Alyssa Orgen: A Rising Star in Collegiate Gymnastics

Alyssa Orgen has emerged as one of the most promising gymnasts in the NCAA, showcasing exceptional talent and versatility across all four apparatuses. From her early training in Florida to her collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, Orgen’s journey reflects dedication, technical precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Early Life and Gymnastics Beginnings

Born and raised in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Alyssa Orgen began her gymnastics career at a young age, training under coaches at Lakewood Ranch Gymnastics. Her early focus on mastering foundational skills laid the groundwork for her eventual success in elite competitions. By age 15, she had already achieved a 4.0 GPA through Florida Virtual School while balancing rigorous training schedules14.

Orgen’s progression through the levels was marked by rapid technical development. As a Level 9 gymnast in 2019, she posted an all-around score of 36.650 at the Gasparilla Classic, with notable performances on beam (9.675) and floor (9.225)12. Her transition to Level 10 saw significant improvements, including a career-high all-around score of 38.450 at the 2023 Florida State Championships, where she claimed the uneven bars title713.

Club Career and National Recognition

Technical Mastery and Competitive Highlights

Orgen’s repertoire of skills became a hallmark of her club career. On vault, she mastered complex entries like the tusk layout, tusk half, and tusk full. Her uneven bars routine featured a Maloney-to-pak salto connection and a double layout dismount, while her balance beam work included a side aerial back full dismount and a front pike toss. On floor exercise, she executed a double back pike and front layout to front full combination, earning consistent scores above 9.50014.

Key achievements during her club career include:

• 2024 Daytona Beach Open: 1st place all-around (38.100) and vault (9.600)7

• 2024 Region 8 Championships: 4th place all-around (38.350) in Senior E division7

• 2023 Women’s Dev Nationals: 22nd place all-around (37.550) in Senior A division10

• 2022 Hilton Head Island Invitational: 1st place all-around (37.425)7

Her consistency at major meets earned her a three-star recruit rating and attention from top NCAA programs13.

Collegiate Recruitment and Kentucky Commitment

Orgen initially committed to the University of Florida in February 2024, citing the program’s legacy and team culture as deciding factors. Florida head coach Jenny Rowland praised her “passion, grit, and determination,” particularly highlighting her bars and beam potential13. However, in a surprising May 2024 announcement, Orgen decommitted from Florida and signed with the University of Kentucky11.

The shift to Kentucky’s program under head coach Tim Garrison aligned with Orgen’s goal of contributing immediately to a rising SEC team. Her freshman profile at Kentucky lists her as a 5’0” all-arounder with psychology as her declared major19.

Technical Evolution and NCAA Readiness

Orgen’s training data reveals deliberate technical refinement leading into collegiate competition:

These improvements culminated in a 38.450 all-around performance at the 2024 Florida State Championships, where she placed 2nd overall714.

Academic and Personal Pursuits

Maintaining academic excellence throughout her career, Orgen balanced training with full-time enrollment in Florida Virtual School. Her 4.0 GPA and psychology major reflect intellectual curiosity that complements athletic discipline114. Outside the gym, she cultivated a social media presence (@lys_2024), sharing training insights and connecting with fans8.

Impact and Future Trajectory

Orgen’s transition to Kentucky positions her as a potential lineup anchor on bars and beam. Coaching staff anticipate utilizing her:

• Bars: 9.850+ scoring potential with Maloney-pak and van Leeuwen combinations

• Beam: 9.900 capability through aerial walkovers and double stag jumps

• Floor: Dynamic tumbling including double tucks and front fulls

With four years of NCAA eligibility remaining, Orgen aims to build upon Kentucky’s 2025 14th-place NCAA finish. Her developmental curve suggests potential for All-SEC honors by 2026 and NCAA Championship qualifications in subsequent seasons.

Conclusion

Alyssa Orgen embodies the modern collegiate gymnast – technically proficient, academically driven, and adaptable to program transitions. From her Florida club roots to SEC competition, her career illustrates the synergy between meticulous skill development and strategic recruiting. As she debuts for Kentucky in 2025-2026, Orgen’s performances will likely shape the Wildcats’ ascent in national rankings while redefining expectations for vertically challenged all-arounders in elite gymnastics.

Go Alyssa!