Gymnasts Leaving, Staying, Transferring, & Recruits

Lily Smith, a 5-star freshmen recruit, flipped from Alabama to Georgia:

BREAKING: Five-Star Recruit Lily Smith Switches Commitment to Georgia – College Gym News

She apparently is following the bama coach who was hired by UGALY, but I can't help thinking this has something to do with the Dana Duckworth departure from bama.

I'm also thinking that 23 has to turn out well for the poodles for their HC to continue after the disappoints of the last few years. She is doing all she can do to retool her roster. If it doesn't work out in 23, she'd be leaving a stacked roster for the future.

 

Trinity Thomas and Riley McCusker along with Mykala Skinner are working at a Gymnastics Camp in Pennsylvania today. My son-in-laws 8-year-old niece who is in gymnastics, pretty good too for age 8, posted pictures from the camp today. Looks like all of the campers had a great time.

Skye Blakely picked up her 5th star and is scheduled to be at UF in time to compete with Sloane in the 24 season.

Incoming freshman Kaylee Bluffstone looks pretty good for a level 10 gymnast. Looks like she has floor and vault skills that can be developed. She'll eventually be a contributor.

aid on Twitter: "okay miss bluffstone! (Florida ‘23 commit) https://t.co/AyLCzftkzK" / Twitter

 

Early on in this thread, I reported seeing a rumor that had a UF gymnast transferring out so she could get performance opportunities. I mentioned it was not a strong or well circulated rumor. This is the name I would not say at that time:

Dr. Sam, PhD (@DrSam_PhD) / Twitter

Gabrielle Gallentine is transferring to Penn State. I wish her great success with her new team.

 

Abby Heiskell Stays With Michigan:

Abby Heiskell back at Michigan! Thoughts? : Gymnastics (reddit.com)

 

It's just a guess as I don't have any inside sources:

Trinity Thomas - Back
Nya Reed - Back
Savannah Schoenherr - Leaving

I think it was a good sign for Trinity that she and Riley worked together at the clinic in Pennsylvania last weekend.

Nya tweeted that she feels she has unfinished business.

Savannah tweeted about a lot of things according to others. None of which were about gymnastics and nothing that hinted at coming back.

The recruit that I'd like to know more about is Shilese Jones. She looks the part of a 5-star gymnast, physically reminds me of Trinity. She is committed and not signed so UF can't talk about whatever is going on. It would be great if one of our star reporters would call her to see where her plans are taking her. The internet has dried up on her. I can't find any recent interviews. Shilese would be a tremendous add to the team based on her talent alone.

If Trinity and Nya come back, UF would be right at the top as a favorite to win the 23 national championship. If Shilese shows up in the fall, I'd almost bet money on UF winning the 23 national championship.

 

Rachel Slocum who was a gymnast with UF as a junior and senior in 2017 and 2018 has been named assistant coach with Utah State:

USU Gymnastics on Twitter: ""I am beyond excited to be a part of Aggie Nation!" @RachelSlocum joins @USUGymnastics as its newest Assistant Coach! ➡️ https://t.co/SDHvMfFTip #AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/rnr5q836m8" / Twitter

Congratulations Rachel and wishing you much success in your coaching career. Rachel was one the bubbliest Gators ever to wear a Gators leotard.

 

I hope the picture of Leah and Trinity together is a teaser of things to come for the 22-23 Gators gymnastics team:

NIL Summit Helps Gators Learn to Leverage Their Influence - Florida Gators

Leah is coming back. Come on Trinity, make coming back official.

 

Level 10 gymnast plus 5 stars and she is the only level 10 gymnast to score a 10 on the vault in the last 10 years.

 

123

 

trinity announced as a cbs sports exclusive. yay!

 

Just for you.

Gators Gymnastics on Twitter: "She's coming back!! ‍♀️ @Gym_Trin reveals that she's coming back for Year 5⃣ tonight on @CWSA_HondaCup Show! Show airing now on @CBSSportsNet #GoGators https://t.co/AQV9PZNOuw" / Twitter

Dr. Sam says 1 down and 2 to go. Hope she is right.

I'd still like to know about Shilese Jones too.