Utah State gymnastics 2020 preview

The Utah State Aggies women’s gymnastics team is looking to have a successful 2020 season and third-year head coach Amy Smith believes the team can. “We are so excited about the 2020 season, “our preseason was very promising,” she said. 

Smith commented on the talent the team has, as well as the incoming staff. “We have 10 new freshmen, which is incredibly exciting. We are very excited for some new leaders to step up, and this team has really been finding their voice. I’m excited about the new coaching staff and support staff, and am thrilled to see what this team is going to do this year.” 

Much of the team’s ability to improve on last year will be contingent on the team’s ability to stay healthy. Last season, the Aggies were affected by injuries that hurt the team and it was reflected in their 5-13 record. This season, the Aggies already lost junior Logan Varnadore to injury, but they hope it will stop there. 

This year’s Aggies will be looking to maximize their influx of new, young talent –20 of the Gymnasts on Utah State’s roster are incoming freshmen- and the impact of the team’s veterans. 

Seniors:

Brittany Jeppesen and Elle Golison are the Aggies’ only seniors and provide experience for the young team. Jeppesen -who competes in the uneven bars and balance beam- is a two-time All-Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference honoree. Though she saw success in her 2019 season, she suffered a season-ending injury that cut her year short. This year, she is looking to bounce back heading into the new season. 

Golison -who competes in the vault, balance beam, and floor exercises- will be looking to provide a solid 2020 season as well.

Juniors:

The Aggies have six returning juniors: Annie Beck, Autumn Deharde, Taylor Dittmar, Mikaela Meyer, Leighton Varnadore and Logan Varnadore. Beck competes in the uneven bars and balance beam, Deharde competes in the vault, balance beam and floor exercises. Dittmar competes in the balance beam and floor exercises. 

Myer competes in the vault, uneven bars, and floor exercises. Leighton Varnadore competes in all events. Logan Varnadore -twin of Leighton Varnadore- competes in the uneven bars, but suffered a season-ending injury in the first week of practice.

Sophomores:

The Aggies are returning two sophomores: Grace Rojas and Carley Bayles. Rojas competes in the vault, uneven bars, and balance beam while Bayles competes in the uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercises.

Freshman:

The Aggies have brought in the 10 freshman -half of the total roster-

Lexi Aragon,  Emma Cobabe, Maia Fishwick, Morgan Gill, Jessica Gutierrez, Hadley Hamar, Tori Loomis, Sofi Sullivan, Ariel Toomey, and Rebecca Wells. Aragon will compete in the uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercises. Cobabe will compete in the vault, uneven bars, and balance beam. Fishwick will compete in all events. 

Gill will compete in the vault and floor exercises. Jessica Gutierrez will compete in all events. Hadley Hamar will compete in the vault, balance beam, and floor exercises. Loomis will compete in all events. 

Sullivan will compete in all events. Ariel Toomey will compete in all events and Wells will compete in all events. 

With their veteran experience and influx of young talent, the Aggies are confident that they can have a successful season and hope to be able to make it to the postseason.