Beyond the Yurchenko: Region 5’s Unique Vaults

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yurchenko family has become a staple of women's gymnastics, but Region 5 is home to plenty of gymnasts who are taking a different route to the vault table. From front-entry vaults to unique variations that bring a different look to the event, these athletes are showing that there's more than one way to stand out on vault. Beyond the Yurchenko highlights some of Region 5's most unique vaults and the gymnasts putting their own stamp on the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["62159"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527306df2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rather than following the typical Yurchenko-entry route, Abby Griffen brings a different look to vault with her front handspring-front pike ½. The 10.0-start-value vault is a standout in her arsenal, combining great height off the table with a clean, definitive pike position before opening into an easy landing. Griffen's unique vault could be a valuable addition to her NCAA repertoire next season. She posted a season-high 9.6 at State last season, earning the state championship title on the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["5067"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527306e95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anna Reed brings plenty of power to her front handspring-front tuck, generating impressive height and momentum off the table. But she may not be stopping there. Reed has been training a front handspring-front pike 1/2, and the upgrade is already showing promising height. Her ability to add difficulty while maintaining the power that makes her current vault effective could make her one to watch heading into next season. Reed posted a season-high 9.425 at Regionals last season, earning the bronze medal on the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4365"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527306f15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ayla Savalle is bringing a different look to the vault runway with her Tsuk tuck full. The unique entry and twisting combination give her a vault that stands out from the typical Yurchenko lineup, and her progress in training is looking promising heading into the upcoming season. If she can carry that development into competition, Savalle's Tsuk tuck full could be an exciting addition to Region 5's vault landscape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4785"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527306f98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayden Blue is taking a unique approach to vault with her ¼-on, ¼-off front tuck. The 10.0-start-value vault showcases impressive height and distance off the table, along with clear, definitive twists throughout the skill. The upgrade is already looking promising in training, and if Blue brings it to competition this season, it could give her vault lineup a significant boost heading into her junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4131"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527307019"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caitlin Crotteau brings plenty of power to her front handspring-front tuck, using a big block off the table to generate impressive height and distance before hitting a tight tuck in her flip. She posted a season-high 9.6 last season and earned silver at State with a 9.45 on the event. Crotteau has been training a front handspring-front pike ½ to elevate her start value to 10.0. The upgrade stands out for its rise off the table and quick twist, and it's looking promising heading into next season. With that added difficulty in her arsenal, Crotteau's senior season could be an exciting one to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4768"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa8527307096"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aubree Bentley brings a unique look to vault with her layout Tsuk, which showcased tight, clean lines throughout her body position. She placed fifth on the event at State last season with a 9.25, and she could have some exciting additions to her arsenal this season. Bentley has been training a front handspring-front tuck that looks competition-ready, along with an impressively high front handspring-front pike 1/2 into foam. If she brings either upgrade to competition, it could add another dimension to her vault lineup and make her a gymnast to watch heading into the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["40065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa852730710b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diverging from the typical Yurchenko lineup, Caroline McMurtrie brings a front-entry look to vault with her front handspring-front tuck. She generates impressive distance from the table, giving the vault plenty of amplitude before completing a controlled tuck. McMurtrie posted a season-high 9.25 at State last season, placing fifth on the event. She's been training a front handspring-front tuck ½, an upgrade that would raise her start value to 9.9. With the added difficulty on the horizon, McMurtrie is looking impressive heading into her sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->