Our new batch of ratings was released a couple of weeks ago with updates to the class of 2024 and first-time ratings for the class of 2025. 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 here at underrated bar workers in the classes of 2024 and 2025.
Class of 2024
Samantha Macasu
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: San Jose State
Bars High Scores: 9.900 (2023), 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Legacy Elite is renowned for producing great bars workers, and Macasu is no exception. Macasu’s hit handstands and smooth swing earned her a national title on the event last month.
Emma Mason
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Georgia
Bars High Scores: 10.000 (2023), 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Mason demonstrates patience on every skill as she never loses form throughout her routine. She capped off her season with a top 10 finish on bars at DP nationals after earning a perfect 10 for a phenomenal set back in March.
Nina Laurito
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Iowa
Bars High Scores: 9.850 (2023), 9.750 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: An opening Ricna to overshoot combination highlights Laurito’s routine where her excellent toe point also shines. Bars is an event that has held Iowa back the last few seasons, so Laurito should be able to star in the Hawkeyes’ lineups.
Kaitlyn Schwab
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Maryland
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Schwab competes a jam-packed routine with a Gienger, bail, and double layout with legs glued together. Her arsenal of skills will give Maryland a standout routine that’ll score very well when hit.
Cadence Goldberg
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Kentucky
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Showcasing one of the most spectacular toe points out there, Goldberg glides on bars. Her lines will make her a threat for 10s once she begins her time as a Wildcat.
Tiara Platkin
Rating: NR
College: Arizona State
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Despite being unrated, Platkin can make an impact in the Pac-12 as she’s a natural bars swinger and scores well when she hits. She’s got a big piked Jaeger and full-twisting double tuck dismount that’ll fit in well with the Sun Devils.
Trinity Webb
Rating: NR
College: Clemson
Bars High Scores: 9.900 (2023), 9.700 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: With excellent handstands, clean form, and a floaty double layout dismount, Webb’s routine shines in all the areas that are critical to NCAA scoring.
Class of 2025
Bailey Stroud
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.775 (2023), 9.875 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Stroud possesses such good form throughout her routine: Her toes don’t flex or separate even slightly until the giants winding up for her dismount. With straight body casts and a gorgeous Van Leeuwen, it’s no surprise Stroud scored a 10.000 for a routine back in 2021.
Ava Callahan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.900 (2023), 9.775 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Flying high on her piked Jaeger and double front dismount, Callahan scores supremely well whenever she hits. In addition to her huge 9.9 at DP regionals, a 9.850 at nationals earned her a podium finish.
Sevana Kasparian
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.825 (2023), 9.625 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Kasparian will be a bars standout wherever she ends up committing, as she’s already hitting handstands and her giant full to double tuck dismount at an NCAA level. That’s with two more level 10 seasons to refine (or upgrade) her skills, too.
Kaylee Cheek
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.825 (2023), 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Cheek is a pirouetting perfectionist: demonstrated profoundly on her stalder blind full to double tuck dismount. She’s also consistent, scoring 9.7 or better in her last five meets of her level 10 season.
Karys Griffin
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.725 (2023), 9.600 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: As many gymnasts from GAGE do, Griffin has mastered the basics and fundamentals to become a natural bars swinger. Never scoring below 9.325 on the event last season, Griffin also always finds a way to hit.
Isabel Biro
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.875 (2023), 9.650 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Biro made huge strides on bars over the last year, improving her career-best score by over two-tenths and scoring in the 9.7s consistently. It’s easy to marvel at her toe point as she glides through her routine.
Katherine Shackelford
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.775 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Shackelford has consistently been scoring in the 9.700 range for the past couple of years, and if you watch her videos, you’ll see why. Not only does she have a beautiful piked Jaeger, but she is also great at hitting almost all of her handstands.
Evelyn DeYoung
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.675 (2023), 9.750 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: DeYoung’s bar routine is truly spectacular. From her gorgeous lines to her double layout dismount, her routine really does look effortless. Plus, she still has two more years to make it even better!
Sadie Jane Berry
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bars High Scores: 9.600 (2023), 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Berry’s form really does set her apart from her competitors. Her feet are glued together throughout her entire routine, and her legs never bent. Her impeccable form should land her a spot in any team’s bar lineup.
Anna Pearl Stanley
Rating: NR
Bars High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Stanley’s toe point is exceptional throughout her routine, and she keeps her legs glued together on her Pak. With two years left to improve the little things, she could end up as one of the top bar workers in the class of 2025.
READ THIS NEXT: Underrated Recruits That Excel on Vault
Article by Claire Billman, Brandis Heffner, Emily Lockard and Jenna King
Like what you see? Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year!
2 comments