The top half of the Big Ten saw some seismic shifts in 2023. While the Wolverines remained on top of the field, surges from Michigan State and Ohio State added pressure. The Gophers fell slightly back in the rankings after a strong run of years but held tough in the top 20 while Maryland stunned in the second half of the season against top conference foes to land in the top half of the field.
The preseason is starting and 2024 will be here before we know it. That means it’s time for our annual potential lineups analysis! As gymnasts get back into the gym with new goals for the new season, we’re breaking their prospects down and taking a look at what each team’s lineups may look like come January—from who’s expected to contribute, holes that need to be filled, and exciting upgrades fans should look out for.
No. 9 Michigan
Michigan just missed a berth to nationals after a tie-break at the Denver regional went to LSU, pushing the Wolverines to third. After its 2021 Cinderella season, Michigan is a team that has been consistently great but has missteps in big moments that hold it back from a second title.
| Losses: | Abby Heiskell, Nicoletta Koulos, Natalie Wojcik | |||
| Gains: | Kayli Boozer, Ava Jordan, McCaleigh Marr (transfer from Penn), Haylen Zabrowski | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Sierra Brooks (9.940 NQS), Gabby Wilson (9.930), Naomi Morrison (9.920), Kaylen Morgan (9.850), Reyna Guggino, Jenna Mulligan, Ava Jordan, Haylen Zabrowski
How It Looked Before: The No. 2-ranked Wolverines had another strong vault season, although they were periodically inconsistent as they searched for a reliable sixth vault. Kaylen Morgan’s late-season appearance resolved those issues.
How It Looks Now: Losing Abby Heiskell and Natalie Wojcik’s 10-able Yurchenko one and a halfs hurts. It’s possible we’ll see Morgan compete the 10.0 start—though her full is so strong it may be worth keeping—and Ava Jordan brings a powerful full as well. Michigan develops vaulters, so Jordan upgrading is a possibility. Haylen Zabrowski has at least trained a one and a half.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, at least at first. While there are strong options on the table, saying goodbye to two potential 10s is always an adjustment.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Sierra Brooks (9.935 NQS), Carly Bauman (9.925), Gabby Wilson (9.895), McCaleigh Marr (9.850), Naomi Morrison (9.835), Kaylen Morgan, Jacey Vore, Haylen Zabrowski
How It Looked Before: Bars was consistently good for the Wolverines and could be spectacular. With E dismounts and single-bar releases across the board, it was a showpiece event. It was also internally competitive, with a number of gymnasts stepping into the lineup over the course of the year.
How It Looks Now: Michigan may choose to lean more on returners here; Morgan, Jacey Vore, and Naomi Morrison may all see more lineup time. Bars is a speciality for McCaleigh Marr, and Zabrowski will be in the hunt for a spot.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, again due to the loss of Heiskell and Wojcik. There is plenty of talent to compete for their lineup spots, but again losing two routines with NQSs over 9.930 hurts.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Sierra Brooks (9.945 NQS), Gabby Wilson (9.885), Carly Bauman (9.865), McCaleigh Marr (9.840), Naomi Morrison, Kaylen Morgan, Jacey Vore, Paige Thaxton, Kayli Boozer
How It Looked Before: If Michigan had an off event, it was beam, though the Wolverines were still in the national top 10. All that was missing was a sixth routine that could score in the stratosphere to balance out occasional inconsistencies from the top five.
How It Looks Now: We could see Vore return here; she competed a handful of times in 2022. Morgan and Paige Thaxton are also returners who could break in. Beam is Kayli Boozer’s best event; her leaps in particular are excellent. This is also Marr’s signature event and where she advanced to regionals as an individual in 2022, which was her motivation for taking her extra year. She has numerous 9.950s to her name.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, again simply due to the powerhouse duo of Heiskell and Wojcik. Koulos was also a mainstay in the lineup and was often excellent. Marr’s routine will soften the blow, but it will still be felt.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Sierra Brooks (9.940 NQS), Naomi Morrison (9.935), Gabby Wilson (9.925), Reyna Guggino (9.855), Kaylen Morgan, Jenna Mulligan, Haylen Zabrowski
How It Looked Before: Floor was a standout piece for the Wolverines. Every gymnast who competed scored at least a 9.925 season high. This was also the event where head coach Bev Plocki played with the lineup the least, largely sticking to a core group of seven. We unexpectedly didn’t see Gabby Wilson here in the postseason.
How It Looks Now: Jenna Mulligan competed exhibition routines in 2023, and this is where Zabrowski is particularly good. Morgan should slot in here with an excellent double Arabian to carry on the Olivia Karas-Abby Heiskell tradition.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, but with plenty of opportunity to build back up. This was an event where Heiskell and Wojcik could be stellar, but the lineup relied on them less than on other pieces. That said, it does lose Koulos as well.
Three Big Questions
What does a healthy Kaylen Morgan add to this group?
We saw seven late-season vaults and a bar routine in 2023 from Morgan. Her clean and strong gymnastics stood out, and her Yurchenko full broke into the famously all-10.0 start values lineup in the postseason. If that’s what she was capable of showing while coming back from injury, what will she bring after a full preseason? She is going to be an instrumental part of this team moving forward.
Are Farah Lipetz and Paige Thaxton healthy?
We can assume that Abigael Vides has more or less assumed a team manager role (she was dressed as such and carrying clipboards by postseason), but the fate of Lipetz and Thaxton is more mysterious. Both seem to have been battling minor injuries and working to adjust to college gymnastics. If they’re healthy, they can both contribute, but their status is unclear at this point.
How will Michigan shape McCaleigh Marr?
Marr is the rare gymnast who made dramatic changes during her college career. Michigan is a program known for teaching upgrades and refining strong gymnastics, so it’s quite a match. Will we see Marr continue to break out in her fifth year? The potential is definitely there, and continued improvement under Michigan’s top staff would make her quite a force.
No. 11 Michigan State
The Spartans capitalized on huge momentum from 2022 for a stellar 2023 season. The fresh-look team is young and hungry, and all signs point to that trend continuing in 2024 with a loaded freshman class and zero routines graduating. Michigan State is the most likely team to pressure Michigan for the conference title.
| Losses: | Tori Loomis | |||
| Gains: | Kendall Abney, Emma Misenheimer, Gabi Ortiz, Isabella Trostel, Makayla Tucker | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Nikki Smith (9.910 NQS), Gabrielle Stephen (9.910), Sage Kellerman (9.885), Skyla Schulte (9.885), Nyah Smith (9.845), Baleigh Garcia (9.810), Gabi Ortiz, Makayla Tucker,
How It Looked Before: Vault was improved over previous seasons but was a slight weakness because the Spartans had fewer 10.0 starts than its very top foes.
How It Looks Now: Gabi Ortiz’s and Makayla Tucker’s stickable Yurchenko one and a halves will make immediate impacts on this lineup. Tucker was the 2023 Senior F level 10 vault champion for this vault.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? The Spartans are moving up. With no vaults leaving and two 10.0 start values with stick potential walking in the door, it will be stronger here in 2024.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Delanie Harkness (9.930 NQS), Nikki Smith (9.910), Jori Jackard (9.875), Skyla Schulte (9.865), Gabrielle Stephen (9.865), Olivia Zsarmani (9.850), Makayla Tucker, Kendall Abney, Gabi Ortiz
How It Looked Before: Bars was a showpiece event for Michigan State, with only one early season miss and the second half of the season scoring no lower than 49.325.
How It Looks Now: Tucker lacks some finish but has excellent extension and rhythm in her college-ready set. Kendall Abney has clean handstand work that will translate well to college and has been training a Ray this summer. Ortiz’s level 10 set featured big skills that just need some refinement to see lineup time.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up. Tucker, Abney, and Ortiz will all compete with returners to shuffle the lineup and fill it out.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Baleigh Garcia (9.915 NQS), Gabrielle Stephen (9.905), Giana Kalefe (9.895), Skyla Schulte (9.895), Nikki Smith (9.850), Delanie Harkness (9.825), Isabella Trostel, Kendall Abney, Emma Misenheimer, Gabi Ortiz, Makayla Tucker
How It Looked Before: Beam was Michigan State’s lowest-ranked event in 2023. It only had one really bad day but was slightly inconsistent throughout the latter half of the year. Head coach Mike Rowe tried out a huge portion of his roster here but eventually settled into a core six.
How It Looks Now: Isabella Trostel is an excellent beamer with nice presence and composure, as well as snappy dance and acro work. Plus, her set features an Onodi. She should pressure for an immediate spot in the lineup. Abney is also a factor here, with calm work and a Liukin, though her knee form breaks down sometimes. All of Emma Misenheimer, Ortiz, and Tucker could fight for spots as well.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up. This loaded class is strong on beam, and competition for a lineup spot is going to be fierce. Rowe will be able to choose his most consistently excellent six week to week.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Skyla Schulte (9.925 NQS), Delanie Harkness (9.920), Nikki Smith (9.910), Gabrielle Stephen (9.905), Giana Kalefe (9.865), Nyah Smith (9.865), Gabi Ortiz, Emma Misenheimer
How It Looked Before: The Spartans are a floor team. From excellent choreography to big tumbling, it’s a showpiece event that featured Skyla Schulte, Gabrielle Stephen, and Nikki Smith all topping out at 9.975.
How It Looks Now: Ortiz is an excellent performer with a 10.0 under her belt. She will fit right into the Spartans’ style. With big tumbling and nice leaps, she should immediately fight for a spot. Misenheimer is also an expressive dancer and clean tumbler who should transition well into college.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up. With no routines leaving, this already-great lineup will have more options to rely on and increased opportunity to rest top routines if needed.
Three Big Questions
How will the freshmen adjust to college competition?
It’s always a question, and in this case it could be the difference between some stagnation for the Spartans and increased success. The class is talented and capable across the board, and if the transition is smooth, 2024 should be a great year. The good news is, Rowe’s staff has a track record of ushering in talent and capitalizing on it right off the bat. See: Nikki Smith and Skyla Schulte.
How high can the Spartans climb?
Purley looking at the number of routines leaving (zero) and the talent coming in, the possibilities look endless. This is now a squad that has experience deep in the postseason and talent evenly sprinkled among the four classes. This feels like the year Michigan State has its best chance at a big finish. The Spartans are resolutely in the nationals picture and could capitalize on this transition year for the Wolverines to take the top conference spot. Still, there’s pressure from a surging Ohio State as well.
How will Rowe manage lineups?
We’ve seen the problem at Michigan: The roster is so talented that freshmen just don’t break into lineups, which becomes a question down the road when classes graduate. Rowe has been known to play with lineups early in the season and put youth up to get experience; will that still be the case this year with such lofty expectations?
No. 13 Ohio State
The Buckeyes continued their march up the rankings on the heels of a balanced combination of young talent and experience. With some reliable standby routines leaving, it’ll be up to underclassmen and newcomers to keep the momentum going as the Buckeyes push for a nationals berth.
| Losses: | Elexis Edwards, Jenna Hlavach (medical retirement), Claire Gagliardi, Sydney Jennings, Raina Malas, Colby Miller | |||
| Gains: | Ellie Binger, Samara Buchanan, Mary Green, Courtney McCann, Maisyn Rader, Grace Walker, Sydney Washington (transfer from Pittsburgh) | |||
| Returning From Injury: | Mallory Gregory | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Payton Harris (9.900 NQS), Sydney Washington (9.835), Nicole Riccardi (9.830), Tory Vetter (9.830), Maisyn Rader, Samara Buchanan, Ellie Binger, Mary Green
How It Looked Before: Vault was a strong event for the Buckeyes in 2023, led especially by Payton Harris’ one and a half and big fulls from Sydney Jennings and Elexis Edwards. Ohio State continued its tradition of capitalizing on strong execution and form from easier vaults.
How It Looks Now: Maisyn Rader and Samara Buchanan could carry on the big, clean full tradition for the Buckeyes while Ellie Binger and Mary Green have both been training one and a halves, though Green has been battling a foot injury. This is an event where Sydney Washington should have an immediate impact. Her clean, stickable full scored well for Pittsburgh.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. Jennings and Edwards were reliable standbys. Washington should immediately fill one of those spots, but the other will be up to freshmen. It could take a few weeks for the event to stabilize.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Nicole Riccardi (9.910 NQS), Payton Harris (9.865), Sydney Washington (9.815), Emma Pritchard (9.810), Tory Vetter (9.775), Mallory Gregory, Maisyn Rader, Samara Buchanan, Courtney McCann
How It Looked Before: The Buckeyes were hit and miss in 2023. There were no disastrous outings, but a few off weeks held the event’s NQS back. Anchor Colby Miller led the way.
How It Looks Now: Rader, Buchanan, and Courtney McCann have nice, clean sets that should translate well to college. Washington had some execution issues at Pittsburgh but also a comfortable rhythm and nice extension that could fight for a spot. If she’s healthy, Mallory Gregory also has a strong one and a half to add to the mix.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, for a while at least. Ohio State loses veteran leadership in Miller and Edwards here, and it might take a few weeks for head coach Meredith Paulicivic to find the best six. There is plenty of talent and depth from the incoming group but no clear superstars.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Nicole Riccardi (9.910 NQS), Ella Hodges (9.875), Payton Harris (9.865), Alexis Hankins (9.835), Emma Pritchard (9.810), Tory Vetter (9.775), Samara Buchanan, Courtney McCann
How It Looked Before: Beam was more consistent for the Buckeyes than it had been for several years. It ranged from quite good to very good, with just two weeks below 49. Underclassmen Payton Harris and Tory Vetter were particularly important here.
How It Looks Now: Ohio State loses only Jennings’ routine on beam; Ella Hodges’ fifth year is significant especially on beam. Buchanan has excellent presence and execution that should see her in the lineup, and McCann brings clean work and consistency.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up, especially if McCann’s consistency from 2023 translates to college.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Ella Hodges (9.920 NQS), Sydney Washington (9.880), Payton Harris (9.875), Tory Vetter (9.865), Nicole Riccardi (9.760), Savannah Gonzalez (9.725), Maisyn Rader, Samara Buchanan, Courtney McCann
How It Looked Before: The Buckeyes shine on floor, with big, clean tumbling and expressive choreography. Edwards advanced to nationals here, and Claire Gagliardi was a perpetual fan favorite.
How It Looks Now: Rader has a style that should translate well to college in her set led by a tidy double pike. Buchanan and McCann are also certainly factors; Buchanan in particular is an excellent performer. Washington is perhaps most important here: Her high at Pitt was a 9.950, and her style will fit well with a Paulicivic-choreographed set.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, solely due to the names leaving. No one can replace Gagliardi. That said, Washington will immediately slot into a spot, and Paulicivic will have options. The lineup should still be very strong.
Three Big Questions
How will the Buckeyes fare without standby leaders?
Elexis Edwards, Sydney Jennings, Colby Miller, and Claire Gagliardi were late-lineup stalwarts their entire careers. The 2024 roster is very talented, but to say the Buckeyes won’t miss their graduating core would be hasty.
How will Payton Harris continue to grow?
Harris stepped into a leadership role during her freshman campaign—advancing to nationals as an all-arounder—and now there will be even more weight on her shoulders. After the Norman regional, Paulicivic said Harris was already thinking about how she could grow in 2024, so she should be up to the task. She showed shades of top-tier excellence in 2023; how high will we see her climb the rankings and lead her team this year?
Will any freshmen emerge as stars?
The Buckeye incomers are a strong group. Buchanan, McCann, and Rader are all excellent gymnasts. All are capable of becoming leaders and emerging as fan favorites.
No. 18 Minnesota
In their first season without Lexy Ramler and Ona Loper, the Gophers had some struggles, but the talented roster still put together a solid season. With another year of significant roster turnover, 2024 could look similar.
| Losses: | Maya Albertin, Kate Grotenhuis, Mallory LeNeave, Abbie Nylin, Maddie Quarles, Halle Remlinger, Tiarre Sales, Ali Sonier | |||
| Gains: | Anahit Assadourian (transfer from Pittsburgh), Marisa Fisher, Leah Gonsiorowski, Kendall Landry, Jordyn Lyden, Sophia Nguyen, Jenna Olshefski, Sophie Swartzmiller | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Mya Hooten (9.925 NQS), Gianna Gerdes (9.855), Sarah Moraw (9.840), Marissa Jencks (9.790), Marisa Fisher, Jenna Olshefski
How It Looked Before: The Gophers were strong and consistent on vault all season, led by stickable one and a halves from Mya Hooten, Maddie Quarles, Gianna Gerdes, and Halle Remlinger.
How It Looks Now: Marisa Fisher has an excellent full that could challenge for an early lineup spot, and Jenna Olshefski has a one and a half that should also see lineup time.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, since two consistent 10.0 start values are leaving. This will still be a strong event for Minnesota, but it might lose a pace especially early in the season.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Mya Hooten (9.910 NQS), Gianna Gerdes (9.870), Seria Johnson (9.840), Marissa Jencks (9.820), Anahit Assadourian, Marisa Fisher, Jordyn Lyden
How It Looked Before: Bars was another largely consistent event for the Gophers, hovering right around the 49 mark all year. Only six gymnasts ever competed the event, with no changes to the lineup all season.
How It Looks Now: Bars is Anahit Assadourian’s best event thanks to good extension, toe form, and a nice Ray. Fisher has some handstand issues, but her form is exceptional (Ramler comes to mind; yes, seriously), so she is in the mix. Jordyn Lyden is a standout, with a comfortable swing and a Hindorff.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell; the routines coming in are quite clean and should immediately fit in the holes left by Remlinger and Tiarre Sales, but it’s hard to say how high the scores will go.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Sarah Moraw (9.8650 NQS), Gianna Gerdes (9.845), Emily Koch (9.845), Lauren Pearl (9.810), Brooklyn Rowray (9.560), Jenna Olshefski, Jordyn Lyden
How It Looked Before: Beam was an unequivocal problem. It scored lower than the other three events in all but one meet in 2023, and was below 49 five times, dipping as low as 47.900. The lineup was capable of 9.900s but rarely hit the number consistently with no one eclipsing it.
How It Looks Now: This is Olshefski’s premier event, and her clean lines, toe point, and unique composition will make an immediate difference. Lyden is consistently good here and should also join the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up, on the heels of Olshefski. She has exactly the kind of high-scoring potential the 2023 lineup was missing.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Mya Hooten (9.970 NQS), Gianna Gerdes (9.930), Seria Johnson (9.885), Marissa Jencks (9.845), Marisa Fisher, Jordyn Lyden, Jenna Olshefski, Leah Gonsiorowski
How It Looked Before: Hooten’s 10s led the way on floor, a signature event for the 2023 squad where Remlinger was also perfect. This was a strong, consistent lineup that kept the Gophers from falling too far in the rankings in an adjustment year.
How It Looks Now: Fisher is nice here and will do well with Minnesota’s creative routine construction. Lyden and Olshefski are standouts who scored consistently well in level 10. Leah Gonsiorowski brings a full-in that should also be an option.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Down, at least at first. Losing Remlinger’s possible 10.0 will sting, but there are many options and a lot of depth.
Three Big Questions
Can the Gophers overcome beam woes?
An improved 2024 hinges largely on beam. Olshefski should help stabilize the situation, but one routine doesn’t make a lineup. Returners will need to be more consistent to move this event forward.
Will anyone not named Mya see 10.0s?
Hooten led the way with perfect numbers, but she was bolstered by Quarles on vault and Remlinger on floor. In the modern college scorescape, top teams almost have to put up several routines capable of perfection. Can anyone step up to the plate?
What will it take to return to nationals?
Competition, even within the conference, has been fierce the past two seasons. It will take resolved beam issues and consistently great vault and floor outings to push for a return to the top of the conference and the top eight in the country. It’s not out of sight, but it’ll be an uphill battle.
No. 23 Maryland
The Terps had their best season in a decade in 2023. Despite a few off days, especially on beam, it was a consistent year that culminated in a record-breaking and emotional regionals performance. The Terps are losing some scoring leaders, so there will be some pressure on newcomers to keep the momentum moving.
| Losses: | Austynn Lacasse, Sophia LeBlanc, Reese McClure, Alexsis Rubio, Aleka Tsiknias | |||
| Gains: | Lauren Brendlinger, Logan Buckmon, Bella Ferraccio, Layla Hammer, Natalie Martin, Hailey Merchant (transfer from N.C. State), Gianna Ruffing | |||
| Returning From Injury: | Lindsay Bacheler | |||
Vault
Potential Contributors: Josephine Kogler (9.835 NQS), Emma Silberman (9.835), Olivia Weir (9.830), Alexa Rothenbuescher (9.795), Taylor Rech (9.790), Lindsay Bacheler, Natalie Martin, Lauren Brendlinger, Logan Buckmon, Bella Ferraccio
How It Looked Before: Vault was both strong and consistent in 2023. Only seven members of the roster competed the event, which was led by Alexsis Rubio. While consistency ruled, only Rubio broke 9.900.
How It Looks Now: Natalie Martin’s big, clean one and a half will immediately enter the lineup. Lauren Brendlinger, Logan Buckmon, and Bella Ferraccio have also at least trained the 10.0 start value. At a program that has had veterans upgrade, it’s very possible we’ll see at least one of them in competition.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up. Rubio is a hard loss, but Martin is capable of stepping right into that anchor spot. Plus, increased depth and upgrade potential make this an event on the rise.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Sierra Kondo (9.885 NQS), Emma Silberman (9.850), Rhea Leblanc (9.830), Elizabeth Debarberie (9.825), Tasha Brozowski (9.805), Victoria Gatzendorfer (9.805), Hailey Merchant (9.495), Logan Buckmon, Natalie Martin, Gianna Ruffing
How It Looked Before: The Terps were consistently strong on bars, hovering just above and below the 49 mark all year. This is the event where Tasha Brozowski made her heroic regionals performance after her father passed away.
How It Looks Now: Hailey Merchant competed most often on bars for N.C. State, scoring as high as 9.875. The freshmen are all pretty inconsistent here, but Buckmon has great lines and Martin swings with a lot of power. Gianna Ruffing has a nearly college-ready set with a nice Jaeger and double layout that just lacks some handstand finesse.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too early to tell. Aleka Tsiknias was the leader here, but the rest of the lineup remains. If someone can step up and lead on the event, increased depth should help bump up the team scores.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Josephine Kogler (9.900 NQS), Maddie Komoroski (9.885), Elizabeth Debarberie (9.805), Emma Silberman (9.805), Victoria Gatzendorfer (9.770), Olivia Weir (9.590), Layla Hammer, Natalie Martin
How It Looked Before: Beam was Maryland’s weakness. There were four core routines that were largely consistent, but the final two lineup spots never really solidified.
How It Looks Now: Layla Hammer is particularly good here. She’s clean, consistent, and moves with the comfort of a college beamer. Martin also excels, with a set featuring a triple series.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. Reese McClure was the heart of the beam squad, and her loss will be felt in more ways than her score alone. Still, Hammer and Martin should immediately slot into the lineup and alleviate some of last season’s woes.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Emma Silberman (9.900 NQS), Maddie Komoroski (9.885), Alexa Rothenbuescher (9.880), Tayler Osterhout (9.860), Rhea Leblanc (9.835), Taylor Rech (9.830), Lindsay Bacheler, Natalie Martin, Logan Buckmon
How It Looked Before: The Terps were thoroughly a floor team, with fun routines and tidy tumbling. McClure in particular was a fan favorite.
How It Looks Now: Martin shines on floor, where she boasts a full-in and clean, college-ready work. Buckmon’s level 10 set will also translate well, though she’s been inconsistent. We also saw Lindsay Bacheler exhibition here coming off of injury, so if she’s healthy, she should be an option.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Up. Most of the lineup is returning, and Martin will make an immediate impact.
Three Big Questions
How will the Terps fare without its event leaders?
Rubio (vault) and McClure (beam, floor) were leaders both in scoring and, seemingly, emotionally for this team. How will Maryland handle losing both at once? The talent exists, but it will be interesting to see who emerges in leadership roles.
Is Lindsay Bacheler healthy?
A highly touted recruit, she’s spent her first two seasons injured. If she’s healthy enough to perform on floor and bring her front handspring front pike half to the table, it would be significant. We’ve seen injured gymnasts bloom in their junior seasons before (think Linda Zivat and Mallory Mizuki), but it’s rare.
Will we see vault upgrades?
Maryland is a team that has thrown some surprise vault upgrades in the past. With several powerful vaulters on the roster, it’s always possible for some new 10.0 starts to emerge, which would help the Terps stay competitive with their rankings neighbors.
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Article by Naomi Stephenson and Emily Minehart
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