Gymbacks Check In At No. 8 In Preseason Poll

The Georgia Gymdogs, fresh off their record-breaking 2023 campaign, were ranked No. 8 in the preseason Coaches Poll, released on Wednesday.

Georgia finished the 2023 season with a 17-0 record and won the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2009. The Gymdogs also won the SEC Championship and the regular-season SEC title.

The preseason poll is voted on by the head coaches of the 44 Division I women’s gymnastics programs. Georgia received 533 points in the poll, behind No. 7 California (539 points) and No. 6 Utah (552 points).

Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll, followed by No. 2 Florida, No. 3 LSU, No. 4 Michigan, and No. 5 UCLA.

Several storylines to follow

There are several storylines to follow for the Gymdogs in 2024.

Can they repeat as NCAA Champions?

Vega, a two-time NCAA Champion on the vault, graduated following the 2023 season. Her loss will be a big one for the Gymdogs, but they have several options to replace her.

Can they stay healthy?

The Gymdogs have been plagued by injuries in recent years. In 2023, they lost several key gymnasts to injuries, including Dominquez and Snead. If they can stay healthy in 2024, they will be a major contender for the NCAA Championship.

Expert opinions and reactions

Experts and fans had mixed reactions to Georgia’s ranking in the preseason poll.

ESPN’s Graham Hays: “Georgia is a legitimate contender to win the NCAA Championship again in 2024. They have a lot of talent and experience returning, and they’re hungry to prove that last year was no fluke.”

Gymnastics analyst Kathy Johnson Clarke: “I think Georgia is a little underrated in the preseason poll. They’re the defending NCAA Champions, and they have a lot of talent returning. I wouldn’t be surprised if they finish in the top five.”

Fan on Twitter: “I’m not sure why Georgia is ranked so low in the preseason poll. They’re the defending NCAA Champions, and they have one of the best all-arounders in the country in Trinny Dominquez. I think they’re a top-five team.”

Conclusion

The Gymdogs are poised for another successful season in 2024. They have the talent and experience to win another NCAA Championship, but they will need to stay healthy and replace Sabrina Vega.

Georgia’s ranking in the preseason poll is a testament to their success in 2023. The Gymdogs are one of the top teams in the country, and they will be a major contender for the NCAA Championship in 2024.