Week seven brought a plethora of equally great and sad moments, from Arizona supporting the 17 individuals from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school that died in school shooting last year with the number 17 on its backs and Kyla Ross’ near-perfect all around performance to fan favorite fifth-year Toni-Ann Williams’ likely career-ending injury and cracky scoring out the wazoo all across the country.
We wanted to show more love to the non-top teams in college gym in 2019, so we broke out our Dismounts into DI, DII (all USAG nationals-eligible teams) and DIII. Each week, we’re also dishing out a few superlatives for some of our favorite moments, looks and results from the weekend of competition. Below those, you’ll find your typical results and highlights from every DI women’s meet.
Routines of the Week
Olivia Karas (Michigan) – VT
Upgraded vault and @lil_livkay goes 9.950!!!! Amazing! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/FRUD4IjjgZ
— Michigan Women’s Gymnastics (@UMichWGym) February 16, 2019
The Michigan senior’s whole year has been emotional, but competing her excellent Yurchenko one and a half for the first time since her 2018 Achilles injury was uniquely special. Even better, she absolutely nailed the landing for a 9.950.
Jovannah East (Bowling Green) – FX
Ever wonder what a 9.975 floor routine looks like? Jovannah East recorded just the second such score in program history on floor yesterday. #AyZiggy @falcongymn pic.twitter.com/jpkHijqSeD
— BGSU Athletics (@BGathletics) February 18, 2019
Jovannah East, a junior at Bowling Green, has been a superstar for the Falcons in her three years with the program. Always a standout on floor, she notched a career high and tied the program record with a 9.975 this week. This routine led the Falcon floor rotation to a 49.350 and its third 194-plus score this season. We think East is a shoo-in to score a 10.0 at some point in her remaining year and a half.
Lexy Ramler (Minnesota) – BB
https://twitter.com/GopherWGym/status/1096601509243043846
Minnesota sophomore Lexy Ramler has been almost impossibly excellent and consistent in 2019, and it paid off this week with a career high 39.725 in the all around that broke the program record. Beam is her best event—her season low score is a 9.900—and this 9.950 will be enough to elevate her to No. 1 in the country on beam this week.
Sticks of the Week
Kyla Ross (UCLA) – VT
There’s a strong argument to be made that Ross is the most consequential gymnast of the 2019 season so far. She’s ranked No. 4 in the country on floor, her career-long weak event, she’s scored more perfect 10s than any other individual, she has the top two all around scores of the NCAA season and she’s all but guaranteed the No. 1 all around ranking in a week when RQS kicks in. This week she approached perfection on all four events for an all around career high, but this perfect 10 on vault was the best of the lot.
Gracie Day (Auburn) – UB
Auburn set a program record on bars this week with a 49.600, counting no scores under 9.900. The Tigers were led by junior Gracie Day who scored a career high 9.975 with this stuck double Arabian dismount. She also won the individual title on bars.
Most Carol Score
Sabrina Vega (Georgia) – FX
To be fair, if we had to judge Sabrina Vega, we’d give her perfect 11s for every routine just for being Sabrina Vega, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think the floor judges at the Georgia-Kentucky meet this weekend felt the same way. Needing a stellar performance to clinch the win for the Gymdogs, Vega had a couple mistakes—raised heel on the landing of her first tumbling pass and questionable leaps—leaving the needed score in doubt. However, she ended up receiving a 9.975, perfection from one judge, and sealed the victory over the Wildcats.
Note: The routines selected for this category are not a reflection on the gymnast performing the routine but rather the judging of the routine itself.
Most Anti-Carol Score
Milan Clausi (California) – BB
Cal had an emotional meet on Sunday after a likely college career-ending injury to Toni-Ann Williams, and Clausi was particularly moved when Williams returned to the arena to give her a pep talk before her beam routine. Perhaps inspired by her teammate, she competed the cleanest beam routine of her career for a 9.950 from one judge—but only a 9.800 from the other.
Note: The routines selected for this category are not a reflection on the gymnast performing the routine but rather the judging of the routine itself.
Best Whatever-This-Was
Anna Warhol (George Washington) – VT
Yeah, v not good. (Also, more zoomed in here) pic.twitter.com/oCuZ5xDCG8
— Kayla Koch (@kaylackoch) February 16, 2019
Warhol ran down the runway, assuming she was about to do a perfectly normal vault. However, the round-off mat had other ideas as her hands slid all the way to the board, causing her to bail on her Yurchenko in the air and performing this cat-flailing-flip to save herself from harm’s way. To be honest, we’re pretty impressed with how quick she was able to think in the air.
Moment That Made Our Hearts Break
Toni-Ann Williams and Justin Howell
https://twitter.com/gymfan14/status/1097376939998736385?s=21
You probably know by now, but fifth-year Toni-Ann Williams went down on her final tumbling pass on floor at Oregon State Sunday afternoon, likely ending her collegiate career in the most devastating way possible. But if you weren’t crying enough at that point, this moment between the gymnast and head coach Justin Howell really brought on the waterworks.
Most Heartfelt Moment
Rachel Borden (Illinois) – BB
https://twitter.com/IlliniWGym/status/1096951135347331072
Rachel Borden, a sophomore, was Illinois’ team manager for the first half of the season, as well as a member of the school’s NAIGC club team. She had been a level 10 at Legacy Elite, and in the class of 2018 recruiting process, but never materialized anywhere and took last year off. She sent head coach Natalie Walsh video of her beam training, and Walsh decided to add her to the official roster on Friday. On Saturday, she exhibitioned her unique and artistic set. Look for Borden to make a big impact in a lineup that is looking for a hero after a rough start to the year.
Zoey Packard (Towson) – BB
https://twitter.com/_meeeemz_/status/1097294709087707144
Sometimes the feel-good stories don’t even come during the official competition routines, as both of our heartfelt moment superlative winners demonstrate. Towson junior Zoey Packard has never competed for the Tigers yet had the opportunity to perform in exhibition on beam this weekend, nailing her routine to the extreme delight of her team.
The Highlights
| Perfect 10 Challenge With No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 18 Washington, No. 19 Arizona State at No. 35 George Washington | ||||
| Full Results | OU: 198.075 | UW: 196.250 | ASU: 195.650 | GW: 194.975 |
| VT: Trautman 9.975 | UB: Nichols 9.975 | BB: Webb, Dowell 9.900 | FX: Trautman 10.000 | AA: Dowell 39.675 |
The Big Storyline: The Sooners saw the return of Maggie Nichols to the vault lineup, and Brenna Dowell returned to competition in the all around after taking a scary fall in warmups at Denver and thus not competing last week. Washington will be happy to have another 196-range score but still has room for improvement, Arizona State put up a solid-but-not-great score and George Washington continued to progress.
Implications: Oklahoma’s spot atop the rankings remains unchanged. Washington stays at No. 18 while Arizona State drops one spot to No. 20, and George Washington also drops one spot to No. 36. George Washington moves up to No. 3 in the EAGL and Pac-12 rankings remain unchanged.
Records: Olivia Trautman set career highs on vault (9.975) and floor (10.000). Brenna Dowell’s 39.675 in the all around and 9.900 on beam are also career highs. Morgan Wilson set a career high with a 9.900 on vault, and Jessica Ginn also set a career high of 9.850 on the event.
| No. 2 Florida at No. 9 Alabama | ||||
| Full Results | Florida: 197.325 | Alabama: 196.475 | ||
| VT: Thomas 9.900 | UB: Guerra 9.900 | BB: Graber 9.925 | FX: Boren & Thomas 9.975 | AA: Thomas 39.525 |
The Big Storyline: Florida further solidified its place at the top of the SEC with its victory over Alabama. All is not lost for the Crimson Tide though, but some errors across all the events (particularly beam) will need to go away quickly if that’s going to really be the case.
Implications: Florida will continue to hold off LSU for the No. 1 SEC spot despite LSU scoring a higher team total in its second meet of the weekend.
Records: Florida beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 1979. Shea Mahoney and Lexi Graber scored career high scores on floor with each scoring a 9.950. As for the Gators, freshman phenom Trinity Thomas earned her first vault title, and the Gators’ floor score tied for the second-highest in program history.
| No. 25 Arizona at No. 3 UCLA | ||||
| Full Results | 1st Team: Score | 2nd Team: Score | ||
| VT: Winner Score | UB: Winner Score | BB: Winner Score | FX: Winner Score | AA: Winner Score |
The Big Storyline: UCLA excelled to set a season high and its first 198-plus of 2019 despite a relatively sober scoring environment (with a few exceptions). Junior Kyla Ross led the Bruins and the field on three individual events, scoring another perfect 10 on vault and setting a career high in the all around that also becomes the country’s best all around score of 2019. Arizona had a fantastic meet until beam when it was forced to count a fall.
Implications: The Bruins will finally take back the No. 2 spot nationally; their team score was good enough to bump Florida to No. 3, at least until RQS shakes things up.
Records: Ross’ all around score is good for No. 4 in program history and is the highest since a Jeanette Antolin mark from 2004. She also ties Kate Richardson and Vanessa Zamarripa for the fourth-most perfect 10s in program history.
Controversies: Katelyn Ohashi scored another 10.0 on floor despite a noticeable scoot to one side.
| Mardi Gras Invitational With No. 4 Utah, No. 5 LSU, No. 15 Missouri and No. 26 Stanford | ||||
| Full Results | LSU: 197.250 | Utah: 197.075 | Missouri: 196.475 | Stanford: 195.850 |
| VT: Finnegan 9.950 | UB: Finnegan, Huber & Reinstadtler 9.925 | BB: Lee 9.900 | FX: Finnegan & Skinner 9.925 | AA: Finnegan 39.650 |
The Big Storyline: The once-in-a-blue-moon competition between Utah and LSU turned out to be as exciting as expected while Stanford widened the gap between itself and Missouri enough to make that competition fairly predictable. The first three placing teams will be happy with their scores, particularly LSU, who really needed a 197-plus score to lessen the load of those troubling SEC road losses from earlier in the season.
Implications: Utah’s first loss of the season shouldn’t hurt it too much in the rankings.
Records: Reagan Campbell set a career high floor score of 9.900 for LSU. Missouri sophomore Chelsey Christensen earned a 9.800 for a vault career high of her own.
| No. 4 Utah at No. 26 Stanford | ||||
| Full Results | Utah: 197.125 | Stanford 195.800 | ||
| VT: Skinner 9.975 | UB: Skinner 9.950 | BB: Skinner 9.900 | FX: Randall 9.900 | AA: Merrell-Giles 39.500 |
The Big Storyline: Both teams had essentially the same performance score-wise as they did at the Mardi Gras Invitational. Utah will be thankful for another 197-plus score on the road, though it once again didn’t get up to the levels of the three teams above it in the rankings. Stanford didn’t have to count any falls, which remains a success for the team.
Implications: Neither team should see considerable movement in the rankings.
Controversies: Rachael Flam of Stanford had a scare on bars when her grip broke as she caught her Jaeger, forcing her to hop off. The controversy came afterward when she was allowed to repeat her routine following the exhibition slot from the point she came off the bar. She ended up scoring a 9.75, but many were confused as to whether redoing a routine is allowed in this case (it is) and what the rules are when repeating the routine.
| No. 15 Missouri at No. 5 LSU | ||||
| Full Results | LSU: 197.650 | Missouri: 195.475 | ||
| VT: Kelley 9.925 | UB: Ferrer, Finnegan & Harrold 9.900 | BB: Durante & Finnegan 9.900 | FX: Edney, Finnegan & Kelley 9.950 | AA: Finnegan 39.575 |
The Big Storyline: In the second meetup between these two teams this weekend, LSU had the day it’s been hoping for, posting a season high team total and showing considerable improvement on details like stuck landings. Missouri didn’t have a terrible showing, but the loss of Madeline Huber mid-meet to an apparent injury before vault could prove problematic for the team’s future lineup prospects.
Implications: LSU may increase its lead over Denver ever-so-slightly, but not by much. Missouri will likely see a slight dip in the rankings.
Records: Gabrielle Gottula earned a career high score of 9.850 on floor. Missouri has now scored above a 49 on that event for nine meets in a row, which is the longest streak for that event in program history. For LSU, McKenna Kelley earned her first-ever title on vault for a stuck handspring pike half.
| No. 60 Illinois State at No. 6 Denver | ||||
| Full Results | DU: 197.625 | Ill. St.: 193.375 | ||
| VT: Brown 9.925 | UB: Brown 9.975 | BB: Vasquez, Karr 9.925 | FX: Brown 9.975 | AA: Brown 39.775 |
The Big Storyline: Denver continued progressing as it tallied its highest score of the season and second highest in program history. Lynnzee Brown had a career day and was near-perfect on floor yet again, garnering a 10 from one judge and earning a 9.975 overall.
Implications: Denver remains at No. 6 nationally but inches closer to No. 5 LSU. Its 197.625 ensures that it will be counting its two previous 197.400-range scores when RQS begins. It remains in second in the Big 12. Illinois State moves up two spots to No. 58 overall. It remains in fourth in the MIC.
Records: Lynnzee Brown set a personal record of 39.775 in the all around, a score that ties the program record. She also set a career high on bars with another near-perfect 9.975 and her scores of 9.900 on beam and 9.925 on vault are also career highs.
| No. 13 Kentucky at No. 7 Georgia | ||||
| Full Results | Georgia: 197.300 | Kentucky: 197.225 | ||
| VT: Hyland 9.925 | UB: Al-Hameed & Korth 9.950 | BB: Dukes 9.95 | FX: Vega 9.975 | AA: Hyland 39.550 |
The Big Storyline: Kentucky built off its momentum from last week to record yet another top score in program history, this one now ranking second behind last week’s total. It wasn’t enough to win the meet (controversially; see below), but these past two weeks have shown that Kentucky seems to have gotten into a groove and is slowly building up to what could be another strong showing in the postseason.
Implications: Kentucky may rise slightly in rankings, but Georgia will likely not see much movement.
Records: Kentucky put up a program high score on bars with a 49.475 (one of several record scores on that event in the SEC this weekend). In addition, four of Georgia’s six floor routines earned career high scores for the gymnasts.
Controversies: In what was arguably the most controversial meet of the weekend, Georgia squeaked past Kentucky when Sabrina Vega earned a 9.975 on floor in spite of an imperfect landing on one of her passes and questionable leap positions. This routine secured the win for Georgia. Kentucky, meanwhile, saw a 9.825 beam score for Alex Hyland, the anchor of that rotation who could have won the meet for Kentucky with a better score. Many felt that it deserved so.
| No. 8 Michigan at No. 24 Penn State | ||||
| Full Results | UM: 197.075 | PSU: 194.750 | ||
| VT: Wojcik, Karas 9.950 | UB: Farley 9.875 | BB: Wojcik 9.925 | FX: Wojcik 9.900 | AA: Wojcik 39.625 |
The Big Storyline: After the Wolverines finally hit 197 at home last week, the question of whether they could do it on the road hung in the air. They proved that it was neither a fluke nor a home scoring fest by breaking that mark at Penn State this week. The return of Olivia Karas’ Yurchenko one and a half helped elevate the vault lineup to a nationally-competitive 49.400 with four 10.0 starts. Penn State will be a touch disappointed, stepping backward a few paces the past two weeks in meets that were just fine. The Nittany Lions will be looking for a big hit at Elevate the Stage next week before we move into RQS rankings.
Implications: The Wolverines will remain at No. 8 this week but will feel more confident about RQS standings with this away total in the books. Keep in mind that eight teams qualify to nationals this year; being in the top eight is the goal. Penn State will also remain at No. 24. Michigan remains undefeated in the conference and will face the other undefeated team, Minnesota, at Elevate the Stage this weekend.
Controversies: As always, there were questions about vault scores. Both Karas and Natalie Wojcik performed very strong one and a halfs for 9.950. Sure, they may have been 10.0s somewhere else, but the two rightfully shared the vault title here.
| No. 10 Boise State at No. 20 BYU | ||||
| Full Results | BSU: 197.175 | BYU: 196.900 | ||
| VT: A. Miner 9.875 | UB: Evans, Muhlenhaupt, Remme 9.950 | BB: McGregor, Remme 9.950 | FX: A. Miner 9.925 | AA: Remme 39.600 |
The Big Storyline: This was an exciting one! Tied at the halfway point, as well as going into the final rotation, Boise State posted a program record on beam to top the Cougars by just 0.275.
Implications: BYU’s 196.900 moves it up to No. 17 overall. Boise State edging out the Cougars ensured that it maintains its lead in the MRGC. BYU remains in second.
Records: Shani Remme’s 39.600 in the all around is a new personal best. Bronco freshman Alexis Stokes scored over a 9.900 on bars for the first time in her career (9.925). Gabriela Bouza and Isabella Amado each set career highs on beam with 9.875s. Boise State’s 49.550 on beam is also a team record. Shannon Evans also set a career high in the all around with a 39.500. Abbey Miner’s 9.875 on vault is a career high, as is her 9.925 on floor.
Controversies: BYU freshman Rebekah Bean performed a solid vault for a 9.850. However, one of the judges was not ready and didn’t see the vault, resulting in a 0.500 deduction and a final score of 9.350.
| No. 21 Arkansas at No. 11 Auburn | ||||
| Full Results | Auburn: 197.100 | Arkansas: 196.175 | ||
| VT: Watson 9.950 | UB: Day 9.975 | BB: Burton 9.95 | FX: Gobourne 9.925 | AA: Watson 39.625 |
The Big Storyline: Arkansas will be pleased with its season high team score in which it topped 196 for only the second time, But it still needs to record higher if it will have any chance at getting a good regionals placement when the time comes. Auburn meanwhile had a solid score for its second-to-last home meet.
Implications: Both teams should not see their rankings change dramatically.
Records: Auburn set a program record on bars with a total of 49.600 on the event, capped off by Gracie Day’s career high score of 9.975. As of last night, 2019 is now Auburn’s first ever season in which it has recorded five SEC wins in the regular season. Arkansas also recorded its best team score of the season.
Controversies: There was continued outrage over the score for Sarah Shaffer’s Yurchenko half, which many people felt should have been given the perfect 9.950 due to the stick (it earned a 9.875 this week).
| No. 14 California at No. 12 Oregon State | ||||
| Full Results | OSU: 196.950 | Cal: 196.150 | ||
| VT: Williams, Jacobsen 9.875 | UB: Watterson, Colussi-Pelaez 9.875 | BB: Shu, Dagen, Lazaro 9.900 | FX: Yanish 9.950 | AA: George 39.275 |
The Big Storyline: A shadow was cast over this previously-competitive meet when California fifth-year senior took a horrible fall on floor that likely resulted in a collegiate career-ending injury. The Bears battled on through beam, putting up five hit routines with the help of some emotional pep talks from Williams, but they were visibly emotional through the rest of the meet. Oregon State was good but not perfect throughout, coming in just short of 197, but Sabrina Gill’s presence on two events has made all the difference for the Beavers as they approach postseason form.
Implications: Oregon State remains No. 12 in the country while California dropped one spot to No. 15. However, things will shift pretty drastically next week when RQS takes effect unless Oregon State can put up a big number on the road against Arizona State this weekend. As it stands now, California would be No. 14 while Oregon State would be No. 16.
Controversies: Scoring was mostly reasonable at this meet, but several Oregon State gymnasts caught their releases extremely close to the bar and scored as though it hadn’t happened.
| No. 31 Maryland at No. 16 Minnesota | ||||
| Full Results | Minn.: 196.850 | UMD: 195.325 | ||
| VT: Ramler 9.925 | UB: Lu 9.975 | BB: Ramler 9.950 | FX: Ramler 9.900 | AA: Ramler 39.725 |
The Big Storyline: Minnesota has now notched high 196s at four meets in a row, two home and two away. The Gophers are propelled forward by excellent late lineup routines from Lexy Ramler—who recently added her Yurchenko one and a half back into her program, making her an even more formidable all arounder who could go head to head with the best in the country—Ona Loper and Ivy Lu. The Gophers are only held back from the 197-mark by some early lineup 9.7-level sets; if those gymnasts can begin to consistently hit 9.8-plus routines, Minnesota will be extremely dangerous in both the Big Ten and in the national postseason conversation. Maryland remains solidly in the mid-195s, a comfortable place for this team on the rise. The Terps will be looking for their first 196 of the year at Elevate the Stage next weekend.
Implications: Minnesota will move up to No. 14 and increase its lead over Nebraska, which now sits at No. 3 in the Big Ten. Maryland will fall back a step to No. 32 but remain at No. 6 in the conference. Minnesota is still undefeated in the Big Ten and will face Michigan, also undefeated in the conference, at Elevate the Stage this weekend. According to the Balance Beam Situation’s RQS calculator, Minnesota would be ranked No. 11 today if RQS were already in effect.
Records: Minnesota’s 49.525 on bars is a new program record; each gymnast in the lineup set or matched a career high.
| No. 17 Nebraska at No. 22 Ohio State | ||||
| Full Results | UNL: 196.400 | tOSU: 195.750 | ||
| VT: Houchin 9.900 | UB: Gagliardi 9.900 | BB: Houchin 9.900 | FX: Crouse 9.950 | AA: Stone 39.200 |
The Big Storyline: This was a fine but not great showing for both teams. After its explosive start to the season, Ohio State has failed to hit 196 three weeks in a row; the team’s veterans have not been putting up the big late-lineup numbers necessary to reach that mark. For Nebraska, mistakes on every event meant counting at least one lackluster score on all four; to keep up with Minnesota and Michigan, the Huskers need to eliminate those falls and maximize scoring potential.
Implications: Nebraska will lose a little ground to Minnesota in the conference but climb to No. 15 nationally. Ohio State will hold steady at No. 22 overall and No. 4 in the conference. The Buckeyes should feel fairly comfortable going into RQS with a number of strong away scores already banked.
Records: There were a number of career marks for both teams in this meet.
| Mardi Gras Invitational With No. 23 Iowa State, No. 42 Lindenwood, No. 54 Texas Woman’s and No. 73 SEMO | ||||
| Full Results | LU: 195.275 | ISU: 193.575 | TWU: 190.725 | SEMO: 188.500 |
| VT: Converse, Mitchell 9.850 | UB: Henry 9.800 | BB: Kaziska 9.875 | FX: Kaziska, Alderman 9.850 | AA: Henry 39.225 |
The Big Storyline: Iowa State had a rough meet while Lindenwood excelled and took the title, upsetting the No. 23 team in the country as a DII squad. Texas Woman’s had a fairly bad outing, hitting only 46.550 and 46.900 on bars and beam, respectively, while SEMO rounded out the bunch.
Implications: Iowa State drops to No. 29 overall and Texas Woman’s drops to No. 56. West Virginia overtakes Iowa State for No. 3 in the Big 12. MIC rankings are unchanged.
Records: Cyclone Kelly Martin competed floor for the first time in her collegiate career. Anna Kaziska’s 9.875 on beam is a career high. Mackenzie Slee also set a career high on vault with a 9.800.
Controversies: All the things about non-specific team hosted invitational meets—a.k.a. there were no live scores anywhere, and it took forever to get final results.
| No. 33 Utah State, No. 37 Pittsburgh, No. 58 Cornell at No. 27 West Virginia | ||||
| Full Results | USU: 196.075 | WVU: 195.575 | Pitt: 195.100 | Cornell: 193.075 |
| VT: Lo. Varnadore 9.875 | UB: Tun 9.875 | BB: Ward-Sessions 9.900 | FX: Koshinski 9.975 | AA: Ward-Sessions 39.525 |
The Big Storyline: West Virginia had the lead after two rotations, but unfortunately had to count a fall and a 9.600 on beam to finish half a point behind Utah State who went lights out to win the meet. Pitt had a season high on bars after struggling on the event earlier this season, but a sub-par vault and beam rotations meant the Panthers had to settle for third.
Implications: Pitt will move up a couple of places in the rankings to No. 35. West Virginia will move up one spot to No. 26. Utah State will move up three spots to No. 30.
Records: Utah State senior Madison Ward-Sessions’ 39.525 in the all around was a career high and ties for the second best score in program history. West Virginia’s Abby Kaufman and McKenna Linnen both tallied career bests of 9.875 on floor. Kirah Koshinski scored a near perfect 9.975 to set a new personal best. Pitt senior Krista Collins earned a career best 9.725 on bars.
Controversies: As Jordan Ceccarini was vaulting, a flash went off in the arena that caused her to miss her block and crash her vault. She was able to redo the vault at the end of the rotation for a 9.700.
| No. 34 North Carolina at No. 28 N.C. State | ||||
| Full Results | NC State: 195.850 | North Carolina: 193.700 | ||
| VT: Phillips 9.875 | UB: Kent 9.900 | BB: DeCicco, Hislop 9.900 | FX: Grantham 9.925 | AA: Fillard 39.225 |
The Big Storyline: N.C. State recorded its second highest score of the season and defeated in state rival North Carolina for the second time this year. North Carolina’s struggles on bars continued, but it also surprisingly had to count a fall on floor and recorded its lowest score of the season so far. On a more positive note, the Tar Heels recorded their highest score on beam in 2019.
Implications: North Carolina will drop seven spots in the rankings to No. 41. N.C. State will move up one spot to No. 27.
Records: N.C. State’s Drew Grantham scored a career high 9.925 on floor. North Carolina’s Jamie DeCicco set a new career high on beam with a 9.900 and notched her first career event title.
| No. 48 Temple at No. 29 Southern Utah | ||||
| Full Results | SUU: 196.575 | Temple: 194.050 | ||
| VT: Alfaro 9.900 | UB: Rosza-Thompson 9.900 | BB: Murakami 9.925 | FX: Nipp, McClain 9.900 | AA: McClain 39.350 |
The Big Storyline: The Thunderbirds showed their potential and put up a season best en route to a victory over the Owls. The Owls put up a solid showing, but still have room for improvement.
Implications: Temple’s 194.050 ensures it won’t have to count any score below 194 when RQS starts. Southern Utah will want to replicate its number in future meets so it can count it later on in RQS. Southern Utah moves up to No. 28 overall while Temple drops to No. 50. Temple remains in second in the ECAC and while MRGC rankings saw a shake up this week, Southern Utah stays put at No. 3 in the conference.
Records: Morgan Alfaro’s 9.900 on vault is a new career high. Karley McClain set a new personal best on every event and in the all around (9.775 VT, 9.850 UB, 9.875 BB, 9.900 FX, 39.350 AA) and Shylen Murakami set personal bests on beam (9.925) and floor (9.825).
| No. 32 New Hampshire at No. 40 UC Davis | ||||
| Full Results | UNH: 196.025 | UCD: 195.525 | ||
| VT: Hebert, Kessler 9.875 | UB: Mulligan 9.825 | BB: Mulligan 9.900 | FX: Hebert 9.925 | AA: Mulligan 39.325 |
The Big Storyline: Both teams recorded season high totals, but New Hampshire ultimately came out on top after recording its first score over 196 in 2019.
Implications: Neither team will see significant changes in the rankings this week.
Records: UC Davis recorded a 49.100 on vault, which is the third highest total in program history.
| No. 32 New Hampshire, No. 64 Sacramento State at No. 53 San Jose State | ||||
| Full Results | UNH: 194.800 | SJSU: 194.400 | Sac State: 192.725 | |
| VT: O’Leary 9.800 | UB: Mulligan, Diggan, Nadonza 9.875 | BB: Bondanza, Ray 9.825 | FX: Chan 9.900 | AA: Mulligan 39.200 |
The Big Storyline: Sacramento State hit bars for the second straight meet after struggling mightily on that event for the first several weeks of the season. It also recorded a new season high. San Jose State recorded a season high score but was edged out by New Hampshire who won the meet.
Implications: No teams will see any significant changes in the rankings
Records: San Jose State senior Josalyn Ray recorded a career high 9.825 on beam to earn her first career win on that event.
| No. 45 Eastern Michigan at No. 36 Central Michigan | ||||
| Full Results | CMU: 195.050 | EMU: 192.750 | ||
| VT: Pedrick 9.800 | UB: Plaksa 9.825 | BB: Pedrick 9.900 | FX: Pedrick 9.900 | AA: Pedrick 38.850 |
The Big Storyline: Eastern Michigan had a bit of a rough outing against a Central Michigan team that continues to score well both at home and on the road. Denelle Pedrick is proving to be one of the best and most consistent all arounders in the conference.
Implications: Central Michigan has been cruising at the top of the MAC rankings this year, and this score is right in line with what the Chippewas have been putting up. Both Northern Illinois (195.700) and Kent State (195.800) had excellent meets this weekend and blew past Central Michigan’s previous high mark in the conference. Once again, the MAC is proving to be one of the most competitive and most unpredictable conferences in the NCAA.
| No. 38 Illinois at No. 39 Iowa | ||||
| Full Results | Ill.: 195.650 | Iowa: 195.400 | ||
| VT: Meeks 9.775 | UB: Kranitz, Chow 9.900 | BB: Scott 9.875 | FX: Kaji, Castle, Guerin 9.900 | AA: Howell 38.975 |
The Big Storyline: Illinois found some solid ground after a bizarre start to the season, finally putting up a solidly hit meet. Rachel Borden, who joined the team on Friday, exhibitioned beam and will be a factor in that lineup moving forward. Iowa had a decent first three and then a stellar floor rotation, putting up no score below a 9.850, for a 49.400 team total.
Implications: Illinois will jump several spots to No. 34, but will remain seventh in the conference. Likewise, Iowa will not move in the conference standings but will fall one spot nationally. Illinois will be glad this season high came on the road as we approach RQS.
| No. 41 Northern Illinois at No. 47 Ball State | ||||
| Full Results | NIU: 195.700 | Ball St.: 194.700 | ||
| VT: Hudson, MacDonald 9.850 | UB: Penny, MacDonald, Hooper 9.875 | BB: Penny 9.800 | FX: Martucci 9.950 | AA: None |
The Big Storyline: This meet was a thriller. Ball State was on pace to hit a mid-196 at the half, but a rough beam rotation held the team total down. That said, the Cardinals should be thrilled at putting up three 49-plus rotation scores; if they can add a hit beam rotation to a meet like this, they will be a very dangerous team. Northern Illinois once again dominated on floor with a huge 49.425.
Implications: The Huskies’ 195.700 was briefly the highest score in the MAC until Kent State put up a 195.800 later in the day. They will move up to No. 35 and take the top spot in the conference from Central Michigan. Ball State will pass Eastern Michigan to sit at No. 3 in the conference. The MAC championships will be fascinating; any team could win.
Records: For the second time this season, the Huskies broke the program floor record.
| No. 50 Rutgers at No. 43 Michigan State | ||||
| Full Results | MSU: 195.425 | RU: 194.100 | ||
| VT: Hofelich, Ewing, Rizkalla, Douglas, Mitchell 9.775 | UB: Ling, Ewing 9.850 | BB: Hoerner-O’Malley 9.850 | FX: Douglas 9.925 | AA: Mitchell 39.025 |
The Big Storyline: The Spartans are starting to find their groove, putting up the big late lineup scores that secure a rotation and push teams into the 195s. Rutgers fell back a bit after its historic 196 at home last week but won’t be disappointed with this season best road score.
Implications: Neither team will see movement in the conference or national rankings.
Controversies: Five gymnasts tying for the vault title is pretty egregious. The lack of separation in vault scoring is reaching new levels.
| No. 55 Towson at No. 49 Western Michigan | ||||
| Full Results | WMU: 195.050 | Towson: 193.100 | ||
| VT: St. Brice 9.800 | UB: Spence 9.900 | BB: Arduino, Underwood 9.875 | FX: Spence, Underwood 9.825 | AA: Spence 39.125 |
The Big Storyline: Rachael Underwood continues to work back from a brief ankle injury earlier in the season, which has given teammate Morgan Spence a chance to take over as the leading scorer for this Western Michigan squad. The Broncos have proven they can put up competitive scores like this at home but still have not been able to break 195 on the road, a dangerous place to be moving toward RQS. This is a solid road number for Towson. Notable for the Tigers was junior Zoey Packard, who has not competed in her career, exhibitioning beam.
Implications: Teams across the MAC broke 195 this weekend; despite this strong total, the Broncos will fall behind Kent State in the conference. Towson will not see movement.
Records: Spence’s bars and all around totals are career highs.
| No. 51 Kent State at No. 52 Bowling Green | ||||
| Full Results | KSU: 195.800 | BGSU: 194.075 | ||
| VT: East, Worthington, Fletcher 9.850 | UB: D. Williams, Trott 9.850 | BB: Klein 9.850 | FX: East 9.975 | AA: East 38.800 |
The Big Storyline: Kent State blew the MAC away with the highest total in the conference so far. With solid and consistent scores across all events, the Flashes truly put together a complete meet. For Bowling Green, the highlight was a 49.350 floor rotation, led by Jovannah East’s massive 9.975.
Implications: Kent State will move ahead of Western Michigan in the conference and make a case for itself as a title threat with this big number.
Records: East’s floor score ties the program record; all of the floor scores for Bowling Green were career highs or season bests. Kent State saw career highs from several gymnasts on each of vault, bars and beam.
| No. 55 Towson at No. 52 Bowling Green | ||||
| Full Results | Bowling Green: 194.375 | Towson: 193.025 | ||
| VT: East 9.875 | UB: Wesoly 9.825 | BB: East 9.875 | FX: East 9.900 | AA: East 39.325 |
The Big Storyline: Despite counting a fall on floor, Bowling Green recorded its second highest total of the season, led by Jovannah East who won three events as well as the all around. Towson was without its freshman standout Emerson Hurst (who is presumably resting) but still managed to record its fourth consecutive score above 193.
Implications: Neither team will have any significant changes in the rankings.
| No. 61 William & Mary at No. 57 Penn | ||||
| Full Results | Penn: 193.025 | William & Mary: 192.850 | ||
| VT: Kraez, Marr 9.800 | UB: Pakshong 9.750 | BB: Sakti 9.875 | FX: Sakti 9.900 | AA: Caponi 38.900 |
The Big Storyline: Despite recording season high scores on vault and beam, William & Mary was just edged out by conference-mate Penn, who reached 193 for the third consecutive time this season.
Implications: Neither team will see significant changes in the rankings this week.
| No. 61 William & Mary and No. 82 Rhode Island at No. 62 West Chester | ||||
| Full Results | WCU: 192.675 | W&M: 192.525 | RIC: 182.825 | |
| VT: Sakti 9.750 | UB: Wojewoda 9.850 | BB: Pakshong, Sakti 9.800 | FX: Meakim, Fanara, Sakti 9.850 | AA: Caponi 38.150 |
The Big Storyline: William & Mary recorded a season high floor score but was just edged out by West Chester in the last rotation. Jessica Meakim and Rose Fanara scored matching 9.850s on floor to lead the Rams to victory.
Implications: None of the teams will see any significant changes in the rankings.
Records: Rhode Island College set program records on bars and floor.
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