The Pac 12 is full of teams that are looking to prove they can contend for a national title.  This conference provides great competition within from several top 10 ranked teams.  Who do you think will be the top team out of the Pac 12 this year? 

Image Via UCLA's Facebook

1. UCLA 

The UCLA Bruins are looking to prove they are the best team in the Pac 12 this season.  The Bruins are looking forward to having a strong and healthy team this season.  Miss Val and the Bruins welcome in a large freshmen class of seven gymnasts in Rechelle Dennis, Karli Dugas, Napualani Hall, JaNay Honest, LaNiesha-Jopré Irvin, Sonya Meraz, and Melissa Metcalf.  These gymnasts have already impressed the coaches with their work ethic and determination.  Hall comes into UCLA with strong and powerful vaulting which will be a great asset for the Bruins.  Metcalf is a strong all-around performer who has the ability to score big on all four events.  UCLA will be without eight-time All-American Olivia Courtney and All-American Sydney Sawa.  Samantha Peszek will be back as a fifth year senior to lead the Bruins to a Pac 12 Championship and beyond. 
 

Strengths: Experience, leadership, been on big stage 

Weaknesses: Young team 
 

Image Via Utah's Facebook

2. Utah 

The Utah Utes will look to remain the top team out of the Pac 12 this season. The Utes welcome four talented freshmen in Kari Lee, Tiffani Lewis, Samantha Partyka, and Maddy Stover.  Stover has the ability to become a strong all-arounder for the Utes and make an impact early in the lineup.  Lee is also a strong all-arounder but could really see action early in the beam lineup where she excels.  Lewis is a strong and powerful gymnast who will add depth to the vault and floor lineups.  Partyka brings difficulty and experience from being an elite level competitor and part of the National Team.  

The Utes will be without standout gymnasts Nansy Damianova, Lia Del Priore, Hailee Hansen, and Mary Beth Lofgren.  The Utes will miss the big scores from Damianova and Lofgren. 
 

Strengths: Experience, leadership, been on big stage

Weaknesses: Depth

Image Via Stanford's Facebook

3. Stanford 

The Stanford Cardinal are also another team who can contend within the Pac 12 this season.  Freshman Elizabeth Price will look to make an immediate impact with the lineup.  She will look to use her experience, consistency and difficulty to provide big scores the help the Cardinal this season.  Price has an impressive resume from elite gymnastics as she was a member of the National Team from 2010-2014.  Price was named the alternate to the 2012 Olympic Games.  Price is the only freshman this season for Stanford.  The Cardinal will be looking to replace routines from Shona Morgan and Amanda Spinner. 

Strengths: Beam, experience

Weaknesses: Depth, Floor  

Image Via Oregon State's Facebook

4. Oregon State

The Oregon State Beavers are led by experienced head coach, Tanya Chaplin.  Freshmen Dani Dessaints and Shireen Khamedoost will join the Beavers this season.  Dessaints is a strong performer on vault and floor and will look to make the lineup this season. Khamedoost is consistent on all four events with great release moves on bars.  The Sun Devils will also welcome junior, Risa Perez, a transfer from Arizona Sate.  The Beavers will be without Kelsi Blalock, Hannah Casey and Brittany Harris.  Harris was a strong all-arounder, Casey will be missed in the bar lineup and Blalock will be missed on vault and floor. 

Strengths-:Leadership 

Weaknesses: Vault, underdog

 

5. Cal

The Cal Golden Bears finished last season ranked fifth in the Pac 12 (RQS).  This season the Golden Bears welcome in four freshmen Alicia Gallarzo, Arianna Robinson, Yuleen Sternberg and Toni-Ann Williams.  Sternberg brings unique elements and difficulty that will bring depth to the bar lineup.   Robinson brings strong difficulty on floor where her routine will be key for the Bears this season.  The Golden Bears will be looking to fill routines from Alicia Asturias, Leilani Alferos and Dallas Crawford. 

Strengths: Depth

Weaknesses: Young team 

 

6. Washington 

The Washington Huskies will add six freshmen this season that will be important to their success within the Pac 12 this season.  The talented freshmen include Zoey Schaefer, Hailey Burleson, Joslyn Goings, Emily Liddle, Dori Overhus and Alyssa Shermatero.  The Huskies are looking forward to rebounding after a disappointing season last year that was full of injuries.  Washington is looking to prove this season that they can contend and be competitive within the Pac 12.  Washington will need to find other gymnasts to step up with the absence of all-arounder Aliza Vaccher. 

Strengths: Depth

Weaknesses:Experience 

Image Via Lyst's Twitter

7. Arizona State 

The Arizona State Sun Devils will be under first year head coach, René Lyst.  Lyst was named head coach at Arizona State in May of 2014 following the retirement of longtime head coach John Spini in January.  Lyst comes with experience from Arkansas as she was co-head coach for 13 years.  The Sun Devils have no incoming freshmen for the 2014-15 season.  The Sun Devils will be without junior, Risa Perez, as she has transferred to Oregon State.  Samantha Seaman graduated last season and will leave openings in the vault and floor lineup. 

 

Strengths: Seasoned team 

Weaknesses: New head coach, depth 

 

Image Via Arizona's Facebook

8. Arizona 

The Arizona Wildcats finished last season ranked sixth in the Pac 12 (RQS).  Arizona has added three freshmen this season Madison Cindric, Victoria Ortiz, and Kennady Schneider.  Cindric is coming back from an injury last season however will look to make an immediate impact on multiple events.  Schneider graduated early to join the Wildcats and brings depth to bars and floor.  Ortiz excels on bars and will look to provide a huge score for the Wildcats on that event.  Arizona will be without Barbara Donaldson, Shana Sangston, Ali Stakem, and Jordan Williams. 
 

Strengths: Floor 

Weaknesses: Big routines, experience  

 

Related:

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