Our fourth round 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 beamers in the classes of 2024 and 2025.
Class of 2024
Hannah Clark
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: Clemson
Beam High Scores: 9.675 (2023), 9.725 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Like older sister Sarah (Arizona State ’24), Clark has beautifully extended acro and dance elements from start to finish. The real stand out skill is her piked front toss to beat jump which is an absolute showstopper.
Madison Gustitus
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: San Jose State
Beam High Scores: 9.750 (2023, 2022)
Why She Stands Out: Gustitus gets remarkable amplitude, meaning even her most difficult skills—including a front tuck and a transverse split jump half—seem to hang in the air.
Brooke Gleichowski
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: Georgia
Beam High Scores: 9.625 (2023), 9.700 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: For an incoming freshman, Gleichowski has the poise and confidence of a seasoned NCAA veteran. She also has an impressive arsenal of trained (albeit not yet competed) skills for the Georgia staff to choose from.
Allie Misenheimer
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: Air Force
Beam High Scores: 9.700 (2023), 9.350 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: It’s rare to find a gymnast who embodies equal amounts of power and precision; Misenheimer is one of those athletes. The future Falcon attacks every skill without sacrificing form or technique, as evidenced by her dynamic back one and a half dismount.
Emma Duerre
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: Towson
Beam High Scores: 9.775 (2023), 9.575 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Duerre somewhat struggled with consistency this season in part due to her high level of difficulty. The risk is absolutely worth the reward in our humble opinion: this routine is utterly captivating when she hits.
Emma Nipper
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
College: uncommitted
Beam High Scores: 9.900 (2023), 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Nipper’s confidence on beam is impressive for someone who hasn’t even arrived at college yet. She makes her triple series look easy, and her leaps are well over 180°. If she cleans up her form on her acrobatic elements, she has the potential to score in the 9.900 range more consistently.
Class of 2025
Maddison Hajjar
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 12.833 (2023)
Why She Stands Out: Hajjar, a Canadian elite, is a confident beam worker. Her commitment to every skill results in some gorgeous gymnastics. Her beautiful leg extension and toe point throughout her set make even her straddle jump worth a mention.
Erin McDermott
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.750 (2023), 9.700 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: McDermott’s routine starts with a bang: a roundoff back handspring step out mount! She moves very confidently from one skill to the next and attacks every one of her landings. That type of confidence and fight won’t go unnoticed.
Abigail Ryssman
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.825 (2023), 9.600 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Ryssman works the beam throughout her routine, moving quickly and confidently through her most difficult elements. Even with a check on a pesky full turn, she was able to notch the beam title at DP nationals this season.
Hillary Puleo
Rating: NR
Beam High Scores: 9.700 (2023)
Why She Stands Out: Puleo made a mark on beam in her first level 10 season after missing 2021 and 2022 entirely. She hits like a natural, showing impressive patience as she moves through each skill.
Genesis PeBenito
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.600 (2023), 9.800 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: With two more years left to improve on some consistency issues, PeBenito could blossom into one of the classes’ top beam workers as she scores well when she hits. When she’s dialed in, PeBenito attacks the beam and shows off precision on each skill.
Megan Aamold
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.875 (2023), 9.650 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Aamold is a hitting machine. She scored no lower than 9.200 this season and at least 9.575 throughout the level 10 postseason. Her dynamic side aerial to two feet is the highlight of her routine.
Sophie Stuart
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Beam High Scores: 9.700 (2023), 9.675 (2022)
Why She Stands Out: Stuart is a veteran–she just competed in her fifth season as a level 10–and has all the makings of a future NCAA beam stalwart. Her short and sweet routine is not only efficient but nearly college-ready, with a few seasons left to perfect it.
READ THIS NEXT: Underrated Recruits That Excel on Bars
Article by Claire Billman, Emily Lockard and Brandis Heffner
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