2024 SEC Women’s Gymnastics Preview: Florida, LSU go to battle; Georgia on the rise?

The 2024 SEC Women’s Gymnastics season is here, and the eight teams in the conference are expected to turn heads this year, with present powerhouses continuing their reigns, old guards renewed, and budding programs rising the ranks.

The 2024 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason poll had all eight SEC teams ranked in the top 20. Florida, the reigning SEC champion and back-to-back NCAA runner-up, leads the conference at No. 2, behind reigning back-to-back champion Oklahoma. LSU comes in at No. 3 – only six points behind the Gators. Alabama took eighth place with Kentucky in ninth. Missouri (No. 12), Arkansas (No. 15), Georgia (No. 16), and Auburn (No. 17) rounded out the SEC, with each earning 900+ points. 

With the SEC expanding to include Oklahoma next season, Florida has one last shot to end the Sooners’ reign at the 2024 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships before they become a member of the conference. The last eight-team SEC Championship will take place March 23 in New Orleans.

Read on for a breakdown of each SEC team heading into this competition season. 

Alabama

Ranked in the top 10 of the WCGA preseason poll and finishing second at last year’s conference championship, the Tide are on a mission as they open their season on January 6 in Las Vegas at the Mean Girls Super 16 meet.

Alabama debuted its 2024 squad at the Crimson and White preview meet on December 8 and fans got a look at the Tide’s top-five recruiting class. No. 1 recruit Jamison Sears and five-star recruit Chloe LaCoursiere premiered their flawless technique. Super-senior Luisa Blanco is back with her explosive energy after qualifying to this summer’s Paris Olympic Games in the offseason, and all-around competitors Shania Adams and Gabby Gladieux showed composure and grace on all events. Fans will get to see how Alabama stacks up against the No. 5 UCLA Bruins, the No. 7 Cal Bears, and the No. 17 Auburn Tigers this weekend.

• Key Contributors: Shania Adams, Gabby Gladieux, Luisa Blanco, Corinne Bunagan, Lilly Hudson, Cameron Machado, Rachel Rybicki 
• Key Newcomers: Jamison Sears, Chloe LaCoursiere, Gabby Ladanyi, Natalia Pawlak (Pitt transfer)
• Big Matchups: Alabama at Florida on January 26; Alabama at LSU on March 1

Arkansas

In their fifth season under head coach and Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber, the Razorbacks are looking to continue rising within the SEC after being ranked ahead of Georgia and Auburn in the WCGA preseason poll. The Razorbacks hosted their Gymback preview on December 17 and presented their star lineup of returners for this season with Frankie Price, Cami Weaver, and Lauren Williams leading the way. Sirena Linton, a second team All-American on beam from Arizona, has transferred to Arkansas as a graduate student and should prove to be a valuable asset this season. Arkansas’s four freshman – Chandler Buntin, Dakota Essenpries, Hailey Klein, and Priscilla Park are predicted to excel on all events under Wieber and Co.’s direction. The Razorbacks will put their talent on display in their first test as they look to beat Georgia for the second year in a row on January 12. 

• Key Newcomers: Sirena Linton (Arizona transfer), Hailey Klein, Dakota Essenpries
• Key Contributors: Frankie Price, Cami Weaver, Lauren Williams
• Big Matchups: Georgia at Arkansas on January 12; Arkansas at Missouri on March 3

Auburn

The 2024 season will be vital for Auburn as the program looks to fill major lineup holes that all-arounder Suni Lee left at the end of last season. The reigning Olympic all-around champion decided to leave the Tigers after two seasons to pursue a second berth to the Games.

Also missing from Auburn’s roster is Derrian Gobourne, who became a fan favorite while competing for the Tigers and won an individual national title on vault in 2019. Luckily for Auburn, graduate students Cassie Stevens and Aria Brusch return. Stevens and several other experienced returners put up big routines at Auburn’s preview meet on December 16. Five-star freshman Julianne Huff excelled in the all-around for the Tigers. The gymnastics world will see what the Tigers are made of as a combination of newcomers and seasoned veterans take on No. 5 UCLA, No. 7 Cal, and the No. 8 on January 6 in Las Vegas at the Mean Girls Super 16 meet.

• Key Newcomers: Julianne Huff, Bryn Bartman, Paige Zancan
• Key Contributors: Cassie Stevens, Aria Brusch, Gabby McLaughlin, Olivia Hollingsworth, Sophia Groth
• Big Matchups: Auburn at Arkansas on January 26; Auburn at Georgia on March 1

Florida

Florida is looking to take that final step this season after narrowly losing to Oklahoma in the NCAA finals the past two years. As the defending SEC champions, the Gators will have a bullseye on their backs, and LSU is breathing down their necks after numerous offseason moves – including snagging former Gator standout Savannah Schoenherr in her fifth year.

One gymnast that Florida fans are sure to miss is perfect 10 record holder Trinity Thomas, who has transitioned to the coaching staff after graduating while continuing to train elite. Kayla DiCello, who scored a perfect 10 on bars in her freshman season last year, is taking a gap year to train for the Olympics. Another major loss, this time from injury, is world medalist and All-American Riley McCusker, who was a key contributor on bars and beam but is out for the season. While they all leave big shoes to fill, the Gators should have the depth to continue to contend.

Leanne Wong is back and ready to fight for an NCAA title while simultaneously training for this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. A major bonus: Ellie Lazzari and 2017 world all-around champion Morgan Hurd seem healthy. With incoming freshmen Danie Ferris, Anya Pilgrim, and Alyssa Arana, the Gators have a talent-stacked roster that could be ready to end Oklahoma’s reign. We will get a gauge on Florida’s strength at their home opener against Fisk, George Washington, and Talladega on January 12.

• Key Newcomers: Danie Ferris, Anya Pilgrim, Alyssa Arana, Skylar Draser, Kaylee Bluffstone
• Key Contributors: Leanne Wong, Sloane Blakely, Victoria Nguyen, Ellie Lazzari, Morgan Hurd
• Big Matchups: Alabama at Florida on January 26; LSU at Florida on February 23

Georgia

After a few challenging seasons, head coach Courtney Kupets Carter is in need of a winning boost in 2024. With several key gymnasts graduating last season, Georgia has nearly a dozen routine spots to fill, but after signing the top-ranked recruiting class the Bulldogs shouldn’t replace those routines and then some. Leading the way is No. 3 recruit Lily Smith, followed by another top 10 recruit: Holly Snyder. At Georgia’s annual First Look meet on December 9, the Bulldogs posted strong routines from JaFree Scott (a perfect 10 on bars), Haley de Jong, Jaydah Battle, and Amanda Cashman. The Bulldogs finished last the 2023 SEC Championship after failing to surpass the 197 mark. This season, it’s all about consistent, clean routines and rising to their potential. The Bulldogs open their season at home against NC State on January 6.

• Key Newcomers: Lily Smith, Holly Snyder, Jaydah Battle, Ady Wahl, Heather Parker
• Key Contributors: Haley de Jong, JaFree Scott, Amanda Cashman, Vanessa Deniz, Naya Howard
• Big Matchups: Georgia at Arkansas on January 12; Auburn at Georgia on March 1

Kentucky

2023 was the most accomplished season in program history for the Wildcats, ending with their highest ranking ever after finishing No. 6 in the semifinals. With the return of head coach Tim Garrison and superstar Raena Worley, the Wildcats are holding on to hopes for another record-topping season. The Wildcats had to work hard to rebuild their roster for 2024, but their large recruiting class features multiple decorated gymnasts, including five-star recruit Delaynee Rodriguez and four-star Cadence Gormley. These two incoming freshman will be counted on to boost the team’s bars and beam totals. Kentucky begins its 50th season on the road in Las Vegas at the Mean Girls Super 16 meet on January 5 against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 6 Michigan, and No. 11 Michigan State. 

• Key Newcomers: Delaynee Rodriguez, Cadence Gormley, Cecily Rizo, Creslyn Brose
• Key Contributors: Raena Worley, Isabella Magnelli, Hailey Davis, Arianna Patterson
• Big Matchups: Kentucky at Alabama on February 2; Missouri vs. Kentucky on February 9

LSU

If there was ever a season for LSU to win a national title, it would be this one. The Tigers showed an outstanding lineup at their annual Gym 101 showcase. Veteran duo Cammy Hall and Kiya Johnson made a strong return after suffering season-ending injuries in 2023, and senior Haleigh Bryant and junior Aleah Finnegan are back again as strong all-around contenders. Utah transfers Savannah Schoenherr and Jillian Hoffman and freshmen Konnor McClain, Amari Drayton, and Kylie Coen shined in their first routines wearing purple and gold. Since the core of the 2023 roster returned and the incoming recruiting class has come in healthy, the No. 3 Tigers will debut a loaded lineup on January 5 against No. 14 Ohio State.

• Key Newcomers: Savannah Schoenherr, Jillian Hoffman, Konnor McClain, Amari Drayton, Kylie Coen
• Key Contributors: Haleigh Bryant, Aleah Finnegan, Olivia Dunne, Cammy Hall, Kiya Johnson, Chase Brock
• Big Matchups: LSU at Florida on February 23; Alabama vs. LSU on March 1

Missouri

Ranked No. 12 in the WCGA preseason poll and finishing in sixth place at the 2023 SEC Championship, the Tigers will have to fight hard to stay afloat in the SEC this year after losing key gymnasts Helen Hu Hannah McCrary, and Alisa Sheremeta. The Tigers will rely on returners Sienna Schreiber, Jocelyn Moore, and Amari Celestine. Missouri hosted its annual Black & Gold exhibition on December 10 where freshmen newcomers Hannah Horton, four-star recruit Rayna Light, and LIU transfer Mara Titarsolej posted big scores for the Tigers on several events. We will get a full look at the Tigers’ talent in their first meet on January 6 against Lindenwood, SEMO, and Northern Illinois. 

• Key Newcomers: Hannah Horton, Mara Titarsolej, Rayna Light
• Key Contributors: Sienna Schreiber, Jocelyn Moore, Amari Celestine, Grace Anne Davis
• Big Matchups: Missouri at Alabama on January 12; Missouri at Kentucky on February 9