Category Archives: Season Preview

Oklahoma 2017

January 3, 2017 balancebeamsituation 3 Comments

OKLAHOMA ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Chayse Capps	BB star, staple of VT, FX in first three seasons Added UB in 2016 and was casually amazing 2016 RQS: BB – 9.955, UB – 9.920, FX – 9.915, VT – 9.875
Reagan Hemry	Has not performed competition routine in first three seasons
Charity Jones	Finally healthy enough to contribute weekly VT, BB, FX in 2016 Also contributed late-season UB in 2014 2016 RQS: FX – 9.910, VT – 9.880, BB – 9.860
Kara Lovan	A staple of VT, BB, FX in first two years, did not make final lineups in 2016 2016 average: BB – 9.665, FX – 9.413
Nicole Turner	Transfer from Oregon State for 2016 season Has not competed for Oklahoma
McKenzie Wofford	Top UB routine in 2016 Occasional tantalizing BB w/ falls earlier in career 2016 RQS: UB – 9.950
*Juniors*
Natalie Brown	Weekly member of BB, FX lineups in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.910, FX – 9.890
Stefani Catour	Made final BB lineup in 2016 Competed UB once for 9.925 2016 RQS: BB – 9.850
Samantha Craus	Has not performed competition routine in first two seasons
Ali Jackson	Top routine on VT, FX in first two years Added weekly UB and backup BB in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.940, FX – 9.920, UB – 9.875 2016 average: BB – 9.800
*Sophomores*
Brenna Dowell	Deferred 2016 to compete at Olympic Trials Leading score on VT, UB, FX in 2015 2015 RQS: FX – 9.945, UB – 9.910, VT – 9.890
Nicole Lehrmann	Staple of UB, BB lineups in 2016 Also provides backup VT 2016 RQS: UB – 9.915, BB – 9.875 2016 average: VT – 9.813
Alex Marks	Frequent VT in 2016 Competed FX once for 9.700 2016 RQS: VT – 9.835
Megan Thompson	Did not compete in freshman season
*Freshmen*
Jade DeGouveia	American Twisters 2015 JO Nationals 3rd AA
Maggie Nichols	Twin City 2016 Olympic Trials 6th AA 2015 World Championship team, 2015 Nationals 2nd AA The effing Maggie Nichols
Brehanna Showers	R Athletics MI 2014 Region 5 champion, 2013 JO Nationals 2nd AA Name is complete sentence, and good hygiene.

Recent History
2016 – 1st
2015 – 3rd
2014 – 1st
2013 – 2nd
2012 – 7th
2011 – 3rd
2010 – 2nd

As a team, Oklahoma has achieved pretty much everything there is to achieve in college gymnastics—including now winning a national championship outright—but one thing Oklahoma hasn’t done before is enter a season as the clear favorite and presumed winner of the title, a team that can only meet expectations not exceed them, a team with nothing to gain and everything to lose. So have fun with that. Don’t worry about it, just anything short of absolute perfection and constant victory culminating in a championship will be a tragic disappointment to everyone. It’s fine.

The coaches, me, and the readers of this site (you know, the big three) all agree that Oklahoma is the most talented team and should win a third title. So let’s get into why. Continue reading Oklahoma 2017 →

Alabama 2017

January 2, 2017 balancebeamsituation 12 Comments

ALABAMA ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Katie Bailey	Weekly UB, frequent VT, BB, FX throughout career 2016 RQS: UB – 9.890, FX – 9.875, VT – 9.860 2016 average: BB – 9.714
Amanda Jetter	Constant in UB lineup, FX contributor as physically able in first three years 2016 RQS: UB – 9.875 2016 average: FX – 9.888
Keely McNeer	Leadoff VT, UB, BB in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.885, VT – 9.840, UB – 9.835
Mary Lillian Sanders	Suddenly made final BB lineup in 2016 2016 average: BB – 9.800
Aja Sims	Queen of BB lineup, semi-regular FX in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.915, FX – 9.845
McKenzie Valentin	Transfer from Arizona for 2015 season Competes a few FX routines per season 2016 average: FX – 9.831
*Juniors*
Mackenzie Brannan	Near-weekly AA contributor in 2016, made all four final lineups 2016 RQS: UB – 9.900, VT – 9.890, FX – 9.870, BB – 9.820
Nickie Guerrero	Staple of BB, VT lineups in 2016 Occasional backup FX 2016 RQS: BB – 9.895, VT – 9.865 2016 average: FX – 9.850
Jennie Loeb	Has not competed in first two seasons
Kiana Winston	Weekly UB, frequent BB, FX, occasional VT in 2016 2016 RQSL UB – 9.920, FX – 9.905, BB – 9.845 2016 average: VT – 9.850
*Sophomores*
Abby Armbrecht	Competed 3 VTs in 2016 for 9.642 average (one fall)
Jenna Bresette	Weekly VT in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.835
*Peyton Ernst*	Transfer from Florida Weekly BB in 2016 for 9.860 RQS
Angelina Giancroce	Occasional early season UB, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.635 2016 average: UB – 9.792
Ari Guerra	Occasional mid-season UB, FX in 2016 2016 average: UB – 9.855, FX – 9.820
*Freshmen*
Wynter Childers	Spearfish SD 2015 JO National AA champion 2016 JO National BB, FX champion
Caitlin Cole	Haydens 2016 Region 8 BB 3rd
Maddie Desch	GAGE 2014 World Championship alternate 2014 Nationals 7th AA
Shea Mahoney	Legacy Elite 2015 JO Nationals 7th AA, 2nd VT, 3rd FX

Recent History
2016 – 3rd
2015 – 4th
2014 – 4th
2013 – 3rd
2012 – 1st
2011 – 1st
2010 – 3rd

Alabama owns the country’s longest active Super Six streak, sitting at nine years. Considering the relatively non-devastating roster losses from last season and the sheer depth of this team, that streak should reach ten years this season.

That, of course, isn’t the goal. The goal is winning. Alabama remains among the more likely schools to win the title this year, though not the most likely. To get over that hurdle once again and improve on last year’s finish, Alabama will have to find a way to translate its bevy of nearly interchangeable 9.875s into a core of a few 9.9s. A team with five 9.9s will do better than a team with ten 9.850s, which is Alabama’s challenge right now. In Super Six last year, Alabama recorded six 9.9s compared to Oklahoma’s twelve, and that’s your margin of victory right there.

Based on last season, it would be foolish nonsense to even attempt to profile Alabama’s lineups since seven million people will compete on each apparatus and the lineup will reinvent itself every week, so let’s do it. Continue reading Alabama 2017 →

Season Preview

Florida 2017

January 1, 2017 balancebeamsituation 11 Comments

FLORIDA ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Claire Boyce	Missed 2016 season with injury Weekly BB, FX, backup UB in 2015 2015 RQS: BB – 9.905, FX – 9.860, UB – 9.825
*Juniors*
Kennedy Baker	Constant in the AA in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.940, VT – 9.915, BB – 9.870, UB – 9.860
Grace McLaughlin	Leadoff FX in 2016 One routine each on UB (9.800) and BB (9.775) 2016 RQS: FX – 9.825
Alex McMurtry	Leader of VT, UB, BB lineups in 2016 Competes FX when physically able 2016 RQS: BB – 9.945, UB – 9.940, VT – 9.925 2016 average: FX – 9.885
Rachel Slocum	Transfer from Eastern Michigan Weekly VT, FX for EMU in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.875, FX – 9.855
*Sophomores*
Alicia Boren	Competed AA in all but one meet in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.910, FX – 9.905, BB – 9.890, UB – 9.860
Amanda Cheney	Competed VT twice in 2016 for 9.713 average
Lacy Dagen	Missed freshman year with injury
Ashley Hiller	Backup FX, VT in 2016 2016 average: FX – 9.725, VT – 9.700
*Freshmen*
Sierra Alexander	West Broward FL 2016 Region 8 VT 4th
Maegan Chant	World Class CAN 2014 World Championship team 2016 Canadian Nationals 8th AA
Rachel Gowey	Chow’s 2014 Classic AA 4th 2015 Pan Am UB champion
Amelia Hundley	Cincinnati 2016 Olympic Trials 9th AA 2015 Pan Ams 4th AA

*NOTE: Ericha Fassbender has been deemed ineligible for 2017 and removed from Florida’s team. For the gossip about why, please see the entire internet.

Recent History
2016 – 4th
2015 – 1st
2014 – 1st
2013 – 1st
2012 – 2nd
2011 – 7th
2010 – 5th

The last eight months have suddenly become an era of turnover and turmoil for Florida, with the graduation of a program-defining senior class, the transfer of Peyton Ernst, the injury to Alyssa Baumann, recruit departures from Bailie Key and Laurie Hernandez, and now the ineligibility of Ericha Fassbender. This team looks a lot different than it did last year, but also a lot different than we expected it to look this year. Much can change in the course of eight months.

This turmoil has stunted expectations for Florida in 2017, but looking past the ambiguous notion of public expectations, this remains a Super Six-quality roster that stands among the five most likely winners of the national title. A title is certainly not the presumptive result it has been in recent seasons, but it’s still squarely in the picture. Because of the dramatic turnover in the roster, however, much of that potential success will rest on how well the accomplished freshman class can hit the ground Sloaning and not only fill empty lineup spots but replace multiple missing 9.9s on multiple events. Continue reading Florida 2017 →

Season Preview

Cal 2017

January 1, 2017 balancebeamsituation 3 Comments

CAL ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Isabelle Castillo	Competed two BB routines in 2015 for a 9.750 average
Zoe Draghi	End-of-lineup contributor on BB, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.895, BB – 9.845
Dana Ho	Did not compete in 2016 Contributed weekly UB, BB, FX in 2015 2015 RQS: UB – 9.835, BB – 9.820, FX – 9.805
Jessica Howe	Competed weekly UB, BB, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.855, UB – 9.850, BB – 9.850
Charlie Owens	Competed early-lineup BB, FX in 2016 Backup routines on VT, UB 2016 RQS: FX – 9.810, BB – 9.790 2016 average: VT – 9.763, UB – 9.042
Desiree Palomares	Weekly VT, BB, frequent FX in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.855, VT – 9.795, FX – 9.745
Emily Richardson	Weekly VT, UB and postseason BB in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.825, UB – 9.800 2016 average: BB – 9.820
Amber Takara	Weekly UB and backup VT in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.840 2016 average: VT – 9.788
*Juniors*
Alicia Gallarzo	Frequent VT, backup UB in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.840 2016 average: UB – 9.648
Ariana Robinson	Weekly mid-lineup VT, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.855, VT – 9.845
Yuleen Sternberg	Anchor-position UB routine in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.820
Toni-Ann Williams	Team-leading routine on VT, UB, FX Occasional BB 2016 RQS: FX – 9.935, VT – 9.865, UB – 9.855, BB – 9.465
*Sophomores*
Emily Howe	Did not compete in freshman year
Sofie Seilnacht	Weekly BB, postseason UB in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.825 2016 average: UB – 9.700
Sylvie Seilnacht	Weekly VT, backup BB, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.825 2016 average: BB – 9.738, FX – 9.483
Chelsea Shu	Did not compete in freshman year
*Freshmen*
Alexandra Dudschus	Airborne CA 2016 Region 1 UB 5th, BB 5th
Cassidy Keelen	Texas Dreams 2016 JO Nationals AA 2nd, VT & BB 3rd 2015 JO Nationals AA 2nd, VT 2nd, FX 3rd
Rachel Mastrangelo	Southeastern 2015 JO Nationals 15th AA
Mariah Peterson	All-American 2016 JO Nationals 4th UB, 7th VT 2015 JO Nationals 5th AA

Recent History
2016 – 7th
2015 – 18th
2014 – 16th
2013 – 28th
2012 – 49th
2011 – 50th
2010 – 55th

Cal is most certainly a thing now and will continue to be one in 2017, having lost zero postseason routines from last year while adding some critical freshmen who will see competition time and reinforce several lineups. And yet, the lower-seed splatfest that was the 2016 national semifinals saw Cal finish an unexpected 7th, even with a sub-196 total, leading to the odd expectation that the team will be better in 2017 than in 2016, but will actually finish worse. This is a very good team, though probably not a true Super Six contender quite yet.

Still, we can expect Cal to be more frequently 196+ in 2017, notch a few more upsets, and return to nationals. Now that it has happened once, it’s supposed to happen every year. Continue reading Cal 2017 →

Season Preview

Missouri 2017

December 29, 2016 balancebeamsituation 7 Comments

MISSOURI ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Alyson Heimsath	Did not compete in 2016 Weekly BB, FX in 2016 2015 RQS: FX – 9.775, BB – 9.725
Angie Kern	Fixture of VT, FX lineups in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.815, VT – 9.760
*Juniors*
Tia Albritten	Weekly BB, late-season UB in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.765 2016 average: UB – 9.604
Kennedi Harris	Late-lineup contributions on VT, FX 2016 RQS: FX – 9.885, VT – 9.860
Shauna Miller	Returned to AA late in 2016 season 2016 RQS: UB – 9.805, VT – 9.750, BB – 9.700 2016 average: FX – 9.675
Becca Schugel	Weekly UB, BB in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.830, BB – 9.810
*Sophomores*
Allison Bower	Made final BB, FX lineups in 2016 Provided backup UB 2016 RQS: FX – 9.835, BB – 9.810, UB – 9.725
Madeleine Huber	Competed weekly UB, frequent VT, occasional FX in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.815, VT – 9.750 2016 average: 9.763
Brooke Kelly	Anchored UB much of 2016 Provided early-season routines on FX, BB, VT 2016 RQS: UB – 9.845, FX – 9.775, BB – 9.540 2016 average: VT – 9.413
Xarria Lewis	Competed regular VT in 2016 2016 RQS: 9.795
Morgan Porter	Star AA performer in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.895, UB – 9.870, VT – 9.840, BB – 9.835
Michaelee Turner	Occasional FX (including regionals) in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.645
Britney Ward	Team-best VT, BB routines in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.900, VT – 9.885
*Freshmen*
Alyssa Johnson	Twin City 2015 JO Nationals VT 10th
Rachel Ley	Top Flight TX 2015 Texas state VT 9th
Mary Nicholson	Empire TX
Aspen Tucker	CEGA FL 2016 JO Nationals VT 4th, BB 6th, FX 7th

Recent History
2016 – 19th
2015 – 21st
2014 – 41st
2013 – 43rd
2012 – 20th
2011 – 32nd
2010 – 12th

Missouri is on the upswing following the dark years, having refreshed and reinvented itself two years ago with a brand new staff and crop of competitive gymnasts. Like Kentucky, Missouri will hope that extreme youth serves the team well, returning all of last year’s postseason routines. That’s usually a portent of improvement, and while Missouri hasn’t broken into the nationals conversation yet, this season should be marked by inching forward, not inching backward.

Everyone being healthy (and using their own credit cards), the goal will essentially be to keep last year’s lineups intact and then add in Aspen Tucker to replace whoever got the lowest 9.7. Sounds like a plan to me.

Continue reading Missouri 2017 →

Season Preview

Fantasy Gym Lists and Rankings

December 28, 2016 balancebeamsituation 7 Comments

The deadline for fantasy gym drafts is fast approaching (December 30), so if you want to be able to join in the fun when the rest of us spend the next four months complaining about how horrible our teams are, get to work.

I finished my own draft, and it’s a catastrophe. But, as a way of organizing my thoughts, I made some lists of important gymnasts to remember by dividing them into categories and ranking them within their categories so I know who I wanted the most and how to approach my draft strategically (because sometimes you need to make some lists and rank some categories…it’s the holiday season, after all). Here they are in case you also need to spend the next 48 hours drafting.

These are not exhaustive (or even logically sound) lists, so don’t freak out.

Returning stars (famous US elite division)
—many of the best scores will come from this group, gymnasts who would be a boon for a fantasy team but may be risky to go after because of their popularity and name recognition. The chances of actually getting them are low.

1. Elizabeth Price – Stanford
2. Kennedy Baker – Florida
3. Brenna Dowell – Oklahoma
4. Lexie Priessman – LSU
5. Sarah Finnegan – LSU
6. Katelyn Ohashi – UCLA

Top freshman (US elite division)
—a similar scenario to the returning US elites but perhaps more extreme because they are the shiny new toys that everyone wants. They have the added concern that we don’t actually know how their careers will play out yet.

1. Maggie Nichols – Oklahoma
2. Kyla Ross – UCLA
3. Madison Kocian – UCLA
4. MyKayla Skinner – Utah
5. Amelia Hundley – Florida
6. Felicia Hano – UCLA
7. Maddi Desch – Alabama
8. Sabrina Vega – Georgia
9. Rachel Gowey – Florida
10. Polina Shchennikova – Michigan Continue reading Fantasy Gym Lists and Rankings →

Season Preview

Minnesota 2017

December 27, 2016 balancebeamsituation 1 Comment

MINNESOTA ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Bailey Abernathy	Provides weekly VT, FX routines 2016 RQS: VT – 9.840, FX – 9.835
Bailie Holst	Competes weekly VT, BB, FX, competed BB once for 9.525 in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.885, VT – 9.770, FX – 9.765
Kaitlin Rahon	Provided weekly FX and frequent BB in 2016 2016 RQSL FX – 9.810, BB – 9.730
*Juniors*
Abby DeMuse	Weekly VT, UB, FX and occasional BB in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.850, UB – 9.840, VT – 9.815 2016 average: BB – 9.370
Ciara Gardner	Competed AA in every meet in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.875, BB – 9.820, UB – 9.805, VT – 9.770
Hannah Hitchcock	Provided backup UB routine in 2016, competed VT once for 9.500 2016 RQS: UB – 9.690
Rachel Rowland	Has not competed a routine in first two seasons
Steph Shields (redshirt)	Transfer from UW-Stout Competed BB, FX in 2015 for Stout 2015 average: FX – 9.333, BB – 8.820
*Sophomores*
Rachel Cutler	Made final UB lineup in 2016 2016 average: UB – 9.645, FX – 9.650
Selena Ung	Competed BB 3 times in 2016 for 9.658 average
*Freshmen*
Casey Betts	Gold Medal AZ 2015 JO Nationals 19th AA 2015 Arizona state AA champion
Julie Huebert	Eagles MO 2016 Missouri state AA 2nd
Ivy Lu	Gymnix 2012 Junior Pan American team 2015 Canadian open division AA champion
Kristen Quaglia	Classic MN 2016 Minnesota state AA 3rd
Ryan Stach	Galaxy NY 2016 JO Nationals VT 15th 2016 NY state AA 2nd
Becca Taylor	Twin City 2016 Minnesota state UB 3rd
Paige Williams	Metroplex 2016 JO Nationals AA 2nd

Recent History
2016 – 12th
2015 – 23rd
2014 – 14th
2013 – 8th
2012 – 24th
2011 – 22nd
2010 – 25th

Minnesota managed a critical result last season by advancing to nationals when not favored to do so, but expectations for 2017 are not all that high given the depletion of the roster (losses which tend to focus on the 9.9s of Lindsay Mable but also include Nordquist, Hanley, and Haines, leading to the decimation of some of the lineups, and by some I mean beam).

A large freshman class featuring a few rather accomplished gymnasts will be counted on to minimize the damage and keep the Gophers in the national conversation, though the most likely final ranking for Minnesota appears closer to those 22-25 seasons. Continue reading Minnesota 2017 →

Season Preview

UCLA 2017

December 22, 2016 balancebeamsituation 9 Comments

#4 UCLA ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Angi Cipra	Top FX, weekly VT in 2016 Provides backup BB 2016 RQS: FX – 9.930, VT – 9.830 2016 average: BB – 9.375
Mikaela Gerber	Leadoff BB in 2016, backup FX 2016 RQS: BB – 9.860 2016 average: FX – 9.760
Peng Peng Lee (redshirt)	When not injured, starring routines on UB, BB Occasional VT when able 2016 average: UB – 9.875, VT – 9.825, BB – 9.471
Hallie Mossett	Peppered in UB, FX routines between injuries in 2016 2016 average: FX – 9.863, UB – 9.592
*Juniors*
Rechelle Dennis	Two VTs, three UBs in 2016 2016 average: UB – 9.792, VT – 9.675
Pua Hall	Frequent VT, early-season FX in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.840, FX – 9.795
Janay Honest	Made postseason lineups on VT, UB, FX in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.875, VT – 9.810 2016 average: FX – 9.861
Sonya Meraz	Weekly BB, UB in 2016 Borderline lineup/backup routines on any event as needed 2016 RQS: BB – 9.835, UB – 9.810 2016 average: FX – 9.825, VT – 9.774
*Sophomores*
Katelyn Ohashi	Staple of BB lineup in 2016 Contributed UB, FX when healthy, backup VT 2016 RQS: BB – 9.865, FX – 9.830 2016 average: VT – 9.738, UB – 9.733
Madison Preston	Anchor VT, occasional FX, one BB in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.830 2016 average: FX – 9.855, BB – 9.775
Stella Savvidou	Fleeting, momentary routines on UB, BB in freshman year 2016 average: BB – 9.550, UB – 9.490
*Freshmen*
Maria Caire	Annual walk-on mystery
Anna Glenn	Southeastern 2015 Nastia Cup 2nd AA 2015 JO Nationals 6th AA, VT 2nd
Grace Glenn	Southeastern 2016 Region 8 champion 2014 JO Nationals AA champion
Felicia Hano	Gym-Max 2014 US Nationals 9th (three events) 2014 Pan Ams alternate
Madison Kocian	WOGA 2016 Olympic gold medalist 2016 Olympic UB silver 2015 World Championship UB gold Madison Kocian
Gracie Kramer	Wildfire 2015 JO Nationals 2nd AA, 2nd BB, 2nd FX
Giulianna Pino	Ecuador Competed at 2015 World Championship
Kyla Ross	Gym-Max 2012 Olympic gold medalist 2013 World Championship AA silver 2014 World Championship AA bronze Kind of a big deal
Mercedez Sanchez	Matrix CA 2016 Region 1 AA 13th, VT 10th
Macy Toronjo (redshirt)	Did not compete in freshman year with injury

Recent History
2016 – 5th
2015 – 11th
2014 – 8th
2013 – 4th
2012 – 3rd
2011 – 2nd
2010 – 1st

Heading into 2016 nationals, UCLA’s recent results had been pretty meh, displaying a clear downward trajectory from those championship-contending teams of the early 2010s. That made returning to Super Six last year an essential milestone. Finishing in 5th place was as well as that roster could have hoped to do, and 2016 marked the first time the Bruins had improved on the previous season’s result since that 2010 championship.

But really, it’s been all about the 2017 season for a while now. This is the year the famous freshmen swoop in to return UCLA to its title-winning ways. Or so it has been explained to us. Even with Simone Biles deciding to become some kind of massive celebrity now instead going to UCLA (forgiveness is a process), this Bruin 2017 team remains stacked with names and talent.

A national championship is a realistic goal, but UCLA is also the most mysterious of the title contenders because we haven’t seen actual college routines from the majority of the essential contributors. What level of gymnastics, difficulty, and health will the likes of Ross and Kocian show in NCAA? That, more than anything else, will determine whether UCLA is more of a 1st-place team or a 7th-place team in 2017.

Continue reading UCLA 2017 →

Season Preview

Oregon State 2017

December 21, 2016 balancebeamsituation Leave a comment

OREGON STATE ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
Erika Aufiero (redshirt)	Missed 2016 with torn ACL Constant on VT, UB in 2015 2015 RQS: VT – 9.885, UB – 9.880
Silvia Colussi-Pelaez	Weekly BB and occasional UB in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.835 2016 average: UB – 9.567
Maddie Gardiner	Competes the AA every meet and is the star 2016 RQS: BB – 9.905, FX – 9.870, VT – 9.855, UB – 9.835
Megan Jimenez	Weekly VT, BB in 2016 with backup FX 2016 RQS: VT – 9.815, BB – 9.790 2016 average: FX – 9.644
Kaytianna McMillan	Returned from injury to compete UB, BB most weeks and add VT, FX toward end of 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.925, BB – 9.860 2016 average: FX – 9.867, VT – 9.825
Taylor Ricci	Weekly VT, FX, backup BB (one for 9.500) in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.795, VT – 9.775
*Juniors*
Dani Dessaints	Scored 9.900 on VT, 9.850 on UB in first meet before season-ending injury in 2016
Shireen Khamedoost	Competed UB, VT in nearly every meet in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.835, VT – 9.750
*Sophomores*
Mariana Colussi-Pelaez	Weekly UB, frequent BB in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.825, BB – 9.780
Mary Jacobsen	Constant in VT, UB lineups, backup FX in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.850, VT – 9.810 2016 average: FX – 9.567
McKenna Singley	Made final VT, UB, FX lineups in 2016, backup BB 2016 RQS: VT – 9.775, FX – 9.750 2016 average: UB – 9.588, BB – 9.175 (one routine)
*Freshmen*
Halli Briscoe	WOGA 2014 Texas state AA 13th
Kaitlin Campbell	Multnomah OR 2015 Region 2 AA 5th
Destinee Davis	Multnomah OR 2016 Region 2 AA champion
Sabrina Gill	Manjak’s CAN 2016 Canadian Championship 7th AA
Lena Greene	Metro OR 2016 Region 2 AA 3rd
Jaime Law	Multnomah OR 2015 Region 2 AA 1st
Maela Lazaro	Rainbow HI 2016 Region 2 AA 2nd
Isis Lowery	Australia 2014 Australian VT champion
Alyssa Minyard	CGI/TIGAR 2016 Colorado state AA 6th

Recent History
2016 – 14th
2015 – 12th
2014 – 13th
2013 – 16th
2012 – 12th
2011 – 8th
2010 – 8th

Over the last four seasons, Oregon State has settled into a pattern. The Beavs will spend the year hanging around sort-of-kind-of close to nationals with their chances of advancing largely dependent upon the kindness of the regionals draw. In 2016, Oregon State was OK at regionals, hitting 196 with a performance that would have advanced from at least one other regional if not two, but they got a tough draw and had little chance of getting past LSU and Georgia in Georgia.

The Beavs are not going to suddenly break out of that pattern and wow the world this season, but there are some signs (largely concerning the health of key upperclassmen) that they can improve their scoring potential and control their own destiny more in 2017 than in 2016. Making nationals may remain a borderline prospect, but I’d characterize the chance as better than possible. Continue reading Oregon State 2017 →

Season Preview

Boise State 2017

December 20, 2016 balancebeamsituation Leave a comment

BOISE STATE ROSTER 2017
*Seniors*
McKenzie Bennion	Regular VT, UB routines in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.840, UB – 9.810
Mary Frances Bir	VT specialist, competed weekly in 2016 2016 RQS: VT – 9.820
Diana Mejia	Returned to UB lineup in second half of 2016 Provides backup BB 2016 average: UB (hit) – 9.879, BB – 9.413
Paige Urquhart	Anchor BB, frequent VT, occasional FX in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.790, VT – 9.765 2016 average: FX – 9.763
*Juniors*
Sandra Collantes (redshirt)	Competed AA in majority of meets in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.925, UB – 9.840 BB – 9.800, VT – 9.790
Alex Esmerian	Has not competed a routine for Boise State
Ann Stockwell	Weekly VT, UB and backup FX in 2016 2016 RQS: UB – 9.860, VT – 9.845 2016 average: FX – 9.740
Abby Webb	Has not competed a routine for Boise State
*Sophomores*
Sarah Means	Competed only BB in 2016 2016 RQS: BB – 9.800
Shani Remme	Competed AA in most meets in 2016 2016 RQS: FX – 9.865, BB – 9.860, UB – 9.845, VT – 9.740
*Freshmen*
Isabella Amado	Panama 2016 Olympics 44th AA 2016 JO Nationals 7th AA
Courtney McGregor	New Zealand 2016 Olympics 41st AA, 16th VT
McKenna Morrell	Wallers’ 2016 Region 1 FX 4th
Maddi Nilson	GymCats 2016 Region 1 AA 9th, UB 4th
McKinley Pavicic	Salcianu 2016 Nevada state AA champion 2015 JO Nationals 4th AA

Recent History
2016 – 16th
2015 – 20th
2014 – 19th
2013 – 23rd
2012 – 14th
2011 – 13th
2010 – 17th

Boise State’s relatively low-ish ultimate ranking in 2016 obscures the leap the Broncos made during the regular season, from the third tier of also-rans to the second tier of potential nationals contenders. For much of the year, BSU’s squad recalled that 2011 team that came a whisker from knocking out Florida.

Maintaining that level after losing the team’s best routine on each event (from either Krentz or Jacobsen) will be a challenge, but the DID YOU HEAR WE HAVE TWO OLYMPIANS (yes, we did) of a freshman class should expand the team’s depth and help replicate the success of early 2016, continuing the march toward the better side of the teens and becoming a more realistic upset threat to knock off a top-12 team. Continue reading Boise State 2017 →

The Balance Beam Situation

Category Archives: Season Preview

Oklahoma 2017

Alabama 2017

Florida 2017

Cal 2017

Missouri 2017

Fantasy Gym Lists and Rankings

Minnesota 2017

UCLA 2017

Oregon State 2017

Boise State 2017

Because gymnastics is a comedy, not a drama