The 2018 NCAA gymnastics season is finally here! We can’t believe it either. And like a true gentleman, gym is easing us into the madness with an abbreviated slate of competitions to kick off the season—if you call 20 meets abbreviated. But we’re here to hold your hand until you get back into the swing of things, with previews of the top matchups, predictions and coverage links for every competition so you can follow your favorite teams as they kick off 2018 with a bang. And, for you College Fantasy Gymnastics players out there, we’ve even provided some resources to help you set those lineups stress free (or at least help cut down on the stress).
No. 4 Alabama at No. 7 Michigan: Friday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m. ET
We’re starting the season right with with a top 10 matchup right off the bat. These are two teams we’ve seen a fair bit from in preseason. Take a look at our previous coverage of both intrasquads (Alabama | Michigan) for a quick refresher. Expect both Alabama and Michigan to test newcomers (Peyton Ernst, Kylie Dickson and Bailie Key for Alabama and Sydney Townsend and Lauren Farley for Michigan), as well as try upgrades. Dickson expects to vault a Yurchenko double, so look for her to anchor for the Crimson Tide in the second rotation while likely all arounders (based on the lineups Alabama leaked in November and training updates since) should be Wynter Childers and Kiana Winston—though for your fantasy lineups note that Winston is questionable for vault and bars to start the season. For Michigan, Olivia Karas is a sure bet for the all around. Emma McLean struggled on vault in the exhibition, so it won’t be surprising if she downgrades to a Yurchenko full from her usual one and a half to start 2018. Paige Zaziski was shaky on beam in the exhibition; her spot in that lineup may be in danger, with Farley the likely challenger. Overall, these two teams are quite evenly matched and will look to grant their newcomers competition exposure right off the bat, making for a real battle to start the season. It’s not unthinkable that the Crimson Tide and Wolverines may be fighting for a Super Six berth come April. Alabama brings more possible 10.0 vaults, but Michigan has a slate of floor routines that are expected to play well in the Crisler Center.
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It’s the first #NCAAgym meet week of the year! No. 4 @BamaGymnastics faces No. 7 @UMichWGym Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET. Who wins?
— NCAA Gym News (@NCAAGymNews_) January 2, 2018
No. 19 Arkansas at No. 3 LSU: Friday, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. ET
The first SEC matchup of the season belongs to LSU and Arkansas, which should make for a relatively easy win in the Tigers’ home opener. The really telling part about this meet will be just how well each team performs. LSU lost some huge names last year in Ashleigh Gnat, Sydney Ewing and Shae Zamardi, but it’s gained an enormous class of seven freshmen. LSU did not look quite as strong as past years at its annual Gymnastics 101 in December with a few mistakes on vault and two falls on beam—miscues that certainly were not there at last year’s edition. This first meet against Arkansas will be the moment of truth. Will the Tigers break 197, continuing their strong opening streak and setting the tone for yet another title-seeking season? Or will the team still be a work in progress, as was suggested at Gym 101?
Despite the fact that this is an away meet it’s basically destined to lose, Arkansas will use this meet as a measuring stick for its upcoming season. Much of the Razorbacks’ success in 2018 will depend on how well super-senior Amanda Wellick is recovering, as well as how quickly the freshmen can be integrated consistently into the lineups. Arkansas will look to bring full lineups on bars and floor again after having so little depth last season. It will need the freshmen to do that; with the likes of J.O. standout Sydney Laird and former elite Kailey Gillings, they should be up to the task. With new assistant coaches, the return of Wellick and a solid group of newcomers, will this be Arkansas’ renaissance? If so, it has to start here.
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No. 19 @RazorbackGym faces No. 3 @LSUgym Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Who wins? #NCAAgym
— NCAA Gym News (@NCAAGymNews_) January 2, 2018
No. 22 Ohio State at No. 6 UCLA: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. ET
UCLA will kick off its season at home in an out-of-conference matchup with Ohio State. After a fourth-place finish at last year’s Super Six, the Bruins graduated heavy contributors in Angi Cipra and Hallie Mosset, as well as beam stalwart Mikaela Gerber. Fortunately, they will have one extra year of Peng-Peng Lee who was granted a sixth year of eligibility. As usual, UCLA’s freshman class is big and includes two former elites. However, UCLA’s lineups are quite unpredictable, and we can be certain to see some new faces out on the competition floor this weekend. Freshman Nia Dennis’ debut will be highly anticipated as she is likely to compete regularly in the all around, especially with sophomore Madison Kocian out for now. We can also expect uneven bars and balance beam national champion Kyla Ross to be back on her three events and to hopefully make a run for a floor spot if she can hit it consistently.
This meet will mark the debuts of the Buckeyes’ new head coach Meredith Paulicivic, who was formerly the assistant coach at Utah. The team graduated Tenille Funches, Erin Malone and Jaine VanPutten, leaving behind holes on each event. Floor is looking to be the strongest event, with almost enough returning routines with E passes to fill out the entire rotation. Furthermore, Paulicivic is renowned for her choreography on floor, so keep an eye out for the Buckeyes to rival UCLA’s storied routines. Senior Alexis Mattern is the obvious leader of the team after a standout junior season that qualified her to nationals as an individual. Additionally, freshman Jenna Swartzentruber is one to watch, especially on bars, and has shown clean and difficult gymnastics throughout the fall.
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No. 22 @OhioState_WGYM is at No. 6 @uclagymnastics Saturday at 9 p.m. ET! Who wins? #NCAAgym
— NCAA Gym News (@NCAAGymNews_) January 2, 2018
No. 11 California, Sacramento State, San Jose State and UC Davis at No. 18 Stanford: Monday, Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET
Cal was riddled with injuries last season and came just shy of making nationals, but the Golden Bears are looking to challenge again for a spot there in 2018. The team lost stars Zoe Draghi and Desiree Palomares, as well as work horses Charlie Owens, Emily Richardson and Amber Takara, but gained a valuable class of freshmen and a handful of veterans from injury, including senior star and Olympian Toni-Ann Williams. Freshman Kyana George should be one to watch for across every event. While Cal is coming in as the highest ranked team, don’t underestimate Stanford, especially this season. It was yet another team to undergo a coaching change over the summer, with former gymnast Tabitha Yim coming back to the Farm to replace Krysten Smith. After a rocky last few seasons, losing a few crucial contributors to graduation, the expectations are high for the Cardinal to finally live up to its potential. Luckily, it gained one of the best freshmen classes in the nation, with former elites Lauren Navarro and Taylor Lawson and standout level 10s Kyla Bryant and Rachael Flam leading the way. This class should make most of the lineups right from the start and will undoubtedly provide depth and high-scoring routines to go along with those from program superstar Elizabeth Price.
While it may be realistically hard to challenge Cal or Stanford for the ‘W’, it should be a close race among the MPSF teams, as they all bring in solid freshman classes combined with seasoned competitors. San Jose State may seem like the favorite after having won the 2017 MPSF conference title while Sacramento State returns seniors Caitlin Soliwoda and Lauren Rice—the latter will be a thrill to watch as usual, especially on beam and floor with her fun and spunky routines. Finally, keep your eye out for two freshmen at UC Davis in Kelley Hebert and Kyla Kessler.
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The NorCal Classic is Monday at 9 p.m. ET! Which team wins? #NCAAgym
— NCAA Gym News (@NCAAGymNews_) January 2, 2018
Other Notable Matchups
No. 2 Florida at No. 28 West Virginia: Friday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. ET
Florida will start its season with an out-of-conference matchup against West Virginia. The Gators are the heavy favorites to win this one, as well as to potentially win it all in April. They lost zero postseason routines from last year, only graduating Claire Boyce who medically retired halfway through the season. In addition, they gained an outstanding freshman class that include former elites Alyssa Baumann, Jazmyn Foberg and Megan Skaggs. West Virginia lost all arounder Alexa Goldberg and beam stalwart Brooklyn Doggette to graduation but has a good crop of freshmen coming up, so expect this under-the-radar team to start slow and build steam as the season goes. Just like last year, keep an eye out for Zaakira Muhammad and Kirah Koshinski’s clean and big gymnastics.
No. 34 BYU at No. 5 Utah: Friday, Jan. 5 at 9 p.m. ET
BYU will kick off its season against Utah, the Cougars’ in-state rival. The team welcomea a freshman class of 10 (!) this season, so if it can bring solid scores to the table, BYU will be in great shape for years to come. From Utah, look for a heavy presence of all around competitors in its lineups. At the Red Rock Preview, the Utes showed six competitors that did all four events, including sophomore standout MyKayla Skinner. Both teams lost only one senior following last season, so each will look to use their freshmen to help build on last season’s success.
No. 35 Eastern Michigan at No. 25 Penn State: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. ET
Eastern Michigan kicks off its season in Happy Valley facing former head coach Sarah Shire Brown. The Eagles showed strong routines from seniors Kendall Valentin and Lacey Rubin in their exhibition meet at Michigan in December. Plus, the matchup will give fans their first look at the rejuvenated Nittany Lions under Brown; keep an eye on freshman Lauren Bridgens and returners Briannah Tsang and Sabrina Garcia.
No. 8 Denver at No. 26 Arizona: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. ET
Arizona welcomes Denver, who is coming off its best season on record, as well as Rutgers who hs been steadily rising through the ranks in recent years. The big name to watch for at this meet is Maddie Karr who is coming off a stellar freshman campaign, finishing 10th in the national all around rankings. Also be on the lookout for some huge 10.0 SV vaults, including from Karr and teammate Lynnzee Brown. Arizona and Rutgers have both shown a handful of potential 10.0 SV vaults in preseason training, so watch to see if those materialize as well.
Note: Due to weather, New Hampshire and Rutgers will no longer travel to Arizona. New Hampshire will instead compete at the Little Boston Invitational at 7:30 p.m. while Rutgers not compete at all.
No. 14 Auburn, No. 20 Iowa, No. 29 Iowa State at No. 31 Arizona State: Saturday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. ET
Arizona State begins its season playing host to what seems sure to be an exciting matchup between four on-the-rise programs. Be on the lookout for newcomers to break out and play integral parts on their respective teams on Saturday. Auburn and Iowa both welcome a handful of J.O. national qualifiers with the Tigers also welcoming former elite Meredith Sylvia. Iowa State and Arizona State will both debut Olympians in Ariana Orrego and Anne Kuhm, respectively.
These aren’t the only meets happening this weekend. To see all the matchups all in one place, take a look at our master schedule. You can also find live scoring and video links for all this weekend’s meets below.
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Don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten about Fantasy Gymnastics players. We have a number of resources to aid in your weekly success. Check out our updated injury report to see if any of your gymnasts have been out of action. We also have a list of teams on byes this week.
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