As just about every gymnastics commentator out there has said, the leadoff gymnast of a rotation sets the pace for the rest of the lineup. They ensure their teammates’ scores can build upon their own, or function as a buffer so that a later, lower-scoring routine can be dropped if need be.
Unfortunately, that also means leadoff gymnasts often don’t get recognized for their foundational work. Here are a few athletes who shone at the beginning of their respective lineups this season.
Vault – Keira Wells (Oklahoma)
Wells may not have been the Sooners’ go-to leadoff on vault this season, but it would be remiss not to highlight her near-perfect 9.975 at the NCAA national semifinals. Claiming her first individual national title in the opening spot is no small feat, but her impeccable block and form earned it. While she struggled with consistency near the beginning of her career, Wells truly came into her own this season, proving to be a key leader and contributor at Oklahoma.
Bars – eMjae Frazier (Florida)
Among the likes of Riley McCusker, Skye Blakely, and Selena Harris-Miranda, it was no simple task to stand out in Florida’s bars lineup, but Frazier found a way. The superstar transfer from California already had a career high of 9.975, which would’ve made her an easy choice for the anchor spot on nearly any other team, but she hit her stride in the leadoff niche at Florida. Going up each week and consistently hitting 9.85+ in the opening spot made it possible for the Gators to achieve astronomical numbers like their season-high 49.800.
Beam – Addison Fatta (Oklahoma)
Perhaps the Sooners’ secret sauce is in who they put up in the leadoff spot, as Fatta is equally as impressive as Wells. She is regarded as one of the top all-around gymnasts in the nation, and this feat is even more impressive given that she led off the Sooners’ beam rotation at practically every meet this season—a spot that often scores lower compared to the rest of a rotation. Her sharp movements and confident presentation make her a force to be reckoned with on beam. She’s clearly comfortable in this position, going 9.9+ more often than not.
Floor – Scarlett Sonnenberg (BYU)
Sonnenberg didn’t start the season as the Cougars’ floor opener, but the freshman has quickly made a name for herself as a formidable performer on the event. Formerly a five-star recruit, her attention to small details—shout out pointed toes in her double tuck—gives her high scoring potential every time. She already has a career high of 9.950, which she earned at the Big 12 championship. Sonnenberg’s presence in the lineup has certainly elevated BYU’s game, and it will undoubtedly be happy to have her on its roster in the coming years.
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Article by Logan Driedger
