The Dismount: Week Nine WAG

Event Coverage, Featured Carousel, NCAA WAG, Recap, The Mount
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It was a huge weekend for NCAA gymnastics with our second No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup of the season, regular season titles determined and other fun competitions around the country, not to mention the elite meets showcasing future and former collegiate gymnasts.

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

Anna Salamone (Air Force) – UB

This routine was not just a new career high for her, but it also broke the Air Force record and tied the MPSF record.

Mary Jane Otto (Illinois) – UB

Not only is she a sixth year on senior night with a stellar career-high 9.925 bar set, but she went up fifth after all four of the routines ahead of her were misses. No matter how long you’ve been nailing bar sets, that’s some pressure.

Stick of the Week

Collea Burgess (Maryland) – FX

Burgess’ gorgeous triple full was already impressive, but her stick was icing on the cake and helped the sophomore earn a career high 9.925.

Most Judy* Score

Kyla Ross (UCLA) – BB

After having scored two 10s and a 9.975 already, Kyla Ross was set up for a record breaking performance in the last rotation of the Oklahoma meet Sunday. However, the standout junior unfortunately stepped on her dismount despite having (arguably) an otherwise perfect routine. But the confusion came when her score was posted as just a 9.875. Sure, you take half a tenth for the step and maybe another half for the hip pike that made her take the step, but where did one judge come up with a third half? The score is especially ludicrous when compared to Maggie Nichols’ 9.975 a rotation prior.

*Judge Judy is a notoriously tough judge in the Wisconsin area, and was one of the culprits in the case of Shadae Boone and the 9.600 Yurchenko one and a half.

Note: The routines selected for this category are not a reflection on the gymnast(s) performing the routine but rather the judging of the routine itself.

Shade of the Week

LSU

It could mean nothing whatsoever, but we like to think it’s a slight on Georgia deciding it would be too awkward for Durante to join the team after her mother was fired.

Senior Night Moment

Utah’s Entire Beam Lineup Using Taylor Swift

The Highlights

No. 2 UCLA at No. 1 Oklahoma
Full Results OU: 197.775 UCLA: 197.575
VT: Ross 10.0 UB: Ross 10.0 BB: Nichols 9.975 FX: Ohashi 10.0 AA: Ross 39.850

The Big Storyline: UCLA junior Kyla Ross started the meet off with two perfect 10s and added a near-perfect 9.975 to her total before receiving just a 9.875 on beam to close out the meet. However, her standout performance wasn’t enough to help the Bruins to the win over Oklahoma, as the Sooners took advantage of stronger performances on vault and bars to finish just two tenths ahead. Oklahoma junior Maggie Nichols only competed two events but scored 9.925 and 9.975 for her efforts.

Implications: Dubbed the rematch of the 2018 national championships where UCLA outlasted Oklahoma to win the title, Oklahoma got the best of UCLA in this contest, making postseason implications all the more exciting. UCLA struggled on early vault and bars routines while Oklahoma had trouble on beam, so both teams can still improve in the few remaining weeks of the season. The loss also snapped UCLA’s undefeated streak while Oklahoma moved to 14-0.

Records: Oklahoma more than doubled its previous attendance record, bringing in 10,177 fans to the premiere matchup. UCLA hasn’t competed in front of fewer than 5,000 people all season.

Controversies: Ross’ 9.875 on beam in the final rotation was met with near-outrage from the UCLA coaches, especially considering some of the other scores thrown out on the event for other routines.

No. 3 Florida at No. 20 Arkansas
Full Results Florida: 197.225 Arkansas: 196.350
VT: Boren 9.925 UB: Thomas 9.925 BB: Boren 9.925 FX: Boren, Carter, McGlone, Thomas 9.925 AA: Boren 39.625

The Big Storyline: Florida capped off a high-scoring season of SEC competition by clinching the regular season title. Arkansas had a solid meet as well, scoring its second highest team score of the season and a season high score on floor. However, counting a fall on beam will be an error Arkansas can’t afford if it wants a convincing showing in the postseason.

Implications: Florida will now be the top-seeded team going into SEC championships in a few weeks.

Records: Florida’s Alicia Boren added event wins tonight to give her 48 career titles, which is almost good enough to crack the top ten event winners in Gator history. In addition, Razorback Sydney McGlone earned a career high of 9.925 on beam.

No. 7 Georgia at No. 4 LSU
Full Results LSU: 197.900 Georgia: 196.325
VT: Snead 9.925 UB: Priessman 10.0 BB: Finnegan 10.0 FX: Finnegan 9.925 AA: Finnegan 39.675

The Big Storyline: The SEC 10.0 drought ended in a dramatic fashion tonight, with not one but two LSU gymnasts—Lexie Priessman and Sarah Finnegan—earning that score on bars and beam, respectively. It all added up to a big statement from LSU, which clocked in a team score just below 198. Georgia, on the other hand, had some uncharacteristic errors, particularly on bars, where the Gymdogs counted two routines with major errors after a fall.

Implications: Both teams should secure an evening session spot at SEC championships.

Records: Sarah Finnegan now has four perfect scores over her career (three 10.0’s and a 9.950 on her 9.950-valued vault). Lexie Priessman earned her first tonight.

Controversies: Many had questions with some of the scores LSU received tonight; one commonly question was Finnegan’s 10.0, which some commenters felt had to be rewarded after excessively high scoring earlier in that lineup.

No. 9 Michigan at No. 5 Utah
Full Results Utah: 197.975 Utah 197.350
VT: Merrell-Giles, Skinner 9.950 UB: Karas, Merrell-Giles, Reinstadtler,  Skinner 9.925 BB: Farley, Karas, Wojcik 9.925 FX: Skinner 9.975 AA: Skinner 39.700

The Big Storyline: Utah showed out on senior day with particular success on stuck landings across all four events, but especially vault.  Michigan seemed like it could contend with Utah throughout the day, but some errors kept it from reaching the next level required to beat the Utes. The scores were there for the Wolverines, though; the team recorded seven career highs.

Implications: Michigan will climb two spots to No. 7, but remains a fair distance behind No. 6 Denver. Utah also improves, to No. 5.

Records: There were career high scores across the board. Of note, Michigan junior Maddy Osman earned a 9.90 on floor, and Lauren Farley earned a 9.925 on beam.

Controversies: MyKayla Skinner’s scores on beam and floor drew boos from the crowd, but the gymternet seemed to come to a consensus that her floor score of 9.975 was particularly egregious, given that it was far from her best performance of the season.

No. 6 Denver at No. 30 Illinois
Full Results DU: 197.775 Ill.: 195.050
VT: Karr 9.900 UB: Glynn, Brown, Otto 9.925 BB: Vasquez, Karr 9.950 FX: Brown 9.950 AA: Karr 39.675

The Big Storyline: Denver was spectacular in Champaign on Friday. The squad continues to prove it can hit big gymnastics and big numbers in any scoring atmosphere. Illinois had a very strong three events, but a disastrous bar rotation with four falls held the team total down.

Implications: With a stellar weekend just about everywhere else in the Big Ten, Illinois will fall to No. 8 in the conference. It is just hanging onto a regionals berth at No. 35 nationally at this time. Denver will remain at No. 6 since this season high won’t count toward NQS until the team matches or tops it.

Records: Amidst a slew of career highs, this marks a program record for Denver’s highest road score, as well as a program record beam total. Illinois also saw several career marks on beam.

Controversies: Sometime after the meet there was a review, and Illinois’ total was raised from just under the 195 mark. Late score changes have become a theme this year.

No. 12 Auburn at No. 8 Alabama
Full Results Alabama: 196.700 Auburn: 196.400
VT: Guerra 9.950 UB: Guerra 9.950 BB: Milliet 9.925 FX: Guerra 9.950 AA: Gobourne 39.275

The Big Storyline: Auburn seemed like it would come away with the win until the final rotation, when some unfortunate beam stumbles kept it behind Alabama, who had a lights-out floor rotation highlighted by freshman Shallon Olsen throwing her double double.

Implications: Auburn’s loss took it out of contention for the SEC regular season title, though it will still be vying for a night session slot at the conference championships later this month.

Records: Ari Guerra earned a 9.950 on all her events, which was good enough for her career high on each one.

Controversies: Beam judging was tight in Tuscaloosa, as it has been in weeks past. A particularly egregious instance came when Meredith Sylvia, Auburn’s anchor, earned two very different scores from each judge: 9.800 and 9.550.

No. 10 Kentucky at No. 16 Missouri
Full Results Missouri: 196.250 Kentucky: 196.000
VT: Korth 9.875 UB: Porter, Schugel 9.85 BB: Dukes, Hyland 9.875 FX: Gottula, Porter, Tucker 9.900 AA: Porter 39.325

The Big Storyline: Missouri held off Kentucky by a fairly thin margin in an affirming victory for the Tigers. The Wildcats weren’t able to maintain their 197-plus streak, dropping well below that mark here tonight. That was in part due to some strict scoring for both teams, particularly in the beginning of the meet.

Implications: Kentucky’s score should send it slightly downwards in the rankings.

Records: Missouri freshman Frances Bidwill debuted her Yurchenko one and a half for a career high of 9.850.

No. 38 Pittsburgh at No. 11 Minnesota
Full Results Minnesota: 197.500 Pittsburgh: 193.400
VT: Williams 9.900 UB: Ramler 9.950 BB: Ramler 9.975 FX: Williams 9.925 AA: Ramler 39.650

The Big Storyline: Minnesota was on fire from the first rotation, recording a season high score and the second highest score in program history on senior night. This was the second highest score in the Big 10 this season, just behind Michigan’s 197.750 recorded last week. Pittsburgh started out with a rough bars rotation, having to count two falls, but was solid on the other three events.

Implications: Pittsburgh will drop a few spots in the rankings to No. 42 since it is unable to improve its NQS this week. Minnesota will only move up one spot to No. 10 since the season high score recorded here is dropped in NQS.

Records: Minnesota’s 197.500 is the second highest score in program history. Lexy Ramler’s 9.975 on beam was a career high, as was Paige Williams’ 9.900 on vault.

No. 17 Washington and No. 35 Utah State at No. 13 Boise State
Full Results BSU: 197.125 UW: 196.750 USU: 195.025
VT: Means 9.925 UB: McGregor 9.975 BB: Esmerian 9.950 FX: Ward-Sessions 9.925 AA: Roberson 39.500

The Big Storyline: Boise State posted its second 197 of the season and did it without its star senior Shani Remme, who tore her ACL last weekend at Denver. Washington posted a season-best 196.750, highlighted by a 49.300 on vault, an event that is typically weaker for the Huskies. Utah State performed about how it has all season and will want to clean up its beam, where it counted a fall.

Implications: Boise State moves back into the top ten at No. 10 overall. Washington drops to No. 18, but its 196.750 is a score that the Huskies will be grateful to have as long as they can replicate or better that number to be able to count it. Utah State drops to No. 37 which puts it just out of regionals qualifying as of now. Southern Utah hops Utah State in the MRGC rankings now that it has enough scores for a NQS and . Washington remains at No. 5 in the Pac-12.

Records: Alex Esmerian’s 9.950 on beam is a career high, as are Isabella Amado’s 9.925 and Gabriela Bouza’s 9.900s on the event. Courtney McGregor’s 9.975 on bars is a career high and ties the highest score on bars in program history. The Broncos also matched their program-best 49.575 on bars. Aggie Madison Ward-Sessions is now tied for the most floor titles in school history, a record previously set in 1986. Evanni Roberson and Geneva Thompson set matching career highs of 9.900 on vault and bars.

No. 14 California and No. 36 UC Davis at No. 63 Sacramento State
Full Results Cal: 196.975 UCD: 195.450 Sac St: 192.625
VT: George, Clausi 9.875 UB: Watterson 9.950 BB: Hebert 9.900 FX: George, Hebert 9.900 AA: Hebert 39.275

The Big Storyline: California scored a season high on the road, highlighted by a 49.400 bars rotation. UC Davis saw a big meet from sophomore Kelley Hebert resulting in a season high team score on the road while Sacramento State was still largely on the bars struggle bus.

Implications: California’s 196.975 will be its dropped score if it can’t replicate it, but it will still appreciate that road number. The Aggies will also appreciate having this road score so that it can drop one of its lower scores and replace it with one that represents what the team has performed like for the majority of the season. This is also one of Sacramento State’s higher scores, which will have a positive impact on its NQS. After this week, UC Davis moves just out of a regional spot at No. 38 while Sacramento State drops to No. 64. California remains at No. 14. Conference rankings for all three teams are unchanged.

Records: Jackie Sampson’s 9.875 on beam is a career high, as is Jordyn Brent’s 9.900 on bars.

No. 55 Bowling Green and No. 57 Alaska at No. 15 Oregon State
Full Results OSU: 195.825 UAA: 193.450 BGSU: 189.500
VT: East 9.950 UB: Colussi-Pelaez 9.875 BB: M. Dagen 9.900 FX: Lowery 9.925 AA: East 39.175

The Big Storyline: Yikes. This is Oregon State’s lowest score since week two, and at home no less. The Beavers counted a major mistake on bars and beam. Bowling Green is also in the yikes category after a rough run on bars and beam to start the meet, with only two scores above 9.500 on both events combined. A better floor and strong vault rotation—and very strong all around performance from Jovannah East—kept the Falcons from a true nightmare score. Alaska on the other hand had a solid outing on all four to put up the Seawolves’ highest away score this year.

Implications: Bowling Green and Alaska will both drop a few spots to Nos. 57 and 60, respectively.

Records: Jovannah East’s 9.950 on vault ties the Bowling Green program record. Alaska recorded several career best marks as well.

Controversies: The Bowling Green coaching staff is embroiled in controversy over coaching tactics, and current and former members of the team seem split into pro- and anti- camps. The environment seems tense to say the least, and perhaps that tension contributed to the rough meet here. Before Alaska took to beam, something (a screw?) was tightened or fixed on one end of the apparatus. Between them, Bowling Green and Oregon State had seven error-ridden routines on beam in the rotations before Alaska got there. It begs the question: Was something wrong with the equipment?

Southern Utah at No. 18 Nebraska
Full Results Neb: 196.825 SUU: 195.050
VT: McClain 9.875 UB: Houchin 9.900 BB: Crouse 9.950 FX: Crouse 9.950 AA: Crouse 39.225

The Big Storyline: Southern Utah had a good first half of the meet but didn’t have its best second half. It hit all of its routines but it counted more 9.6-range scores than it would desire. It was a solid showing for Nebraska, but it left a lot to improve on especially on vault. It notably rested Taylor Houchin and the beam squad hit under pressure after its leadoff competitor fell.

Implications: Nebraska remains at No. 18 and Southern Utah makes its NQS debut at No. 28. Southern Utah is now No. 3 in the MRGC and Nebraska is still No. 3 in the Big Ten.

Records: Karley McClain’s 9.875 vault is a career high.

No. 19 BYU and No. 32 Maryland at No. 34 George Washington
Full Results BYU: 196.500 GW: 195.325 UMD: 194.825
VT: Zois 9.875 UB: Evans 9.950 BB: Cyrenne 9.900 FX: Evans, Zois 9.850 AA: Evans, Zois 39.425

The Big Storyline: BYU scored its highest road score of the year and fifth 196-plus score overall in a win over George Washington and Maryland. The Cougars have been scoring 196s regularly at home but have struggled a bit on the road, so this score helps their chances of getting a seeded spot at regionals.

Implications: BYU is able to drop one of its lower road scores and moves up three spots to No. 16. George Washington and Maryland both drop a bit to No. 34 and No. 35, respectively.

Records: Helody Cyrenne’s 9.900 on beam was a career high. Alex Zois recorded career highs on vault and in the all around with a 9.875 and a 39.425, respectively.

No. 21 Arizona State, No. 49 Yale and No. 56 Cornell at No. 27 Penn State
Full Results PSU: 196.375 ASU: 196.150 Cornell: 194.575 Yale: 194.100
VT: Wilson 9.900 UB: Leonard-Baker 9.925 BB: Baldovino 9.850 FX: Belkoff, Astarita 9.900 AA: Bridgens 39.400

The Big Storyline: What a meet! This is Arizona State’s highest road score of the season, Penn State’s second highest total (which means it counts toward NQS), Cornell’s third highest total in program history and Yale’s fourth 194-plus of the season.

Implications: Penn State will ride this total into the top 25, sitting at No. 25 going into week 10. Cornell has proven that it shouldn’t be forgotten in the ECAC, and Arizona State will remain at No. 21 but inch closer to the top 20, sitting just 0.020 behind No. 20 Arkansas.

Records: This is Cornell’s third highest score in program history. All four teams saw gymnasts post career highs.

No. 24 West Virginia and No. 47 Temple at No. 23 Ohio State
Full Results tOSU: 196.850 WVU: 196.100 Temple: 194.000
VT: Jennings 9.900 UB: Gagliardi, Swartzentruber 9.875 BB: Stone 9.925 FX: Stone 9.950 AA: Stone 39.500

The Big Storyline: Ohio State is back. After an injury-ridden and rough February capped off by a last-place finish at its Big Five, the Buckeyes made a statement with this season high. This is the Mountaineers’ highest away number, and it will boost its NQS as it drops a lingering 194. Ohio State’s Jamie Stone in particular stepped up in her senior night performance.

Implications: Ohio State will move up one spot to No. 22, just behind Arizona State. West Virginia will drop slightly to No. 26.

Records: This is Ohio State’s fourth highest score in program history, led by a handful of career highs including Stone’s all around total. This was Kirah Koshinski’s second time in the all around this season, and her 39.350 was also a career best among several other career marks for the Mountaineers. Temple’s Monica Servidio’s 9.825 on bars was a career high.

No. 25 N.C. State, No. 46 Rutgers, No. 61 Brown at No. 29 New Hampshire
Full Results UNH: 196.000 N.C. State: 195.850 Rutgers: 194.625 Brown: 192.125
VT: Grantham, Rizkalla 9.900 UB: Mulligan, Kent 9.900 BB: Mulligan 9.900 FX: Watkins, Winer, Rizkalla 9.900 AA: Fillard 39.050

The Big Storyline: This meet was an exciting showdown between the top two teams in the EAGL. In the end, New Hampshire came out on top by just 0.150 after a season high score on floor. Rutgers also had a solid day led by a 9.900 on both vault and floor by Jenna Rizkalla.  

Implications: N.C. State drops two places in the rankings to No. 25 while New Hampshire drops to No. 30. However, they retain the top two spots in the EAGL. Rutgers moves up one spot to No. 45, and Brown moves down to No. 63.

Records: Ava Watkins and Emma Winer both set career highs on floor with 9.900s. Jenna Rizkalla’s 9.900 on vault was also a career high.

No. 26 Iowa State at No. 33 Iowa
Full Results ISU: 196.275 Iowa: 196.250
VT: Sievers 9.900 UB: Chow, Sievers 9.875 BB: Sievers, Converse 9.875 FX: Kaji, Guerin 9.900 AA: Sievers 39.475

The Big Storyline: Talk about a close one! This rivalry meet was everything we wanted it to be. Both teams should walk away feeling very pleased with the performances here. Meaghan Sievers in particular had a stellar day.

Implications: Iowa proved its big total last weekend in Toledo was no fluke. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones each get to count this score for NQS, since both totals come in under the teams’ season highs, so both will see slight upward movement.

Records: This marks the first time the Cyclones have topped the Hawkeyes in Iowa City since 2010.

No. 28 Arizona, No. 58 Air Force and No. 68 Centenary at No. 54 Texas Woman’s
Full Results Arizona: 196.450 Air Force: 194.625 TWU: 194.400 CC: 190.425
VT: Leydin 9.875 UB: Berg 9.975 BB: Alderman 9.900 FX: Leydin 9.900 AA: Leydin 39.35

The Big Storyline: Air Force and Centenary met again after their dual on Friday night, and this time Air Force was in high gear. The Falcons recorded a season high while Anna Salamone’s 9.950 on bars was a personal best, as well as a program record (beating her own mark from 2018). Centenary continued its great weekend by registering its best road score of the weekend, with the help of an all around career high from freshman Kendall Sanders. Arizona enjoyed the scoring environment at Texas Woman’s with Christina Berg notching a near-perfect 9.975 on bars. Meanwhile, TWU notched a season high on senior night from the help of senior Erin Alderman’s 9.900 on beam and 9.875 on floor.

Implications: Air Force expectedly jumped up the rankings this weekend, dropping a catastrophic road score and taking the USAG No. 5 spot back from Texas Woman’s. It’s up to No. 52 in the country.

Records: Salamone’s bars score is a program record.

Controversies: Scoring was loose throughout the meet. This isn’t uncommon at Texas Woman’s, but some of the 9.9-plus scores felt generous. We’ve also heard that Air Force head coach Doug Day didn’t travel to the meet due to health issues, though we haven’t had formal confirmation from the team. If it’s true, we’re hoping for a quick and complete recovery for him.

No. 31 UIC at No. 50 Western Michigan
Full Results UIC: 194.625 WMU: 194.325
VT: Underwood, Mahoney 9.850 UB: Spence, Baker 9.850 BB: Underwood, Baddeley 9.850 FX: Spence, Underwood 9.875 AA: Underwood 39.325

The Big Storyline: This was a bizarre meet. Both teams were very strong on three events and had a disaster in the third rotation. Western Michigan had three falls on beam, and UIC had two on floor. This is the Flames’ lowest score since week two and over a full point lower than they put up on Sunday at Lindenwood.

Implications: This total will allow Western Michigan to drop a 192.700 from its NQS.

Records: Rachael Underwood and Morgan Spence’s all around totals are in the top 10 in Bronco program history.

No. 35 George Washington at No. 34 Maryland
Full Results Maryland: 194.975 George Washington: 194.675
VT: Barber, Burgess 9.825 UB: Barber 9.875 BB: LeBlanc 9.875 FX: Burgess 9.925 AA: Barber 39.400

The Big Storyline: After being defeated by George Washington on Friday, Maryland came out on top on Monday but was still unable to break back into the 195s after counting a fall on bars. George Washington didn’t count any falls, but several low scores on vault took the total way down.  

Implications: These scores do not factor into the rankings until next week, but neither score is significant enough for either team to make a difference in the daily rankings.

Records: Collea Burgess set a new career high on floor with a 9.925 while teammate Emilie LeBlanc set a personal best on beam with a 9.875.

No. 37 Michigan State at No. 48 Eastern Michigan
Full Results MSU: 195.850 EMU: 194.650
VT: Ewing 9.850 UB: Mitchell 9.900 BB: Douglas 9.825 FX: Douglas 9.875 AA: Mitchell 39.350

The Big Storyline: The Spartans have found a handful of reliable late-lineup scores to elevate their total across all four. Ella Douglas and Lea Mitchell in particular are having spectacular seasons. With a little more cleanliness in the early sets, this is easily a 196-level team that is in no way out of the regionals picture. This was a season high total, and it was away. Eastern Michigan also put together a strong showing, coming in just under its season high. This total allows the team to drop a 192 from its NQS.

Implications: No. 37 is a scary spot to be since 36 teams qualify to regionals this year. Michigan State made a case for itself to jump into that coveted group, though it dropped to No. 39 after a handful of teams dropped low scores from NQSs with this weekend’s totals as well.

Records: Mitchell’s 9.900 on bars and all around total are career marks.

No. 39 Central Michigan at No. 44 Ball State
Full Results CMU: 196.175 Ball St.: 195.625
VT: Schweikert 9.850 UB: Plaksa 9.900 BB: Penny 9.850 FX: Pedrick 9.925 AA: Pedrick 38.875

The Big Storyline: Central Michigan isn’t messing around. This is the first 196 in the conference, and it happened away. There have been questions about this team’s home cooking in recent years, but this away total should cement the fact that this is a solid team that is very capable of qualifying to regionals. With this win, Central Michigan clinched a share of the MAC regular season title, and could win outright with a win over Northern Illinois in two weeks. This is also a season-best total for Ball State.

Implications: This is the first 196 in the MAC this year. Central Michigan has given up some ground to Kent State and Northern Illinois in recent weeks, but don’t count it out for taking the conference title. The Chippewas will move up to No. 37 nationally, one spot out of regional contention. Ball State will fall to No. 46 and hold steady in the MAC at No. 4.

Records: Denelle Pedrick and Gianna Plaksa had career marks in this meet.

Controversies: We still don’t really know why Chippewa long-time head coach Jerry Reighard was placed on administrative leave, or when or if he’ll be back. We do know that the team hasn’t slowed down without him in the past two weeks.

No. 50 Western Michigan at No. 41 Kent State
Full Results KSU: 195.700 WMU: 195.050
VT: Underwood 9.825 UB: D. Williams 9.925 BB: Carless 9.875 FX: Fletcher 9.925 AA: Underwood 39.275

The Big Storyline: Kent State is not messing around. After a slow start, it has put up four high-195 totals in a row, two home and two away. Dara Williams is proving to be an incredibly important member of this team on vault and bars, and Abby Fletcher has settled into a key role on floor. For the Broncos, this season is still about Rachael Underwood and Morgan Spence doing work as all arounders. To really elevate the team to the next level, a few other gymnasts need to step up with big scores in the next few weeks.

Implications: The Flashes have one more low away total to drop, so their position won’t change too much this week. Keep an eye on them in two weeks, though; they’ll visit Eastern Michigan and have one last shot to really rocket up the rankings before the conference championship.

Records: Kent State posted three career highs, including Abby Fletcher and Dara Williams’ event-winning totals and Jade Brown’s 9.825 on bars.

No. 52 Illinois State at No. 42 Northern Illinois
Full Results NIU: 193.350 Ill. St.: 192.050
VT: Lamberti 9.850 UB: Iribarren 9.825 BB: Lord 9.900 FX: Cooke, Kofmehl 9.850 AA: Cooke 38.575

The Big Storyline: This was an off meet for both teams, and not the totals either was looking for as we approach the conference championship. That said, a handful of the top individual performances in this meet came from gymnasts who could win their specialty in the MIC and MAC and who could qualify to regionals as individuals. Keep an eye on Cinny Lamberti on vault, Mia Lord on beam and Gabrielle Cooke on floor in the coming weeks, as well as perpetual floor star Anna Martucci. Northern Illinois had a disastrous bars performance, but bounced back well on beam and floor, a good sign for the team.

Implications: The Huskies have been outpaced by several MAC teams in the past few weeks, and this total won’t help. Ball State is encroaching on Northern Illinois’ No. 3 spot in the conference, and Central Michigan’s big 196 this weekend put it a pace ahead of the other teams’ top scores. Illinois State remains at No. 3 in the MIC, but a steadily improving Texas Woman’s squad is making that position look less and less secure.

Records: This was Northern Illinois’ highest-scoring beam rotation since 2006.

No. 43 North Carolina at No. 62 William & Mary
Full Results North Carolina: 195.125 William & Mary: 192.625
VT: Hislop 9.875 UB: Dewhurst 9.825 BB: DeCicco, Sakti 9.850 FX: Hislop 9.950 AA: Caponi 39.025

The Big Storyline: North Carolina recorded its second highest score of the season to defeat William & Mary, but its consistency problems continue, having to count a fall on beam. William & Mary recorded a season high 48.725 on vault, a score that is tied for sixth best in program history.

Implications: There are no ranking changes for either team this week.

Records: Caroline Caponi set a new personal best in the all around with a 39.025, her first score over the 39 mark.

No. 45 Bridgeport and No. 64 Southern Connecticut at No. 53 Towson
Full Results Towson: 193.900 UB: 192.900 SCSU: 190.050
VT: Roland, Wesoly 9.850 UB: Wesoly, Zientek 9.800 BB: Reimers 9.875 FX: Stahlbrodt 9.850 AA: Roland 38.800

The Big Storyline: Towson recorded season high scores on vault and bars en route to its second highest score of the season and a win over both Southern Connecticut and Bridgeport.

Implications: Towson drops a spot to No. 54 while Bridgeport drops three spots to No. 48, since it is unable to increase its NQS. Southern Connecticut drops to No. 66.

No. 51 San Jose State at No 65 Seattle Pacific
Full Results SJSU: 194.075 SPU: 192.525
VT: Andrada 9.725 UB: Nadonza, Burns 9.800 BB: T. Chan 9.85 FX: T. Chan 9.900 AA: T. Chan 39.225

The Big Storyline: San Jose State is getting its season back on track after an unsettled start to 2019 due to injuries. The Spartans registered their highest road score of the year in Seattle with the help of a great day from Taylor Chan and a near-sweep in individual titles. Seattle Pacific freshman Kayla Chan is stepping into a leading role, scoring season highs on all three of her events.

Implications: The Falcons weren’t able to make much RQS headway since they have numerous good home scores this year while the Spartans’ RQS will improve but not enough to stop them from dropping a spot.

READ THIS NEXT: The Dismount: Week Nine MAG

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