Head coach Bev Plocki has assembled an absolutely monster group of freshmen for the Wolverines. The No. 1 class in the country for 2024 might be just what this squad needs to find itself back at the top of the podium in Fort Worth during their collegiate careers, but it is undeniably losing star-power in Sierra Brooks and Gabby Wilson (not to mention Naomi Morrison). The duo have led the Wolverines to the NCAA title, and a Michigan team without them seems unfathomable. The incomers include the No. 2 recruit in the class in Sophia Diaz, and five (five!) fellow former five-star recruits in Jahzara Ranger, Lucie Kirchner, Sophie Parenti, Peyton Davis, and Audrey Sanger. The class is rounded out by former four-star Amy Fukami. Loaded is an understatement.
2024 Rewind
No. 19 overall | No. 3 at Big 10s | No. 11 in regular season | Regional Semifinals
Last year did not end as planned. The Wolverines fell short in their regional, failing to advance to the final when a surging Penn State shocked the home team. The third-place finish at Big Tens is also sure to light a fire under the squad that calls the conference championship “our meet.” It was just an off year, with too many vault and beam mistakes adding up to keep Michigan on the outside looking in.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years Carly Bauman Reyna Guggino Jenna Mulligan Seniors Jacey Vore Juniors Lily Clapper Farah Lipetz Paige Thaxton Sophomores Kayli Boozer Ava Jordan Haylen Zabrowski | Freshmen Peyton Davis Sophia Diaz Amy Fukami Lucie Kirchner Sophie Parenti Jahzara Ranger Audrey Sanger Transfers Asta Farrell (Brown) |
| Out | |
| Graduated Sierra Brooks (AA) McCaleigh Marr (UB) Naomi Morrison (AA) Gabby Wilson (AA) Retired Abigael Vides Ashley Lane Kaylen Morgan |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 14 | NQS: 49.295| Average: 49.217
| Event Overview: After a season of Oprah-style “you get a 10, and you get a 10!” on vault in 2023, the Wolverines didn’t see any here in 2024. Landings just missed the mark more often than not. The incoming class will have an impact though. | ||
| Locks: Sophia Diaz, Reyna Guggino, Jahzara Ranger | ||
| Contenders: Lucie Kirchner, Jenna Mulligan | ||
| Wildcards: Carly Bauman, Ava Jordan, Sophie Parenti, Paige Thaxton |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 14 | NQS: 49.375 | Average: 49.243
| Event Overview: Bars was just an OK event in 2024; too often a major mistake meant the Wolverines were counting a number they would rather drop, which held the event back. This is a strong event for the incoming class. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Sophia Diaz, Amy Fukami | ||
| Contenders: Peyton Davis, Lucie Kirchner, Sophie Parenti, Jahzara Ranger, Audrey Sanger, Jacey Vore | ||
| Wildcards: Haylen Zabrowski, Ava Jordan, Farah Lipetz |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 13 | NQS: 49.390 | Average: 49.250
| Event Overview: Beam was largely solid throughout the year, but misses in the meets that mattered most had a big impact on the team’s trajectory in 2024. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Amy Fukami, Jahzara Ranger, Audrey Sanger | ||
| Contenders: Sophia Diaz, Reyna Guggino, Lucie Kirchner, Sophie Parenti, Jacey Vore | ||
| Wildcards: Asta Farrell |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 4 | NQS: 49.630| Average: 49.504
| Event Overview: Floor remained Michigan’s signature event in 2024, led by the Brooks-Wilson one-two punch. The freshmen are loaded with talent, so Plocki will have plenty of routines to try out in this lineup. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Sophia Diaz, Jahzara Ranger | ||
| Contenders: Peyton Davis, Lucie Kirchner, Jenna Mulligan, Sophie Parenti, Jacey Vore | ||
| Wildcards: Amy Fukami, Reyna Guggino, Audrey Sanger |
Records Watch
Team: 198.525 | AA: 39.850 | VT: 49.875/10.000 | UB: 49.725/10.000 | BB: 49.625/10.000 | FX: 49.750/10.000
It’s difficult to guess at possible records here since there is so much about this team we simply don’t know yet due to so many of the projected contributors being freshmen. Is the team capable of being record-breaking talent-wise? Certainly. Whether it reaches these lofty numbers will depend on how quickly the freshmen adapt to college competition.
The Big Picture
This Michigan squad will look completely different in 2025. Some lineups may feature only one or two returning routines, and freshmen will likely contribute more routines than any other class in the Wolverines’ campaign to return to nationals. There is so much talent here; the variable is how long it takes for the newcomers to adjust to college gymnastics. If the answer is “immediately,” look for the Wolverines to make the trip to Fort Worth.
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Article by Emily Minehart
