2024 Pac-12 Women’s Gymnastics Preview: Is Utah still the favorite?
The 2024 Pac-12 women’s gymnastics season begins on a bittersweet note as the eight Pac-12 teams will compete in the same conference for the final time this season before dispersing in 2025 because of conference realignment.
Heading into this final year, Utah is the three-time reigning Pac-12 champion and favorite to repeat at the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships, which will take place on March 23. The Utes’ top competitors will be Cal and UCLA, but the conference has a deep pool of teams denoted by every Pac-12 team earning a top 25 ranking in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason poll.
Here’s a closer look at all eight Pac-12 teams heading into the 2024 season:
Utah
The Red Rocks are once again the favorites to win the Pac-12 title after doing so the past three seasons. However, No. 4 Utah is looking for something much larger – a national championship. Utah has placed third at the NCAA championships for three consecutive seasons and ultimately wants to beat Oklahoma for its first national title since 1995.
Their quest to repeat won’t come without the Red Rocks adjusting to some major changes this offseason – most notably Carly Dockendorf replacing Tom Farden as Utah’s next head coach. Farden and Utah “mutually parted ways” following allegations that Farden verbally and emotionally abused athletes, with former Utah gymnast Kara Eaker speaking out in October. Eaker, a U.S. Olympic. team alternate and world champion, has now retired from gymnastics and withdrawn from the university.
Utah maintains continuity with its promotion of Dockendorf, who has served in various coaching roles on the team since 2018. Previously, she primarily coached Utah on beam – an event where they ranked No. 1 in the country in 2023.
Along with coaching changes, Utah will have to manage losing some of its best gymnasts, including Eaker, Abby Brenner (graduated), Jillian Hoffman (transferred to LSU), Cristal Isa (graduated), Lucy Stanhope (transferred to Nebraska), and Sage Thompson (transferred to Oregon State). The loss of Isa and Eaker will be most felt on beam, while losing Brenner, Stanhope, and Hoffman could impact the team on vault and floor.
The good news is Utah returns reigning NCAA all-around and balance beam champion Maile O’Keefe. Outside of O’Keefe, Abby Paulson, and Jaedyn Rucker are also returning thanks to an extra year of eligibility.
In addition to their fifth-years, the Red Rocks have two talented juniors in Olympic team silver medalist Grace McCallum and Brit Amelie Morgan. After McCallum spent a good chunk of the 2023 season injured, the Red Rocks will be grateful to have the six-time All-American back in their regular lineup. Utah also brings in three five-star freshmen with Ella Zirbes, Camie Winger, and Elizabeth Gantner.
Even with all the upheavals, it’s championship or bust for the Red Rocks. Check out a potential NCAA final preview when Utah faces LSU, UCLA, and Oklahoma early in the season at the ESPN Invitational on January 13.
- Key Contributors: Maile O’Keefe, Jaedyn Rucker, Abby Paulson, Grace McCallum, Amelie Morgan
- Key Newcomers: Ashley Glynn (transfer), Ella Zirbes, Camie Winger, Elizabeth Gantner, Olivia Kennedy
- Key Losses: Abby Brenner, Kara Eaker, Jillian Hoffman, Cristal Isa, Lucy Stanhope, Sage Thompson
- Potential X-Factors: Makenna Smith, Jaylene Gilstrap
- Key Matchups: Utah at UCLA on February 19; Utah at Cal on March 2
UCLA
The Bruins enter the 2024 season with high goals after barely missing out on the Four on the Floor last Spring. UCLA enters the season ranked No. 5 overall and No. 2 in the Pac-12. In Janelle McDonald’s first year as coach in 2023, she helped return the Bruins to national prominence after struggling during Chris Waller’s coaching tenure. Now in McDonald’s second year, the Bruins have their sights set on returning to the NCAA final for the first time since 2019.
UCLA will, of course, have to continue its pursuit of the Four on the Floor without Jordan Chiles (USA) and Ana Padurariu (Canada), who both deferred to train for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As the reigning NCAA champion on bars and floor and all-around silver medalist, losing Chiles will be significant. Padurariu also became a major contributor for the Bruins, especially on bars and beam.
The Bruins will now turn to their new additions, including freshman (and former elite) Katelyn Rosen and graduate transfer Nya Reed. Both Reed and Rosen performed Yurchenko 1.5s on vault at the preseason Meet the Bruins exhibition meet, which will be welcomed additions after UCLA’s vaulting struggles largely cost them a shot at the Four on the Floor a season ago.
On top of these additions, UCLA can rely on their returning stars like Emma Malabuyo, Chae Campbell, sixth-year Margzetta Frazier, and Selena Harris, who had a breakout freshman season in 2023. Malabuyo primarily competed beam and floor in 2023 but is looking to get back into the all-around. Campbell, now a senior, once again performed a flawless Yurchenko full vault and showcased a new Black Panther themed floor routine at the exhibition. Frazier plans to just compete floor and bars this year, but her bars will be crucial with Chiles and Padurariu deferring.
Harris will build off her practically-flawless freshman season, during which she hit every routine and became the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. The sixth-ranked gymnast in the all-around last regular season, Harris becomes the Bruins’ all-around stronghold with Chiles deferring.
It won’t be easy without Chiles and Padurariu, but the Bruins can still contend for the Four on the Floor and are confident they can achieve that goal. Look for matchups vs. Utah and Cal in February to test if UCLA is ready for the challenge.
- Key Contributors: Selena Harris, Chae Campbell, Emily Lee, Emma Malabuyo, Margzetta Frazier
- Key Newcomers: Nya Reed (Florida transfer), Katelyn Rosen, Paige Anastasi, Alex Irvine
- Key Losses: Jordan Chiles, Ana Padurariu
- Potential X-Factors: Brooklyn Moors, Frida Esparza, Ciena Alipio
- Key Matchups: Utah vs. UCLA on February 19; Cal vs. UCLA on February 25
Cal
The Cal Bears have continued their rise as one of the best NCAA women’s gymnastics teams following their latest trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2023. The Bears finished second in the Pac-12 in 2022 and enter 2024 No. 7 overall and No. 3 in the Pac-12.
What bodes well for Cal is the team retains most of its roster from 2023. Their biggest loss will be Nevaeh DeSouza, who was their primary leadoff in 2023, strong all-arounder, and an All-American. Lucky for Cal, DeSouza is staying on with the team as an assistant coach.
The Bears’ strongest event is still expected to be bars, where the team ranked fourth overall and highest among Pac-12 teams in 2023. Andi Li and Maddie Williams are two of the best bars workers in the country, with the pair earning All-Pac-12 honors on bars and in the all-around a season ago.
Look for improvement on vault and floor, particularly with eMjae Frazier entering her sophomore year. Frazier put together one of the best freshman seasons in 2023 and was recently named to the 2024 Pac-12 preseason watch list. Also on the watch list for Cal was junior Mya Lauzon. Lauzon was named to the All-Pac-12 teams on vault, beam, and floor in her sophomore year.
Combine the Bears’ strong core with five-star freshmen in Annalise Newman-Achee and Kyen Mayhew, and the ceiling is sky-high for Cal. They start their season at the Mean Girls Super 16 Meet on January 6 against Auburn, Alabama, and in-state rival UCLA.
- Key Contributors: Mya Lauzon, eMjae Frazier, Maddie Williams, Andi Li
- Key Newcomers: Annalise Newman-Achee, Kyen Mayhew
- Key Losses: Nevaeh DeSouza, Maya Green, Natalie Sadighi
- Potential X-Factors: Gabby Perea, Casey Brown
- Key Matchups: Cal at UCLA on February 25
Oregon State
For the second straight season, Oregon State advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals in 2023 but fell short of advancing to the semifinals. The Beavers finished the 2023 season fourth in the Pac-12, and their most notable moment of the year was upsetting Utah one week prior to the Pac-12 Championships. Those kinds of wins are what the Beavers are trying to achieve more consistently in 2024.
Of course, a huge reason for the Beavers’ increasing success as of late is Jade Carey. The Olympic floor gold medalist and seven-time world medalist is coming off another outstanding NCAA season, where she won silver on beam at the NCAA Championships and finished the season as the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year. This year will be different for Carey, who plans to compete in NCAA and train for the Olympics at the same time. Carey noted prior to the season that she will not compete all-around at every meet. On the plus side for Oregon State fans, she has mentioned plans to add in harder skills, specifically on bars and beam – her “weaker” events when compared to vault and floor – as she gears up for the summer elite season.
Outside of Carey in the all-around, the Beavers are best on floor, vault, and especially beam. Sydney Gonzales has helped carry the Beavers in their success on beam, where she earned an All-Pac-12 honorable mention on the event in 2023. Their beam lineup gets a boost from freshman Sophia Esposito, who was named to the Pac-12 newcomer watch list.
While the Beavers’ strengths lie on the aforementioned three events, they’ve worked on shoring up their bars lineup this offseason by adding transfer Sage Thompson and freshman Taylor DeVries. Thompson was a regular part of Utah’s bars lineup and DeVries has placed top-10 on bars at Level 10 nationals.
If the Beavers hit their goals, they can work their way into the top 10 easily. Their season begins at the Mean Girls Super 16 meet against BYU, Southern Utah, and Minnesota on January 6.
- Key Contributors: Jade Carey, Sydney Gonzales, Ellie Weaver, Savannah Miller
- Key Newcomers: Sage Thompson (Utah transfer), Taylor DeVries, Sophia Esposito, Olivia Buckner, Mia Heather
- Key Losses: Madi Dagen, Kayla Bird, Jenna Domingo
- Potential X-Factors: Francesca Caso, Natalie Briones
- Key Matchups: Oregon State at Utah on February 2
Arizona State
The Sun Devils come into the 2024 season ranked No. 19 following a regional finals appearance last year. Arizona State is ranked fifth in the Pac-12 but showed it can compete with the best in the conference after upsets over Utah and Oregon State in 2023.
The Sun Devils are stoked to be getting Hannah Scharf back this season, who will be competing as a graduate student. Scharf was the lone Arizona State gymnast to advance to the NCAA Championships, where she competed in the all-around. She was named to the Pac-12 preseason watch list, along with senior Jada Mangahas.
Outside of Scharf, Emily White is a gymnast to keep an eye on since she was the star of the Sun Devils’ preseason Maroon and Gold exhibition meet. White won the all-around and ended the night with a spectacular 9.950 beam routine.
One of the biggest improvements Arizona State has seen this preseason is on vault, where they now have five 10.0 start value vaults including from Anaya Smith, Gracie Reeves, and freshman Halle Gregoire.
The Sun Devils overall look poised to take positive next steps as a team after their Maroon and Gold meet. This includes trying to enter the top half of the Pac-12, which they can do if they continue to upset some of the best teams like they did in 2023.
- Key Contributors: Hannah Scharf, Jada Mangahas, Emily White, Sarah Clark
- Key Newcomers: Halle Gregoire, Lilia Purler
- Key Losses: Isabel Redmond, Juliette Boyer (transferred to Utah State), Jordyn Jaslow
- Potential X-Factors: Anaya Smith, Gracie Reeves, Alex Theodorou
- Key Matchups: Arizona State at Utah on January 26
Stanford
The Cardinal come into this season ranked No. 20 overall and sixth in the Pac-12 after failing to make the NCAA Regional Finals a year ago. Ahead of the 2024 season, Stanford is looking to return to regionals and challenge their top Pac-12 rivals.
These goals will be made easier thanks to the return of fifth-year Chloe Widner, who comes into the season on the Pac-12 preseason watch list. Outside of Widner, the Cardinal can rely on junior Brenna Neault, who was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention in the all-around as a sophomore.
The Cardinal is optimistic it will climb the rankings this season thanks in part to its strong freshman class, which includes five-star Sydney Razeghi and four-stars Sienna Robinson and Victoria Cluck. Razeghi is expected to shine on bars, while Robinson looked great on beam and floor at Stanford’s preseason Cardinal and White exhibition meet.
On top of their freshmen, Anna Roberts and Taralyn Nguyen should become even more seasoned in their sophomore years. Roberts and Nguyen are best on vault and floor, which is crucial for Stanford after they ranked more than ten spots better on bars and beam than they did on floor and vault last season.
- Key Contributors: Chloe Widner, Ira Alexeeva, Brenna Neault, Anna Roberts
- Key Newcomers: Sydney Razeghi, Sienna Robinson, Victoria Cluck, Temple Landry
- Key Losses: Jade Chrobok, Madi Brunette
- Potential X-Factors: Taralyn Nguyen
- Key Matchups: Stanford at Oregon State on February 17
Washington
The Huskies enter Jen Llewellyn’s third year as head coach. In her second season, Washington advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals but failed to qualify for the semifinals. Ranked No. 21 in the WCGA poll and No. 7 in the Pac-12, the Huskies aren’t likely to challenge for the conference title but can shoot for a top 20 finish.
Washington is still building its program under Llewellyn, and after fielding one of the Pac-12’s largest recruiting classes, it seems to be doing just that. The class features five freshmen, including five-star recruit Kristin Lin, four-stars Mary McDonough, Kira Bolden, and McKenna Carnesi, and Chelsea Hallinan.
Though these freshmen will be tasked with helping Washington rise over the next few years, the Huskies are still led by upperclassmen Skylar Killough-Wilhelm and Lana Navarro. Both Killough-Wilhelm and Navarro were named to the Pac-12 preseason watch list.
Washington’s primary goal for the season should be to win more conference matchups in 2024. The Gym Dawgs went 7-12 overall last year, but 0-7 versus Pac-12 opponents. Matchups against Stanford and Arizona should give the Huskies their best shot at getting some Pac-12 wins.
- Key Contributors: Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Lana Navarro, Emily Innes
- Key Newcomers: Kristin Lin, Mary McDonough, Kira Bolden, McKenna Carnesi, Chelsea Hallinan, Emily Pires (UC Davis transfer)
- Key Losses: Brenna Brooks, Amara Cunningham, Kennedi Davis, Hadley Roberts, Ellie Bagley, Morgan Bowles
- Potential X-Factors: Thu Nguyen, Taylor Russon
- Key Matchups: Washington at Stanford on February 5
Arizona
Arizona begins this season ranked No. 22 overall and No. 8 in the Pac-12. After advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Wildcats are looking to build off their 2023 performance in a bid to return to regionals. An added bonus would be improving their 1-6 conference record from 2023. The Wildcats seem to be confident head coach John Court can make these improvements after extending his contract through 2026.
Arizona has a top-20 recruiting class, adding to the hype around the GymCats in 2024. The class is headlined by four-star Abigayle Martin, who was named to the Pac-12 preseason watch list and is a former Level 10 national beam champion.
Malia Hargrove returns for a fifth-year after finishing No. 23 in the nation on vault during the 2023 regular season.
Look out for the continued rise of Alysen Fears and Jessica Castles. Castles was named the most improved gymnast for the Wildcats at the end of 2023, while Fears was named Arizona’s Specialist of the Year for her work on beam and bars.
The Wildcats open their season at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad on January 12. Look for matches later in the season against Washington and rival Arizona State to prove if Arizona is ready for Sweet 16 action.
- Key Contributors: Alysen Fears, Jessica Castles, Malia Hargrove
- Key Newcomers: Sophie Derr, Ainsley Greever, Sophia Maisel, Haley Havenor, Tirzah Wise
- Key Losses: Sirena Linton (transferred to Arkansas), Libby Orman, Danielle Nosek, Mackenzie Barile, Zaza Brovedani
- Potential X-Factors: Caroline Herry, Elena Deets
- Key Matchups: Arizona State at Arizona on February 15
