Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you know when you turn on a meet that you’re probably about to watch more than a few full-twisting Yurchenko vaults. The Yurchenko full is a commonly competed skill, yet it’s often outshone by its one-and-a-half-twisting counterpart. Even then, some gymnasts execute Yurchenko fulls so well—square, floaty, absorbed landing—that they score just as high. Here are the six highest-performing Yurchenko fulls from this past season, by NQS.
6. Summer Gronski (Stanford)
Just a freshman, Gronski wasted no time stealing the hearts of gym fans with her viral collegiate debut. Starting her career with a fall didn’t seem to phase her though, as she stuck her vault cold the following week (and went on to stick a couple more times throughout the season). While her teammate Ui Soma was the one to achieve a perfect 9.950 on the same vault, Gronski actually held a slightly higher NQS of 9.870. With star vaulters Anna Roberts and Taralyn Nguyen graduating, Gronski will likely be an important part of the Cardinal’s vault rotation in coming years.
5. Kimarra Echols (Missouri)
Echols’ vault was long-awaited by many gym fans, and she didn’t disappoint. The way she floats and flares before landing makes her Yurchenko full feel like a spiritual successor to UCLA alum Chae Campbell’s vault. With an NQS of 9.875 and career high of 9.900, Echols’ career is already off to a strong start. Once she manages to consistently find the stick, it’s pretty certain that she will achieve perfection for the Tigers.
4. Syniya Thomas (N.C. State)
Thomas is one of those skilled vaulters who slipped under the radar of college gymnastics fans this year. She gets remarkable height off the table and has exemplary chest position when her feet hit the ground. With an NQS of 9.875, Thomas is N.C. State’s highest-ranked vaulter. Don’t worry, though—even though she competes like a senior, the Raleigh native still has two more seasons to contribute to the Wolfpack.
3. Tiana Sumanasekera (UCLA)
Historically speaking, UCLA’s relationship with vault has been tumultuous, so the Bruins must have been happy to have a steady and reliable Sumanasekera as their leadoff all season. She finished the regular season with an NQS of 9.880 and career high of 9.900, demonstrating strong consistency. Plus, her pop and amplitude off the table are testaments to her time competing a double-twisting Yurchenko as an elite. Her journey as a Bruin is sure to be an exciting and emotional one—both on vault and across the other events.
2. Ja’ Free Scott (Georgia)
Another mainstay leadoff on vault, Scott showed up with one of the best full-twisting Yurchenkos in the NCAA this past season. Her final NQS was a 9.885, evidence of her repeatedly strong performances for the GymDogs. And while Scott was predominantly known as a bars and beam worker, she truly came into her own as a leader on vault as well in her senior year.
1. Kaya Forbes (North Carolina)
Finally, the highest-ranked gymnast who competed a full-twisting Yurchenko this season was Forbes of North Carolina. With an impressive NQS of 9.895, she finished the regular season No. 25 on vault and earned All-ACC honours on the event. Unfortunately, she never quite scored a perfect 9.950 as her senior season came to a close, but with a career high of 9.925 she was almost certainly capable of it. The Tar Heels will miss Forbes’ dynamic gymnastics, but she definitely made an impact on the program during her time in Carolina blue.
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Article by Logan Driedger
