawiedt (VT, UB), Savannah Tafolla (BB), Katie Viles (BB, FX) |
| Gains: | Lily Berkowitz-Martinez, Shea Campbell, Lizzie Green, Hannah Lemon, Laurel Raymond, Brooke Reardon, Annelise Smaby, Sydney Stoenner, Olivia Tobin, Alexa Wade, Cate Zack |
Vault
Potential Contributors: Bailee Davis (NQS 9.235), Danielle Jaworski (9.235), Nadia Abid (avg 9.200), Julia Cheely (9.145), Meighan White (9.088), Madeline Sowinski (9.050), Elizabeth Schauer (8.950), Shea Campbell, Hannah Lemon, Sydney Stoenner, Olivia Tobin
How It Looked Before: Hamline was led by Davis’ beautiful, skyhigh Yurchenko layout all season long. Vault proved to be one of the steadiest events for the Pipers.
How It Looks Now: Plenty of returners will be experienced on this event, and the freshman bring a plethora of usable vaults as well.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Hamline graduated half the lineup last year, so it’s a bit too soon to tell who will replace those consistent performers.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Madeline Sowinski (NQS 8.955), Brianna Weikel (8.205), Danielle Jaworski (avg 8.831), Lily Ramsdell (8.813), Elizabeth Schauer (8.331), Julia Cheely (8.100), Madison Lieurance (8.092), Lily Berkowitz-Martinez,Olivia Tobin
How It Looked Before: Bars was a challenging event throughout 2022, but the team progressively improved throughout the season. There was a push for increased difficulty in many routines, escalating the level of risk.
How It Looks Now: Look for increased consistency from Julia Cheely and upgrades from Elizabeth Schauer to help increase the scoring potential on bars this season.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? The Pipers seem to be focusing on increasing start values during the preseason. Only time will tell if that strategy will pay off.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Madeline Sowinski (NQS 9.335), Madison Lieurance (9.265), Lily Ramsdell (avg 8.650), Bailee Davis (8.625), Emily Anderson (8.581), Nadia Abid (8.225), Lizzie Green, Hannah Lemon, Laurel Raymond, Brooke Reardon, Olivia Tobin, Alexa Wade
How It Looked Before: Sowinski led the way, along with the senior class.
How It Looks Now: The freshmen will be making a BIG push towards contributing on this event. Several athletes have proven to be solid beamers with Alexa Wade being the most college-ready out of the gate.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Danielle Jaworski (NQS 9.360), Madeline Sowinski (9.245), Elizabeth Schauer (9.190), Emily Anderson (9.160), Bailee Davis (avg 9.242), Meighan White (8.638), Shea Campbell, Lizzie Green, Sydney Stoenner, Cate Zack
How It Looked Before: Hamline became the two pass routine machine. While this reduced the possibility of landing deductions, it also could impact start values when D dance elements were not awarded their value or passes lacked enough difficulty.
How It Looks Now: Expect a bit more difficulty and combination passes in the floor lineup this year. Several athletes are looking to add double backs to their routines and Cate Zack is training a whip + one and a half + front tuck combo pass.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up.
Three Big Questions
What does Hamline need to do to put some heat on the WIAC competition?
The answer to this is two fold. Sometimes Hamline lags behind in the difficulty department, particularly on bars and vault. Increasing difficulty leads to a higher scoring potential and an increased likelihood of contending with other WIAC teams. The Pipers appear to be taking solid steps forward in this direction. Next, consistently hitting routines. Increased difficulty cannot come at the expense of hit routines. Expect to see more hit bar routines this year since athletes have more collegiate experience under their belts.
Who’s stepping up to the plate?
Expect Anderson to make the most of her fifth year for the Pipers. Davis has beautiful gymnastics, especially on vault and beam. Maybe she’ll add some more events to increase her lineup frequency in her senior season. Cheely has the skills but sometimes struggles with consistently hitting. Expect to see bigger scores from her this season as she gets used to competing.
Bar STARS!
While bars has been a sore spot for the Pipers for several seasons, 2023 will be the start to new beginnings. Schauers’ Gienger + overshoot connection looks strong, Berkowitz-Martinez competed a Tkatchev in club and Tobin has been working Jaegers this offseason. Combined with Cheely’s now up-to-the-level dismount combination, things are looking up for the Pipers. GET EXCITED.
READ THIS NEXT: Potential Lineups: MAC Part II
Article by Tavia Smith
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