2026 Illinois Judges Cup: Who Stood Out?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois Judges Cup offered an exciting first look at the talent and potential heading into the new season. With gymnasts taking the competition floor for their first performances of the year, it was an opportunity to see new skills, early-season progress, and athletes setting the tone for what's ahead. From promising routines to standout performances, these gymnasts gave us plenty of reasons to be excited for the season to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["62639"],"_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-6af653fad3745"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddie Doyle made an impressive statement at the Illinois Judges Cup, taking home first place with a 35.725 all-around score as she begins her sophomore season competing Level 9. She showed strength across all four events, highlighted by a 9.375 on vault and a 9.250 on bars. Her Yurchenko layout showcased a strong start to her competition, while her bars routine stood out for its smooth swing and well-connected bail. On floor, Doyle demonstrated power and control with a double tuck that she landed with ease, and on beam, she showcased her acrobatic ability with a back handspring-layout step-out series. Earning the top spot at the Cup is an exciting way to open her season, and her early performance suggests there's plenty more to come from Doyle this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["95200"],"_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-6af653fad37c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava Allegretti is already making her presence known as she begins her freshman season competing Level 9. Allegretti turned in an impressive performance at the Illinois Judges Cup, earning a second-place finish in the all-around and showing plenty of promise for the season ahead. Vault was a particular highlight, where she put together a standout performance and demonstrated the power and confidence needed to make an impact. As she settles into her first year of high school and continues building experience at Level 9, Allegretti is an exciting young gymnast to keep an eye on. Her runner-up finish is an encouraging start to what could be a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["100020"],"_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-6af653fad3834"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore Level 9 gymnast Brooklyn Doyle gave an exciting glimpse of what she has in store for the season at the Illinois Judges Cup. Although she competed on vault, beam, and floor, Doyle made the most of her time on the competition floor, showcasing both her athletic ability and personality. Her floor routine is especially fun to watch, bringing plenty of energy and expression while featuring an impressive 1.5-to-front-pike combination. On beam, she demonstrated confidence in her acrobatic series with a back handspring-layout step-out, highlighting her strength and skill on the event. With her combination of dynamic tumbling, expressive performance, and growing experience as a Level 9, Doyle is one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["100021"],"_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-6af653fad38c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Class of 2031 gymnast Nina Campbell is already showing she belongs among the athletes to watch, earning a first-place finish at the Illinois Judges Cup while competing Level 10. Campbell delivered a solid performance across all four events, highlighted by an impressive 9.325 on vault to lead the way. She continued to put together a competitive meet on bars and beam, scoring an 8.600 and 8.650, respectively, before finishing on floor with an 8.075. What stands out about Campbell is her ability to compete across all four events and put together a strong overall performance at such a young age. With a Level 10 career already underway and plenty of room to continue developing, Campbell is an exciting name to follow. Her first-place finish is an encouraging early-season statement, and we're looking forward to seeing how she builds on this momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["4769"],"_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-6af653fad392f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior Audrey Hill gave us an exciting preview of what she brings to the Level 10 competition floor at the Illinois Judges Cup. Showcasing her power and dynamic tumbling, Hill made an impression on both vault and floor, earning an 8.850 and 8.900, respectively. Her floor routine was a particular highlight, featuring an impressive front double full along with a 1.5-to-layout pass that demonstrated her explosive power and tumbling ability. As she enters her junior season, Hill has plenty of room to continue building on her strengths and refining her routines. This early-season performance gives us a reason to be excited about what's ahead, and we can't wait to see how she develops throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->