While all members of a team should be celebrated, sometimes recruits from within the state come in with a little extra fanbase support. These gymnasts are often termed “hometown heroes,” and bring their own spark of excitement. Here are 10 future hometown heroes to keep on your radar:
1. Lily Caranci (Denver, ‘26)
Caranci is a true beam queen. In 2026, she tied for the national beam title with a 9.775, and in 2025, she was national beam runner-up with a 9.7. Caranci has the talent to potentially find herself in the latter half of the Pioneers’ beam lineup, competing alongside Denver stars such as Maddison Reidenbach.
2. Olivia Choi (Washington, ‘26)
Choi swept the titles at regionals in a spectacular performance. Previously known primarily for her beam, she has developed across the board. Her regionals showing included scores of 9.725 on bars, 9.825 on beam, and 38.625 in the all-around. She could be in a strong position to fight to be an all-arounder for the Huskies.
3. Erin Davis (Florida, ‘27)
Davis had an absolutely spectacular glow-up this season, becoming one of the top gymnasts in her class. The Gators clearly had a great eye for potential when they recruited this in-state gymnast who is now a national all-around and bars champion. To top it off, she was regional beam champion with a massive 9.900 and broke 39 three times this season.
4. Cailin Dewell (California, ‘27)
Dewell is another athlete who excels on beam, winning a national title on the event with a 9.525 last year and repeating that feat this year with a 9.825. She was also regional floor runner-up and state champion, and achieved a strong sixth-place finish on bars at nationals. She could impact all three of these lineups for the Golden Bears.
5. Presley Duke (Oklahoma, ‘26)
A star within her class going to a star-studded program is always big news, but Oklahoma does not have as many in-state recruits as many other states, so Duke’s commitment brought lots of excitement. With the talent Oklahoma has in its roster and Duke being out injured for most of this past season, it is hard to say where she might contribute. However, her national accolades are incredibly impressive. In 2025, she was the national vault champion and national all-around and bars runner-up. The year prior, she was the all-around and floor champion and regional beam runner-up.
6. Camryn Foster (Maryland, ‘27)
Maryland has recently become known for its success with the transfer portal, but its incoming recruits should not be overlooked. Foster was regional vault champion and took bars and floor titles at state championships. At nationals, she achieved a third-place finish on bars.
7. Abygail MacKinney (Arizona, ‘26)
Arizona will have several new additions to the team, both with gymnasts and coaching staff, but MacKinney is an especially exciting prospect. At nationals, she took the bars title with a 9.825 as well as third place on beam with a 9.600. She was also regional floor runner-up with a 9.850.
8. Taylor Noble (Utah, ‘27)
A very recent commitment switch, Noble is sure to be a fantastic addition to an already strong class for Utah. Regional vault and floor champion with a 9.700 and 9.725 respectively, she can stick her Yurchenko 1.5 on vault and her floor routine includes a front double twist. While she is more known for these events, she also managed to place third on bars at regionals with a 9.500, so look for potential continued improvement there.
9. Gabriella Pierson (Oregon State, ‘26)
While she trains out of Texas, Pierson’s hometown is in Oregon, one of the states which produces the least high-level gymnasts, so this is a big moment for Oregon State! Her strong regionals performance that included being all-around champion, beam runner-up, and top-five finishes on all events is a good sign for her future with the Beavers.
10. Sarah Savisky (North Carolina, ‘26)
Savisky is strong on several events, but is especially known for her vault. At nationals, she was runner-up on the event, and she also took the title at regionals. That regionals performance also included winning the bars title and being runner-up on floor. The Tar Heels had a great season, and we look forward to seeing how Savisky contributes.
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Article by Gemma Selby
