The SEC conference has produced the past 9 out 10 National Champions. This conference is known as the power conference in the NCAA and looks to hold that title again this year. Below are our preseason rankings. Who do you think will be the top team out of the SEC? Let us know in the comments section below. 

Image Via Gators Gymnastics Twitter

1. Florida

The two time defending National Champions, Florida Gators, will look to remain as the favorite out of the SEC. Although the Gators have lost some key routines in Mackenzie Caquatto and Alaina Johnson , they have plenty of depth. Florida will gain freshmen Kennedy Baker, Ericha Fassbender, Grace McLaughlin and Alex McMurtry. Baker is a former Senior US National Team Member from Texas Dreams who will provide big scores for the Gators. Baker has the potential to make an immediate impact on the team with routines strong enough to gain her an all-around spot. While she has the big skills and power on vault and floor, she is also solid and consistent on bars and beam. McMurtry comes into Florida with great success as a level 10 gymnast. She will be an important freshman to step up and help Florida this season. Florida will be led by junior all-around Bridget Sloan.  

 

Strengths: Depth, confidence, experience on big stage, proven themselves

Weaknesses: Florida will have a bigger target than ever before as two time defending champions, living up to the hype and expectations

Image Via LSU Gymnastics Twitter

2. LSU

LSU is coming off of their best overall finish in program history, finishing 3rd at the National Championship last year. The Tigers will look to use that momentum and give Florida a tough fight for the top spot in the SEC. LSU lost a large senior class and will miss key routines from Kaleigh Dickson and Sarie Morrison. LSU welcomes in freshman Erin Macadaeg, Myia Hambrick and Kylie Moran. Macadaeg is a former international elite gymnast that will come with big skills and look to help LSU to their first national title. LSU will look to again bring their power and dominance on vault and floor. The last few years LSU has continued to grow as a bar team with the addition of Jay Clark. Bars and Beam will be the key events for LSU to look for their first national championship. LSU is hungry and ready to be the top team in the SEC! 

 

Strengths: Power events- vault and floor, hungry for their first title 

Weaknesses: Depth, beam  

Image Via Gym Dog's Facebook 

3. Georgia

The Georgia Gym Dogs are ready to get back to their winning ways and will be more of a contender this year in the SEC. Last season the Gym Dogs lost seniors Cat Hires, Kaylan Earls and Lindsey Cheek. Cheek provided three huge scores for the Gym Dogs that will be key to replace. Georgia welcomes in five freshmen that are looking to make an immediate impact on their team. The Gym Dogs welcome Jasmine Arnold, Vivi Babalis, GiGi Marino, Hayley Sanders and Natalie Vaculik. Georgia will need to find more 9.9+ routines on all four events this season to keep pace with Florida and LSU. 

 

Strengths: Bars! Improved difficulty on floor, handstands and stuck landings on bars 

Weaknesses: Power events, consistency on beam, young team 

Image Via Alabama Facebook

4. Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be under first year head coach, Dana Duckworth. Duckworth will look to follow in the footsteps of legendary coach, Sarah Patterson. The Tide will be up against the best in the regular season taking on both Florida and Oklahoma at home, along with LSU. Bama lost a great senior class in Sarah DeMeo, Ria Domier, Lindsey Fowler, Kim Jacob and Diandra Milliner. The Tide will look to freshman Mackenzie Brannan, Nichole Guerrero, Jennie Loeb and Kiana Winston to provide immediate impact with this team. Brannan and Guerrero both bring power on vault and floor that will provide depth for Alabama this season. 
 

Strengths: Depth, tumbling difficulty, experience, strong vaulting 

Weaknesses: Alabama will be under a first year head coach, can she carry the legacy… 

 

5. Auburn

The Auburn Tigers are looking to be more of a contender this season in the SEC. The Tigers are led by fifth year head coach, Jeff Graba. Last season the Tigers were consistent across all four events, not having a strong or weak event. The Tigers welcome in freshmen Brooke Bray, Kennedy Finister, Sarah Garcia, Blake Jones, Abby Milliet and Cara Stricklin. The Auburn Tigers only lost one senior last season in Nikki Galluzo. The Tigers had consistent scores of 9.8+ last season, however will need more 9.9+ routines this season to contend. Senior Bri Guy is coming back from tearing both achilles tendons last season. Guy will look to lead this team to great things and this team could surprise some others! 

 

Strengths: Clean and consistent

Weaknesses: Looking for a strong standout event, the quiet underdog, depth 

 

Image Via Razorback Gymnastics Twitter

6. Arkansas

Arkansas is led by 13 year head coach, Mark Cook. The Arkansas Razorbacks will be looking to fill big shoes without Katherine Grable. Former Razorback gymnast, Jamie Pasini, joins the coaching staff and will look to add a new dynamic to the team. The Razorbacks welcome in Mia Bargiacchi, Paige Zaziski, Kathleen York, Braie Speed, and Leah Macmoyle. 

 

Strengths: Experienced head coach  

Weaknesses: Leadership, depth 
 

Image Via Kentucky's Facebook- Senior Class

7. Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats finished last season 7th in the SEC rankings (RQS). The Wildcats are led by third year head coach, Tim Garrison. The Wildcats look for leadership from seniors Kayla Hartley, Shelby Hilton, Shannon Mitchell and Sara Shipley. The Wildcats welcome in Katie Carlisle, Brittany Furuyama, Corrine Rechenmacher and Sydney Waltz. Kentucky will be looking to improve on consistency and finding those big scores to be able to contend within the SEC. 

 

Strengths: Floor

Weaknesses: Experience, Attention to details (handstands, stuck landings, start values)  

Image Via Missouri Facebook- Freshmen Class

8. Missouri 

Second year head coach, Shannon Welker, leads the team and has big improvements to make this season. Welker comes with experience from Michigan and will look to focus on consistency and finesse. The Tigers welcome five freshmen this year with Tia Allbritten, Kennedi Harris, Kelli Martin, Shauna Miller and Becca Schugel. The Tigers graduated two seniors last year in Cathryn Aliceaacosta and Mackenzie McGill. The Tigers finished last season 8th in the SEC. (RQS). 

 

Strengths: Leadership

Weaknesses: Experience, attention to details (handstands, stuck landings, start values) 

 

 

Related: 
Incoming Freshmen- Florida
Incoming Freshmen- LSU
Incoming Freshmen- Alabama
Incoming Freshmen- Georgia