WASHINGTON ROSTER 2018
Seniors
Hailey Burleson	VT UB BB FX	Expected to contribute AA Anchor on VT, BB, FX in 2017 RQSs range from 9.815 (UB) to 9.905 (BB)
Joslyn Goings	VT UB BB FX	Expected to contribute AA Leading BB on team, RQS of 9.915 in 2017
Zoey Schaefer	UB BB FX	Major contributor on BB, FX RQS of 9.855 (BB), 9.835 (FX) in 2017 Can provide UB if team requires
Juniors
Kristyn Hoffa	VT FX	Competed VT, FX in first 5 meets of 2017 before ACL injury Scored as high as 9.900 on FX Will contribute both VT, FX when healthy
Monica Riley	VT UB BB FX	Made final VT lineup in 2017 with 9.775 RQS Can provide UB, BB, FX as needed
Malory Rose	BB	Leadoff BB for 9.835 RQS in 2017 Injured ACL, will miss beginning of 2018
Sophomores
Madison Copiak	VT UB BB	Staple of UB lineup in 2017 for 9.805 Leadoff VT for 9.705 Training BB for 2018
Michaela Nelson	UB BB	Made final BB lineup in 2017 for 9.825 RQS Contributed UB most weeks during season
Evanni Roberson	VT UB BB FX	Performed exhibition, but no competition sets in 2017 Is former JO national UB champ, VT/FX standout
Haley Roy	VT FX	10.0 start (Tsuk 1/2) on VT 9.825 RQS in 2017 Can also provide backup FX
Maya Washington	UB BB FX	UB, BB, FX contributor in 2017 Made postseason UB, FX lineups, injury replacement at nationals on BB Highest scores on FX with 9.840 RQS
Freshmen
Jennifer Oh	VT UB BB FX	WOGA 2016 JO Nationals, 3rd AA, Senior B Labrum surgery in April
Geneva Thompson		Currently injured 2017 JO Nationals, 3rd VT
Hannah Willmarth	UB FX	2017 CO states, 2nd FX, 3rd UB

Recent History
2017 – 8th
2016 – 18th
2015 – 34th
2014 – 26th
2013 – 19th
2012 – 18th
2011 – 18th
2010 – 23rd

Expectations for Washington in 2018 will understandably be much higher than they have been in many, many years following the Cinderella journey to nationals in 2017. Still, when evaluating 2018 chances, it’s worth remembering that Washington finished the 2017 regular season in 13th, a more accurate position from which to gauge what would count as improvement/success or not in 2018.

Returning to nationals is doable, but it would still be a very big deal and perhaps would still count an upset.

Vault
Lineup locks
Burleson (9.845), Roy (9.825), Goings (9.820)
Lineup options
Hoffa (9.780), Riley (9.775), Copiak (9.705), Roberson(-), Oh (FR)

Vault proved the weak event for Washington last season and remains the biggest concern heading into 2018. A primary complication is just how many injuries Washington is dealing with right now, forced to put up only four vaulters in this week’s public intrasquad. The injury to freshman Geneva Thompson, a JO standout on vault who was supposed to bolster this lineup, particularly doesn’t help matters.

Once again, Washington will have a 10.0 start from Roy‘s Tsuk 1/2, which received 9.8s in the second spot last season. Other than that, it’s going to be a lineup of fulls, with Burleson and Goings the most likely to break that 9.800 barrier. Critical reinforcements must also come from Hoffa, returning from her ACL injury with a Yfull. Those four will be the core of the lineup. Rounding out the group last season were Riley‘s Y1/2 and Copiak‘s full, both tending to be in the 9.7s.

That’s a possible six, but not necessarily the ideal six. Watch Roberson this season, someone who had a strong full in JO. With Yacalis gone and Thompson injured, Roberson will have to come through on the power events to keep those scores afloat. Otherwise, Washington is looking at some regression from in 2018. While Oh is supposed to be a bigger deal on bars and beam, she also showed a very usable full in JO. A couple of these fresher options do have a chance to boost the lineup, but most likely we’re looking at another season of 49.0-49.1s.

Bars
Lineup locks
Goings (9.830), Burleson (9.815), Copiak (9.805)
Lineup options
Oh (FR), Washington (9.825), Nelson (9.770), Riley (9.569), Schaefer (9.755 in 2016), Roberson (-), Wilmarth (FR)

Washington had its moments on bars last year but did rely quite a bit on Duranczyk’s 9.9s to boost the team total and will need someone to fill that role. The great hope is Oh, who has the line and handstands to go into the 6th spot and get 9.9s, even with a simpler routine. Labrum surgery isn’t great for bars (breaking news), but the Huskies will need that routine by the end of the year to stay competitive.

Bars is also Copiak‘s strong event. Her routine was acceptably 9.8 last season but has the potential to be 9.9. A year healthier and more experienced, she’ll need to get big scores in 2018. Goings, Burleson, and Washington were 9.8-level stalwarts in 2017 who can return, looking as a whole like a lineup that can keep the rotation score above the 49.0 water level.

The Huskies should not be short of competition-usable options with up to 10 gymnasts with bars routines, but in terms of remaining choices who can actually go over 9.8, keep and eye on Riley and Roberson. Roberson is a JO bars champ who could have made the lineup last season, and Riley has the line and leg form (we see a lot of sloppy Shaps in NCAA, and hers is not one of them) to get higher-than-medium scores if it comes together this season.

Beam
Lineup locks
Goings (9.915), Burleson (9.905), Schaefer (9.855)
Lineup options
Rose (9.835), Oh (FR), Nelson (9.825), Washington (9.800), Copiak (-), Riley (-), Roberson (-)

Now we’re in Washington’s wheelhouse, the team’s strongest lineup last season and one that returns six gymnasts who competed regularly. Just throwing back up a lineup of Rose, Schaefer, Nelson, Washington, Goings, Burleson seems a very viable strategy. That group could score 49.3 again, but expect Oh to be a party-crasher who can make it even better.

Goings, Burleson, and Schaefer are the locks—Goings and Burleson getting 9.9s and Schaefer doing 9.9-level work from the second spot in 2017—but beyond that there’s still some wiggle room. Especially given the injuries, spots will be up for grabs and several others who don’t have a ton of beam experience will be called upon, like Copiak, Riley, or Roberson.

Having to put up juniors and sophomores who haven’t made the lineup in the past is the cause for concern on what otherwise should be Washington’s least worrisome event and the best argument for the Huskies making it back to nationals in 2018.

Floor
Lineup locks
Burleson (9.870), Washington (9.840), Schaefer (9.835)
Lineup options
Goings (9.804), Hoffa (9.660), Roberson (-), Oh (FR), Roy (9.625), Riley (-), Nelson (-)

Washington may be in a bit of a bind this season in terms of trying to replace the Yacalis and Duranczyk scores from within, but some solid routines do return.

Getting Hoffa back is the most essential piece. She can deliver 9.9s and really should be the best floor worker on the roster, while Burleson was pretty much always good for at least 9.850 in the anchor spot last season. Those are the main two, but they’ll be assisted by Schaefer, Washington, and Goings, who can all get their share of 9.825-9.850s. The path to something like 49.250 will be a 9.850 team effort.

As on other events, the hope is that Roberson can become that sixth member of the lineup. That’s the ideal six right now but not the entire extent of the options. Roy did a floor routine last year, Oh should have a set, and Riley and Nelson competed in the intrasquad. I can see all or most getting a look (especially early in the year), but the time they see will depend on the health of the first six.

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Getting back to nationals again is an uphill battle, but it is possible. On paper, the team looks weaker on vault and floor, events which will therefore be counting on Hoffa and Roberson to fill openings. If Washington can stay even with last year’s level on those two pieces, this is still a team that can ride big beam scores to success, but if not, it’s going to be difficult to contend in a very tightly packed 7-15 zone this season. Watch the health.