We’ve surpassed the midseason point, so it’s about time for the NCGA and USAG races to start getting interesting, and thus, it’s time to get a status update before postseason looms. Many teams are raising the bar, with multiple setting program records since the last progress report. With multiple 196-plus scores this season, as well, the competition for the top is thicker than ever. The question is: Will everyone be able to keep up the momentum as we move into March?
Let’s check in with midterm grades, and see what’s going well, and what can be improved on in order to contend for titles. Just a reminder, Cs make degrees! A sub-A does not a “bad” team make.
For the record, I’m not here to roast anyone’s favorite team or athlete. This is just an objective way to tell how the season is going from a scoring standpoint. By no means, does a grade show the whole story. As a former DIII collegiate gymnast myself, I am well aware that scores aren’t everything, nor do they show the level of adversity and fight that each team has to get through a season. I have all the respect in the world for each athlete who works their butts off to compete at this level.
With that being said, let’s get to the midseason report card.
Top of the Class
Lindenwood
| Vault: A- | Bars: A | Beam: A- | Floor: A |
Compliments: Hannah Appleget has continued to have a strong and consistent showing in her sophomore campaign. Nya Kraus has also been added to the bar lineup, producing a spark. One thing Lindenwood knows how to do is turn it on when the lights are the brightest, and 2023 doesn’t seem to be an exception.
Concerns: There have been a couple meets of late where the Lions had a bit of a break down on beam and/or bars. While the potential for high scoring on both events is evident, occasionally the limited competitive experience of the lineup as a whole rears its head.
SEMO
| Vault: A- | Bars: B+ | Beam: B+ | Floor: A |
Compliments: SEMO is one of the teams who has been raising the bar in the past month or so, breaking their program record with a 196.175. The vault lineup is most improved, led by Madison Greene.
Concerns: Last weekend, Jordan Jones went down with an Achilles injury. It’s a major hit to the two to three lineups she’s typically featured in, most notably floor.
UW-La Crosse
| Vault: B- | Bars: C+ | Beam: C | Floor: C+ |
Compliments: La Crosse is taking no prisoners this season, posting only scores over 190 since the last progress report, including a 192.650 on the road. Cate Sandvik has stepped into the all-around competition by adding another Yurchenko full to the vault lineup.
Concerns: If I had to come up with something to be concerned about, it would be related to beam. Occasionally, the team will have to count a miss; however, I think this lineup is getting into its groove lately.
Honor Roll
UW-Oshkosh
| Vault: B- | Bars: C | Beam: C+ | Floor: B- |
Compliments: Oshkosh seems to be back on the rise after getting back into the 190s last week. Also of note was Emily Buffington’s return to her usual high-performing self. This roster is full of young studs as well, including Reanna McGibboney, Mia Lucero and Daejah Rose.
Concerns: While the Titans’ scores don’t look as flashy as La Crosse’s right now, the gymnastics seems to be there.
Brockport
| Vault: B | Bars: C- | Beam: C- | Floor: B+ |
Compliments: After a slow start to the season, the Golden Eagles took off last week with a 193.250, the highest team total in the NCGA in 2023. Kyra Figurelli’s full-twisting double back has become a staple on floor, and the vault lineup has been lights-out.
Concerns: Can Brockport keep its same energy through the end of the season?
Air Force
| Vault: B+ | Bars: B+ | Beam: A- | Floor: (A-) B+ |
Compliments: Air Force has used a variety of lineups throughout the season, getting plenty of athletes with competitive experience early in 2023. Kylee Greene has proven to be a valuable all-around contributor along with staples Velandra Brochi and Ayla McKean. Amber Boll is also stepping things up in her senior campaign, posting a 9.900 on bars last weekend.
Concerns: The last month of competition has been a bit up and down. It looks like the Falcons are on an upswing following a season high on senior night, just two weeks after a season low on the road. Which trend will be sustained through the end of the season?
Brown
| Vault: A- | Bars: B+ | Beam: B | Floor: (B+) A- |
Compliments: The leg events are great, led by a consistent Julia Bedell. Bars and beam feature elegant lines that would draw anyone’s attention, including Maya Davis who is Kathy-Johnson-Clark-shout-out worthy.
Concerns: Overall, the Bears are continuing to climb each week, but the last couple meets haven’t had their ideal bars and beam performances. This team is right where it needs to be if it manages to hit five for six routines and avoid counting a fall.
Plenty of Potential
Ithaca
| Vault: C | Bars: D- | Beam: C+ | Floor: B- |
Compliments: Ithaca has been leveling up of late, posting a new program record on beam with a 48.825. A season high of 192.250 is nothing to scoff at, either. The Bombers are a team that will sneak up late and surprise teams come postseason.
Concerns: Bars overall has been a bit hit or miss. However, I’d be remiss to not point out the recent season high of 47.925. Cameryn Nichols and Nicole Lonski have been killing the game there, with the latter recently eclipsing the program record on the event with a 9.825.
UW-Whitewater
| Vault: C+ | Bars: C- | Beam: D | Floor: C+ |
Compliments: Brianna Bailan and Kara Welsh have been staples on vault this season. Kelsey Kollhoff has stepped back into her usual lineups with ease after injury, becoming one of the weekly leaders on beam and floor.
Concerns: The difference between good and great for the Warhawks is five solid hits on beam.
Texas Woman’s
| Vault: A- | Bars: B | Beam: B+ | Floor: A |
Compliments: TWU posted a season high, its first 195-plus of 2023 in Week 7. Floor is definitely the stand-out event as a whole, and Alix Pierce is having a breakout season. Ruby Goad’s lines have made her a staple on beam and floor, and Steelie King has finally made her full return.
Concerns: The Pioneers have all the pieces for another great postseason run, but consistency on bars is still a question mark from time to time. Also, the departure of Sierra Muns could impact vault and floor scores.
Room for Improvement
Springfield
| Vault: C | Bars: D- | Beam: C- | Floor: B- |
Compliments: Devon Rosier is having a breakout year, especially on beam and floor. She’s been a solid, guaranteed score all season long.
Concerns: While bars as a whole is held back by start values, there are some standouts on the event, including Tori Sipes and Winter Osborne’s stunning release moves. The best way to increase scoring potential, even if the start values remain the same, is to go for broke on every handstand.
Yale
| Vault: B | Bars: B+ | Beam: B+ | Floor: B |
Compliments: Yale wins the most consistent award. The Bulldogs’ upperclassmen are holding down the fort, but not without the help of newcomers like Hana Strause making a splash. I could complement Raegan Walker’s gymnastics until I’m blue in the face, and Sarah Wilson never gets old either.
Concerns: I worry that the low 194s might be the ceiling of where Yale is right about now. While that will be plenty to contend for Ivies and to qualify to USAGs, I wonder how that will hold up when trying to advance further to the team final.
Tutor Time
Southern Connecticut
| Vault: B- | Bars: C- | Beam: B- | Floor: B+ |
Compliments: After missing the mark in last month’s report card, Southern has turned things around, scoring a 193.400 at its most recent meet. The team is competing more to its potential around this midpoint in the season.
Concerns: Currently the Owls are in the final qualifying spot for nationals. Will the team be able to hold on when Cornell enters the NQS rankings?
Bridgeport
| Vault: B | Bars: C- | Beam: B- | Floor: C+ |
Compliments: After a slow start, Bridgeport has posted four scores over 191 in the last five meets. Did I also mention that Nicole Javinett performed a program record-tying beam routine this past weekend? She’s making her fifth year worth her while. Several athletes have been stepping up across the board to make 2023 a successful year for the Purple Knights, including Lola Sepulveda.
Concerns: Things get a bit shaky from time to time, especially on bars and floor.
Centenary
| Vault: C | Bars: D | Beam: C- | Floor: C+ |
Compliments: Kennedy Stephens is the epitome of what artistry should be. She has such nice lines that her power on floor is almost surprising. Emma Lavelle and Amy Foret are show stoppers on beam and floor as well. Leilani Johnson has been stepping up to the table in her senior season, a constant force for the Ladies.
Concerns: The team seems to have hit a wall from a consistency stand point. While the talent is there, the whole lineup hasn’t been hitting from week to week to establish a base level of confidence.
READ THIS NEXT: The NCAA Report Card: February 17, 2023
Article by Tavia Smith
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