Danielle Dessaints, L10 at Gymcats in Nevada, has committed to OSU. Danielle qualified to JOs in 2010, finishing 9th AA. She recently placed 1st on vault and 1st AA at the 2013 National Judges Cup.
Lauren Rice, L10 from Gymcats in Nevada, has committed to Sac. State. Last season she qualified to the NIT where she finished 10th AA. She recently finished 3rd AA at the 2013 National Judges Cup.
For the past several seasons, we've made an attempt to rank the incoming classes for teams across the nation. The task is never easy, and this year is no exception. For the schools, investing in athletes today is a bit like investing in the stock (or precious metals) market. With recruiting taking place earlier and earlier, coaches have to become experts at detecting the traits, abilities and characteristics that will produce a championship athlete two, three, and four years down the road (or six, seven and eight by the time they are college seniors!). So who's class is rated to be the best? Read on to find the answer...
Cal scored a big opening meet win, posting a 195.425 to defeat Top 25 ranked AU, Arizona and UK. Cal was led by Madisyn O'Brien, who tied for the UB title with UK's Audrey Harrison. For Arizona, Aubrey Cristello won the AA with a 39.45, including a 9.95 vault win and a tie on beam with AU frosh Caitlin Atkinson. UK's Kayla Hartley won the floor with a 9.9.
Link: Cal Release
Vanessa Zamarripa won the AA (39.475), FX and tied for first on the balance beam to lead the Bruins to a win over SUU. Teammate Olivia Courtney won the vault while Bruins Lichelle Wong and frosh Sophina DeJesus won the bars. For SUU, Alyssa Click tied for the BB title.
Link: UCLA Release
Sophomore Caitlin Brown debuted in the AA and won with a 38.875. She also tied for the title on VT and FX with frosh Sara Townsend. Cyclone Henrietta Green won the bars and teammate Milan Ivory won the beam.
Link: ISU Release
Austyn Fobes scored a personal best AA 39.425 to lead the Wildcats to a win. It was the 4th best AA score in school history. She won VT and Bars and tied for the FX title with teammate Hannah Barile. Teammate Kayla Gray won beam.
Link: UNH Release
Tori Kinamon, L10 from Newnan Gymnastics in Georgia, has committed to Brown. Last season she finished 6th AA at her state meet and qualified through regionals to the NIT.
DU powered to a big opening win, paced by Nina McGee's wins on UB and FX. The sophomore missed last season with an injury. She tied on FX with PSU's Sharaya Musser, who won the AA with a 39.3. Teammate Jorie Hall won the BB. PSU's Madison Merriam won the vault.
Link: DU Release
OU scored its first ever win in Athens over UGA, taking advantage of UGA's numerous problems in the final round by staying steady on all events. Taylor Spears led OU, winning the AA with a 39.375 and taking a share of the bars title with teammates Brie Olson, Haley Scaman and UGA's Chelsea Davis. Frosh Scaman added a win on FX. FOr UGA, Cat Hires won Vault while Shayla Worley won beam.
Link: OU Release
Link: Hamline Release
CMU posted its highest ever opening meet score, powered by Halle Moraw's wins on BB and FX. Teammates Kiersten Petzold won VT and Emily LaFountaine won UB. Chippewa Becca Druien added a win in the AA to complete a sweep.
Link: CMU Release
Sarah Miller won VT (9.95), BB and FX to lead the Buckeyes to the win. Teammate Melanie Shaffer won the AA and tied for the bars title withe teammates Aly Marohn and Colleen Dean.
Link: Ohio State Release
Nicole Daylton posted a meet-high 9.95 to lead the Cardinal to victory. Teammates Ivana Hong and Amanda Spinner tied for the beam title, while teammate Ashley Morgan tied for the bars title with UC Davis' Michelle Ho. San Jose State's Julia Greer won the FX while Sac State's Kalliah McCartney won the AA.
Link: San Jose State Release
Michigan posted a big 196.575 to defeat BYU (194.475) and Oregon State (193.6) at the Cancun Classic. It was the highest ever opening score for the Wolverines. Junior Joanna Sampson posted a career-high 39.425 to win the AA, with sophomore Sachi Sugiyama in 2nd. Sampson won the vault and tied for the bars title with teammate Sugiyama and BYU's Raquel Willman. Sugiyama also won the FX while teammate Katie Zurales won the Beam.
Link: Michigan Release
Coach D-D Breaux notched her 600th career win as the Tigers rolled to their highest season opening total in history. They were paced by Rheagan Courville, who posted a 9.975 on FX en route 39.5 AA win. She also won the beam title. Teammate Sarie Morrison won the vault and bars.
Link: LSU Release