Potential Lineups: WIAC Part 2

The second half of the WIAC saw a big jump in scoring potential in 2023 due to pushing the difficulty envelope. The most exciting part is that the conference just got more competitive! Members of these rosters were also well represented at the national championships bringing home medals and All-American recognitions. From this group, keep an eye out for Winona State this year. The offseason training videos have had us on the edge of our seats, anticipating a successful season. 

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. 79 Gustavus Adolphus

2023 brought great strides for the Gusties as their NQS increased by more than two points over their 2022 average. Will the team keep the ball rolling into the upcoming season?

Losses:	Annie Corbett (UB, BB), Emma Esteb (VT, BB, FX), Ashley Goeltl (UB, BB), Jenna Griffith (FX)
Gains:	Kaylee Bauder, Alexa Graziano

Vault

Potential Contributors: Abby Willis (NQS 9.455), Marley Michaud (9.430), Lily Horsch (9.375), Lindsay Bangs (9.345), Maddox Lee (9.230), Kimika Ishikawa-Temple, Alaina Syverson, Ella Nash, Alexa Graziano

How It Looked Before: Vault was one of the more consistent events of the year with solid landings building throughout the season. 

How It Looks Now: Vault shouldn’t look much different in 2024, but there’s some room for more dynamic vaults or an upgrade here or there. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Vault should trend up this season. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Maddox Lee (NQS 9.300), Sophie Schmitz (9.185), Kendra Smaby (8.965), Abby Willis (8.785), Marley Michaud (8.690), Lili Guy, Alexa Graziano

How It Looked Before: Maddox Lee’s lines stunned as expected, leading a lineup that generally struggled with consistency throughout the year. 

How It Looks Now: Without Ashley Goeltl or Annie Corbett, some new faces are going to have to step up in this lineup in a big way. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending down. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Olivia Jahnke (NQS 9.405), Izzy Breitkreutz (9.315), Lindsay Bangs (8.715), Adi Dack (8.395), Katy Cash, Marley Michaud, Maddox Lee, Kaylee Bauder, Alexa Graziano

How It Looked Before: While beam had its highs and lows, the team put it all together for a season–high at the conference championships. Olivia Jahnke made her mark on the event. 

How It Looks Now: Beam is losing a few routines so expect a touch of inconsistency, especially at the beginning of the season as everyone gets their footing. Alexa Graziano has some potential to make a mark here early, and some returners are likely to get more face time on beam this year, too. 

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

Floor

Potential Contributors: Olivia Jahnke (NQS 9.585), Abby Willis (9.405), Lili Guy (9.370), Caylee Greeder (9.185), Ella Binfet, Marley Michaud

How It Looked Before: Floor was a steady climb throughout the season, peaking just in time for the postseason. Jahnke was a solid rock on this event all year long. 

How It Looks Now: Expect Jahnke to continue to lead the way with fellow returners who got experience last season to pick up the pace.

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

Three Big Questions

What’s next for the Gusties?

2024 is likely to be a rebuilding year for the Gusties. While UW-Gustavus graduated strong routines such as Corbett’s, the team’s resilience was demonstrated last season following the injury of Emma Esteb when quality team scores persisted. The team has a relatively large roster, so more athletes are going to get competitive experience in 2024, returners and newcomers alike. 

Athletes to watch for?

On bars, look out for the stellar lines of Maddox Lee. She became a star on the event in her freshman campaign, and it should only go up from there. Olivia Jahnke asserted herself as the floor and beam queen in 2023. Get excited for her to continue to shine with her dynamic gymnastics. 

Most Underrated Returner?

If you haven’t heard the name Marley Michaud, you should probably start paying attention. She quietly contributed on all four events last season and is prepped for an even better 2024. 

No. 80 UW-Eau Claire

Tia Ravara brought home the national all–around title after having a meteoric rise in the event in her 2023 campaign. The team saw more than a two–point jump in NQS as well in Jessie DeZiel’s second year at the helm. 

Losses:	Emma Barry (UB, FX), Eden Kingery, Christina Leikam (UB, BB), Molly Rajala, Lilianna Shank (UB, BB)
Gains:	Cadence Cordova, Meghan Dahlin, Madison Daly, Erin Donovan (transfer from UW-Oshkosh), Rachel Hettiarachchy (transfer from UW-La Crosse), Eszter Klein, Emily Leese, Anna Preussner, Linnea Vasali
Returning From Injury:	Bailey Thomas

Vault

Potential Contributors: Haiven Gipson (NQS 9.545), Harriet Toth (9.415), Kelsey Donovan (9.300), Molly Campbell (9.240), Andrea O’Connell (9.205), Tia Ravara (9.195), Ava Obermoller, Erin Donovan, Cadence Cordova, Madison Daly

How It Looked Before: Vault was a consistent event for the Blu Golds, led by Haiven Gipson’s front entry and consistent landings. 

How It Looks Now: The newcomers will be able to build upon the foundation made last season on the event. Madison Daly brings another front entry vault, while Cadence Cordova sports a clean shape on her layout that’s bound to score big. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Tia Ravara (NQS 9.295), Harriet Toth (9.255), Ava Obermoller (8.870), Molly Campbell (8.610), Erin Donovan, Cadence Cordova, Madison Daly, Rachel Hettiarachchy,  Eszter Klein, Linnea Vasali 

How It Looked Before: Bars was the worst–performing event in 2023, with the team searching to find the balance between difficulty and consistency. Ravara’s connection-packed routine shined here. 

How It Looks Now: Newcomers are bringing the difficulty. With a slew of single–bar releases to choose from, the depth chart on bars should be considerably deeper than in years past. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? The Blu Golds recruited for an upswing in the bar trend, and don’t be surprised if it pays off. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Tia Ravara (NQS 9.535), Harriet Toth (9.520), Georgia Guynn (9.485), Molly Campbell (9.440), Meghan Dahlin, Eszter Klein, Emily Leese, Linnea Vasali

How It Looked Before: Led by the dynamic duo of Ravara and Harriet Toth, beam had the highest scoring ceiling of the year, nearly eclipsing 48.

How It Looks Now: With some graduating routines, beam is going to look a bit different this year. Look for Georgia Guynn to shine even more and for Meghan Dahlin’s switch half to make an appearance. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Molly Campbell (NQS 9.440), Harriet Toth (9.440), Tia Ravara (9.235), Andrea O’Connell (9.225), Haiven Gipson (9.190), Kelsey Donovan, Cadence Cordova, Emily Leese

How It Looked Before: Floor had a slow start but gradually improved throughout the year, capping off with the conference championship. Molly Campbell made a name for herself on the event with Toth continually improving here. 

How It Looks Now: 2024 shouldn’t be that dissimilar. Hopefully a bit more healthy Andrea O’Connell can make her way back consistently into the lineup. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. 

Three Big Questions

Most anticipated event?

Be on the lookout for Blu Gold bars this season. The newcomers feature Tkatchevs, Giengers, and Maloneys that should all make a splash. Moreover, having transfers from UW-La Crosse and Oshkosh should be to the teams’ advantage on the event. Hettiarachchy had some exhibition experience last season for the Eagles which should increase the depth on the event. 

The Wisconsin shuffle?

UW-Eau Claire acquired not one but two transfers this season from in-conference foes. Erin Donovan joins older sister Kelsey for her final season with the Blu Golds, while Rachel Hettiarachchy joins the team from La Crosse. Both will be sophomores in 2024. Acquiring athletes from the top two teams in the conference should work in Eau Claire’s favor. 

What do the Blu Golds need to do to increase their competitive edge?

The short answer is “keep on keeping on.” The last season saw a significant increase in scoring and consistency. This year, the bar difficulty looks like it should increase. This will improve the team’s overall scoring potential. Consistency across the four events will make all the difference in how 2024 goes. 

No. 81 Winona State

Winona stepped up its game in the difficulty department, showing several single–bar releases. While the team did miss Bryce Stoltz due to a season-ending injury, other athletes were able to step in and get the competitive experience that will benefit the Warriors in 2024. 

Losses:	Breanna Ho (VT, UB, BB, FX), Sydney Parsons (UB, BB), Jessie Gallier, Ava Gaudet (BB), Kayla Miller (VT, UB)
Gains:	Brooklynn Clapp, Madysen Diskerud, Kaelyn Duman, Izzy Huncker, Reagan Kelley, Taylor Magierka, Aspen Peters, Mollie Ruch
Returning From Injury:	Bryce Stoltz

Vault

Potential Contributors: Kennedy O’Connor (NQS 9.675), Jessica Miley (9.460), Izzy Kropiwiec (9.435), Kaylee Bateman (9.315), Camdyn McSweeney (9.250), Courtney Knutson, Brooklynn Clapp, Madysen Diskerud, Taylor Magierka, Mollie Ruch

How It Looked Before: Kennedy O’Connor led the way with her full-twisting entry, with a slew of consistent vaulters holding down the fort as well. 

How It Looks Now: Molly Ruch should increase the difficulty on this event with her tuck full, while Taylor Magierka brings a front handspring front tuck to the table. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Kaylee Bateman (NQS 9.165), Ashley Roth (9.055), Jessica Miley (8.955), Ashley Phillips (8.735), Brooklynn Clapp, Izzy Huncker, Taylor Magierka, Bryce Stoltz

How It Looked Before: Bars saw an increase in difficulty but not always an increase in scores due to some inconsistency. However, plenty of new faces got competitive experience. 

How It Looks Now: While the base of this lineup should remain similar, skills to watch out for include Brooklynn Clapp’s double front dismount and piked Jaegers from Izzy Huncker and Magierka. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? With the majority of this lineup now having competitive experience, expect bars to trend up. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Taryn Sellner (NQS 9.455), Camdyn McSweeney (9.170), Kendra Aitken (9.120), Jessica Miley (8.715), Kaylee Bateman, Ashley Phillips, Brooklynn Clapp, Kaelyn Duman, Izzy Huncker, Reagan Kelley, Aspen Peters, Bryce Stoltz

How It Looked Before: Sellner returned to the beam lineup with a vengeance, leading the team throughout the year. While beam started slow, it peaked at the conference championship when it counted. 

How It Looks Now: Beam is losing quite a few routines, so it make take some time for this lineup to find its footing. Luckily, there are plenty of athletes capable of filling the six spots, so depth shouldn’t be a problem. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Taryn Sellner (9.550), Camdyn McSweeney (9.445), Izzy Kropiwiec (9.395), Courtney Knutson (9.385), Jessica Miley (9.340), Kennedy O’Connor (8.805), Madysen Diskerud, Taylor Magierka, Aspen Peters, Mollie Ruch 

How It Looked Before: Floor took a steady rise toward the end of the season, nearly reaching the 48 mark. Kropiwiec continued her dominance here with Sellner and McSweeney proving their consistency on floor as well. 

How It Looks Now: Floor should be in good shape heading into 2024 with a strong foundation and difficult front double fulls waiting in the wings from freshmen Magierka and Ruch. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Floor should be trending up. 

Three Big Questions

What are we most excited to see from the Warriors?

Who will be in the bar lineup this season? With so many athletes sporting single–bar releases this year, the competition for six lineup spots is getting heated. Bryce Stoltz returning and the skillsets of the freshmen thicken the plot as well. Let us not forget to pay homage to another year of the O’Connor vault. It never gets old. 

What returners should you watch for?

With Bryce Stoltz returning from injury, we’re interested to see what her comeback season looks like. Training videos from this fall show her back training bars, which would be a huge help to the lineup. Jessica Miley consistently got competitive experience on multiple events last season, so expect her only to continue to grow in her sophomore campaign. Ashley Roth debuted her upgraded bar routine last season. We’re excited for yet another year of her Jaeger. 

What’s the likelihood of Winona being in Potential Lineups Part 1 next season?

Winona is setting itself up to continue to reach new heights this season. It has strong returners, plenty of athletes with competitive experience, increased difficulty and strong recruiting on its side heading into the 2024 season. 

No. 82 Hamline

The senior class stepped up in a big way in 2023, composing much of the lineups and having the best gymnastics of their careers. Dani Jaworski even walked away with an All-American honor after killing it on floor all season long. 

Losses:	Nadia Abid, Emily Anderson (VT, BB, FX), Lily Berkowitz-Martinez, Bailee Davis (VT, BB, FX), Julia Hintermeister (BB), Danielle Jaworski (VT, UB, BB, FX), Madison Lieurance (UB, BB), Elizabeth Schauer (UB), Madeline Sowinski, Alexa Wade
Gains:	Anna Beaudry, Riley Gianotti, Riley Hintz, Avery Hitchcock, Anna Johnson, Carley Johnson, Britney Krumrei, Kaitlyn Morgan, Cailey Price, Angelina Smiley, Emma Witterstaetter

Vault

Potential Contributors: Laurel Raymond (NQS 9.255), Meighan White (9.210), Lily Ramsdell (9.170), Julia Cheely, Sydney Stoenner, Riley Hintz, Anna Johnson, Cailey Price

How It Looked Before: Vault was one of the more consistent events of the year, strong and steady. The team was led by Bailee Davis’ sky–high Yurchenko layout. 

How It Looks Now: The incoming class brings some unique Tsuk entries and the potential for a few upgrades that should increase vault’s scoring potential. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. 

Bars

Potential Contributors: Lily Ramsdell (NQS 9.240), Brianna Weikel (9.155), Julia Cheely (8.590), Britney Krumrei, Angelina Smiley, Emma Witterstaetter

How It Looked Before: A greater percentage of the lineup went for single–bar release moves in 2023. While this sometimes led to a dip in the hit percentage, it was a step in the right direction, highlighted by Danielle Jaworski’s Tkatchev and Elizabeth Schauer’s release connection. 

How It Looks Now: The amount of graduating bar routines with pose a challenge to this now young lineup. Expect Ramsdell and Weikel to continue to lead the way with their clean lines. If Cheely can increase her hit percentage this year, she should be a star here. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? 2024 is likely to be a building year on bars, so don’t be surprised with a slight trend down. 

Beam

Potential Contributors: Laurel Raymond (NQS 9.300), Lily Ramsdell (8.120), Julia Cheely, Brianna Weikel, Avery Hitchcock, Anna Johnson, Kaitlyn Morgan, Angelina Smiley, Emma Witterstaetter

How It Looked Before: Beam had a rocky start but peaked just in time for conference. Laurel Raymond made a name for herself on the event right away in her freshman campaign. 

How It Looks Now: Beam brings a plethora of lineup options with unique series, strong leaps, and clean lines. Kaitlyn Morgan’s beam was ready-made for a college lineup. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. 

Floor

Potential Contributors: Brianna Weikel (NQS 9.400), Meighan White (9.245), Cate Zack (8.930), Laurel Raymond (8.680), Shea Campbell, Sydney Stoenner, Avery Hitchcock, Kaitlyn Morgan

How It Looked Before: Floor showed the highest scoring potential, led by the rock-solid performances of Jaworski. 

How It Looks Now: With Jaworski’s graduation, this lineup will look to improve landings and difficulty to keep the scoring potential in a similar ballpark. Look for returners to step into lineup spots that were previously occupied by the graduating seniors. 

Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending down. 

Three Big Questions

Team goals for 2024?

This season is likely going to be a building year considering the large graduating class from 2023. The last two incoming classes have been quite large with only a few gaining competitive experience. This will be the year of those gaining experience and building the foundation for future success. 

Event to watch for?

Vault and floor should be interesting to watch this season. Vault should have a few unique entries that will spice things up and increase scoring potential. Moreover, you can never go wrong with Pipers’ floor lineup. The routines are so energetic and dynamic. Can I get a boom pipes?!

Who are the most anticipated returners?

Laurel Raymond silently chipped her way into several lineups last season and made her mark. She’s a steady force that should only get better with time. Keep your eye on her in her sophomore season. 

READ THIS NEXT: Potential Lineups: MAC Part I

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Article by Taiva Smith