Super 16 Vegas Podium Challenge Session Two

Recap

The Big Storyline: Behind a breakout performance form Chloe Widner, Stanford won the second session of Super 16 as the senior won two events en route to the all-around title. The Cardinal also notched an event win from touted freshman Anna Roberts, who vaulted a dynamic Yurchenko one and a half. Second place Georgia had the best showing of the evening on bars, where transfer Josie Angengy took the event title. Oregon State, the favorite entering the meet, opened with several misses on bars.

Implications: While the Beavers’ start wasn’t ideal, it’s become typical for them to start the season slow; don’t hit the panic button on yet. Georgia also started slow last season, with its 2023 opening total nearly a point and a half better than a season ago’s.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 14 Oregon State, No. 17 Stanford, No. 20 Georgia and Rutgers

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The second quad meet of the Super 16 mega meet features a trio of top-20 teams and a Rutgers program with raised expectations. Superstar Jade Carey boosted Oregon State to nationals-contender status last season and should have it in the picture yet again, while conference rival Stanford is hoping to ride the wave of its Cinderella story run to the regional final last postseason. After finishing 30th in 2022, Georgia will debut a new look after it revamped its roster this offseason via the transfer portal and a top-five freshman class.

What We’re Watching: Two former five-star recruits are set for their collegiate debuts, with Georgia’s JaFree Scott and Stanford’s Anna Roberts both likely to make lineups for their programs as freshmen standouts. Taralyn Nguyen and Claire Dean are two other Cardinal newbies to keep an eye on as they make up most of their top-ranked freshman class. And while nobody will want to miss a single routine from Carey, keep an eye on Rutgers, too, as a trio of former four-star recruits highlights a massive, top-15 rookie class to compliment veteran Hannah Joyner.

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: While many faces on Georgia’s roster are new to the program, several begin their Gymdog days with collegiate experience under their belts. Josie Angeny transferred into the program this offseason from Kentucky, Vanessa Deniz joined from Oklahoma and Ball State’s Sandra Elsadek is now down in Athens.