Natalie Orr | Posted: 16 Dec 2020 | Updated: 12 Jan 2021

BYU ranked No. 17 in WCGA Preseason Poll

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2021 WGYM Preseason Poll

 

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced Thursday the 2021 preseason poll, ranking BYU No. 17 in the nation. Last season the Cougars were ranked No. 23 in 2020 preseason poll. Jumping six spots in the 2021 ranking, BYU received 628 points. 

“It’s one of our team’s highest preseason rankings in a long time,” head coach Guard Young said. “We’re in really good company. We’re pretty close to Washington, Nebraska, ASU and Iowa State. These are big conference programs.”

The top three spots went to Florida (1167 points), Oklahoma (1152 points) and LSU (1076 points). Within the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference, Southern Utah earned a No. 23 ranking, while Boise State came in at No. 30. 

BYU finished the 2020 season ranked No. 16 in the nation—the team’s highest final national ranking in 15 years. The Cougars boasted its highest score since 2004 (197.075) and became the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference champions for the first time in program history.

Heading into the upcoming season, seniors Abby Boden Stainton and Abbey Miner Alder will lead the team as captains. Additionally, the team welcomes four true freshmen to its roster, including Sydney Benson (Riverton, UT), Anna Bramblett (Cottonwood, AZ), Sophia McClelland (Camarillo, CA) and Lauren Ono (San Dimas, CA). 

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Young is impressed with the dedication of his athletes. 

“It’s been challenging at times, but I love the positivity that the girls bring," Young said. “They know we have fierce competition in front of us. We need to do a great job this season.”

 

WCGA Preseason Poll

Rank School Points
1 Florida 1,167
2 Oklahoma 1,152
3 LSU 1,076
4 Utah 1,073
5 Michigan  1,060
6 Alabama 944
7 UCLA 943
T8 California 919
  Denver 919
10 Georgia 847
11 Minnesota 834
12 Kentucky 773
13 Oregon State 746
14 Auburn 707
15 Arkansas 678
16 Missouri 638
17 BYU 628
18 Iowa State 573
19 Washington 572
20 Nebraska 569
21 Arizona State 565
22 Illinois 428
23 Southern Utah 426
24 Arizona 378
25 Iowa 372
26 NC State 359
27 Penn State 297
28 Maryland 290
29 Ohio State 281
30 Boise State 267
31 Stanford 242
T32 Utah State 203
  West Virginia 203
34 Michigan State 170
35 George Washington 160
36 Pittsburgh 105

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