It’s year three of Gymlytics fantasy college gymnastics in 2024! We all learned lessons when GymChem took up the helm and created her revamped game, and we’re ready for a fun 2024.
Our weekly cadence will continue to match Gymlytics: The fantasy “week” begins with Friday meets, ends with any meets held on Thursday, and trading happens every Monday via waiver wire. You’ll find us here every Wednesday talking about “next week,” meaning the fantasy week starting that Friday.
This is your one-stop-shop for all things fantasy each week. We’ll be tracking injuries, byes, and double headers, and giving you tips and tricks to put forward your best possible team.
NQS is coming! NQS is coming! [in the style of Paul Revere]
In all seriousness, away scores matter as teams will be striving to enter the NQS rankings with the best possible score this week. Of top teams, Georgia and Maryland will not have an NQS after week seven, but every other regionals-level team will.
Big byes this week include Arizona State and Georgia, and we have some big invitationals on the docket. Mizzou to the Lou (formerly Gym Quarters), with Florida, Illinois, Lindenwood, and Missouri, as well as Metroplex, featuring Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, and Washington. There’s also a huge invite on Monday, the All-American Classic, with Bridgeport, Brown, Fisk, LIU, New Hampshire, Southern Connecticut, Temple, West Chester, and Yale. Phew!
Remember, Monday meets count toward week seven. Notable home teams include UCLA, Kentucky, LSU, Oregon State, and Michigan State.
Injury Updates Since Last Week
- Added: Katie Kuenemann (Nebraska): Unknown injury, floor fall
- Added: Clara Colombo (Nebraska): Wrist injury, beam fall
- Added: Naomi Morrison (Michigan): Ankle injury
- Added: Olivia Stratmann (Centenary): Right knee injury
- Added: Chae Campbell (UCLA): Calf tweak
- Added: Sydney Gonzales (Oregon State): Right foot boot and crutches
- Added: Bailey Bunn (Kentucky): Right foot boot
- Added: Alexandra Quiana (Cornell): Unknown injury
- Added: Macy Armstrong (Cornell): Unknown season-ending injury
- Removed: Ana Irene Palacios (Iowa State)
- Removed: Sheridan Ramsey (Oklahoma)
- Removed: Bella Mabanta (Denver)
- Removed: Farah Lipetz (Michigan)
- Removed: Julianne Huff (Auburn)
Week 7 Byes & Doubles
Byes: Alaska, Arizona State, Georgia, Talladega
Doubles: Arkansas, Bridgeport, Brown, Fisk, Illinois, LIU, New Hampshire, Temple
Data Corner
Once again we have data editor Dara joining us for Fantasy Central each week. She’ll be breaking down the numbers for you with notes on routine hit rate, lineup appearance frequency, and breakout performances to keep an eye on.
Hit Rate and Lineup Frequency: The following freshmen have shown up and shown out through the first half of their first regular season, making lineups and posting scores of at least 9.800 on their respective events each week thus far.
- Vault: Anya Pilgrim has vaulted in all five of Florida’s meets, averaging a 9.900. All of her scores on the event have been 9.875 or better.
- Bars: Ashley Szymanski of Ball State has posted six scores of no less than 9.825, with four 9.9+ scores and an average of 9.892.
- Beam: Delaynee Rodriguez has averaged a 9.867 across six meets, with no score below 9.850, in the lead-off spot for Kentucky.
- Floor: Creslyn Brose has earned an average of 9.921 across six performances for the Wildcats. She has posted scores of 9.900 or better in five of her six outings, the only exception being her collegiate debut.
Breakout Performances: Chloe LaCoursiere had been scoring in the low-9.7 to mid-9.8 range, but found the landing on her vault this weekend for a 9.950. Maryland’s Lindsay Bacheler did not compete in her first two seasons, but debuted on bars last weekend and posted a 9.900 in her second competitive routine. Freshman Paige Zancan, who had competed beam three times for scores of 9.825 or below coming into the week, notched her first 9.900 against the Crimson Tide. Emma Andres has been in the floor lineup for the Bruins in the last two meets, returning on the event for the first time since 2021 and posting scores of 9.925 and 9.900 – a substantial improvement over her sophomore year, where she did not reach the 9.800 in six of her 11 appearances.
Starts & Sits for Week 7
This is the spot to find your sleeper picks, your two- or three-eventers and your solutions for those big bye weeks. We’ll also comment on the big names when relevant: Injuries, lineup absences, or inconsistency.
Vault: California was resting Mya Lauzon this week. UCLA also tested its depth without Chae Campbell, who was resting a tweaked calf; Alex Irvine competed her first vault of the year for a 9.850.
Bars: Sooner Meilin Sullivan debuted on bars this week, in a lineup that was missing Danielle Sievers. It’s fair to assume Sievers was resting as she’s preparing to add back more events. Hannah Scheible also exhibitioned, showing Oklahoma’s huge depth on the event; this lineup continues to be competitive.
Beam: The Pioneers’ Bella Mabanta was back after being seen in a boot, a good sign for Denver despite her miss this week. She also warmed up a floor dance through. Maggie Slife has recovered from her illness; she was back in the all around this week with a strong performance across the board for the Falcons. Emily Ford has now been MIA for Brown since competing just one vault last week; no word yet on her status. There was no clear injury on last week’s stream, but it was a dual with wrestling so we didn’t see as much as we normally would have.
Floor: LSU was missing Sierra Ballard on floor because she was nursing sore ankles; it sounds as though she’ll be back on the event soon. Jade Carey competed in the all around for Oregon State; it seems that the Beavers will ask her to step up in big contests. Naomi Morrison sat out of floor for the Wolverines and was icing her ankle after the one-touch; Jacey Vore stepped in for a 9.775. If Morrison needs to take more time off of tumbling, Vore seems like the likely candidate to hold down her spot. Cardinal Ira Alexeeva has emerged! She competed floor this week for a 9.875 and saved Stanford from another five-up situation.
Waiver Wire Wrap-up
Finally, we have a waiver wire in gymnastics! Who should you prioritize this week? Since Fantasy Central comes out on Wednesdays, keep in mind that these tips are catered toward next week.
The waiver wire closes at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 14th this week.
Vault: Bowling Green’s Kathryn Weilbacher is quietly cruising. She has one miss so far this year, but otherwise consistently puts up 9.8-plus numbers. She’s an all arounder. Trinity Caffey has scored a little inconsistently for Lindenwood, but the Lion nabbed a 9.900 at home last weekend.
Bars: Falcon Isabella Rivelli has been a bit inconsistent on bars, but she tops out at a 9.925. If you can take the risk, she is an intriguing option. Penn’s Skylear Kerico has been consistently good here, with a 9.875 high and only one number below a 9.800 all season.
Beam: A Kent State duo has been consistently solid here. Heidi Schultz and Sarah Haxton have hit highs of 9.875 and 9.900 respectively, and regularly hit 9.8-plus numbers.
Floor: Rhode Island’s Kelsey Gates is a record-breaker for the Anchormen, and with back-to-back 9.900s, fantasy players should be wary of dismissing her because she competes in Division III. Make no mistake, she’s the real deal. Brown’s Sophia Dewar is another option, with solid mid-9.8s all season.
READ THIS NEXT: Fantasy Central: Tips and Tricks for Fantasy Gym Beginners, Experts, and Every Level in Between
Article by Emily Minehart and Dara Tan; additional reporting from Tara Graeve and Savanna Wellman
