Potential Lineups: MIC

As anticipated the 2023 battle in the MIC was a close one with the top four teams separated by the most fractional of margins. This year will be no different. With Lindenwood coming off of a USAG win and Illinois State with its first conference title in over a decade, don’t expect these teams to come off of that high any time soon. While this conference doesn’t have some of the big names, it’s typically one of the most closely matched in college gymnastics, always keeping fans on their toes. 

The preseason is starting and 2024 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. 51 Lindenwood

The Lions are the queens of Pride Rock, taking the USAG crown last season after a close-fought loss at the conference championships. It was the beam team that stole the show and made Lindenwood the undeniable winner of the season. 

Losses:	Riley Daniels (VT, UB, BB, FX), Carley Scott (UB, transfer to UW-Whitewater)
Gains:	Reese Baechle (transfer from Missouri), Elli Brownfield, Jaidan Kossuth, Leah Parton, Kayla Reingold

Vault

Potential Contributors: Gayla Griswold (NQS 9.835), Trinity Caffey (9.740), Sydney Lopez (9.735), Allie Berkley (9.730), Jaly Jones (9.640), Hannah Appleget, Nya Kraus, Jaidan Kossuth

How It Looked Before: Vault was consistently one of the lower-scoring events for the Lions due to inconsistency of landings. However, Gayla Griswold’s sky-high Yurchenko one and a half was always a head-turner. 

How It Looks Now: Griswold and Lopez staying on board for a fifth year will be game changers. Expect this lineup to not change much, with those with the most consistent landings making the lineup week after week. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Vault should trend about the same this year. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Hannah Appleget (NQS 9.815), Kaylee Cooper (9.810), Jaly Jones (9.810), Hannah Moon (9.810), Savannah Newsome (9.685), Nya Kraus, Nicole Wojcik, Reese Baechle, Leah Parton, Kayla Reingold

How It Looked Before: To say the bar lineup was stacked would be an understatement. On any given day, any member of this lineup could usurp the 9.8 mark. 

How It Looks Now: The fight for the bar lineup is going to be insane, with strong returners coupled with some high-flying incoming routines. Watch out for Nicole Wojcik’s new Gienger combination and Savannah Newsome’s double front dismount. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? With depth comes the possibility for major growth on the event. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Nya Kraus (NQS 9.790), Hannah Appleget (9.780), Gayla Griswold (9.775), Jaly Jones (9.685), Hannah Moon (9.555), Madison Rush (9.555), Reese Baechle, Jaidan Kossuth, Leah Parton 

How It Looked Before: Nya Kraus and Hannah Appleget stole the show week after week with their steady demeanor on the apparatus. While consistency was a little iffy from time to time, the beam team showed potential to be high earners, ultimately sealing a national title with a strong event here. 

How It Looks Now: While the mainstays should remain pretty constant, there is some wiggle room for the newcomers to make some waves on the event. Watch out for a triple series from Jaidan Kossuth or the potential pike jump three quarters from Leah Parton. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up is the only way to go here. With increased experience as well as unique skill combinations, Lindenwood’s beam team should do big things this season. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Gayla Griswold (NQS 9.880), Sydney Lopez (9.810), Jaly Jones (9.805), Hannah Appleget (9.760), Trinity Caffey (9.720), Reagan Jones (9.595), Simone Evans, Hannah Moon, Leah Parton, Kayla Reingold

How It Looked Before: Led by senior studs Griswold and Lopez, the floor lineup saw several new faces in 2023 that added depth. Freshman Jaly Jones was a mainstay that brought steady energy to the lineup. 

How It Looks Now: Once again, not much to change here, but there is room for some depth options to make a push for a lineup spot. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Expect floor to look about the same or maybe a touch better in 2024. 

Three Big Questions

What does the change in divisional status mean for Lindenwood?

The depth of this roster is about to get even deeper. With more scholarship opportunities available, Lindenwood will be able to acquire even more big-name recruits than it already gets with its dynasty alone. Will the team make another push for a Regional qualification? It’s a real possibility. Also, stay tuned if this will also change the team’s USAG eligibility in the near future. 

What routines should you glue yourself to your seat for?

Don’t miss the last season of Gayla Griswold. This is year three of the Yurchenko full and a half, and it only gets better with time. Will the full-in make its way back into her floor routine? We hope so, but if not, sit back and relax as she soars to the rafters on every pass anyway. 

What is going to be the make or break event?

Vault is going to be the event to watch out for this season. The other three events are bound to be out of the park, especially with the number of returners who can bring consistency on the events. Vault, on the other hand, has a tad lower scoring potential, so landings are the only way to differentiate good teams from the great. 

No. 52 Illinois State

Illinois State took the elusive conference title for the first time in over a decade in 2023. While the Redbirds have had the talent, the team was finally able to put it all together on the right day. The team should continue to remain on the upswing this coming season as well. 

Losses:	Katherine McGowan
Gains:	Jada Beswick, Reese Grolla, Alexis Hope, Ally Lau
Returning From Injury:	Jazmine Neely

Vault

Potential Contributors: Alana Laster (NQS 9.890), Angelica Labat (9.845), Nirel Bart-Williams (9.835), Jaye Mack (9.800), J’Chelle Heard (9.775), Kaitlyn Donovan (9.740), Madison Kipp, Alexis Hope

How It Looked Before: The three Yurchenko one and a halves that finished the lineup kept the scoring potential high, giving the Redbirds a boost over the rest of the conference’s lineups with far fewer 10.0 start value vaults. Alana Laster had a string of stick streaks throughout the year that was unbelievable. 

How It Looks Now: The Redbirds look to be pressing to continue to increase the difficulty on this event. Both Madison Kipp and Kaitlyn Donovan have been seen training 10.0 vaults this preseason. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Vault should trend up in 2024. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Angelica Labat (NQS 9.835), Nirel Bart-Williams (9.760), Julia Heiner (9.755), Sara Wabi (9.755), Alana Laster (9.750), Carly Hawksworth (9.690), Madison Kipp (9.685), Jada Beswick, Reese Grolla, Alexis Hope, Ally Lau

How It Looked Before: Big skills and big routines were intermittently dampened by strings of falls depending on the meet. While the potential was high, a five-for-six hit lineup was often not a guarantee. 

How It Looks Now: We get another year of Angelica Labat’s high-flying Ray to overshoot connection but don’t miss out on the slew of other big skills sprinkled throughout the lineup. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? With more returners getting experience on bars last season, and some big skills from freshmen waiting in the wings, bars should be on the upswing this year. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Angelica Labat (NQS 9.800), Nirel Bart-Williams (9.785), Madison Kipp (9.775), Joy Ziegenfelder (9.760), Leah Davis (9.690), Alana Laster (9.560), Reese Grolla, Ally Lau 

How It Looked Before: The beam team’s performance was the most widely varied throughout the season. The lineup got its best hit when it counted at the conference championships to eclipse the 49.0-mark, but falls were not an uncommon occurrence in 2023. 

How It Looks Now: With plenty of experienced beamers to choose from, Illinois State should be in a better place in the consistency department in 2024. Watch out for the addition of another triple series to this beam lineup from Ally Lau. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending on up!

Floor

Potential Contributors: Jaye Mack (9.905), Nirel Bart-Williams (9.875), Katilyn Donovan (9.840), Angelica Labat (9.840), Alana Laster (9.840), Sara Wabi (9.825), Isabella DeCroo, Reese Grolla, Joy Ziegenfelder

How It Looked Before: Floor was easily the event with the greatest depth and most consistency of big scores on the event. Jaye Mack added in her piked full in, with difficulty sprinkled throughout the lineup that kept things fun and entertaining. 

How It Looks Now: The difficulty just keeps on coming with Reese Grolla adding another depth chart front double full to the mix. Expect the staples to remain the same from last season, but no one should be too comfortable because there are others waiting in the wings. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Floor should stay trending about the same… which is about the low 49 range, for the record. 

Three Big Questions

What will it take for the Redbirds to push toward a regional berth?

Qualifying to regionals last season took a little over a 196.200 NQS. So essentially, the team would have to repeat its 2023 conference success approximately six times over to be in the discussion for qualifying as a team to the regional championships. Realistically, with improved consistency on beam and bars this year, that is not an unrealistic feat. The return of Labat will be helpful, but there are plenty of very talented newcomers and returners that make more postseason play within Illinois State’s reach. 

What will be the most exciting event to watch?

Illinois State floor choreography has gotten really fun over the last season or two. Be on the lookout for energetic, interactive dance as well as tumbling that will make your heart skip a beat. This team has one of the lineups with the greatest difficulty in the conference, so don’t miss it. 

What athletes are going to make a splash this season?

Grolla has the lines and technique to score big from the start of her collegiate career. Watch for Kipp on her victory lap in her senior season. She didn’t get to compete at the end of last season, so expect her to come back with a vengeance in 2024. The talent on this roster is limitless, so we’ll keep it short for now. 

No. 54 Texas Woman’s

TWU hung with the rest of the conference and USAG all season long. While bars intermittently gave the Pioneers a run for their money, the large class of seniors held down the fort across the events. 2024 will mark a changing of the guard for this highly competitive team. 

Losses:	Maddie Griffith (VT, UB), Mara Johnson (VT, UB, FX), MacKenzie Kunzman (BB), Beth Lazarus (VT, UB), Sierra Muns (VT, FX, transfer to West Virginia), Alix Pierce (UB, BB, FX), Kyla Podges (UB, BB, FX)
Gains:	Bailey Bourgeois, Caroline Bowns, Emma Brkljacic (transfer from Northern Illinois), Aaliyah Gilmore, Sophie Hernandez, Kaitlyn Hoiland (transfer from Oregon State), Sophia Isbell, Sofia Steffan

Vault

Potential Contributors: Daisy Woodring (NQS 9.835), Madeline Gose (9.780), Steelie King (9.775), Emily Six (9.610), Bailey Bourgeois, Emma Brkljacic, Kaitlyn Hoiland, Sophia Isbell

How It Looked Before: Vault remained relatively consistent throughout the season, capped off with Daisy Woodring’s dynamic Yurchenko full. 

How It Looks Now: The core returners are likely to remain at the helm, but the addition of transfers with competitive experience is going to be an asset to vault this year.

Trending up, down or too early to tell? It’s too soon to tell how vault will go this season. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Brooke Ferrari (NQS 9.800), Kami Zarlengo (9.690), Delaney Bruns, AnnaKate Bickel, Bailey Bourgeois, Caroline Bowns, Aaliya Gilmore, Kaitlyn Hoiland

How It Looked Before: Bars was a senior-heavy event, but freshman Brooke Ferrari anchored the lineup with her unique straddle back bar routine. 

How It Looks Now: This event has some rebuilding to do, but the building blocks are there to have a strong season. Bailey Bourgeois’ huge Jaeger, Caroline Bowns’ clean Maloney, and Kaitlyn Hoiland’s competitive experience are going to be a large help to the lineup. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Bars will likely trend down due to the lineup’s lack of experience. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Madeline Gose (NQS 9.755), Emily Six (9.725), Ruby Goad (9.690), Daisy Woodring (9.690), Steelie King (9.660), Delaney Bruns, Caroline Bowns, Emma Brkljacic, Sofia Steffan

How It Looked Before: Several seniors made names for themselves on this event throughout the year, including Kyla Podges whose consistency held down the fort. Also, Emily Six became a staple on this event in her sophomore campaign. 

How It Looks Now: With some of the consistent beam contributors graduated, there’s some wiggle room for some athletes to step out of the shadows and into the beam spotlight. Watch for big things from Ruby Goad this season. Her lines on this event are second to none. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? It’s a little too soon to tell on this event, but things are likely to look pretty similar to 2023. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Daisy Woodring (NQS 9.835), Madeline Gose (9.775), Ruby Goad (9.650), Brooke Ferrari, Steelie King, Kami Zarlengo, Bailey Bourgeois, Sophie Hernandez, Sophia Isbell

How It Looked Before: The 2023 lineup featured some testing the waters with some new faces getting the opportunity to dip their toe into collegiate floor competition. Ultimately, this ended up being another senior-heavy event with Kyla Podges making a consistent appearance in this lineup for the first time in her career, making quite the splash. 

How It Looks Now: The freshmen are bringing some big tumbling, so watch out. While the back half of the lineup is likely to be routines we saw last season, the other half is up for grabs for anyone who is up for the challenge. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? This event has the most lineup possibilities given the number of graduating routines, so it’s difficult to give a final prediction this early in the game. 

Three Big Questions

What returning routine have we not seen yet but want to?

AnnaKate Bickel on bars. That’s it. That’s the answer. The release height straight into the overshoot is just too lovely to not see on the competition floor. Hopefully, 2024 will be the year when everything comes together for this stunner to enter the lineup. 

What does TWU need to do to return to the top of the conference?

Consistency on bars has been the team’s kryptonite intermittently over the past couple of seasons. Once that has been worked out, there’s no doubt that the Pioneers can contend with the top of the conference. With the youth of the team this year, that may prove difficult, but having a couple of transfers in Hoiland and Emma Brkljacic should be helpful to the cause. 

Most anticipated name confusion

Get ready for the Sophie/Sophia/Sofia saga to begin. With three freshmen sporting similar names, we’re happy to report that each of their gymnastics stands on its own two feet. So get ready for all three to be pushing for lineup spots this season. 

No. 55 SEMO

The Redhawks had another battle-tested season but stood firm, competing well as the season went on. 2023 marked a record-breaking team performance, eclipsing the long-standing team program record. 

Losses:	Mallory Desch (UB), Taylor Fishkin, Jordan Jones (UB, BB, FX), Molly Maxwell (VT, BB, FX), Jolie Miller (UB, BB), Lindsey Moffit (UB, BB, FX)
Gains:	Courtney Henry, Ava Johnston, Amelia May, Jordan Napolitano, Savannah Poulos
Returning From Injury:	Chaniya Miller

Vault

Potential Contributors: Madison Greene (NQS 9.820), Lindsay Ockler (9.805), Janelle Lopez (9.755), Lydia Webb (9.755), Nyah Reader (9.685), Taylor Ingle (9.670), Chaniya Miller, Jordan Napolitano, Savannah Poulos

How It Looked Before: The Redhawks were able to keep a lineup full of twisting vaults in 2023, but landings were a bit inconsistent. Madison Greene really stepped into her own on this event, with Lindsay Ockler maintaining that she is the real deal. 

How It Looks Now: The saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but honestly, there’s still some room for upgrades that could increase the team’s scoring potential on this event. Chaniya Miller’s Tsuk entry vault, and some potential 10.0 vaults seen in preseason would be a great materialization this season. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? “Trending up,” sounds about right for this SEMO team. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Lindsay Ockler (NQS 9.820), Janelle Lopez (9.755), Taylor Ingle (9.745), Lydia Webb (9.745), Ailey Kuehn, Courtney Henry, Ava Johnston, Amelia May, Jordan Napolitano

How It Looked Before: Bars also had its highs and lows, maxing out at a huge 49.325 at the end of January. Ockler once again led the way, along with Jolie Miller’s unique Ezhova routine. 

How It Looks Now: There’s some room for some of the incoming freshmen and returners who have yet to compete bars to make their grand entrance into the lineups. Courtney Henry and Jordan Napolitano bring a duo of Maloney to pak combinations that will nicely complement that of Lindsay Ockler. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? It’s a bit too soon to tell, but we’d guess that bars will be trending up in 2024. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Nyah Reader (NQS 9.860), Taylor Ingle (9.840), Lydia Webb (9.750), Anna Speller, Kailyn Hamilton, Ailey Kuehn, Courtney Henry, Ava Johnston, Jordan Napolitano, Savannah Poulos

How It Looked Before: Nyah Reader dominated the event the entire season, solidifying her place as the anchor and a steady force in the lineup. 

How It Looks Now: The beam lineup is going to look totally different this season, making space for plenty of collegiate debuts on the event. Hamilton’s gainer full dismount has been catching eyes this preseason. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Beam is likely to trend down slightly. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Madison Greene (NQS 9.875), Nyah Reader (9.800), Lydia Webb (9.755), Taylor Ingle (9.735), Kailyn Hamilton, Savannah Poulos

How It Looked Before: The seniors made a huge dent in this lineup. Jordan Jones shined prior to her season-ending injury, and Lindsey Moffitt entered back like she never left. 

How It Looks Now: Expect Greene to continue to lead the way, with a few new faces sprinkled in to increase the depth on the event. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? While there is great scoring potential for this team, it’s a bit too soon to tell how floor will fare due to replacing quite a few high-scoring routines from 2023. 

Three Big Questions

What will be the key to 2024 success?

Empowering returners to increase their contribution will be necessary for this team to continue to improve this season. Now is the time for athletes such as Kailyn Hamilton, Ailey Kuehn, and Chaniya Miller to begin to enter lineups to increase the depth across the events. 

Routine we’re most excited to watch?

Lydia Webb stays bringing the well-choreographed, somewhat creepy floor routines that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. We can’t wait for year four of black-lipsticked floor routines, complete with a back two-and-a-half twist. 

How does being a fully-funded program change 2024?

Having greater than eight scholarships could impact SEMO’s eligibility for USAG nationals. The team first competed at the event in 2018. However, this move could be a big deal in terms of recruiting and continuing to push toward NCAA postseason competition. While the short-term impact may be small, the long-term repercussions could be game-changing for the program. 

No. 73 Centenary

Centenary had some bright spots but spent the majority of the year trying to find its footing. The senior class stepped into the forefront, with Leilani Johnson having the best season of her career. 

Losses:	Rose Deshler (UB, BB, FX), Leilani Johnson (VT, BB, FX), Carissa Martinez (VT, BB, FX, transfer to Ball State), Kennedy Stephens (VT, BB, FX), Taylor Ann Wilson (UB, FX)
Gains:	Hayden Cagle, Emily McClung (transfer from Greenville), Brooke Murdock, Olivia Williams
Returning From Injury:	Claire Flores, Olivia Stratmann

Vault

Potential Contributors: Kendall Huff (NQS 9.635), Lacey Wedge (9.545), Amy Foret (9.530), Isabel Plaza (9.475), Mylia Vidtor, Hayden Cagle, Emily McClung, Olivia Stratmann

How It Looked Before: This roster was led by the twisting vaults of Kendall Huff and Carissa Martinez. Leilani Johnson’s solid, consistent layout kept the strong scores flowing as well. 

How It Looks Now: Having fifth years is saving this lineup. Amy Foret has been seen in a knee brace this offseason, so her readiness on this event could be vital come season, as she had upgraded to a twisting vault toward the end of 2023 competition. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending down. Missing Martinez’s consistent full is going to put a damper on things for the Ladies. It’s too early to tell who will step in to fill the role. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Sophie Schmitz (NQS 9.635), Emma Lavelle (9.370),  Isabel Plaza (9.175), Amy Foret (9.160), Kendall Huff (9.075), Olivia Stratmann, Claire Flores, Roxanne Myers, Emily McClung, Brooke Murdock, Olivia Williams

How It Looked Before: The one-two punch of Sophie Schmitz and Taylor Ann Wilson at the end of the lineup stole the show. The rest of the lineup was somewhat inconsistent or had a lower start value that capped the scoring potential. 

How It Looks Now: The potential return of Wilson provided some hope, but this lineup has some big shoes to fill. It appears that some upgrades are in the works this preseason. That will need to come to fruition for bars to come together this season. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Unless someone steps up in a major way, bars is likely to trend down this season. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Amy Foret (NQS 9.610), Emma Lavelle (9.565), Riley Molina (9.310), Sophie Schmitz, Mylia Vidtor, Hayden Cagle, Brooke Murdock

How It Looked Before: This upperclassmen-heavy lineup had its bright spots, but the end of the season brought some unexpected inconsistency problems. Foret and Emma Lavelle proved to be high earners on the event, exceeding the 9.800 mark during the season. 

How It Looks Now: With plenty of graduating and transferring routines, beam should be full of new faces. The returners will need to show the newcomers how it’s done if this event is bound to trend up this season. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? With big routines like Martinez’s and Kennedy Stephens’ no longer in the lineup, it’s hard to tell what beam will look like this year. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Amy Foret (NQS 9.715), Kendall Huff (9.465), Lacey Wedge, Olivia Williams, Hayden Cagle, Emily McClung, Olivia Williams

How It Looked Before: Leilani Johnson finally hit her stride, consistently approaching the 9.80-mark for the Ladies. Foret’s smooth two-pass routine, captured the judges weekend after weekend. 

How It Looks Now: This lineup will seriously be missing the power of Johnson and Martinez, but there are some fresh legs in the wings waiting to make their mark on the lineup. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Floor should stay trending about the same this season. 

Three Big Questions

What will be the greatest impact of the fifth-year gymnasts?

Having Lacey Wedge and Kendall Huff around for another season will add some much-needed depth to their lineups. Both were consistent contributors on vault and floor, which will help with the team’s overall competitiveness on those events. Not to mention, maintaining leadership roles for an extra year doesn’t hurt, either. 

Which athletes should we watch out for in 2024?

In the returner department, the Ladies will likely look to Lavelle and Foret to contribute in the all-around. Lavelle has a great capacity for high scoring across all four events, but her consistency will need to increase a bit as she enters her junior campaign. Foret dominated on beam and floor last season and upgraded her vault toward the end of 2023. Both should make some pretty big waves this coming season. 

What is Centenary’s make-or-break event?

Bars has been challenging from a start value standpoint for the past several seasons. Without the consistent high score from Wilson, upgrades and consistency will be necessary for the Ladies to put together an entire meet. If bars goes well, the likelihood of a quality team score is practically guaranteed. Schmitz is likely to lead this event this year, but upgrades have been seen from Lavelle and Emily McClung this summer that will put the Ladies in a better position come season. 

Article by Tavia Smith, PT, DPT