As much as gymnastics fans like to think they can watch every routine of every meet, there are always some great routines that slip through the cracks and do not get the respect they deserve in the moment. The offseason is the perfect time to give the “Hidden Gem” routines from the lower-ranked teams some time in the spotlight.
Meika Lee (Pittsburgh) – floor
Lee was a staple in the beam and floor lineups for the Panthers and became known for her performance quality on both events. Her floor choreography was stellar. While she was not the most consistent on her floor landings this season, she had her best landings in March.
Jada Niles (Alaska) – beam
Anyone who does a double turn on beam will grab my attention. Niles was a staple on bars for the Seawolves and did not compete on beam until the WCGNIC prelims where she had a great routine and made it to the finals. You may have been taking the weekend off from watching gymnastics and missed this routine, but her double turn alone is worth the look.
Clara Hong (Towson) – bars
When thinking of Towson’s bars, the common gymnast to think about is Isabella Minervini, who is one of the top bars workers in the country. However, Minervini was not the only one on her team with some stellar bars as Hong competed her own great set highlighted by a piked jaeger and a double front dismount that she stuck against N.C. State.
Olivia Keyes (Rhode Island) – floor
Keyes has been a huge part of the rise of Rhode Island over the last several years. Her fifth season was a great one as she helped her team qualify to NCGA nationals. In the process of qualifying, she matched a career high on floor at the NCGA East regionals of a 9.9 as the last routine to clinch the team spot.
Emily Krzciok (Western Michigan) – beam
Krzciok only competed on beam three times this season, all in January, so those routines may have already slipped your mind. She competes a difficult side aerial layout step out series and a side aerial to back one and half dismount, which makes it stand out. She started the season week one with her strongest routine of the year, and it deserves its time in the spotlight.
Mia Hebinck (Denver) – bars
Hebinck was one of the few gymnasts to compete a Ricna this season, which is always a treat to watch. Conference championships weekend is stacked with meets and it is easy to miss routines in a conference championship like the Big-12. At that competition, Hebinck tied her season high in the middle of a stellar lineup.
Anne Challman (New Hampshire) – floor
Challman was a standout on floor last season for the Wildcats. She had a fan-favorite floor routine with fun choreography and the strong tumbling to match. In February, she set her career high of a 9.95 at home with clean landings on her front double full and Rudi to layout stepout. This routine earned her a crown and deserves a little love.
Katin Childress (Eastern Michigan) – beam
Childress only competed on beam for Eastern Michigan last season, but on that event,she showcased some great beam work. Childress mounts the beam with a front tuck that makes the routine worth watching for that alone. In this routine, she nailed the mount and was solid throughout with an almost stuck landing to cap off a great routine.
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Article by: Alyssa Van Auker
So glad I’m not the only one who was obsessed with Meika Lee! Her beam routine is also excellent.
Yes! I went to Pitt and will forever be a ride-or-die fan- Meika’s floor routine was objectively fantastic and I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for the next few seasons!
She (and Darbi) were such valuable additions to this Panthers team! We have some fantastic incoming freshman and I am just so excited to see what Pitt can accomplish next season and in seasons to come.
Hail to Pitt!