(GYM) CLOSED - Gymnastics 2022 - 2023

Clemson
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Pittsburgh

These teams start ACC competition with the 2024 performance season.

 

Incoming freshman Anya Pilgrim competing for Barbados at the Pan Am Games.

Trinity Thomas All Around Champion on Twitter: "Anya Pilgrim Floor (11.667) https://t.co/jRw9Ik9uct" / Twitter

Reposted from Dr. Sam site.

 

Only 3 gymnasts remaining in the transfer portal:

Gymnast Class (2023-2024) Former Team
Alondra Maldonado GR Iowa State
Heidi Hartje JR West Virginia
Sage Thompson JR Utah

There were rumors that Sage Thompson had an interest in UF, but there haven't been any rumors on this in the past 2 weeks.

 

Alyssa Baumann Photo:



She was my favorite gymnast for her time with UF, graceful/elegant/beautiful.

 

Sage Thompson to Oregon State:

Sage Thompson to Oregon State : r/Gymnastics (reddit.com)

She gets to stay close to home out west. The comments mention that Oregon State has a scholarship for her. I don't know that to be the case for UF.

We'll see soon enough, but this may confirm that Leanne Wong is coming back for the 2023/24 school year and plans to perform for UF next winter/spring. The decision makes sense as she works elite in offseason and will have 2 months to get ready for the Paris 24 US team tryouts after the gymnastics season is over. Also, it isn't a given that she will earn an Olympics team slot with so many top gymnasts trying out.

 

College Gym News writer judged the national championship judges in their scoring of Oklahoma and Florida.

Judge's Inquiry: Rejudging the Top 2 Teams From the 2023 NCAA Team Final - College Gym News

This writer has Florida coming out on top with 197.550 and Oklahoma second at 197.450. It doesn't change anything, but the analysis does show the subjectiveness of the judging with higher scoring, less deductions than could/should be taken, and a possible subjective lean to support the #1 ranked team that led in NQS scoring all season.

 

NIL Awards Female Athlete of the Year:

The NIL Summit on Twitter: "We're thrilled to announce our winner for Female Athlete of the Year! Our winner is Trinity Thomas of University of Florida Gymnastics who has undoubtably maximizing NIL and making an impact! @Gym_Trin @instagram https://t.co/wTK00LzXUe" / Twitter

College Football Hall of Fame on Twitter: "Congratulations to @Gym_Trin from the University of Florida gymnastics for winning Female Athlete of the Year at the @NILSummit! https://t.co/1jusvwYbEb" / Twitter

Trinity Thomas adds another prestigious award to her list of accomplishments.

 

and trinity thomas only performed on 2 events.

 

Avery Neff Recruiting, the Rest of the Story:

All Eyes On Avery Neff – Inside The Recruiting Journey of a Top Recruit | Inside Gymnastics Magazine

Danielle Ferris' mom influenced Avery Neff's mom with the result being Neff knew in her heart she wanted to be a Utah Red Rock.

Danielle Ferris was the #2 gymnast behind Avery Neff in the 2024 class before reclassifying to the 2023 class to enroll in Florida for the 2023/24 school year. She is now the #2 recruit in the 2023 class.

As you recall, UF took the commitment of 5 star/#5 ranked 2024 gymnast Lily Bruce on the Tuesday after Neff's official visit to UF.

- College Gym News (see Ferris' 23 and Bruce's 24 rankings)

Neff's heart was with her home state Red Rocks, but UF has done just fine getting Ferris in 2023 and Bruce in 2024. At least Neff didn't end up at Oklahoma which was her second choice.

 

Riley McCusker on uneven bars:

Riley McCusker (USA/Florida) UB upgrades @riley_mccusker @gatorsgym | By International Gymnast Magazine | Facebook

I'd like to see her add floor to beam and uneven bars if she is healthy enough to do so. However, specializing in 2 events isn't a bad thing considering she has had so many ankle injuries.

 

My Payton Richards guess on her returning for a 5th year:

1. UF honor roll student.
2. Not graduated through spring.
3. Can be a 5th year senior.
4. Listed as a UF gymnast on her Instagram page.
5. The opportunity to enter the transfer portal has come and gone.

My crystal ball says Payton will come back for a dynamite 5th year. She is a strong athlete capable of competing successfully in all-around. When her head and heart are into gymnastics, she is outstanding.

 

It looks like this will be the roster UF goes to war with in the 2024 season:

Chloi Clark
Ellie Lazzari
Alex Magee
Victoria Nguyen
Sloane Blakely
Brianna Edwards
Riley McCusker
Leanne Wong
Lori Brubach
Morgan Hurd
Alyssa-Carolina Arana
Kaylee Bluffstone
Gabriella Disidore
Skylar Draser
Danielle Ferris*
Anya Pilgrim

The above is from College Gym News. They don't have Payton Richards on the roster, but I think, hope, Payton decides to come back for a 5th season.

*Danielle Ferris chose to graduate early and come to UF in the fall of 2023. She'll be the youngest of the incoming freshmen but will also likely be the best and most productive freshman.

 

Unfortunately, the Kayla DiCello ship has sailed away for 2024.

Not having seen anything substantial from Morgan Hurd in her first two years leaves me feeling a bit concerned for her. I hope she is 100% focused on gymnastics. Injuries aside, she can still be special for UF.

Victoria Nguyen showed improvement late in the 2023 season. She will have to continue to do so. Adding a Yurchenko 1 1/2 and performing consistently well on vault is what she needs to deliver.

Ellie Lazzari has the potential to surprise if she is healthy enough to return to all-around performances. UF did good to get high level beam out of her in 2023 after she tore her Achilles heel early in 2022.

It would be huge if Riley McCusker develops into a 3-event performer. I'd like to see what she can do on floor. Her gracefulness reminds me of Alyssa Baumann.

Sloane Blakely is likely as talented as her sister Skye Blakely when she is in control of her emotions. I wish her a successful and tranquil season.

Leanne Wong is in the category of I hope she still doesn't decide to sit out the collegiate 2024 season. She is UF's best gymnast.

Beyond this, I expect the other gymnasts will pitch in and help based on what they can best deliver. Yes, the freshmen will be fun to watch.

College Gym News has UF preseason ranked at #5. Given the 2024 losses of Trinity Thomas and Kayla Dicello, that could be accurate. I'm obviously hoping the team pulls together to compete for a national championship. If teams in the SEC want to bury UF, this is the season to do it. UF will be loaded and experienced again in 2025.

 

College Gym News says UF's 2023 3-star gymnasts are underrated:

Underrated Class of 2023 Recruits That Had Stellar Senior Seasons - College Gym News

Skylar Draser
Rating:

College: Florida

The former elite made the most of her return to level 10 with a respectable showing at the 2023 Nastia Liukin Cup and snagging third on bars at nationals. Her high-flying Yurchenko one and a half and crisp bars routine regularly scored 9.8-plus this season.

Kaylee Bluffstone
Rating:

College: Florida

A late-season surge saw Bluffstone average well over 9.700 on both vault and floor in her final six meets, culminating in top-four finishes on both events at nationals. Like future teammate Draser, she’ll be a particularly welcome addition to the Gators’ thinnest lineups.

 

2025 Recruiting is Officially Open

Meet the current 2025 5-star recruits:

Meet the Class of 2025 Five-Star Recruits - College Gym News

Nina Ballou lives in south Florida, but she is an LSU lean. I'm sure that won't stop UF from recruiting her hard.

Comment on Tiger Droppings Gymnastics Recruiting:

Tigerbait357
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2011
64699 posts

re: LSU Gymnastics Recruiting ThreadPosted on 6/14/23 at 4:11 pm to Twz
2025 recruiting starts tomorrow

Just a fun prediction

Nina Ballou will be LSU's first 2025 commit (Florida will be biggest competitor for this one)
This post was edited on 6/14 at 4:12 pm

All current ranked recruits. Open the 2025 Individual drop down window to see the 2025 ranked recruits:

- College Gym News

UF coaching staff already making contact with 2025 recruits:

Gators Gymnastics on Twitter: "Who’s ready for Gymnastics in the Sunshine State? ‍♀️☀️ #GoGators | #Classof2025 https://t.co/KAFAzdoxFe" / Twitter