Five Gymnasts To Know: Sophomore Edition

These gymnasts are entering their Sophomore year of High School (Class of 2029). Their Freshmen debuts were impressive, and they are poised to have even bigger Sophomore seasons.    Tahirah is power an grace rolled into one! She consistently scores above 9.5 on beam, and placed 6th at Nationals with a 9.575. She was also the Region 8 champion on beam with a 9.725. Tahira's high scores come from the height on her back handspring layout stepout, full 180 degree split on her switch leap, switch half, and split jump half, a strong aerial cartwheel, and back handspring 1 1/2 twist dismount.   She is not just a standout on beam. Tahira has an amazing swing on bars, which she uses for a beautiful Jaeger and Pak salto. Her Yurchenko full has a great block which gives her height and distance. Floor brings a dynamic double tuck, back 1 1/2 to front layout and, and a Rudi.   Tahirah has a promising high school career ahead of her. She will be an exciting gymnasts to watch for the next few years as she refines her skills and competes at a high level.     Kendall is an exceptional all-around gymnast who demonstrates talent and consistency. She placed 5th AA at 2026 Region 3 Championships with a 37.65 and qualified for Nationals.   She had 2 top 10 finishes at Nationals, placing 8th on Bars and 10th on Floor. Her bar routine features a sky high straddle Jaeger, multiple hit handstands and a clean double layout dismount. Her floor routine is packed with powerful tumbling; she opens with a front double full, followed by a back 1 1/2 to punch front layout, and ending with a chest up double pike.   Kendall is just as impressive on Vault and Beam. Her Yurchenko full finishes above the table and she has been training doubles that could easily be put on competition landing. On beam, her switch leap and straddle half are both above 180 degrees and all of her acro skills are rock solid. She caps a strong routine with a round off double twist dismount.   This sophomore excels on every event, showcasing impressive strength, flexibility, and precision. Watch for her to do big things this season!     Jillian was a 1st year level 10 in 2026 and qualified for Nationals after a great performance at the Region 4 Championships. She placed first on bars with a 9.6. The highlight of the routine was her piked Jaeger, but her handstands, toe point, and form throughout are equally as impressive.   Jillian has a calm, composed presence that she brings to every event, but especially beam. Her form on her back handspring layout stepout is unmatched with full extension through her toes. This carries over to floor with graceful dance, clean twisting, and combination passes. Her composure doesn't overstep her power, though. Jillian performed a clean Yurchenko layout on vault during the season and has been training fulls this off season.   With 3 seasons of high school gymnastics left, Jillian will continue to improve and grow and is a gymnast you will definitely want to watch!     Lily had an impressive freshman year which finished with her as the National Champion on bars. Every handstand was hit in this routine and it was capped with a stuck full twisting double tuck dismount.   Lily was also the Region 2 Champion on beam. Her lines are stunning and precise all the way through her toe point. Her back handspring, back handspring, layout stepout is executed effortlessly and with precision. But, don't let her graceful gymnastics fool you. She also brings the power with her Yurchenko full on vault and a double tuck on floor.   Lily is an impressive athlete to watch on all four events and will continue to do big things during her sophomore season and beyond.     Brielle is a force on all 4 events. She consistently scores 9.6 or higher on Vault and finished 4th at Nationals with a 9.65 on an Yurchenko full. She bring her controlled power to floor with a massive front double full, back 1 1/2 to front pike, and a sky high double tuck to end the routine. She placed first at the Maryland State meet on the event with a much-deserved career high of 9.9.   Brielle is a beautiful beam worker with precise connections on her front aerial to back handspring, back handspring layout stepout, and pike front toss to split jump. She has confidence and compose on the beam which shows through every skill she performs. On bars, Brielle performs one of the highest pak saltos being done, and closes out her routine with a toe on front pike half.   Brielle's performance as a freshman was phenomenal and she will be an even more exciting sophomore to watch!

These gymnasts are entering their Sophomore year of High School (Class of 2029). Their Freshmen debuts were impressive, and they are poised to have even bigger Sophomore seasons.