With our newest recruit ratings out–including graduating seniors for the first time–it’s easy to focus on the five- and four-star athletes who are in contention to be the next all-around stars at their future college programs. However, since our ratings are based on totals across all four events, those athletes who excel on one or two events may fly under the radar. Coaches will often recruit these gymnasts to fill important holes in event lineups, so we want to take the time to highlight them as well. Note that only three-star and unrated gymnasts are considered for these lists. Today, we’re continuing the series by looking at the top underrated bars workers.
Class of 2024
Samantha Macasu
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: San Jose State
High Score: 9.900
Why She Stands Out: Macasu did not compete in 2024, but her lowest score on bars in 2023 was a 9.750, and she capped off that season with a national title on the event. She also has elite experience competing for the Philippines.
Nina Laurito
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Arizona State
High Score: 9.850
Why She Stands Out: Laurito has three Region 3 titles on bars, not to mention two top-3 finishes at nationals. She opens her routine with a Ricna, which would add welcome variety to the typical college lineup should she bring it to Tempe.
Jenna Rusk
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: N.C. State
High Score: 9.900
Why She Stands Out: Twice named the Region 3 champion on bars, Rusk competes a clean front double tuck dismount and has solid execution throughout her routine. She has also trained a Ray which we would love to see her compete in college!
Jessica Reith
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Washington
High Score: 9.875
Why She Stands Out: Reith’s routine stands out due to her tight form and crisp positions throughout. Her composition is straightforward but she has nailed the little details that will score well in college.
Sanai Evans
Rating: NR
College: Eastern Michigan
High Score: 9.750
Why She Stands Out: Evans’ full-twisting double layout dismount is a showstopper; she rises on the second salto and maintains clean form throughout. While she has some minor form issues to clean up in college, she should be an instant boost to EMU’s bars lineup.
Sadie Smith
Rating: NR
College: Arkansas
High Score: 9.875
Why She Stands Out: Arkansas has increased its bars ranking in each of the last two seasons, and Smith could contribute toward continuing that trend moving forward. Her difficult routine–complete with a piked Jaeger and a double layout dismount–is well executed and confidently performed.
Class of 2025
Kaylee Cheek
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Oregon State
High Score: 9.950
Why She Stands Out: Cheek’s execution is nearly flawless, including perfectly pointed toes, straight arms, and handstands right on top of the bar. She will be an instant star on bars for the Beavers.
Brooke Boggess
Rating: NR
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.850
Why She Stands Out: Boggess is the reigning Region 5 champion on bars and has advanced to the All-Star session at nationals for two years in a row. Her routine is full of well-executed difficulty, including a Ray with excellent counter-rotation as well as a double layout dismount.
Alison Ritch
Rating: NR
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.800
Why She Stands Out: Ritch has only competed bars and floor over the last two seasons, but her bars routine alone could earn her a spot on a college team. Her execution is among the best of all prospects in her class, earning her a national title at the 2024 All-Star session.
Anna Pearl Stanley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: North Carolina
High Score: 9.900
Why She Stands Out: Stanley competes a college-ready Maloney-to-Pak combination and a well-executed double layout dismount. She is the reigning Region 1 champion on bars and could pick up more accolades in her senior season before leaving for Chapel Hill.
Genesis PeBenito
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: San Jose State
High Score: 9.700
Why She Stands Out: The second future SJSU Spartan to make this list, PeBenito has a confident swing and clean execution that will score well in college. She was very consistent in the 2024 season, with every bars score falling between 9.400 and 9.700.
Class of 2026
Lindsay Pseja
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.925
Why She Stands Out: Pseja earned an impressive five scores of 9.700 or better this season thanks to her attention to detail—just check out the form on the backswing of her Maloney and the position on her half pirouette! She may not need to add a same bar release to her competition routine, but—as good as her piked Jaeger looks—we certainly hope she decides to!
Audree Valdenarro
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.800
Why She Stands Out: Valdenarro alternated between elite and level 10 competition this season. While she saved the Church for her elite routine only, her textbook execution was on full display in both disciplines. Valdenarro ultimately withdrew from DP championships due to a minor foot injury, but has plenty of upgrades in the works including a Maloney uprise to Hindorff and a double layout dismount.
Brynley Hall
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.750
Why She Stands Out: Hall has an aggressive swing and precise handstand positions from start to finish, but the highlight of this routine is her seemingly effortless clear hip to FTDT dismount.
Addison Anderson
Rating: NR
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.700
Why She Stands Out: It’s a rare treat to see a bars routine that deviates significantly from the boilerplate Maloney-Pak, and it’s even rarer to see a Markelov (especially with one as much amplitude as Anderson’s). She had an abbreviated 2024 season and was limited to competing bars and beam only, but placed top eight on both events at DP nationals.
Adilenne Holt
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
College: Uncommitted
High Score: 9.650
Why She Stands Out: Holt makes up for a comparative lack of difficulty with pristine execution and consistency. She had six podium finishes—including first at the highly-competitive Texas state championships—and didn’t dip below 9.400 all season.
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Article by Jenna King and Claire Billman
