re: Remove

Zoe Miller officially announced on her Instagram story that she is deferring this year for a chance to qualify for the Olympics! I knew it was rumored but now it's official.

Very clean! I wonder if she will go up first on bars this season?

They need to work with AJ on the dismount not landing so low. That’s where she is getting hit mostly

But with the addition of Coen, Drayton, Konnor and Schoenherr there is no reason why there shouldn’t be significant improvements on bars

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How many freshman would you expect to compete? I really like Elena but I can see her being one of the odd man outs along with Kai. Unless Jay sticks with the senior loyalty he has a tendency to do.

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I think all freshman with the exception of Leah Miller could compete. She didn’t compete much the last year so she might be injured. Kylie possibly only bars but hopefully more. She’s pretty steady on beam. Not sure how her health is floor wise (or as others have said, on any event really. She’s a mystery). Amari and Konnor should make multiple lineups. Brooke Simpson didn’t have the best L10 nationals but she’s very strong on floor so I hope she’s not overlooked. I really wish they switch people out this year to keep everyone healthy and give more athletes a chance to develop.

Don’t even know what to expect for Kai but as for Elena...I haven’t seen her on anyone’s prospective lineups for any event and I get that but she’ll compete a bunch anyway.

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I just hope it’s not a repeat of 2 years ago with those super seniors. I love alyona and Elena but they should be in maybe 1 lineup come post season. Maybe being the key. Alyona shouldn’t touch the bars but I don’t mind her on beam or floor. Elena maybe vault or beam.

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Its going to be harsh reality to accept but there are routines that have been in lineups over the last couple years which shouldn't be in post season this coming year as we have better quality talent, upgrades in certain spots.

That said, the depth is quite enormous with over 20 gymnasts and most have very quality level routines. They need to use this depth appropriately. Minus the Florida meet just because its so big, Aleah, Kiya and Haleigh all shouldn't be doing AA every single week. Pick one of them where they will have an off week doing 2 or so events and coordinate using your depth to relieve them at different times. Now come post season obviously, its full guns out and your best shot forward but for the regular season we really need to to use our depth to develop our youth, as well as giving your top gymnasts rests to stay fresh and reduce risk of injury.


I dont anticipate Alyona being on bars in post season this year but I could see her being used during the regular season depth wise. But we have some outstanding young talents between Konnor, Coen, Drayton, Bryce, Cowan. Much of the reps IMO need to go towards developing them as they are the future the next two-three years


25 recruiting is about to start heating up

Had some time on my hands so I made a depth chart for this upcoming season. Insane how competitive each lineup will be! Assuming everyone is healthy and rested, I highlighted the ones I predict will be in the postseason lineup (tough this early on). Any corrections or opinions?

Hoping KJ can contribute on vault or beam as well. You know the potential is there on vault with the power she has.

Definitely. Maybe this is the year for Jay to push out riskier routines/elements early on in the season. Even if he needs to put KJ at the end of the lineup. He could have her go for the harder vault if everyone in front hit or play it safe with the full if someone had a fall.

I kind of want to start a series breaking down each event

Vault:

This event has been a staple for LSU over the years and LSU finished the season ranked #3 nationally on this event even with the loss of Kiya and KJ late in the season. With that we saw the emergence of Chase Brock's 1.5 vault and saw lots of potential in Bryce Wilson. Historically though at nationals, the full's on vault are much more difficult to score 9.9s but LSU has the talent and depth to roll out SIX 10.0 vaults this season to maximize potential score on this event like OU and Michigan have done in recent years.

Returning Vaults:
Bryant- 10.0 Vault (Front Pike Half)
Kiya- 10.0 Vault (DTY)
Alyona- 10.0 Vault (1.5)
Brock- 10.0 Vault (1.5)
Tatum- 10.0 Vault (1.5)
Finnegan- 10.0 Vault (Omelianchik Vault)
KJ Johnson- 9.95 Vault (Full with potential to upgrade to 10.0 with double)
Arenas- 9.95 Vault (Full)
Bryce Wilson- 9.95 Vault (Full)
Cammy- 10.0 Vault (1.5)
Cowan- 9.95 Vault (Full and Training 1.5 Vault)


Transfers:
Schoenherr- 10.0 Vault (1.5)
Hoffman- 10.0 Vault (1.5)


Incoming Freshmen (scholarship):
Amari Drayton- Working on full and 1.5
Kylie Coen- Working on full and 1.5
Konnor McClain- DTY in elite with potential to do 1.5 vault or full in college


Current 10.0 Vaults: NINE with the potential of adding even more between the freshmen and KJ doing a double

I personally think Bryant, Kiya, and Aleah (ranked #30 nationally on vault) are locks. Those last three spots will be interesting. Brock really showed out last year so I'm curious if she builds more consistency on this vault this upcoming season. Cammy and the transfers have very nice 1.5 vaults when they hit but the question will be how they progress coming off their injuries? I know with this depth the freshmen aren't expected to be heavy contributors but can one of them emerge and provide a strong 10.0 vault year one? Arenas and KJ are some of the best full's in NCAA but will that be enough to maintain spots in the post season lineups next season? I want as many 10.0 vaults as possible but you also have to weigh in consistency factors and how they score throughout the season. Risk vs reward remains the question for specific vaults...

Out of all lineups I think vault is one of the more difficult ones to predict. I think its up in the air and comes down to who can be the most consistent and perform in the moment. Every single gymnast I mentioned above has scored a 9.9 or higher at some point so the routines are there and there is flexibility. I think you are looking at six 10.0 vaults or worst case five 10.0 vaults w/ a full (provided its consistently excellent)


Here are the NQS rankings of LSU vaulters from last season:
- Haleigh Bryant #1 (NQS 9.980/Average of 9.950)
- Aleah Finnegan #30 (NQS 9.900/Average of 9.857)
-Chase Brock #30 (NQS 9.900/ Average of 9.798)
-Elena Arenas #56 (NQS 9.880/Average of 9.844)
-Alyona Shchennikova #75 (NSQ 9.870/ Average of 9.754)
-KJ Johnson #95 (NQS 9.860/ Average of 9.853)

Of note, Bryce Wilson and Kiya did not perform enough to garner a NQS score. Wilson scored a high of 9.925 at SEC's and Kiya has been a AA on vault.