Rising Talent: Region 1 Level 9 Watchlist

Region 1 continues to be a strong pipeline of developing gymnastics talent, and this Level 9 class is already showing the potential to make an impact in the years ahead. At this stage of their careers, athletes are beginning to showcase the skills, consistency, and competitive presence that can separate them as they progress through the sport.   From standout routines to impressive skill development, these rising talents are catching attention with their continued growth and dedication in the gym. As they continue to refine their gymnastics and take on new challenges, these are athletes worth following as they move through the next stages of their journey.    Olivia Verdugo is an exciting rising talent coming off an impressive Level 9 season, where she competed at Westerns and proved herself among the top athletes in her class. This summer, Verdugo has continued to build her difficulty across all four events, training a Yurchenko full on vault, full-in and double pike on floor, and several high-level upgrades on bars including a bail to handstand, Gienger, double pike dismount, and double layout dismount. On beam, she is developing an aerial and back handspring-back handspring-layout stepout series.   As an incoming freshman, Verdugo has both the time and potential to continue developing into a standout athlete. With her strong competitive foundation and impressive skill progression, she is a gymnast to watch as she continues her journey through the sport.     Antonella Consolida is a powerful and consistent all-around athlete coming off an impressive Level 9 season, where she earned a 5th place finish in her age division at Westerns. Consolida brings a strong competitive presence to every event, combining athleticism, confidence, and the ability to deliver under pressure.   This summer, she has continued to elevate her routines with exciting upgrades, including a back handspring to layout stepout and roundoff to 1½ dismount on beam, along with a 1½ to front layout and double layout on floor. With her strength, consistency, and continued progression, Consolida is a rising talent to watch as she continues to develop and take on the next level of competition.     Wyli Brady is a graceful and confident all-around competitor who particularly stands out on beam, where she combines artistry, precision, and an impressive ability to attack difficult skills. Her presence on the event allows her to showcase both elegance and power, making her a standout performer while continuing to develop across all four events.   As Brady transitions into Level 10, she is building an exciting skill set with upgrades including a Yurchenko ½ on, front tuck off vault, piked Jaeger, and toe-on to pike front dismount on bars. With her combination of athleticism, composure, and continued growth, Brady is poised to make an impact as she enters her freshman season and continues to elevate her gymnastics.     Kennedy Harris had a strong Level 9 season last year, particularly standing out on vault with her power and athleticism on the event. As she continues to develop as an all-around competitor, Harris has used this summer to build difficulty and expand her routines across all four events.   Her current upgrades include a back handspring to back tuck, aerial to full dismount, and aerial to back handspring on beam, along with a double tuck on floor. On bars, she is training a double tuck dismount and bail to handstand, while continuing to develop her vault with a Yurchenko layout. Entering her sophomore year, Harris is on a positive trajectory, and her continued growth and skill development make her an exciting prospect to follow as she progresses through Level 10.     Raegan Kriwinski is a powerful gymnast who stands out for her strength and explosiveness, particularly on vault. Her athleticism and ability to generate power make her an exciting athlete to watch as she continues to develop as an all-around competitor.   This summer, Kriwinski has continued to build her difficulty with upgrades including a front full to front pike connection and double tuck on floor, along with a Gienger release on bars. As she enters her sophomore year, Kriwinski is positioned to make a strong impact and could be one of the athletes who takes a significant step forward this season.     Kelynn Aquino is a powerful and dynamic athlete coming off an impressive Level 9 season, showcasing both her athletic ability and exceptional showmanship well beyond her years. She brings a confident presence to competition and has the tools to become a standout all-around competitor as she continues to develop.   Aquino's current and training repertoire features impressive skills across all four events, including a front aerial and back handspring to layout stepout on beam, 1½ twist, double tuck, and front layout to front pike on floor, a pike Tsuk on vault, and a toe-on to front tuck dismount on bars. As she continues to upgrade her routines and refine her skills, Aquino is an exciting athlete to watch as she enters her sophomore season and continues her progression through the sport.     Jewel Hernandez is a powerful and dynamic all-around competitor coming off a strong Level 9 season. She particularly stands out on vault and floor, where her strength and explosiveness allow her to showcase high-level difficulty, but her ability to contribute across all four events makes her an exciting athlete to follow.   Hernandez already has an impressive skill set, including a Yurchenko layout on vault, Pak salto and double tuck dismount on bars, front Rudi, front full to front pike, and double full on floor, along with a front aerial and roundoff to full dismount on beam. She continues to elevate her routines with upgrades like a Maloney to Pak connection and toe-on to front tuck dismount on bars, as well as double pike and double tuck on floor. Entering her freshman season, Hernandez has the power, versatility, and continued growth to make an immediate impact as she transitions to the next level.    The future of gymnastics continues to look bright, and this group of Level 9 athletes represents the next wave of rising talent to watch. Each gymnast brings a unique combination of skill, athleticism, and potential, with many already showcasing the foundation needed to make an impact as they progress through the sport. From powerful vaults and explosive tumbling to refined artistry and consistency across all four events, these athletes are proving they have the tools to take the next step.   As they transition into higher levels of competition, continued growth, upgrades, and competitive experience will shape their journeys. Keep an eye on these rising talents as they continue to develop. The work happening now could be the foundation for future collegiate standouts.

Region 1 continues to be a strong pipeline of developing gymnastics talent, and this Level 9 class is already showing the potential to make an impact in the years ahead. At this stage of their careers, athletes are beginning to showcase the skills, consistency, and competitive presence that can separate them as they progress through the sport.