Category Archives: Season Preview

What Even Is This Season?

The 2021 college gymnastics season begins in just four days. And as with all great ideas, the question on everyone’s mind is, “so…are we really doing this?”

We are. But it’s going to be a little (emphasis on little) different. Here’s a rundown of how it’s supposed to go, and what parts are going to be the weirdest this year.

Schedules

The SEC teams will open action on Friday with a four-meet slate, all against each other. The SEC is basically attempting to conduct 3/4 of a normal season, with 8 regular season meets against the other SEC teams leading up to the SEC Championship. Typically, these teams would have more like 11 meets before the conference championship, but this year they’ve scheduled a couple built-in weeks off—I guess in case too many team members are in the hospital and meets have to be rescheduled?

But, we’re seeing conferences/teams adopt very different approaches to COVID in their scheduling for this bonkers season because there’s no national guidance whatsoever.

Some, like Oklahoma, have gone full steam ahead and scheduled what looks exactly like a normal season with competitions scheduled every weekend featuring a number of in-conference and out-of-conference opponents. Oklahoma is also among the teams that has continued selling tickets to its meets, though most schools will be operating without allowing the chin-mask rabble into arenas this year.

Today, the Big Ten announced its own conference-only schedule beginning next weekend and featuring 9 meets for each team leading up to the conference championship. So that’s more or less a normal season as well except without competition in the first weekend, much like what the EAGL is planning.

Basically, some days this season are going to look exactly like a normal year (Friday, January 22 is already shaping up to require too many screens) while other days will be total ghost towns since so many of the non-money athletic programs have packed it in this winter and most schools are limiting in some way (there will be barely any meets at all on Friday, February 5).

Speaking of limiting, the Pac-12 has yet to make any kind of actual schedule announcement but has thrown out bits and pieces of what looks like it will be a more abbreviated plan than the other major conferences, beginning in later January (although Utah does have meets scheduled for the first two weekends). The California requirement to isolate within your immediate household for 14 days after any out-of-state travel will make the concept of having road meets particularly interesting.

In the “not having a season” department, we have the Ivy League teams, as well as West Chester, Alaska, Southern Connecticut, Brockport, Cortland, Ithaca, Ursinus, and we think probably Bridgeport because is that even a university anymore (?). Meanwhile the DIII teams in Wisconsin/Minnesota have been shut down until at least February 1, so we’re still waiting to see what happens there.

Most teams are scheduling only within conference or within general geographical region, which will lead to some necessary repetitiveness of opponents. For instance, West Virginia and Pittsburgh will go through a stretch of three consecutive dual meets against each other. In West Virginia’s 10-meet schedule, there are just four different opponents—Oklahoma, Denver, Iowa State, and Pitt.

Times of competitions will also be a little different this year, though not as different as I would like because lots of teams are still bunching on Friday nights, unhelpfully—this was your one chance to be better! But, both Iowa State and Minnesota are scheduled to host some Friday mid-afternoon meets that we wouldn’t usually have because that’s the middle of a work day.

Rankings

Rankings will change for this season only. Typically, a team’s best six scores are used for its NQS ranking, at least three of which must be away. The highest score is dropped, and the remaining five are averaged.

Not for 2021. This year, only the best four scores will be used, at least two of which must be away, and no scores will be dropped.

That means only four meets this season will end up counting—pretty interesting for a team like Oklahoma that’s still planning to have twelve. Sooners, you can really just chill through most of them. The idea here is to allow an opportunity for those schools that end up having a paltry schedule because of state rules or “oops, we all got COVID” to still qualify to any alleged postseason competitions.

The are any number of problems regarding competitive equity with this modified NQS, but that’s just sort of the deal with this messed-up season in every way. With the gamut running from “EVERYTHING IS FINE” to “you aren’t legally allowed to train as a team indoors and your meet is tomorrow good luck,” there’s fundamentally no chance for competitive equity anyway.

Postseason

It seems like it’s going ahead QUESTION MARK. Conferences are confirming their schedules through their conference championships in late March.

The general concept is that there will still be a postseason. One would think there would need to be some major planning adjustments and arrangements for that many athletes from different teams to be in these four regional locations. But you know. Nationals remain scheduled for Fort Worth on April 16th and 17th, and Utah, Missouri, and West Virginia are still slated to host regionals, though the fourth intended regional host New Hampshire has withdrawn from hosting, which means a new host will need to be found. You know, at some point.

Rules Adjustments

The NCAA instituted exactly one rules adjustment for COVID in women’s gymnastics, changing open stretch from 30 minutes to 20 minutes. SO THAT FIXED IT.

Final 2020 Roster Notes

With the fantasy gym team submission deadline approaching, I’m re-upping the expanded, updated roster notes page for any last-minute needs.

OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Seniors
Jade
DeGouveia
VT
UB
FX
  • Competed VT, FX in every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on VT (9.915)
  • #2 returning score on FX (9.945)
Maggie Nichols
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • 2-time defending national AA champion
  • #1 returning score on BB (9.975), UB (9.960)
  • Avg on VT (9.942), avg on FX (9.900)
  • Scored two 10.0s in 2019 (1 VT, 1 UB)
Brehanna Showers
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed in 5 meets in 2019 before season-ending injury
  • Competed each event at least 3 times, with peaks of 9.875 VT, 9.850 UB, 9.900 BB, 9.925 FX
Juniors
Jordan Draper
UB
FX
  • Competed FX in 13 of 17 meets in 2019 for NQS of 9.880
  • Did not appear in national championships lineup on FX
Evy Schoepfer
VT
BB
FX
  • Competed 5 BBs, 4 FXs, 3 VTs in 2019
  • Avg of 9.792 VT, 9.688 FX, 9.660 BB
  • Competed 10 FXs in 2018 for 9.855 RQS
Karrie Thomas
UB
BB
  • Competed UB in 15 of 17 meets following transfer from Maryland
  • #2 returning score on UB (9.910)
  • Showed 1 BB in 2019 for 9.825
Anastasia Webb
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed AA in 15 of 17 meets in 2019
  • Competed UB, BB, FX in every meet
  • #2 returning score on BB (9.925)
  • #3 returning score on VT (9.905), UB (9.900), FX (9.905)
Carly Woodard
BB
  • Competed BB in every meet in 2019, hitting 16 of 17
  • #3 returning score on BB (9.920)
Sophomores
Emma LaPinta
FX
  • Competed FX in 9 of 17 meets in 2019
  • Hit 6 of 9 routines for NQS of 9.825
Allie Stern
VT
FX
  • Competed VT in 9 of 17 meets in 2019 with all scores between 9.800 and 9.875
  • Competed 4 FXs with peak of 9.850 and avg of 9.569
Olivia Trautman
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed VT, FX in 14 of 17 meets in 2019 and BB in 13
  • #1 returning score on FX (9.965)
  • #2 returning score on VT (9.910)
  • NQS of 9.870 on BB
  • Competed 1 UB in 2019 for 9.875
Freshmen
Vanessa Deniz
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Arena Gymnastics
  • 9th AA, 2018 JO Nationals (4th VT, UB, FX)
Jenna Dunn
BB
  • Bart Conner’s
  • BB champion, 2017 JO Nationals
Erin Hutchison
BB
  • WOGA
  • 8th AA, 2019 Region 3s
Ragan Smith
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Texas Dreams
  • 2017 US National champion
  • 2016 Olympic alternate
Brooke Weins
VT
BB
  • 5280
  • 16th BB, 2018 JO Nationals

LSU TIGERS
Seniors
Kennedi
Edney
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed AA in every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on VT (9.910), UB (9.905), FX (9.925)
  • #2 returning score on BB (9.900)
  • Scored one 10.0 in 2019 (VT)
Ruby Harrold
VT
UB
FX
  • Competed VT, UB, FX in every meet in 2019
  • #2 returning score on UB (9.880), FX (9.865)
  • #3 returning score on VT (9.870)
  • Hit 17 of 17 UB routines, 16 of 17 VT and FX routines
Juniors
Reagan Campbell
BB
FX
  • Competed BB every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on BB (9.905)
  • Competed FX in 10 of 17 meets for 9.855 NQS
Bridget Dean
UB
BB
  • Debuted in lineups as sophomore in 2019
  • Competed BB every meet for 9.865 NQS
  • Competed backup UB as needed in 11 of 17 meets for 9.775 NQS
Christina Desiderio
BB
FX
  • Competed BB every meet in 2019 for 9.875 NQS (#3 returning score)
  • Competed FX in 13 of 17 meets for 9.845 NQS
Sami Durante
UB
BB
  • Competed 15 UBs and 14 BBs in 2019
  • #3 returning score on each (9.875 BB, 9.865 UB)
Sarah Edwards
VT
FX
  • Competed VT in 16 of 17 meets in 2019 for 9.875 (#2 returning score)
  • Provided 5 backup FXs as needed for 9.825 avg
Olivia Gunter
FX
  • Did not compete in first 2 seasons
Sophomores
Rebecca D’Antonio
VT
BB
  • Did not compete in first season
Bailey Ferrer
 
Freshmen
Courtney Goodrich
FX
  • Orlando Metro
  • 3rd FX, 2019 Region 8s
  • FX specialist
Kiya Johnson
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Texas Dreams
  • 2018 & 2019 JO national champion
Lexie
Nibbs
VT
  • Stars-Houston
  • 8th FX, 2019 Region 3s
Kai Rivers
VT
UB

BB
FX
  • Gedderts
  • 2nd AA, 2019 JO Nationals
  • 2017 JO national champion & Nastia champion
Kamryn Ryan
VT
FX
  • Elmwood
  • 20th AA, 2019 JO Nationals (4th VT)
Alyona Shchennikova
VT
UB

BB
FX
  • 5280
  • 2017 US Classic champion
  • 9th AA, 2018 US Nationals
  • Currently recovered from Achilles tear, summer 2019
Caitlin Smith
UB
BB
  • Paramount
  • US junior elite 2013-2016
  • 34th AA, 2015 junior US Classic

Continue reading Final 2020 Roster Notes

2020 NCAA Roster Notes

I’ll have deep individual previews of the top schools coming in December, but for now, check out the team roster notes to aid with all your lineup prognostication needs. (Because I’m just assuming that you’re me and doing that.)

OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Seniors
Jade
DeGouveia
VT
UB
FX
  • Competed VT, FX in every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on VT (9.915)
  • #2 returning score on FX (9.945)
Maggie Nichols
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • 2-time defending national AA champion
  • #1 returning score on BB (9.975), UB (9.960)
  • Avg on VT (9.942), avg on FX (9.900)
  • Scored two 10.0s in 2019 (1 VT, 1 UB)
Brehanna Showers
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed in 5 meets in 2019 before season-ending injury
  • Competed each event at least 3 times, with peaks of 9.875 VT, 9.850 UB, 9.900 BB, 9.925 FX
Juniors
Jordan Draper
FX
  • Competed FX in 13 of 17 meets in 2019 for NQS of 9.880
  • Did not appear in national championships lineup on FX
Evy Schoepfer
VT
BB
FX
  • Competed 5 BBs, 4 FXs, 3 VTs in 2019
  • Avg of 9.792 VT, 9.688 FX, 9.660 BB
  • Competed 10 FXs in 2018 for 9.855 RQS
Karrie Thomas
UB
BB
  • Competed UB in 15 of 17 meets following transfer from Maryland
  • #2 returning score on UB (9.910)
  • Showed 1 BB in 2019 for 9.825
Anastasia Webb
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed AA in 15 of 17 meets in 2019
  • Competed UB, BB, FX in every meet
  • #2 returning score on BB (9.925)
  • #3 returning score on VT (9.905), UB (9.900), FX (9.905)
Carly Woodard
BB
  • Competed BB in every meet in 2019, hitting 16 of 17
  • #3 returning score on BB (9.920)
Sophomores
Emma LaPinta
FX
  • Competed FX in 9 of 17 meets in 2019
  • Hit 6 of 9 routines for NQS of 9.825
Allie Stern
VT
FX
  • Competed VT in 9 of 17 meets in 2019 with all scores between 9.800 and 9.875
  • Competed 4 FXs with peak of 9.850 and avg of 9.569
Olivia Trautman
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed VT, FX in 14 of 17 meets in 2019 and BB in 13
  • #1 returning score on FX (9.965)
  • #2 returning score on VT (9.910)
  • NQS of 9.870 on BB
  • Competed 1 UB in 2019 for 9.875
Freshmen
Vanessa Deniz
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Arena Gymnastics
  • 9th AA, 2018 JO Nationals (4th VT, UB, FX)
Jenna Dunn
BB
  • Bart Conner’s
  • BB champion, 2017 JO Nationals
Erin Hutchison
BB
  • WOGA
  • 8th AA, 2019 Region 3s
Ragan Smith
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Texas Dreams
  • 2017 US National champion
  • 2016 Olympic alternate
Brooke Weins
BB
  • 5280
  • 16th BB, 2018 JO Nationals

LSU TIGERS
Seniors
Kennedi
Edney
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed AA in every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on VT (9.910), UB (9.905), FX (9.925)
  • #2 returning score on BB (9.900)
  • Scored one 10.0 in 2019 (VT)
Ruby Harrold
VT
UB
FX
  • Competed VT, UB, FX in every meet in 2019
  • #2 returning score on UB (9.880), FX (9.865)
  • #3 returning score on VT (9.870)
  • Hit 17 of 17 UB routines, 16 of 17 VT and FX routines
Juniors
Reagan Campbell
BB
FX
  • Competed BB every meet in 2019
  • #1 returning score on BB (9.905)
  • Competed FX in 10 of 17 meets for 9.855 NQS
Bridget Dean
UB
BB
  • Debuted in lineups as sophomore in 2019
  • Competed BB every meet for 9.865 NQS
  • Competed backup UB as needed in 11 of 17 meets for 9.775 NQS
Christina Desiderio
BB
FX
  • Competed BB every meet in 2019 for 9.875 NQS (#3 returning score)
  • Competed FX in 13 of 17 meets for 9.845 NQS
Sami Durante
UB
BB
  • Competed 15 UBs and 14 BBs in 2019
  • #3 returning score on each (9.875 BB, 9.865 UB)
Sarah Edwards
VT
FX
  • Competed VT in 16 of 17 meets in 2019 for 9.875 (#2 returning score)
  • Provided 5 backup FXs as needed for 9.825 avg
Olivia Gunter
 
  • Did not compete in first 2 seasons
Sophomores
Rebecca D’Antonio
 
  • Did not compete in first season
Bailey Ferrer
VT
UB
FX
  • Made UB lineup upon joining the team with 9.845 NQS
  • Showed 2 VTs (1 hit) and 1 FX (9.550) in 2019
Freshmen
Courtney Goodrich
FX
  • Orlando Metro
  • 3rd FX, 2019 Region 8s
  • FX specialist
Kiya Johnson
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Texas Dreams
  • 2018 & 2019 JO national champion
Lexie
Nibbs
 
  • Stars-Houston
  • 8th FX, 2019 Region 3s
Kai Rivers
VT
UB

BB
FX
  • Gedderts
  • 2nd AA, 2019 JO Nationals
  • 2017 JO national champion & Nastia champion
Kamryn Ryan
VT
FX
  • Elmwood
  • 20th AA, 2019 JO Nationals (4th VT)
Alyona Shchennikova
VT
UB

BB
FX
  • 5280
  • 2017 US Classic champion
  • 9th AA, 2018 US Nationals
  • Currently recovered from Achilles tear, summer 2019
Caitlin Smith
UB
BB
  • Paramount
  • US junior elite 2013-2016
  • 34th AA, 2015 junior US Classic

Continue reading 2020 NCAA Roster Notes

2019 Preview – UCLA Bruins

UCLA
Seniors
Brielle Nguyen
BB
FX
  • Competed 13 BB routines in 2018 following transfer from Illinois — RQS of 9.850
  • Competed weekly FX in ’17 for Illinois
Katelyn Ohashi
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Ranked #1 in nation on FX, #3 on BB in 2018
  • RQS of 9.970 on FX, 9.945 on BB
  • Competed 12 UB routines for 9.696 avg (scored 9.8+ on 7 of 12)
  • VTed 4 times for 9.831 average
Stella Savvidou
  • Did not compete in 2018 due to injury
  • Further wrist surgery in October
  • Made final UB lineup in 2017
Macy Toronjo UB
FX
  • Did not compete in 2018 due to injury
  • Is no longer listed as taking a redshirt year
  • Competed 8 FXs in 2017, peaking at 9.950
Juniors
Anna Glenn
VT
UB
BB
  • Returned from 2017 labrum injury to make final VT, UB lineups in 2018 – VT RQS of 9.825
  • Competed 5 UB routines, peak of 9.875
  • Competed one BB routine for 9.900
Grace Glenn
BB
  • Returned from 2017 labrum injury to compete BB in every meet in 2018
  • Hit 15 for 15 routines — RQS of 9.925
Felicia Hano
VT
BB
FX
  • Competed weekly VT, FX in 2018 — ranked #7 nationally on FX
  • RQS of 9.935 on FX, 9.900 on VT for Y1.5
  • Competed 2 BB routines (9.775 avg) and one UB routine (9.025) in 2018
Madison Kocian
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Returned from shoulder surgery to compete 13 BBs, 8 FXs, and 3 UBs in 2018
  • RQS of 9.875 on BB
  • Average of 9.861 on FX, 9.863 on UB
  • Also competed weekly VT in 2017 for 9.860 RQS
Gracie Kramer
VT
FX
  • Competed 13 FXs in 2018 for 9.890 RQS
  • Has 10.0 start VT, competed twice in 2018, hitting once
  • VTed 10 times in 2017 for 9.810 RQS
Giulianna Pino
  • Did not compete in first two seasons
Kyla Ross
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed AA in 10 of 15 meets in 2018
  • Ranked #1 nationally on UB
  • RQS of 9.960 on UB, 9.910 on BB, 9.895 on VT, 9.890 on FX
Mercedez Sanchez
  • Did not compete in first two seasons
Sophomores
Nia Dennis
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Competed VT, UB every week in 2018
  • Competed 11 FX routines and 3 BB routines
  • RQS of 9.885 on VT, 9.880 on UB, 9.860 on FX
  • Average of 9.792 on BB
Savannah Kooyman
UB
FX
  • Provided backup routines on UB, FX in 2018
  • Competed 3 UBs (9.800 avg) and 1 BB (9.825)
Kendal Poston
  • Did not compete in first season
Pauline Tratz
VT
FX
  • Competed VT, FX in 14 of 15 meets in 2018
  • RQS of 9.910 on FX, 9.875 on VT
  • Has potential 10.0 start on VT
Freshmen
Norah Flatley
UB
BB
FX
  • Chow’s
  • 3rd at 2014 Junior P&G Championships
  • Expected to be replacement-Peng on UB and BB
Margzetta Frazier
VT
UB
BB
FX
  • Parkettes
  • Is continuing to train DTY on VT
  • Will be counted on for VT, FX, and UB. Can provide BB as needed
Sara Taubman
  • Head over Heels
  • 12th AA, 2018 Region 1s
Sekai Wright
VT
FX
  • Will miss beginning of 2019 with injury
  • AGA Long Beach
  • 1st on VT, 2018 JO Nationals
  • Has Yurchenko 1.5

FINAL SEASON RANKINGS
2018 – 1st
2017 – 4th
2016 – 5th
2015 – 11th
2014 – 8th
2013 – 4th
2012 – 3rd
2011 – 2nd
2010 – 1st
2009 – 7th

THE STORY
Let’s be honest, for all of UCLA’s improvements in the 2018 season, none of us actually expected the Bruins to win the championship. They were supposed to finish 2nd or 3rd, make great strides to set up a title run in 2019, do a life lesson or two, and close the book on an altogether successful season. That’s not what happened. Christmas came early.

Winning a title bestows de facto favorite status the following year, yet UCLA will know that the 2018 victory did in fact come early. It was an upset, a phenomenal two-event performance on the day but an untenable strategy to maintain if this is to become a dynasty. “We’ll be ranked 3rd all year long, be kind of blah in the first two rotations of the final, and then Peng will get a 20, and wheeee!” isn’t exactly how you draw it up.

Now that this UCLA group has won a title, there’s no going back in terms of expectations, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements to be made. The 2019 roster was always supposed to be better than 2018’s team and does have realistic areas where it can aim higher, scoring weaknesses from 2018 to resolve, and lost meets from last season to win this time around so that a potential title this year would not be an upset. It would be normal.

VAULT 2019
Lineup locks: Marz Frazier, Felicia Hano, Nia Dennis, Kyla Ross
Lineup options: Pauline Tratz, Sekai Wright, Anna Glenn, Gracie Kramer, Kendal Poston, Norah Flatley, Katelyn Ohashi, Madison Kocian

You guys, a tradition is over. We can’t talk about Kyla Ross’s mythical 10.0 start on vault in the UCLA preview this year because it’s not mythical anymore. We saw it for realsies at Meet the Bruins as part of what will be an upgraded vault lineup in 2019. With just two 10.0s, UCLA’s 2018 vault team didn’t have the start values to get the necessary 49.4s in a postseason-scoring context, but this year’s lineup looks significantly more competitive. Continue reading 2019 Preview – UCLA Bruins