Gymnasts Leaving, Staying, Transferring, & Recruits

There is a lot to like with Rachel Baumann transferring in to UF. Talent, experience, and ready to perform from day one in multiple rotations. Early on in this thread, post 4/page 1, I was hopeful that Rachel would find her way over to UF asking why not Rachel. It's a bit late, but I'm very happy with this transfer.

Rachel at UGALY:

Rachel Baumann - 2022 - Gymnastics - University of Georgia Athletics (georgiadogs.com)

Rachel can compete at high levels on vault, beam, and floor.

Rachel, welcome aboard. UF is going to reward your decision with SEC and national championship rings in 23.

 

Unrelated to this site, actually going back to a story last year, Savannah disclosed she had graduated and was working on her masters in 21/22. That being the case, I'm not surprised that she isn't coming back should that turn out to be the case.

I don't think Leanne will defer for Paris any more than Trinity will defer to Paris.

It's funny how nobody in Elite gymnastics is giving any thought to Trinity making a run at Paris after the 23 season. If she is in good health and wants to, she is a no brainer to try out. I think Trinity is just now hitting the peak of her physical abilities.

The talk of Morgan Hurd medically retiring seems way too premature to me. I think she will be a performer for UF in 23. I also think Ellie Lazzari is going to be back stronger and better too.

I'm more worried about Riley McCusker staying healthy. I'd be happy if she can give UF bars and beam, but I think she is capable of more, just has to stay healthy. She's similar to Alyssa Baumann whom I'm going to miss greatly, my personal favorite over her career with UF, as Riley has that look of beauty, grace, and effortlessness when she is performing well. I wish Riley the best.

In recruiting, I agree that this seems to be the last opportunity for Shilese Jones at collegiate gymnastics with UF if she defers for Paris now. I'd rather see her enroll in August, but I haven't seen anything recently that indicates that she is going to enroll. With Rachel Baumann transferring in, I don't know if UF has a scholarship available for her now.

 

savannah schoenherr on Twitter: "Thank you gymnastics, thank you gator nation. This year is for little Sav. #ImBack https://t.co/q3nXFS73Yb" / Twitter

SAVANNAH SCHOENHERR (UF) 5TH YEAR CONFIRMED : Gymnastics (reddit.com)

All super seniors are back for one more rodeo with UF.

The Gators are loaded for another SEC and national championship run. Ladies, leave nothing on the table, bring home the top spot in 23!

 

Kayla DiCello is Gainesville bound after Tampa:

Kayla DiCello Is Florida Focused | Inside Gymnastics | Inside Gymnastics Magazine

Good interview conducted before the Pan Am Games.

 

Interview that includes Leanne Wong and Shilese Jones:

USA Gymnastics on Instagram: “Miss our Instagram Live? No worries, you can watch the whole interview with Leanne, Shilese, Fred, and Yul right here!”

1. Leanne Wong is taking one meet at a time and is not committed to Worlds yet, taking one meet at a time. She took classes over the summer so she is keeping up with her school work, says she enjoys classes. She will compete for Paris 24, will be a junior by then. She has talked with Trinity Thomas about doing both college and elite. I could be wrong, but it looks like Leanne has added some muscle to her frame, looks good physically:



2. Shilese Jones is healthy and happy, but she has no plans to attend UF. Her focus is on Worlds and Paris 24. If she were to come to UF, it would be in 24/25 which would put her as a 23-year-old freshman in the 25 season. I don't see that happening so I'm striking her off my list. Stick a fork in Shilese as a collegiate performer, she's done.

 

This is another national championship caliber roster with the same number on the roster as last season. The difference is it has 3 more healthy gymnasts than UF had for most all of last season when Morgan Hurd (knee) missed all of the season and Ellie Lazzari and Halley Taylor (Achilles heels) missed everything past the first meet.

I like that Nya Reed said she was coming back for unfinished business. You know Leah Clapper, Savannah Schoenherr, and Trinity Thomas feel the same way. Besides the obvious talent this roster possesses, it takes strong team chemistry combined with the will, the toughness, to be the best in the highest-pressure situations to bring home a national championship. I predict this team will bring home the national championship that eluded UF last season, no pressure. There won't be any unfinished business this time around.

I'll be watching every meet and cheering on the ladies.

Go Gators!

 

Leanne Wong wins US Classic all around:

Gator Leanne Wong Wins US Classic All-Around - Florida Gators

Won 3 Golds also winning Gold on balance beam and vault.

US Classic results:

MyUSAGym

Shilese Jones finished second, but her low score on the balance beam cost her a shot at #1 on the list. College gymnastics is missing out on a top-quality gymnast.

 

15 Gators will be in Tampa to sign autographs and support Leanne Wong and Kayla DiCello who are competing in the US Championship:

USA Gymnastics on Twitter: "Come see your favorite Gators at the 2022 OOFOS U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Tampa as they sign autographs at the FlipZone & inside @AmalieArena on Sunday, August 21! More Info >> https://t.co/jW4Xz4aCeP @GatorsGym | @SportsTampaBay https://t.co/WH0xD57U5T" / Twitter

Every Gator except one will be in Tampa. Riley McCusker is not in the photo or listed as attending. I hope there isn't a problem with Riley, maybe a prior commitment. If anyone has heard anything on Riley, please let us know. Thanks.