The most anticipated series is back! Since so many of the class of 2023’s elite gymnasts have deferred enrollment until after the Olympics, we’re switching things up this year by combining level 10s and elites into the same articles. We’ll also be a little more subjective with our featured level 10 gymnasts rather than only using data to determine who’s included. This week we’re looking at the top beam workers for 2024.
The Level 10s
Hannah Scheible, Oklahoma
Scheible was one of the stars of this year’s level 10 nationals, earning a 9.950–which tied for the highest beam score in all of level 10 this season–on her way to her third straight beam title, in addition to winning vault and the all-around. She moves through her routine with confidence, hardly pausing between skills, while showing excellent execution throughout. Oklahoma is returning its top four beam performers by NQS from last season, and it’s hard to imagine Scheible not joining them in the lineup from the start.
Delaynee Rodriguez, Kentucky
Rodriguez oozes confidence while performing her college-ready beam routine, and it’s easy to see how she earned a national championship on the event in 2023. She comfortably competed a triple series, a piked front toss, and a side somi in level 10, and she shows particular finesse in covering up balance checks that others may not be able to disguise as effectively. Beam has been Kentucky’s lowest-ranked event the past two seasons, so having one of the top beamers in the country joining the program is excellent news for the Wildcats.
Jaydah Battle, Georgia
Long considered one of the best beamers in the class of 2023, Battle won a national championship on the event in 2021 and finished second the following two seasons. Highlights of her routine include a back handspring to layout step-out acro series that shows off fantastic amplitude, as well as a back two-and-a-half twist dismount. Georgia will especially appreciate her consistency, given that she hasn’t recorded any falls since late 2021.
Jamison Sears, Alabama
Sears is one of those gymnasts who looks at home on a balance beam, moving through each skill with an effortless fluidity. Her senior season routine featured an unusual back handspring to back layout landed with two feet, a gorgeous straddle half jump, and a double tuck dismount. Alabama is returning its entire 8th-ranked beam lineup from last season, but Sears will be a strong contender to knock someone out.
Priscilla Park, Arkansas
Park has a quick pace to her routine that gym fans and NCAA judges will certainly appreciate. That combined with her triple series and switch leap to switch leap dance combination make her one to watch in 2024. Arkansas is losing half its beam lineup from last season, so her confidence and consistency will be needed from the start.
Alyssa-Carolina Arana, Florida
While Arana’s routine may not be the most showy or difficult, she absolutely nails the finer details: Her leaps are fully extended, she keeps her legs straight and toes pointed during her acro series, and she moves at a confident pace throughout the routine. It’s easy to see why she won a national title from the wildcard session in 2023. If her transition to college goes well, she could end up as one of the top scorers in a very deep Florida lineup.
Abigayle Martin, Arizona
Similar to Arana, Martin’s execution and attention to detail shine in her beam routine, which won her a national title in 2021. Arizona has the daunting task of replacing Sirena Linton’s routine in the lineup, but Martin is a strong contender to equal her scores, even early in her career.
Sophia Esposito, Oregon State
Esposito won a national title on beam this year on top of being named all-around champion, competing a unique combination of switch leap to switch split jump to layout step-out. It’s clear from her Instagram that she enjoys training unique combinations, and if any of them make it into her college routine she should be an instant fan favorite.
Mya Witte, Utah State
Witte was well-known as a standout beamer in her junior elite days, and she has continued to shine on the event since she dropped back to level 10 for her final two years before college. With Utah State’s beam lineup slipping from 14th in 2022 to 45th in 2023, her triple series and Onodi will be welcome additions.
Madison Ulrich, Denver
Ulrich was a national champion on beam in 2019 and followed that up with the Nastia Liukin Cup event title in 2020. She missed the 2022 season due to injury, but came back strong in 2023. Her current beam routine shows off an impeccable triple series and college-ready composition.
Elites and Internationals
Konnor McClain, LSU
Reigning U.S. beam champion McClain has long been known for her prodigious talent on the event and execution that’s among the best in the elite world. After sitting out the 2023 competitive season to focus on getting “happy and healthy,” it’s unclear how she’ll factor into the Tigers’ lineups in 2024. When she’s ready, she’ll likely be a force to be reckoned with.
Keira Thornton, Bowling Green
Thornton isn’t as well-known to U.S. gymnastics fans, but we have a feeling that’s about to change. She’s a remarkably stylish beam worker, whose combination of precision and flair are perfectly suited to NCAA gymnastics.
Reese Grolla, Illinois State
From her press handstand mount to cartwheel gainer one and a half dismount off the front of the beam, Grolla’s beam set is jam-packed with unexpected skills that are executed with impeccable form. The Redbirds’ beam has failed to keep pace with their other events in recent years, so a beamer of Grolla’s caliber could be a game changer for the program.
Addison Fatta, Oklahoma
Fatta is the sort of bold gymnast with strong fundamentals that tends to thrive under KJ Kindler. She struggled somewhat with consistency as an elite precisely because she is such an aggressive, (seemingly) fearless beam worker. Her confident demeanor and generally clean technique should serve her well in college.
Maya Peters, George Washington
Peters has the sort of presentation on beam that draws the viewer in from start to finish. She competes a beautiful side aerial to layout stepout early in her routine, but equally impressive is the switch leap to back pike dismount. Her clean execution and calm confidence will earn her high scores throughout her collegiate career.
Honorable Mentions
Cadence Gormley, Kentucky – Watch her routine
Jenna Olshefski, Minnesota – Watch her routine
Lily Smith, Georgia – Watch her routine
Isabella Trostel, Michigan State – Watch her routine
Zora Morgan, Georgia – Watch her routine
Jessica Naranjo, North Carolina – Watch her routine
Lauren O’Brochta, Iowa State – Watch her routine
Holly Snyder, Georgia – Watch her routine
Samara Buchanan, Ohio State – Watch her routine
Brynlee Andersen, BYU – Watch her routine
Ayumi Oshiro, UC Davis – Watch her routine
Camie Winger, Utah – Watch her routine
Lindsey Yang, Brown – Watch her routine
Rayna Light, Missouri – Watch her routine
Gabriella Ladanyi, Alabama – Watch her routine
Love Akpan, Bowling Green – Watch her routine
Maggie Slife, Air Force – Watch her routine
Katelyn Rosen, UCLA – Watch her routine
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Article by Jenna King, Claire Billman and Katie Couldrey
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