(GYM) ***CLOSED***Gymnastics 2023 - 2024***CLOSED

Shilese Jones in the class of 24 should sign in November 2023 to make her commitment a tied to UF pledge. UF has held a spot for her while she has deferred for multi-years since graduating high school. Now, Shilese should show her appreciation and sign her NLI. Skye Blakely signed last November but deferred to the 24 class for her Paris 24 Olympics training. You know the old saying about doing something or get off the pot. The way I see it, it's that time.

What does CJR do if Utah fires their HC and one of the three 5 stars in the Utah 24 class says they would like to come to UF, see #1 rated Avery Neff who UF was a finalist for? If Shilese signs and UF is filled up, thinking about NIL money, what happens elsewhere wouldn't be an issue for CJR/UF/Shilese. Sign the NLI already!

The 25 class signs from November 2024 through August 2025 so I was mistaken on Jocelyn and Maddy. I still want them to sign their NLI as early as possible. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

i do not see her as gold which is the medal to bring the riches so i hope she decides on education and nil. that and it make me feel better about uf holding her a roster slot.

 

Skye Blakely is coming in August 2024 and will share in sister Sloane Blakely's senior season. My concern is about Shilese Jones being committed but not signing a NLI with UF. She shows herself as a future Gator on her Instagram so back it up with the NLI which binds her to UF and allows UF to discuss her progress in the coming year and through the Olympics. It's outstanding extra publicity for Shilese to boot.

 

First Ellie Lazzari getting back to all around, now Morgan is getting back too:

Heath Thorpe on X: "Werk! @morgihurd @GatorsGym https://t.co/GAlPVrm6Kq" / X (twitter.com)

Morgan is doing floor so she can do vault and beam. With her elbow injuries, she probably can't do uneven bars without risking injury. I'd be ecstatic if Morgan can deliver at a high level on vault, beam, and floor.

When Morgan delivers the performances, College Gym News will need to update their list of most impactful gymnasts coming off injury. JMHO, Morgan will end up on the top of the list.

 

Amelia Disidore is the third commit for UF in the 2025 class. She is a 4-star gymnast as rated by College Gym News:

2020 olympian on X: "Amelia Disidore to Florida! Joining her sister https://t.co/MXKZIe1E31" / X (twitter.com)

Amelia is also on the Women's National Team:

USA Gymnastics | Athletes

From CollegeGymFans.com:

2025-2026: A. Disidore to Florida - CollegeGymFans.com

"Amelia Disidore, a senior international elite from GAGE, has committed to a scholarship from Florida, starting in 2025-2026. A 2023 US National Team member, she placed 10th AA, 6th on VT and 8th on FX at the 2023 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. She was also 8th on FX at the 2022 OOFOS US Gymnastics Championships."

Looking at Amelia's Instagram account, Amelia Disidore (@amelia_disidore) • Instagram photos and videos, it doesn't appear that she took visits to other schools although I don't know that with certainty. Given that she is coming to UF with sister Gabby who is in the 23 UF freshman class that was recently reranked #2 by College Gym News, coming to UF makes a lot of sense. It makes it easier for the parents unlike what the Baumann's parents did with Alyssa and Rachel splitting time between Athens and Gainesville before Rachel transferred to UF for her final year.

Amelia joins 5 stars Jocelyn Sasson and Maddy Dorbin in UF's 2025 class which is shaping up to be another outstanding UF recruiting class.

 

W O W Z E R! What a great recruiting weekend! This from Dr. Sam:

Dr. Sam, PhD on X: "Tiana Sumanasekera ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jordis Eichman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nola Matthews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Florida Official Visit this weekend https://t.co/wd6StSLYyP" / X (twitter.com)

As far as I'm concerned, all three of the visitors are 5 stars as Amelia Disidore should be.

Tiana Sumanasekera is one of my personal favorites since I started watching her last summer. She has visited Cal, UCLA, and now Florida after performing with the Pan Am team so she may not be willing to pull the trigger just yet, but I'd love to see her be a Gator. I've felt PAC 12, but she visited so UF has a puncher's chance of picking her up.

Jordis Eichman is an excellent all-arounder who would be an outstanding addition to the UF 25 class. She is the highest ranked 4 star on College Gym News with high scores on all 4 events. Jordis has visited Arkansas, Georgia, UCLA, and now Florida.

Nola Matthews like Amelia Disidore and Tiana Sumanasekera is a senior national team member. She has had a number of visits so she may be ready to commit to her school of choice soon. Tiger fan thought they had Nola locked up at one time, but here she is visiting UF on the final weekend prior to the November date that 2025 gymnasts can begin signing NLIs.

To top this report off, yes, that's Kayla DiCello back in Gainesville to be recognized along with Leanne Wong and Anya Pilgrim for their international elite successes taking the selfie with the visitors. Good on Kayla helping UF recruit while she is away training for her attempt at Paris 24. I still wish she would come back, but she seems happy working with her hometown elite coaches.

 

Anya, Leanne, and Kayla being recognized during the Arkansas game:

Gators Gymnastics on X: "#Gators competing for their nations in October recognized today at FIG World Championships Pan Am Games #GoGators | ‍♀️ https://t.co/8X4S2q2u9c" / X (twitter.com)

These ladies are outstanding representatives for Gator Nation.

 

Kayla DiCello has been interviewed and will be featured in Inside Gymnastics Magazine next week:

Inside Gymnastics on X: "➡️ We sat down with Pan American Games All-Around gold medalist Kayla DiCello on Thursday! Look for the all new interview coming next week to https://t.co/SQarJjZDkw!! Lloyd Smith for Inside Gymnastics https://t.co/oxbcpsKkX1" / X (twitter.com)

I hope the article isn't behind a pay wall. They have some good articles including two on Trinity Thomas about her pursuit of Paris 24.

 

No word on the UF weekend visitors, but another 5-star gymnast committed today.

Sophia Diaz, the 9th ranked gymnast in the 2025 class committed to Michigan. At one time, she was rumored to be LSU bound, but the rumor switched to Michigan over time. Sophia joins Myli Lew, the 10th ranked gymnast, in giving the wolverines two 5-star gymnasts in the class. Michigan is working on an outstanding 2025 class.

Other gymnasts could prove to be 5 stars as their performance careers move forward, but there are now only three 5-star gymnasts left available according to the College Gym News rankings. The top 10 have revealed their commitments.

If I have the date right, the 2024 committed gymnasts can start signing and returning their NLIs on 11/8/2023. As pointed out by scrappy, the 2025 gymnasts cannot sign until next year. Keeping my fingers crossed that Shilese Jones will finally return her NLI.

 

Yes, today starts signing for the 2024 gymnasts:

National Letter Intent Period Beings Today - CollegeGymFans.com

Looking at photos from last weekend posted on the visitors instagram, except Nola Matthews who hasn't posted visit photos and comments in the past, Skye Blakely was in town last weekend too. Good on Skye and Kayla DiCello helping UF in recruiting.

On the surface, it looks like UF put out the red carpet for these visitors. Tiana Sumanasekera and Jordis Eichman had their parents with them on the visit, don't know about Nola Matthews. Their photos posted from their UCLA visit didn't have pictures of their parents on the visit. I guess we'll find out in time if the parents coming on the visits has any significance. Both sets of parents appeared happy so there is that. It looks like Tiana, Jordis, and Nola are taking visits together as they were at UCLA before coming to UF.

 

List of Signed & Potential 2024 Signees:

Skye Blakely 5 stars - Signed in 2022 & deferred.

Lily Bruce 5 stars - Signed November 8, 2023.

Taylor Clark 4 stars - Signed November 8, 2023.

Shilese Jones 5 stars - Unsigned, again.

Alyssa Orgen 3 stars - Signed November 8, 2023, but still waiting on official confirmation from UF.

 

Glad to have Skye Blakely, Lily Bruce, and Taylor Clark. These ladies will be excellent additions to the Gators team. That's two 5 stars and a 4 star.

Shilese Jones was the 3rd best gymnast at Worlds and the second-best USA gymnast. JMHO, she is spending all of her capital on reaching Paris 24 and doing well while simultaneously not showing concern for her future if she fails. There will be more competition for the Paris 24 USA team than the 2023 Worlds USA team. In CJR's comment about Skye, Lily, and Taylor caring about receiving an education at the #1 rated public university, she may have been sending a message for public consumption about Shilese Jones while she cannot mention her by name without violating NCAA recruiting rules:

"The Gators gymnastics team is thrilled to welcome these young women to the Florida family. They all bring high levels of skill, competitiveness and experience to our program. Not only are they extremely talented, they also welcome the opportunity to pursue their education at the number one public university. I can't wait to have them perform in front of a sold-out O'Dome crowd!"– Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland

As for me, I have completely given up on the thought that Shilese Jones will ever come to UF. If not willing to sign now, when?

I have no information about why Alyssa Orgen didn't sign with UF today. I will say her meet scores and ranking doesn't exactly fit with what UF usually brings in. I'm sure something will turn up later.

11/9 EDIT: Apparently Alyssa Orgen signed on 11/8, but UF has yet to officially acknowledge.

What an exciting day celebrating Alyssa & Sasha! It takes a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and grit to reach the top! You are… | Instagram

Alyssa ♡ (@alyssa_orgen) • Instagram photos and videos

College Gym News is showing Orgen as "confirmed" on their list of signees, but not signed NLI accompanied with a release from UF. However, UF must acknowledge faxed receipt of the NLI for the signing to be official. I'll post on this when UF confirms.

EDIT: 11/10 and still no acknowledgement from UF. I hope this doesn't turn into a negative publicity situation.

 

With all of the crapola at Utah surrounding HC Tom Farden, Utah signed a 3-gymnast class yesterday consisting of 5-star gymnasts only.

Utah Gymnastics Inks Pair of National Champions and Canadian National Team Member on Signing Day - University of Utah Athletics (utahutes.com)

Unbelievable! (shaking head)