With the ink finally dry on their NLI’s, the 2014 signing class can breathe a sigh of relief  as they anxiously await to begin their collegiate careers. We at Gymnastike, on the other hand, are holding our breath in anticipation of the NCAA season right around the corner.  By factoring in a number of variables such as skill level, experience, and potential impact, we’ve taken the time to carefully analyze this year’s fine crop of female flipping machines.  Here is Part 1 of our 2014 NCAA Signing Class Rankings. 
 

#6. Gone Too Soon-ers 
University of Oklahoma 

Signees: Nicole Lehrmann, Megan Thompson (walk-on)

Losses: Erica Brewer (AA), Rebecca Clark (BB|UB), Haley Sorensen

Coming in at the Number 6 spot, is the University of Oklahoma.

Megan Thompson will walk-on for the Sooners. A four-year level 10 gymnast from Independence, Mo, Thompson brings potential for the beam line-up with a routine packed with difficulty and unique choreography.

We expect former junior international elite Nicole Lehrmann to make an immediate impact in OU’s 2015-16 all-round lineup, but especially on bars. The 2013 J.O. Nationals Uneven Bars and All-Around champ from Austin, Texas will bring not only a beautiful bar set and consistency on all four events, but Lehrmann will also boost the team GPA as she intends to join the Honors College upon arrival in Norman.

Video by USAG

VERDICT: The 2014 NCAA Co-Champs will have two key losses during the 2015-16 season in the form of all-arounder Erica Brewer and beam and bar specialist Rebecca Clark. Although Oklahoma signed a decent class in Lehrmann and Thompson, it will not be enough to outweigh the loss of two major contributors. Brewer and Clark were just gone to Soon-ers.






#5.  Big Snow Shoes To Fill 
University of Utah

Signees: Mykayla Skinner, Shannon McNatt, Makenna Merrell, Erika Muhaw

Losses: Tory Wilson (AA), Georgia Dabritz (AA), Corrie Lothrop (AA), Becky Tutka (V|UB|FX)

With an impressive haul of talent, The University of Utah falls into the No. 5 spot.

A member of the gold medal winning Team USA at the 2014 World Championships in Nanning, China, Mykayla Skinner enters the NCAA as one of the top gymnasts in the entire world.  The two-year Senior National Team veteran hailing from Chandler, Ariz.  also has individual gold medals in the all-around, vault and floor from the 2014 Pan American Championships in Toronto. As we see it, the Utes have struck gold by Swoop-ing up Mykayla Skinner.

Video by USAG

Hometown hero and seasoned Level 10 veteran, Makenna Merrell is a three-time J.O. regional champion with two regional floor titles and one bar championship. Merrell has qualified for J.O. Championships the last three years, most recently placing in the top ten on bars, beam and in the all-around. Merrell has the potential to keep the Utes competitive and a high probability of stacking multiple event line-ups.

Tenacious competitor, Erika Muhaw was sidelined most of the 2014 season with a knee injury but battled back to finish second at Region 7 regionals and top-20 at J.O. Nationals in May.  The Boonton, N.J. native is also a two-time J.O. Regional floor champion and won the Region 7 Junior C all-around title in 2013. As long as she stays  healthy, Muhaw could be the tip of the iron that sharpens the Utes national championship mentality.

A Houston, Texas native, Shannon McNatt was the 2014 JO Nationals floor co-champion. The former international elite combines power and grace seamlessly and will undeniably enhance the Utes line-ups on both floor and beam, with the potential to contribute on all four.

VERDICT: The defending Pac-12 Champs and proud owner of every gymnastics attendance record will suffer a major blow with the loss of half of their event line-ups on every event in the form of Tory Wilson, Georgia Dabritz, Corrie Lothrop, and Becky Tutka. The newest Utes are an impressive crew and bring a great deal of experience and ability, but needless to say, they’ve got some big snow shoes to fill.
 

#4. Silent But Deadly
University of Alabama

Signees: Abby Armbrecht, Amanda Huang, Jenna Bresette, Avery Rickett

Losses: Kaitlyn Clark (AA), Hunter Dennis (AA), Lora Leigh Frost (AA), Kayla Williams (AA)

At first glance, the first recruiting class with Dana Duckworth at the helm of Bama Gymnastics appears uncharacteristic for a program with such a rich, not to mention winning, history. But, after a closer look, we found that that the 2015-16 additions will only further immortalize the Tide legacy. Coming in at No. 4 is The University of Alabama.

Former junior international elite and classically trained pianist, Amanda Huang, will bring a quiet strength to the Bama squad.  Hailing from Roswell, Ga., Huang is a reliable bar competitor performing with difficulty, clean lines, and consistency. She was the 2011 J.O. National Bar Champ and placed second at the 2014 J.O. Nationals. As the power events don’t appear to be her forte, Huang will most likely contribute on the events that demonstrate her lithe dexterity: uneven bars and balance beam.

Video by YouTube user TheLauraHuang

Mobile, Ala. native, and two-time J.O. National Team Member, Abby Armbrecht has flown low on the radar but come 2015, she will rise with the Tide. The 2014 Regional All-Around Champion will bring routines packed with difficulty and consistency on all four events to Alabama’s roster.

The 2014 Buckeye Classic balance beam champion, Avery Rickett is a two-year Level 10 veteran. The Tomball, Texas native will bring a great deal of heart and add a competitive edge to the Alabama roster.

Kansas City, Mo. native, Jenna Bresette is another former junior international elite the Tide add to their 2015-16 roster. Despite missing both the 2011 and 2014 seasons due to injury, Bresette has a promising collegiate career ahead of her. She can effortlessly perform a double-twisting Yurchenko on vault, and has tons of difficulty on beam and bars. On floor, Bresette can execute a double Arabian, a double layout and a piked full-in, among others. Jenna Bresette will make a substantial impact rolling with the Tide.

Video by YouTube user Jenna Bresette

VERDICT: The reigning SEC Champions will lose key contributors in Lora Leigh Frost and Kaitlyn Clark. Despite the fact that this class is coming in to Tuscaloosa off the injured reserve list, and the fact that Bama’s 2014 signing class doesn’t have the usual hype, we think the new additions will pack a powerful punch — silent but deadly.

 

Want to find out who we think inked the cream of the crop in 2014? Be sure to check back this Friday for our Top 3 Rankings of th 2014NCAA Signing Class!

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