On the Rise: Names You'll Want to Know This Season

Every season brings athletes ready to make their mark, and some deserve a closer look before the spotlight finds them. From standout event specialists to consistent competitors and gymnasts poised for a breakthrough, these are the names worth keeping on your radar.    Giana Leofanti is heading into her junior season with an exciting combination of difficulty, precision, and artistry that makes her a name to watch. With visits to Brown and Illinois already under her belt, she's gaining valuable exposure as she continues to develop her gymnastics and look ahead to the next level. Leofanti brings a distinct polish to every event, with exact placement and an attention to detail that gives her routines an NCAA-level feel. On vault, a Yurchenko 1.5 could add another level of difficulty, while bars offers plenty to watch with a Gienger, Pak, and double layout dismount. Beam is where her precision and artistry can really shine, with a front aerial to scale, back handspring to layout step-out, cat leap to aerial, and switch half to split jump, creating a routine full of variety and connection potential. On floor, a double tuck, front layout to Rudi, and double pike give her multiple opportunities to showcase her power and control. With her junior season ahead and a strong foundation of execution and presentation, Leofanti is a gymnast to keep on your radar this year.     Jillian Hunefeld is carrying the momentum of an impressive summer of training into her sophomore season, and she looks poised to make strides across all four events. With several exciting skills in development, Hunefeld has the potential to bring added difficulty and variety to her routines this year. On vault, a Yurchenko tuck full could give her a strong opportunity to make an impact, while bars is packed with skills to watch, including a blind change to Jaeger, Pak, and a full pirouette to double tuck dismount. Beam could be another highlight, with a side somi, aerial to sissone, back handspring to layout step-out, and cartwheel to Gainer double full dismount showcasing an exciting mix of tumbling and dismount difficulty. On floor, a double tuck, Rudi to stag jump, and 2.5 twist offer plenty of tumbling power and dynamic possibilities. After putting together a productive summer, Hunefeld looks ready to build on her foundation and bring new elements to the competition floor. With her sophomore season ahead, we're excited to see how her hard work translates into competition.     Claire Bazan is coming off an impressive first season at Level 10, highlighted by a 37.25 all-around season high that showed just how much potential she brings to the competition floor. With that experience behind her, there are several exciting skills we're hoping to see from Bazan this season as she continues to build on her success. Bars could be a standout event, with a Hindorff and clear hip to blind to double front dismount bringing plenty of difficulty to her routine. But one of the most intriguing skills to watch is on vault: a front handspring-front tuck full. This uncommon vault would be a special addition to her lineup, offering something different from the Yurchenko-based vaults seen so often in the sport. On floor, a 2.5 twist, switch full to Popa, and front layout to front double full could give her routine an exciting mix of power and dance difficulty. Beam brings its own highlights, with a front walkover to Barani and aerial to tuck 1.5 dismount adding variety and acro flair. After making a strong impression in her first Level 10 season, Bazan has plenty to look forward to this year. We're especially excited to see whether that unique vault makes its way onto the competition floor.     Kennedy Reed is coming off a season that showcased her scoring potential, posting an impressive 9.5 season high on vault and a 9.65 on floor. With those performances providing a strong foundation, Reed has several exciting skills in development that could make her routines even more compelling this season. On vault, a front handspring to front pike would bring a different look to her lineup and give her an opportunity to stand out. Bars is another event to watch, with a blind change to Jaeger and double layout dismount adding release difficulty and a powerful finish. On beam, Reed has been working a back handspring to layout step-out, aerial, and front full dismount, creating a lineup with a mix of acrobatic elements and dismount difficulty. Floor could be especially exciting, with a Rudi, double pike, and 1.5 to front layout offering multiple opportunities to showcase her tumbling power. After proving she can put up strong scores on vault and floor, Reed will be one to watch as she looks to build on that success and bring her upgraded skills to the competition floor this season.     Aleena Gessel is entering her junior season with valuable Level 10 experience behind her and several exciting skills in development as she looks to take another step forward. After completing her first season at Level 10, Gessel has a strong foundation to build on, and her confident, steady presence gives her routines a sense of control and consistency. On bars, a Tkatchev and full pirouette to double tuck dismount could add another layer of difficulty to an event where clean execution is key. Vault is one to watch, with a Yurchenko layout offering an opportunity to showcase her power and form. On beam, Gessel has been training an aerial, back handspring to layout step-out, and round-off 1.5 dismount, bringing together acrobatic difficulty and a dynamic finish. Floor could provide another highlight, with a 1.5 to front pike and Rudi adding variety to her tumbling lineup. Gessel brings a composed confidence to the competition floor, pairing her developing difficulty with the kind of steady, polished execution that can make a difference. With a full Level 10 season behind her, we're excited to see how she builds on that experience in her junior year.     Reign Mack is heading into her senior season with impressive power and several exciting skills that could make her final year one to remember. She brings an explosive presence to the competition floor, and her potential upgrades across all four events give us plenty to look forward to this season. On floor, a full-in and front through to double tuck could showcase her tumbling strength and ability to deliver big skills. Bars offers another exciting lineup to watch, with a blind change to Jaeger, bail to handstand, and toe-on to front pike half dismount adding variety and difficulty throughout the routine. On vault, Mack's Yurchenko full gives her an opportunity to put her power on full display, while beam features an aerial and side somi that could bring an exciting mix of acro skill and confidence. With her senior season on the horizon, Mack has an opportunity to make the most of her final year and leave a lasting impression. Her power, combined with the skills she's been working toward, makes her a gymnast we'll be watching closely this season.     Emma Rogers is looking strong heading into the new season after showing promise on bars and beam last year, earning season highs of 9.4 and 9.325, respectively. With those performances as a starting point, Rogers has several exciting skills in development that could help her build on that success and make an even bigger impact this season. Beam is an event to watch, with a back handspring to layout step-out, front tuck, Barani, and round-off 1.5 dismount giving her routine a variety of acrobatic elements and a dynamic finish. On bars, Rogers has been training a blind change to Jaeger and full pirouette to toe-on front tuck half dismount, adding potential difficulty to an event where she has already demonstrated strong scoring ability. Floor could be another highlight, with a 1.5 to front pike, Rudi, and double tuck bringing plenty of tumbling power. On vault, a Yurchenko full rounds out her lineup and gives her another opportunity to contribute across all four events. With promising scores behind her and a strong start to the season ahead, Rogers is a gymnast to keep on your radar as she looks to raise the bar this year.     Paige Field is heading into her senior season with plenty of work behind her and an exciting set of skills to watch as she prepares for the year ahead. The Canadian standout has been training hard, and her routines showcase a combination of difficulty, clean execution, and collegiate-level polish. Beam is especially intriguing, with a back dive mount, back handspring to layout step-out, cat leap to aerial, and round-off 1.5 dismount. Her beam routine has a distinctly collegiate look, pairing acro variety with the kind of presentation and precision that can translate well to the next level. On bars, Field has been working a blind change to Jaeger, bail to handstand, vertical handstands, and full pirouette to double tuck dismount, creating plenty of opportunities to demonstrate control and difficulty. Vault features a Yurchenko full, while floor brings a powerful lineup that includes a double pike, front layout to front full, front double full, and Rudi. With her senior season ahead and a strong work ethic driving her preparation, Field is one to watch as she looks to make this year count.     Charlotte Martin is heading into her junior season with a strong foundation and the work ethic to keep pushing her gymnastics forward. Known for her clean lines and attention to detail, Martin brings a polished look to the competition floor, where precise execution can make all the difference. This season, there are several skills we're excited to see her bring to competition. On bars, she's been training a double layout dismount, toe-on to front tuck dismount, and toe-on full pirouette, giving her multiple options to build difficulty and finish her routine with confidence. Vault offers an interesting addition with a front handspring to front tuck, bringing a different look to her lineup. On floor, Martin has been working a front full to front full combination and double tuck, showcasing her tumbling ability and potential to make an impact. With her excellent work ethic driving her progress and her clean lines helping her stand out, Martin is a gymnast to watch as she enters her junior year. We're excited to see how her summer training translates to the competition floor this season.     Antonia Ciuc is entering her sophomore season with an exciting set of skills to watch as she continues to build on her gymnastics. One of the details that makes Ciuc stand out is her attention to form, with clean lines that extend all the way down to her toe point. That commitment to precision gives her routines a polished look and creates a strong foundation as she works to add difficulty across all four events. On bars, a Maloney, Pak, and Ray would bring an exciting combination of release skills and transitions, giving her plenty of opportunities to showcase her versatility. Beam is another event to watch, with a back dive mount, front tuck, and back handspring to layout step-out offering a mix of acro variety and connection potential. On floor, a double pike could add power to her tumbling lineup, while a Yurchenko full on vault would give her another opportunity to make an impact. With her clean execution and attention to detail, Ciuc is a gymnast we're excited to watch as she enters her second season and continues developing her routines.

Every season brings athletes ready to make their mark, and some deserve a closer look before the spotlight finds them. From standout event specialists to consistent competitors and gymnasts poised for a breakthrough, these are the names worth keeping on your radar.