My Favorite NCAA Floor Routines

What makes a floor routine stand out in such a large field of college gymnasts? There is something about some of the top floor routines in the NCAA that draws the audience in and makes you want to watch them. This is what I like to call 'the wow factor." A combination of incredible tumbling and presentation,  the wow factor is the ability to perform and draw the crowd into your routine. It's those routines that you just can't help but smile while watching and you just want to keep watching them again and again. Below I've listed all my favorite floor routines from last season.

Bridget Sloan- Florida


Vanessa Zamarripa- UCLA


Emily Wong- Nebraska

Lloimincia Hall- LSU


Sophina DeJesus- UCLA


What were some of your favorite routines? Comment below! 

10 Questions with upcoming junior gymnast- Vanasia Bradley

Meet Vanasia Bradley- she's 14 years old, an 8th grader, and one of the newest junior elite gymnasts. Vanasia trains at Splitz Gymnastics in Canton, Michigan and is already proving herself to be one to watch with some of her big skills. Vanasia is eligible for the 2016 Olympics in Rio and will turn senior in 2015. We caught up with Vanasia to talk about qualifying to elite, skills she's working on in the gym, and her plans for the future.

Triple Twist: How did you get started in gymnastics?

Vanasia: My kindergarten teacher noticed me doing cartwheels and stuff during recess, so she told my parents that I would be a really good athlete and that I should try recreational gymnastics. So I did and  when I was on the team, I moved through the levels a lot faster than anyone else so my parents knew I could be really successful. 

Triple Twist: You are the first and only elite gymnast to come out of your gym, how does that make you feel?

Vanasia: It's definitely helped me gain my confidence and I was very proud of myself, but one of the most important things was that I could be a good example for the upcoming little one's who want to be elite, so they can see that hey, it really can be done. 

Triple Twist: Who are some of your role models in gymnastics? Who do you look up to?

Vanasia: In the gym I look up to Isabell Hutchins because she's been through so much bad stuff, yet she comes in the gym everyday with a positive attitude and pushes through all the obstacles that come her way. Outside of the gym I look up to Rebecca Bross. I love the way she presents herself at competitions. She never gives up and is really mentally tough. 

Triple Twist: What skills can we expect to see from you this season? Walk us through your routines.

Current routines: 

Vault- Yurchenko full

Bars- Toe up, stalder, tkachev, blind half, jaeger, toe hand, bail, stalder up, double tuck dismount

Beam- Switch ring, back handspring layout step out, full turn, front aerial-sheep jump, side aerial, switch leap-back tuck, split jump-sissone, round off- 2 1/2 twist dismount.

Floor- Double pike, round off-1 1/2 to a full twist, switch ring, strug, double full turn with leg at horizontal, double twist, 2 1/2 twist

Working on:

Vault- 2 1/2 (amanar)

Bars- Shaposh half (watch here.), inside stalder, toe full, stalder full, and full out dismount

Beam- Back handspring layout step out-layout step out and triple twist dismount

Floor- Changing first pass to double double or full in (watch here.), 2nd pass to round off 1 1/2 to double twist, 3rd pass to 2 1/2 to punch front or full twist, 4th pass to triple twist.

You can see many of Vanasia's upgrades below or click here.

               

  Triple Twist: There is video of you training a triple twisting double, was that just for fun or do you plan on competing it? 

Vanasia at age 13 working on triple twisting doubles. Watch below or click here.

             

Vanasia: I won't be competing that, haha. But I should compete the double double. 

Triple Twist: Besides for qualifying to elite, what has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

Vanasia: The next biggest thing I did was at level 9 nationals. I got 2nd all around and first on bars. 

Triple Twist: What do you like to do when your not in the gym?

Vanasia: Well, I like to coach if I can. But other then that I love hanging out with friends, going shopping, painting my nails, you know..normal people stuff. 

Vanasia coaching younger girls at the gym.

Triple Twist: What grade are you in and do you home school or go to public school?

Vanasia: I'm in 8th grade and I go to public school. 

Triple Twist: After watching the London Olympics, what was your favorite moment? Did anything stand out to you?

Vanasia: I didn't really have a favorite part, but watching the whole thing helped me realize that I really wanted to go elite. 

Triple Twist: What are some of your goals in gymnastics? 

Vanasia: This year I want to make the National Team and down the road I want to make it to the 2016 Olympics. 

You can learn more about Vanasia by visiting her Gym Diva's site here.

Thank you Vanasia and we wish you the best of luck in the future! 

15 Celebrities and Their Gymnastics History.

Many gym fans can name a plethora of current gymnasts, from elites to collegiate to Junior Olympic. Many gym fans also know of former gymnasts, mostly those who were elites, collegiate, or JO, but there are, of course, many who are not known for their gymnastics. While flipping through several issues of Glamour Magazine, a feature on celebrity secrets revealed that actress Salma Hayek was an elite gymnast in Mexico who hoped to compete in the Olympics. From the discovery of this knowledge, an internet search was conducted to find other celebrities who were gymnasts.

• ·         Nicole Anderson, best known for being on Disney’s JONAS LA and ABC Family’s Make It or Break It, was a competitive gymnast for ten years. She quit the sport after suffering too many injuries during her last year of competition.
• ·         Mississippi native Katherine Bailess began gymnastics when she was four years old. She was also a cheerleader and dancer. Bailess portrayed Erica Marsh, a recurring character in the CW/WB’s One Tree Hill, and Coleen Lipman, a role in Bring It On Again.
• ·         One of Make It or Break It’s actresses, Candace Cameron Bure, who plays Summer on the gymnastics teen-drama, took gymnastics classes for about a year around the age of four. Bure claims that she did not possess much flexibility or talent in the sport, but it is her favorite Summer Olympic sport. Her father was also a gymnast, who competed in high school. Although Bure was a main character of MIOBI, Bure is most famous for playing DJ Tanner on Full House.
• ·         English actress Alison Carroll, the “Official Lara Croft” of the Tomb Raider series, is very familiar with gymnastics. Carroll has 20 years of gymnastics training and has represented Great Britain in several international competitions.
• ·         Nina Dobrev, star of Gabby Douglas’s favorite show, The Vampire Diaries, was actually a rhythmic gymnast in Canada. Dobrev represented Canada and competed internationally. 

                                 

• ·         Actor Richard Gere received a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for men’s gymnastics but only attended college for two years to pursue his acting career.
• ·         Mexican actress Salma Hayek was an accomplished elite gymnast for Mexico and was chosen to be on the Mexican National Team. Hayek wanted to be in the Olympics, but never achieved her dream because her father did not want her to travel worldwide for international competitions.
• ·         Olivia Holt, a young adult actress for the Disney Channel, first appeared on the youth channel in a short commercial segment called My Life that highlighted her cheerleading and gymnastics skills. Holt was a competitive gymnast for five years and was also a competitive cheerleader. 

            

• ·         One Tree Hill’s Bethany Joy Lenz also participated in gymnastics as a child, like former co-star Katherine Bailess. Like Bailess, she was also in the sequel to the popular cheerleading movie Bring It On Again.
• ·         Victoria’s Secret Angel and model Miranda Kerr had hopes of becoming a gymnast and used to compete, but Kerr says she grew too tall for the sport. Her love of yoga, exercise, and fitness stems from her gymnastics career. Though she was unable to become an accomplished gymnast, she can pass those hopes on to her child, Flynn, who is enrolled in gymnastics classes.
• ·         Josie Loren, another MIOBI star, was a gymnast as a child, but says the only event she excelled at was floor. Loren believed she could not be a successful competitive gymnast due to lack of talent on the other apparatuses, so she used her talent to become a competitive cheerleader and was the main tumbler for her team.
• ·         True Blood’s Anna Paquin has been active for a large part of her life. She currently enjoys taking gymnastics-like fitness classes, such as trapeze classes. Her interest in gymnastics-like class stem from her childhood gymnastics training.
• ·         Singer Pink expressed her love for the Fierce Five and the sport of gymnastics on her most recent appearance on the talk show Ellen. Her adoration for the athletes and sport is due to the fact that she is a former gymnast. Pink even performed on silks during a performance once.
• ·         As a main character of both Bring It On: In It to Win It and MIOBI, it is no surprise that Cassie Scerbo did gymnastics when she was seven or eight. Despite being a former gymnast, Scerbo hardly remembers it.
• ·         Before her infamous days on MTV’s Jersey Shore, Snooki was a gymnast for 10 years, from the ages of three to 13. Her gymnastics background assisted her in becoming a cheerleader later on in life. The reality star stated that her favorite and best events were floor and vault. She despised the uneven bars.

Written By: Amanda

From Golden Girl to Golden Coach- An interview with Kim Zmeskal

In 1991 Kim Zmeskal-Burdette performed an energetic and upbeat floor routine in the All Around at the World Championships to secure her place at the top of the All Around podium, being the first American woman to do so. With her feat, she captured the hearts of Gymnastics fans around the world, and became an inspiration to gymnasts everywhere. Two decades later, her performances on that day are still spoken about, and continue to impress gymnasts and gymnastics fans alike. Now, Kim along with her husband Chris Burdette have opened their own gym - Texas Dreams. She is a coach training some of the top elite gymnasts in the country, several of whom are currently on the USA National team, all while maintaining a humble yet exciting personality. She can often be seen on the sidelines of meets clapping, dancing with, and cheering for her gymnasts just like she is one of them, a rare sight for a coach in the world of elite gymnastics. Patrice, a contributor for Triple Twist got a chance to ask Kim Zmeskal-Burdette about her career as a gymnast, a coach, and what’s in store for the future.

In 1991, you became the first American to the win the All Around title at the World Championships. What was that experience like and how did it change your life?

Winning the All Around title in '91 was a defining moment in my life.  After scoring a 10.0 on vault in my last event during the team competition and getting to stand on the podium with my friends/ teammates for our silver medal WIN, I was very confident and ready for the All Around Final.  The competition was on a Friday the 13th which was also Bela's birthday… irrelevant details, but certainly makes this date stand out in my mind even more.  I started the competition on vault and tried my best to not know the standings throughout but I couldn't help but look at the large score board between each event. I competed on floor last, which was my favorite event to compete.  I remember the energy in the arena for that routine more than any other in my career.  It felt like the most effortless, fun routine I had competed!  I couldn't even hear my music from the cheers from the crowd after my final pass.  I remember running off the podium to Bela who lifted me up for me to wave to the spectators.  That moment is one of the most vivid and special moments of my career!  Although I didn't know the score yet, in that moment, I felt that I had won.  Before walking out for the awards ceremony, my teammate Hilary Grivich just shook me saying, "You just won the World Championships!" repeatedly. This day in my life has actually become more special as time has passed.  Over the years, watching how many truly talented and hardworking gymnasts there are throughout the world, I realize how many details had to go just right for me to get to experience this moment and allow me this title.  As a coach working with gymnasts who aspire to represent the USA, I am reminded how amazing the process was to achieve that goal.  

Photo Credit: Mike Conroy

Looking back at your gymnastics career, is there anything you wish that you had accomplished before getting injured?

Yes, there were goals unreached during my athletic career.  Going into the Olympics as the reigning all around, beam and floor champion and then having the highest score in the qualifying optional round, I certainly hoped to leave Barcelona with individual medals.  But I have contentment in knowing that I truly "played my game" with the hand I was dealt at that moment.  I am fulfilled in the fact that I made the attempt to achieve every goal I imagined.  I don't have any "what could've happened" feelings.  I know there are no set outcomes for anyone in any sport or any aspect of life, regardless to the effort put in to reach our goals.  I have certainly learned to appreciate the process and the journey.  I think the fact that I always wanted more was how I achieved what I did.  That feeling of wanting more in gymnastics is still in me.  

What have been your proudest moments, as both a gymnast and a coach?

I have two proudest moments as a gymnast.  Although I am grateful and proud of winning the all around title in '91, being able to dig down deep to get myself out of the hole I'd put myself in after falling in compulsories on my first event to qualify to all around finals with the highest optional score is one of my most proud moments.  The other most proud moment that I have is making the National Team in 1999.  It was a personal struggle for me to have the courage to compete.  I shied away from competition for several years afraid to not be battling for first place since that is how I left the competition scene 7 years prior.  It felt so amazing to be prepared and compete on that stage again!

As a coach, having Chelsea Davis make the bar and floor line-up at 2010 Worlds was incredibly rewarding.  She fought and never gave up through more obstacles than seems fair.  Besides being very happy for and proud of her, it was my first experience being on the floor at a World Championships as a coach too.  

Photo Credit: Kim Zmeskal

One of Texas Dreams’ former gymnasts Lloimincia Hall has been getting a lot of recognition recently for showing her personality in her floor routine. How do you think that her contributions to the NCAA scene will affect how routines are choreographed in the future? 

Lloimincia is the best of the best performers!  She always strives to make her performances memorable.  It is not necessarily the steps in her choreography that make the difference in my opinion.  No one could or should try to be what she is.  Every gymnast should strive to be memorable and entertaining to showcase their strengths.  


Do you have any up and coming gymnasts who are not yet elite that you think have potential?

Yes, we currently coach a few young optional gymnasts who train alongside our elites. There are also some very promising younger, beginning level gymnasts who it will be interesting to see where their paths take them.  It is great that there is no wondering what it takes to compete at the elite level for all these girls.  They see it in front of them each day.  And in some areas, they lead our current elites.  That is the beauty of training with a very driven team, each one has strengths that keep the others striving to compete with even in training.  

What are some qualities do you think an elite gymnast and coach need to have in order to be successful together? Have you learned any do’s or don’ts along the way?

I've learned and continue to learn do's and don'ts.  It is a never-ending learning process because times change, rules change, and most importantly, every gymnast and situation are unique.  There are certainly some absolute do's and don'ts I believe are essential.  Honest communication and trust between athlete and coach are number one.  Discipline in preparation on both parties is essential too.  The coach has to have a game plan and the gymnast must be on board with the plan and take ownership of things she is being guided to do.  And DO enjoy the process together.  One "don't" that comes to mind… Don't over-react.  Bad days will happen.  Missed skills and opportunities will happen.  Both the gymnast and coach need to solution minded.  

What can we expect to see from the Dream Team at Classics and Nationals this year? Do you or your athletes have any specific goals you can share with us?

As a whole, the game plan includes increasing difficulty, improving execution and confidence of current skills, and growing as an artistic performer.  Making the National Team is obviously a goal for each of them.  For our seniors, being a part of the World Selection procedure is also a goal.  We're happy that Peyton finally has had a chance to get her feet wet internationally and hope she continues to grow through higher international success.  Bailie has moved up in ranking each season and has her sights on continuing that.  As for an event goal, I've been impressed with skill development for the girls on bars in particular.  The question will be timing of when skills will be competitively ready to do well and with confidence.  With execution deductions being taken so severely, skills must be done with great precision in order for the gamble to benefit their scores.  We are hoping to see more "hindorf" family releases in many of our girls routines. 

Photo Credit: Scott and Emer Hults


What have you learned from your career as a gymnast that has helped you become a better coach?

I hope I never forget what it felt like from an athlete's perspective… physically, mentally and emotionally.  When I coach, I typically imagine putting my body through the movements my gymnasts are doing to "feel" what should change to make skills better. Mentally and emotionally, I can still connect with what it felt like in their shoes.  


You are known for being one of the best elite coaches in the USA. What does that mean to you? Did you ever imagine that one day you would be coaching some of the top elite gymnasts in the country?

It is an honor to hear that stated. I have so much respect for the very top coaches in the world and am motivated each day to play at that level with them.  I've learned and continue to learn so much for those around me as well as experiences that have been put in front of me and my gymnasts.  It had not been a goal of mine to pursue coaching until I had an opportunity to coach while we lived in Cincinnati.  Mary Lee gave me both the opportunity to coach alongside her at the elite level as well as to test the waters coaching with Chris and his TOPs group when I was in my early 20's.  I instantly felt a passion for this side of the sport.  It has been amazing to me how much more there was to the game I thought I knew so well before I started coaching.  As for coaching the number of elites we do now, I am very thankful for the opportunity to shape and guide these girls' lives through the sport we all love.

Screenshot from Gymnastike's Workout Wednesday 

In London, the Fierce Five won the Team Gold medal, inspiring the entire nation, and undoubtedly many young gymnasts. What kind of advice would you give to young gymnasts and athletes who now share the Olympic dream?  

On the wall at Texas Dreams, we have the saying, "Have a dream so big you could never achieve it, then become the gymnast who can."  That 's what it's all about to me.  The journey, the process, the life we live pursuing our dreams.  Then when the moments come when we have a shot at reaching our dreams, truly LIVE those moments.  Be present.  Be aggressive.  Be confident.  Have no regrets.  




Do you have anything to add that I haven’t asked? 

I just want to thank the gymnastics community around the world for continuing to make our sport develop while appreciating the contributions of past participants.  With the ever-growing interest in social media, I look forward to the darling sport of the Olympics to reach more people throughout each quad!

Triple Twist would like to thank Kim Zmeskal-Burdette for her time. We, along with many members of the gymnastics community, undoubtedly have a high regard for her as both a coach and gymnast, and are excited to see what the future holds in store for her, her gymnasts, and her family. We wish her the best of luck this year, and hope to see her at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, alongside the USA team. 

Watch Kim’s 1991 All Around Floor Routine here: 

                           

Confirmed gymnasts at training camp for April 26-30, 2013

I posted this on our tumblr, but I'm going to post it here too because it will be easier to update as I find out more information. These are only the gymnasts that are confirmed at camp, I'm sure we'll find out more soon.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Seniors
Simone Biles - Bannon's Gymnastix
Elizabeth Price-Parkettes
Kyla Ross - Gym Max
Maggie Nichols - Twin City Twisters
Madison Kocian- WOGA
Sabrina Schwab - WOGA
Lexie Priessman - CGA
Mykayla Skinner- Desert Lights
Rachel Gowey- Chows
Brenna Dowell- GAGE
Kennedy Baker-Texas Dreams
Peyton Ernst-Texas Dreams
Abby Milliet- Denton

Juniors

Amelia Hundley- CGA
Nica Hults- Texas Dreams
Grace Quinn- Texas Dreams
Bailie Key- Texas Dreams
Alexis Vasquez- Chows
Nia Dennis- Buckeye
Ragan Smith- Northwind
Ashton Locklear- Everest
Laurie Hernandez- Monmouth
Polina Shchennikova- Tigar
Megan Skaggs- Gym Academy of Atlanta

Confirmed not at camp:
Jordyn Wieber
Sabrina Vega (Had shoulder surgery)
Katelyn Ohashi (Recovering from shoulder surgery)
Mckayla Maroney (Was going, decided not to go last minute.)
Sarah Finnegan (Was going, decided not to go last minute.)

My Favorite Moments from the 2012-2013 College Gymnastics Season

Now that the 2012-2013 college gymnastics season is officially over, it's time to reflect back and remember some of the highlights from this season. In no particular order, check out some of my favorite moments.

Florida Gator's Domination

Photo Credit: Gator Zone

Probably the most expected answer, as it really was the main highlight of the season. The Florida Gator's had a phenomenal season remaining in the #1 ranked spot for majority of the year. They scored over a 198 in three of their regular season meets and showed everyone that they truly are one of the greatest gymnastics teams around. At the 2013 NCAA Gymnastics Championships, many people thought it was over when the Gators had to count a fall in their first rotation during the Super 6 competition. The Gators have come into Nationals as the favorite to win before, but have fallen short. So when they were forced to count a fall many people concluded it was over for them. But being the fighters they are, they came roaring back in their next 3 rotations scoring nothing below a 9.9 on the floor exercise and nothing below a 9.850 on the vault and bars. The Gators ending up winning their first National Championships with a huge score of 197.575, just 2 tenths ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners and that was with a fall. The freshman Bridget Sloan won the all around title with a score of 39.600 as well as the beam title. Junior Alaina Johnson won the uneven bar title. Talk about a stellar season! The team should be proud and they certainly seemed happy with themselves as they end the season ranked #1. It will be interesting to see which teams (if any) will be able to catch up and keep up with them next season.

Michigan Captains Deliver in NCAA Event Finals

Photo Credit: MGoBlue.com

After having one of their best seasons ever, the Michigan gymnastics team failed to advance to the Super 6 team finals after going through a tough qualifying session with three former national champions (UCLA, Utah, and Alabama) and the #2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Although they didn't advance, the team still managed to score well with a 196.850, just a little over 3 tenths behind two of the advancing teams. The Wolverine team captains Joanna Sampson (junior) and Katie Zurales (senior) represented the Maize and Blue to the best of their ability in the event finals and brought home some hardware. The duo tied for 3rd all around and each brought home an event trophy. Zurales ended her career on the balance beam performing one of her best routines ever for a score of 9.8875, which was good enough to tie her for 2nd. Sampson competed in both the vault and floor finals, and despite nailing her yurchenko full, she wound up tied for 14th in a field of impressive vaulters. (22 to be exact) Joanna ended her season on the floor exercise where she nailed her floor routine for a score of 9.9375 which was good enough for first place! As captains of the team, it was great to see both of them go out and hit. The Michigan Wolverines end the season ranked #7 which is their lowest ranking all season. (They spent most of the season ranked 3rd nationally) Watch out for the University of Michigan next year, because I have a feeling next season will be even better!

Alina Weinstein Breaks School Record

Photo Credit: FightingIllini.com

Alina Weinstein has been such a super star for the Illinois Gymnastics team, it's sad to see her go. Alina has not only had a tremendous season but an awesome career at the University of Illinois. She broke her school's record twice this season with her all around score of 39.600 and floor exercise score of 9.975 (which she has received twice), she even scored a perfect 10 on the vault during the regular season. At the Regional Championships, Alina won the all around title as well as the beam and floor titles, making her the first Illini gymnast ever to win 3 titles at a Regional Championships. At this same meet, Alina helped her team place 2nd and qualify to the NCAA National Championships as a team. She was also named Regional Gymnast of the year, a feat that has only been achieved by one Illini gymnast in their school history. Alina wrapped up her career at the NCAA Championships becoming an All American on the floor exercise and helping the Illinois team place 5th in their semi final with a score of 195.700, which is the highest score at the National Championships in Illinois program history! Alina qualified to event finals on the floor exercise where she didn't have her best routine, but still scored well with a 9.750.  I think it should also be noted that Alina has hit every floor routine this season and has scored over a 9.9 in 10 out of the 15 meets she's competed. With Alina's help, the Illinois Gymnastics team ends the season ranked 11th in the ration, which is yet another program record. Congrats on an amazing career Alina, you will be missed!

Fantastic Season for Minnesota

Photo Credit: Gophersports.com

The Minnesota Gymnastics team may not be ranked #1, but they certainly are one's to watch out for after the stellar season they have had! The Gophers started the season ranked 23rd in the pre season poll but quickly jumped to 11th once the season got underway. They've been ranked as high as 10th this season which happened after they beat the (at the time) #1 ranked Michigan in a tri meet. That was Minnesota's first time being ranked in the top 10 since 2002. The Gophers went on to post an impressive score of 197.175 at an away meet with the Florida Gators, that score was the second highest in program history! At the Big 10 Championships, the Gophers secured a 3rd place finish with a score of 196.775. The standout freshman Lindsay Mable was named Big 10 Freshman of the Year while head coach Meg Stephenson was named Big 10 Coach of the Year. Mable is the first Minnesota gymnast to accept this award since Gena Palm in 1989. At the Regional Championships, Minnesota qualified a full team to the NCAA Championships by placing second behind the University of Florida with a big score of 197.100. Mable placed 4th in the all around tying the school's record with a score of 39.600. Jenny Covers, a sophomore, tied for first on vault with a big score of 9.950. Minnesota ended their season with a trip to the National Championships for the first time since 2002. .The team placed 4th in it's semi final with a total of 196.375. The freshman duo of Lindsay Mable and Hanna Nordquist proudly represented the Gophers in the event finals. Mable tied for 4th on floor and 5th on vault while Nordquist had a fantastic beam routine that was good enough to tie for 2nd place! Nordquist's 9.8875 was the highest finish on any event for a Minnesota gymnast since Marie Roethlisberger in 1990! Minnesota ends their best season ever ranked at an impressive 8th in the nation. Congrats Gophers!

Lloimincia Hall on the Floor

Photo Credit: Unkown

The sophomore from LSU has become a fan favorite with her up beat and fun floor routine. We give Lloimincia (or Mincie for short) props for showing off her personality and really drawing the crowd into her routine. Mincie has scored two perfect 10's this season on the floor and has won 14 individual floor titles so far in her career. Shout out to Lloimincia for being a great performer and making sure everyone is having a good time!

What were some of your favorite moments from this season? Comment below.

The future of NCAA Gymnastics

There are some big names that will be joining college gymnastics teams within the next few years, which will make for some very exciting competition. Teams like UCLA and Florida who are known for recruiting some of the top gymnasts in the country, have quite the list of competitors waiting in the wings. It doesn't hurt to have a load of former elite gymnasts on your side! Below is a list of some of the top recruits from all the top college teams. Note that these are not all of the recruited gymnasts, just a few of the former elite and top level 10's that have committed or signed with a top college. (Click each name for a video)

Alabama
Amanda Jetter (2013) US National team member from 2008-2012,  3rd all around at 2008 Nationals
Mackenzie Brannan (2014) 4 time National championship competitor, 1st all around at 2011 Nadia Invite
Kiana Winston (2014) 2011 Junior National team member, 1st all around at 2011 American Classic
Aja Monent Sims (2014) Elite gymnast in 2011, 2nd all around at 2013 Nastia Cup
Ariana Guerra (2015) 2010 Junior National team member, 2nd all around at 2010 Top Gym
Amanda Huang (2015) 2012 National championships competitor, 4th all around at 2012 American Classic

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Auburn
Abby Milliet (2014) 4 time National Championships competitor, 1st all around at 2013 WOGA Classic

UCLA
Mikaela Gerber (2013) 2011 Canadian World team member, 2nd on floor at 2011 Pan Am Games
Hallie Mossett (2013) US National team member in 2008 & 2011, 5th all around at 2009 Gymnix
Melissa Metcalf (2014) 2008 National Championships competitor, 1st all around at 2013 Parkettes Invite
Pua Hall (2014) 2 time National Championships competitor, 2013 Kansas State Champion
Madison Kocian (2015) US National team member from 2009-2010. 1st all around at 2011 Jesolo meet.
Macy Toronjo (2015) 2011 US National Championships competitor, 3rd all around at 2012 Texas Prime.
Sabrina Scwab (2015) 2013 Senior International Elite, 2nd on floor at 2013 WOGA Classic
Felicia Hano (2016) 2013 Nastia Cup competitor, 2012 JO National Champion
Nica Hults (2016) 2 time National Championships competitor, 2011 US Classic Beam Champion



Florida
Claire Boyce (2013) 2 time National Championships competitor, 2012 JO National Champion
Kennedy Baker (2014) 4 time National Championsips competitor, 8th all around at 2012 Olympic Trials
Ericha Fassbender (2014) US National Team Member in 2010 & 2011, 1st on bars at 2010 Top Gym
Grace McGlaughin (2014) US National Team Member in 2011, 1st with USA team at 2011 Pan Ams
Peyton Ernst (2015) 2012 US National Team Member, 2nd all around at 2013 Tokyo Cup
Alex Mcmurtry (2015) 2 time JO National Champion, 2013 Nastia Cup Champion
Lacy Dagen (2015) 2012 US National Competitor,
Amelia Hundley (2016) US National Team Member in 2011 & 2012, 3rd all around at 2013 Jesolo Meet
Alyssa Baumann (2016) US National Championships competitor in 2010, 2nd all around at 2013 HNI

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Georgia
Brianna Brown (2014) 2011 US National Team Member, 12th AA at 2012 National Championships
Lexie Priessman (2015 most likely will defer until 2016) 3 time National Team Member, 2012 Junior National Champion

Michigan
Talia Chiarelli (2013) Canadian National Team Member, 2nd with Canadian team at 2012 Olympic Test Event
Tia Allbritten (2014) 3 time JO National Competitor, 2011 JO Beam Champion

Photo Credit: Grace Chiu

Nebraska
Ashley Lambert (2013) 2009 National Championships competitor, 2011 Virginia State Champion
Kamerin Moore (2014) 2008 National Team Member, 4th AA at 2012 JO Nationals
Grace Williams (2014) 2010 US National competitor, 2011 Nastia Cup Champion

Oklahoma
Chairity Jones (2013) 2012 Nastia Cup Champion, 2 Time JO National AA Champion
Mckenzie Wofford (2013) 5 time National Championships competitor, 4th AA 2011 US Classic
Brenna Dowell (2014) 3 time National Team Member, 1st AA 2012 Mexican Open
Stefani Catour (2014) 2010 National Championships competitor, 2012 AA State Champion
Nicole Lehrman (2015) 2 time National Championships competitor, 2013 Regional AA Champion

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Utah
Samantha Partyka (2014) 2 time National Championships competitor, 3rd AA 2013 Nastia Cup
Mykayla Skinner (2015) 2011 National Team Member, 10th AA 2012 Jesolo meet

Stanford
Rachel Daum (2013) 2010 US National Championships competitor, 2013 Regional AA Champion
Sophia Lee (2013) 4 time US National competitor, 3rd AA 2012 JO Nationals

Senior gymnasts not officially committed or signed:
Kyla Ross (According to Lauren Hopkins she's going to Stanford, just waiting for test scores)
Dominique Pegg (Rumored to be going to Alabama, in the process of filling out paperwork.)
Sabrina Vega (Was rumored to be going to Florida, but has sights set on 2016)
Lizzy Leduc (Doing college visits, looking at UCLA, Florida, Utah, Oklahoma and Alabama)
Sarah Finnegan
Elizabeth Price (Considering Alabama or Stanford)
Maddie Desch
Bayle Pickel
Bridget Dean
Shannon McNatt
Alexis Beucler
Victoria Moors (Rumored to be going to UCLA)



*For more information on future college recruits or to view a full list of recruits for all colleges click here (Then click the recruits tab to search by year!)