5 Freshmen Who Will Make an Immediate Impact in the NCGA-East

There’s no shortage of talent in the east, and the incoming class of 2029 packs a wallop. From full-twisting double layouts to consistency queens to bar workers that can tack on exclamation points from salute to stick, the incoming class is stacked. So it’s no shock that several NCGA teams can count on incoming freshmen to make an immediate impact on their lineups in just a few short months. 

Alyssa Strain, Brockport 

Coming from Cobb Challengers in Georgia, Alyssa Strain brings a strong and impressive skill set to Brockport. She has gorgeous consistency on beam, including a 9.700 during her level 10 tenure with a front aerial to layout step-out, which’ll be ideal for the Brockport lineup, as they have lately carried a rough beam reputation. Of course, Strain also brings big floor scores, and since the Golden Eagles have always shone on floor, she will be a natural fit. Her form on bars, including a floaty Pak, can give the Golden Eagles a much-needed boost right off the bat. 

Sh’Nai Thompson, Ithaca College

Sh’Nai Thompson’s level nine scores while with her club, North Star Gymnastics Academy in New Jersey, make her an absolute shoo-in as a standout for the Bombers this coming season. She’s hit a 9.900 on vault, a 9.400 on bars, and a 9.600 on floor. Ithaca can immediately make use of Thompson on each of those events—a Yurchenko layout full on vault (which she’s been training this fall) and a double layout off bars make for exclamation marks in their lineups. Although she’s a strong all-arounder, the Ithaca beam lineup may not immediately need her. However, just knowing she could step in at a moment’s notice should ease any nerves if someone is injured. 

Olivia Chapman, Cortland

Cortland is riding a high, so making a splash with the Red Dragons requires a major cannonball, but Stumpf’s Olivia Chapman is capable of exactly that. She earned highs of 9.550 on vault, 9.225 on bars, 9.500 on beam, and 9.625 on floor this past level 10 season. And with the Red Dragons unveiling their very first all-twisting lineup last season, Chapman’s Yurchenko one-and-a-half will immediately be right at home. As Kathryn McSweeney has transferred, Cortland needs to keep its bars roster going strong to be nationals contenders again this year. Although Chapman may not make that lineup, she could certainly step up when she gets the call with her Shaposhnikova to a floaty bail-to-handstand. 

Nicolette Giogas, Springfield

Springfield has long done a dance of consistency without stepping into their own light, and Nicolette Giogas can very well make a difference on that journey from the very start. A Massachusetts native from Gymstreet USA, Giogas’ consistency is a gift that Springfield can make immediate use of. She’s a strong all-arounder who can be relied on to hit on any event or to blaze her own all-around journey during her tenure. I hope to see her full-twisting double layout on bars make an appearance in the lineup this season; it could be just the inspirational boost Springfield needs to get back on track. 

Josie Burton, Ursinus

Ursinus has been getting stronger and stronger the last few seasons, but very likely will benefit from incoming freshman Josie Burton immediately. From the Virginia International Gymnastics School, she’s a solid all-arounder that can help fill in any gaps, with sky-high tumbling and a double pike on floor you could walk under. She could readily step in on beam and floor, notching a 9.500 on the former, but is especially college-ready on bars, where Ursinus struggled last year. Burton’s rhythm has an easy flow, with great form and solid handstands. 

Honorable Mentions

In addition to the aforementioned incoming NCGA-East freshmen, keep an eye on these newcomers to add even more wind to the sails of their respective teams: 

• Belle Bentman, Ursinus
• Léanne Desjardins, Ithaca
• Alisya Dorman, Utica 
• Brooke Ginter, Springfield
• Mila Halpin, Brockport
• Kylie Montague, Rhode Island College
• Claire Rieder, Utica

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Article by Allison Freeman