Iowa State came into 2024 looking for a fresh start under first-time head coach Ashley Miles Greig. They exceeded expectations all the way around, and in 2025, the Cyclones are ready for more. It won’t be easy, though, quite a number of important routines having graduated. A talented freshman class will soften the blow.
2024 Rewind
No. 29 overall | No. 4 at Big 12s | No. 36 in regular season | Regional semi-final
After not qualifying to regionals as a team in 2023, the Cyclones showed off the most growth in 2024, improving 15 ranking positions. The season culminated in an upset against Clemson in round one and advancing to day two of regionals. It was a momentous occasion that set the Cyclones’ goals high for 2025.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years Lauren Thomas Seniors Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa Hannah Loyim Emma Ricks Rachel Wilke Juniors Madelyn Manternach Sophomores Noelle Adams Lauren O’Brochta Ella Schell Paige Wills | Freshmen Emry Clasen Rachel Goldstein Aubree Guniee Haylee Hardin Frederique Sgarbossa Transfers Kaia Bochow (WVU) |
| Out | |
| Graduated Loganne Basuel (UB,BB) Laura Cooke (UB,FX) Emilie Hong (VT,FX) Ana Irene Palacios (VT,FX) Kaia Parker (VT,FX) Transferred Gracie Long Retired Marina Gonzalez Reagan Loftis | |
| Injury Update | |
| Ella Schell appeared to have some sort of surgery on her right arm earlier this summer. While her sling is now gone, her status heading into 2025 is unknown. | |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 30 | NQS: 49.155 | Average: 49.044
| Event Overview: The Cyclones were strongest on vault in 2024, relying a lot on Yurchenko fulls with clean technique and minimal landing deductions. They lose their lone 10.0 start value vault, but replace it with a strong Omelianchik from Haylee Hardin. | ||
| Locks: Noelle Adams, Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa | ||
| Contenders: Haylee Hardin, Hannah Loyim, Ella Schell, Paige Wills | ||
| Wildcards: Kaia Bochow, Rachel Goldstein, Aubree Guinee, Frédérique Sgarbossa |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 42 | NQS: 49.030 | Average: 48.912
| Event Overview: Bars was Iowa State’s weakest event in 2024, with the team having to regularly count a fall. The challenge for 2025 comes in replacing its three highest-scoring routines, but the depth is there to do it. | ||
| Locks: Hannah Loyim, Ella Schell, Lauren Thomas | ||
| Contenders: Kaia Bochow, Paige Wills | ||
| Wildcards: Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa, Rachel Goldstein, Aubree Guinee, Haylee Hardin, Frédérique Sgarbossa, Emma Ricks |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 34 | NQS: 49.135 | Average: 48.816
| Event Overview: Beam went from being very weak to one of its best. The Cyclones return their top six NQS routines in 2025 but also bring in additional depth options to supplement the six if needed. | ||
| Locks: Noelle Adams, Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa, Lauren Thomas | ||
| Contenders: Kaia Bochow, Hannah Loyim, Lauren O’Brochta, Ella Schell, Rachel Wilke | ||
| Wildcards: Rachel Goldstein, Haylee Hardin, Madelyn Manternach, Frédérique Sgarbossa |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 35 | NQS: 49.310 | Average: 49.200
| Event Overview: How do you improve on an already solid and high-scoring event? Casually bring in a former level 10 national floor champion. The former five-star Hardin shows glimpses of Cyclone great Maddie Diab. The remaining five routines that make the competition lineup should make for another successful floor year. | ||
| Locks: Noelle Adams, Haylee Hardin | ||
| Contenders: Emry Clasen, Aubree Guinee, Hannah Loyim | ||
| Wildcards: Madelyn Manternach, Frédérique Sgarbossa, Rachel Wilke, Paige Wills |
Records Watch
Team: 198.000 | AA: 39.750 | VT: 49.550/10.000 | UB: 49.450/9.950 | BB: 49.525/9.950 | FX: 49.625/10.000
Last year’s freshman phenom Noelle Adams was a quarter-tenth away from setting a new individual record on beam last season. In addition, keep an eye on fifth-year Lauren Thomas. She has career highs of 9.900 on both bars and beam and could look to match or exceed the individual record in her final season.
The Big Picture
The Cyclones went from bottom tier to middle of the pack in the Big 12 in just one season. As they head into 2025, they’ll want to qualify out of the play-in round and advance directly to day two of regionals. While Iowa State will miss routines from the likes of Loganne Basuel and Laura Cooke, their remaining athletes and incoming freshmen have the ability to keep the momentum moving in a positive direction.
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Article by Savanna Wellman
