FORT WORTH, Texas — There used to be negative dearth of drama on the girls’s NCAA championships this hour. Trinity Thomas and Grace McCallum returned from accidents for the general meet of the season, hitting exceptional routines with slightly any follow day. Jordan Chiles and Maile O’Keefe earned consecutive 10s in semifinals, with O’Keefe after edging out Chiles for the all-around crown. And fifth-year senior Olivia Trautman, who had considered retirement, earned her first particular person tournament identify on bank, after led Oklahoma to yet another national championship.
Week O’Keefe has introduced she’s going to go back for a 5th 12 months, this used to be the latter pageant for Thomas and Trautman, two icons in faculty gymnastics. Chiles has stated she’s going to jerk after season off to coach for the Olympics, and McCallum said at nationals that she continues to be not sure on her plans.
However by no means worry, there are lots of alternative gymnasts who can carry this kind of pleasure to the 2024 season. Along established leaders like Haleigh Bryant, Leanne Wong and Jordan Bowers, be careful for those “next” 5. As a result of all indicators level to them turning into fresh stars of the game within the coming 12 months:
Aleah Finnegan
When Finnegan joined the LSU Tigers latter 12 months, head teacher Jay Clark stated her possible used to be even more than that of her used sister, Sarah, who graduated in 2019 as a 23-time All-American. Incorrect little proclaim.
Now a sophomore, the more youthful Finnegan had a streak of 4 absolute best 10s in 4 meets this season — on 3 other occasions, negative much less. At nationals, she positioned 2d on ground and 5th within the all-around, simply .115 clear of O’Keefe’s successful overall. On every tournament, Finnegan pushes the envelope in each issue and originality, making her possibly probably the most attention-grabbing all-arounder within the nation. Up after for 2024: an ideal 10 on bars, the one tournament the place that mark has eluded her.
Kayla DiCello
DiCello, a freshman, stepped onto a Florida workforce already loaded with ability and in an instant was one of the crucial squad’s MVPs. “She really has elevated this team’s greatness,” head teacher Jenny Rowland informed ESPN on Saturday.
She without a doubt had the credentials — DiCello used to be the bronze medalist within the all-around at 2021 worlds — however on occasion the transition to NCAA pageant generally is a difficult one for elite gymnasts.
Now not so for DiCello, who competed all-around on each days of NCAA championships, and at the finals time scored 9.900 or upper on each tournament. DiCello won an ideal 10 two times this season, each occasions on bars, and her cast, error-free gymnastics lends itself to many extra ill the street.
Selena Harris
Harris used to be sensational in her freshman 12 months at UCLA, serving to to govern the Bruins again to their first nationwide championship look in 4 years. She additionally competed with a quiet consistency that few others may just fit. Over 14 meets she did 56 routines, and he or she by no means as soon as fell. And, possibly much more implausible, 80% of her routines scored a 9.900 or upper.
“She has an innate quality that pushes her to lock in and compete at her best when her best is needed,” head teacher Janelle McDonald stated, including that she idea Harris might be one of the crucial easiest ever in collegiate gymnastics.
Audrey Davis
Davis has all the time been a a very powerful scorer for Oklahoma, bright brightest on bars, the place her piked Jaeger loose exit is just splendid. This 12 months, the teenage has grow to be a powerhouse within the all-around as neatly: She scored a 39.500 or higher in 8 out of the ten meets wherein she competed all 4 occasions. “She puts everyone else first and is gracious and thoughtful,” stated head teacher Ok.J. Kindler, “Yet, she has the fight of a lion in her.”
On Saturday, Davis earned a team-high of 9.950 on beam, and led off ground with an exemplary 9.900. “In motion, she is beauty and grace personified,” Kindler stated. “Her flexibility, style and genuine joy set her apart.” And mix for plethora ratings when the workforce maximum wishes them.
eMjae Frazier
Frazier, a freshman, earned the primary absolute best 10 on ground in Cal’s historical past on March 3. And truthfully, she may have scored one previous within the season had the judging long gone her approach. She used to be awarded a 9.95 on her debut ground regimen for the Bears and won two 9.975s throughout the season.
At regional finals, Frazier had a immense 39.75 all-around overall — one that are meant to flip heads in any pageant. Week championships used to be now not her easiest meet general, she used to be stellar on ground, incomes a 9.9375. The more youthful sister of UCLA’s Margzetta Frazier, eMjae joins her sister in having a efficiency attribute that pulls the target market in.
“She has an infectious personality, is a great teammate, and has a light that radiates from within,” co-head teacher Elizabeth Crandall-Howell stated. Week Marz graduates this 12 months, eMjae’s famous person is handiest simply starting to stand. “She has so many skills that she can add to her routines,” added Crandall-Howell. “Watch for her to continue to increase her difficulty next year.”
