A new era of Michigan gymnastics begins in 2026. After 36 seasons at the helm of Michigan women’s gymnastics, Bev Plocki retired this summer, and assistant coach Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn takes her place. What does a Kanewa-Hermelyn-led team look like? We will soon find out.
2025 Rewind
No. 17 overall | No. 4 at Big Ten | No. 17 in regular season | Regionals round two
Michigan started slow in 2025 before finding its footing, but it still struggled to break 197. The Wolverines saved some of their best performances for the postseason, but their 197.050 in the regional semifinal ultimately wasn’t enough to make the regional final.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Sixth Years: Carly Bauman, Reyna Guggino |
| Seniors: Lily Clapper, Farah Lipetz, Paige Thaxton |
| Juniors: Kayli Boozer, Ava Jordan, Haylen Zabrowski |
| Sophomores: Peyton Davis, Sophia Diaz, Amy Fukami, Sophie Parenti, Jahzara Ranger, Audrey Sanger |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Gabrielle Gauger, Anelise Johnson, Katelyn Kelly, Myli Lew, Quincy Walters |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Asta Farrell, Jenna Mulligan (VT/BB), Jacey Vore (UB/BB) |
| Retired: Lucie Kirchner |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| Fukami was spotted in a lower leg cast, making her status for the upcoming season unknown. Freshman Lew is recovering from a fractured foot sustained at the 2025 US Classic. Senior Lipetz and sixth-year Guggino are both coming back from early-season injuries. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 20 | NQS: 49.140 | Average: 49.066 | High: 49.325
| Event Overview: Michigan struggled to find landings in 2025, ultimately leading to vault being its worst-ranked event. The Wolverines return all but one consistent vaulter in 2026 while adding Guggino back from injury. The freshmen aren’t powerhouses on vault and may take time to be lineup-ready, but there’s potential there. | ||
| Locks: Sophia Diaz, Reyna Guggino, Jahzara Ranger | ||
| Contenders: Kayli Boozer, Peyton Davis, Ava Jordan, Paige Thaxton | ||
| Wildcards: Lily Clapper, Gabrielle Gauger, Myli Lew, Quincy Walters |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 18 | NQS: 49.255 | Average: 49.156 | High: 49.400
| Event Overview: The Wolverines struggled on bars to start 2025 before finding their footing, though they often got stuck in the low-49s. Sixth-year Bauman will lead the way, while the sophomores will figure in now that they have more experience. Lew could be a college star on bars if she’s ready for season. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Sophia Diaz | ||
| Contenders: Anelise Johnson, Ava Jordan, Myli Lew, Sophie Parenti, Jahzara Ranger, Haylen Zabrowski | ||
| Wildcards: Lily Clapper, Gabrielle Gauger, Farah Lipetz, Audrey Sanger, Quincy Walters |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 15 | NQS: 49.310 | Average: 49.141 | High: 49.375
| Event Overview: Beam was Michigan’s best event last season, but the Wolverines will need to replace two consistent competitors. The return of Bauman for a sixth year will be immensely helpful to this lineup, as will returning Guggino. Of the newcomers, Lew and Walters are most likely to contend. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Kayli Boozer, Jahzara Ranger | ||
| Contenders: Peyton Davis, Reyna Guggino, Myli Lew, Sophie Parenti, Quincy Walters | ||
| Wildcards: Sophia Diaz, Ava Jordan, Audrey Sanger |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 17 | NQS: 49.355 | Average: 49.261 | High: 49.550
| Event Overview: Michigan started slow on floor last season before finding consistency. The Wolverines will look to continue that momentum as all six NQSs from last season return and Guggino comes back from injury. Plus, Walters scored multiple 10.0s on floor in level 10 and should contend for the lineup as well. | ||
| Locks: Carly Bauman, Reyna Guggino, Jahzara Ranger, Quincy Walters | ||
| Contenders: Kayli Boozer, Sophia Diaz, Peyton Davis, Myli Lew, Sophie Parenti, Audrey Sanger, Paige Thaxton | ||
| Wildcards: Gabrielle Gauger |
Records Watch
Team: 198.525 | AA: 39.850 (Sierra Brooks) | VT: 49.875/10.000 (Sierra Brooks) | UB: 49.725/10.000 (Elise Ray) | BB: 49.625/10.000 (Abby Heiskell) | FX: 49.750/10.000 (Gabby Wilson)
With individual records of a 10.0 on every event, anything less won’t get a name in the record books. There are several gymnasts who could vie for a 10, though, with Bauman already having career highs of 9.975 on bars and beam, and Walters scoring a 10 on floor in level 10, among others.
The Big Picture
2025 didn’t live up to Michigan’s expectations, but nearly all of its important contributors return in 2026 thanks to the sixth years of Bauman and Guggino. That’s especially big for Michigan, considering the last-minute commitment switch of Ashlee Sullivan to UCLA, leaving the freshman class thinner than expected. Still, Lew and Walters are excellent gymnasts, and the others have the potential to grow in college.
Likely 2026 finish: Regional Round Two
READ THIS NEXT: Bev Plocki Announces Retirement, Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn Tapped as Next Head Coach
Article by Tara Graeve
