Incoming GymBeavs Shine at Development Program Nationals
May 15, 2023 | Women's Gymnastics
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oregon State gymnastics signees Olivia Buckner, Taylor DeVries and Sophia Esposito competed at the Women's Development Program National Championships at the Oklahoma City Convention Center over the weekend with the trio putting up big performances. "The future of this program is so bright," head coach Tanya Chaplin said. "I'm so proud of Olivia, Taylor and Sophia and can't wait to have them here on campus. They each bring a unique skill set that is going to make our program better and I think that was on display this weekend with their performances." The competition was split into divisions with Buckner and Esposito competing in the senior F group and DeVries in the senior D group. With a career-high 39.000 in the all-around of Sr F session, Esposito (Melville, N.Y. / New Image Gymnastics), finished 0.225 ahead of second for her first all-around title at nationals. She adds to an extensive list of national titles at the club level. The incoming GymBeav finishes her club career as a five-time USAG National Championship Qualifier and four-time champion, winning a pair of national titles on vault, an all-around title and beam title. Esposito finished tied for 11th or better on each event with a 9.775 on beam earning her the title, a 9.900 on vault for third, a 9.625 on floor to finish sixth and a 9.700 on bars to finish just outside the top 10. Competing in the same session, Buckner (Riverton, Utah / Olympus Gymnastics), finished with a 38.525 with a pair of top-six performances on floor and vault. The Riverton native finished tied for third in the session with a 9.650 on floor, while earning sixth with a 9.800 on vault. In her third USAG DP National Championship appearance, Buckner improved her previous all-around best at the competition by over half a point. Joining Esposito as a five-time qualifier for the USAG National Championships, DeVries (Roscoe, Ill. / Legacy Elite Gymnastics), closed her club career tying for 11th in the Senior D session with a 38.3750 in the all-around. She earned a pair of top 10 performances with a 9.700 on bars and 9.575 on floor to tie for ninth on both events. DeVries improved her total from year-to-year at nationals, climbing over a point from her 2021 performance to her 2023 finale. Tickets to see the trio and the rest of the GymBeavs in Gill Coliseum for the 2024 season are on sale now. To renew your season tickets, click HERE or become a new Oregon State gymnastics season ticket holder by clicking HERE or by calling the Beaver Ticket office at 1-800-GO-BEAVS. OUR MISSION Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
