As the final qualifying opportunity to elite nationals, the US Classic was a high-stakes environment for many top recruits. These athletes rose to the occasion, with several moving forward and extending their competitive season. Five-star Claire Pease (‘27) had an especially strong performance and took the title. This article will focus on ‘26 and ‘27 recruits. For updates on gymnasts in the class of 2025 or earlier, check out the Last Week in College Gymnastics series.
Top 20 Senior All-Around Scores
1. Claire Pease (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 54.60
2. Simone Rose (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Florida ‘26) – 54.20
3. Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas sophomore) – 53.25
4. Brooke Pierson (Georgia freshman) – 52.60
5. Reese Esponda (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 52.35
6. Ashlee Sullivan (UCLA freshman) – 52.20
7. Ally Damelio (⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 52.058T.
8T. Alicia Zhou (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Stanford ‘26) – 52.00
8T. Harlow Buddendeck (⭐⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 52.00
10. Jordis Eichman (UCLA freshman) – 51.90
11. Dulcy Caylor (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Florida ‘26) – 51.85
12T. Hezly Rivera (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, LSU ‘26) – 51.50
12T. Nola Matthews (UCLA freshman) – 51.50
14. Annalisa Milton (⭐⭐⭐⭐, LSU ‘26) – 51.40
15. Camie Westerman (⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 51.25
16. Gabrielle Hardie (‘29) – 50.75
17. Sage Bradford (⭐⭐⭐⭐, ‘27) – 50.25
18. Avery Moll (Georgia freshman) – 49.70
19. Sabrina Visconti (⭐⭐⭐, Arkansas ‘26) – 49.05
20. Alessia Rosa (‘28) – 48.35
With the all-around nationals qualifying mark set at 52.00, new qualifiers of the ‘26 and ‘27 recruits include Esponda, Damelio, and Buddendeck.
Pease not only won the all-around title with a career-high 54.60, but also, as the only gymnast to compete two vaults, the vault title (though she had the highest individual vault score as well). On the three other events, she also managed to score in the top four. Last year’s national junior champion is entering this year’s nationals on a fantastic note and could even contend for the senior title.
In second place with another all-around career high, Rose also had a fantastic competition, highlighted by her second-place finish on bars with a 13.95. Her spectacular swing served her well, and she competed an incredibly difficult dismount, a full-twisting double layout. Her stuck Yurchenko 1.5 achieved a 9.2 execution score, the tied-highest score for a college 10.0 SV vault.
Esponda set a career-high all-around score and took the floor title with another career high, 0.3 more than her previous best. Her routine included several unique and challenging passes including a Silivas (double-twisting double tuck) and a front layout half connected directly into a double tuck.
Continuing the trend, Damelio qualified to nationals with a career-high score of her own, beating her previous high score of 51.50 from American Classic. She also tied her career-high on floor with a 13.20 and competed a Seitz on bars, a very rarely-seen bars skill that consists of a Maloney with a full twist.
Zhou, the American Classic all-around champion, had a good meet here as well. On bars, her standout event, she tied for third place and had the highest execution score of any competitor.
With a career-high score of her own, Buddendeck took the second-place position on beam. Her all-around score was particularly impressive, exceeding her previous career high from American Classic by a whole point.
Unfortunately, Rivera did not have her best overall meet. However, on floor, which at one point was considered a weak event for her, she had a fantastic routine highlighted by her opening skill, a Chusovitina (full-twisting double layout).
With fantastic performances from athletes across the board, elite nationals are sure to be an exciting meet to watch these recruits continue to shine.
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Article by Gemma Selby
