Below you’ll not only find fast facts from every DI meet this weekend (for more on USAG and NCGA teams, check out their respective Dismounts), but a few superlatives for some of our favorite moments as well.
Routine of the Week
In addition to being daring and unique with incredible amplitude, all of Evanni Roberson’s routines are cleverly structured to minimize deductions. After 10 career 9.900-plus beam routines, that’s how she broke through to score a perfect 10 at home on Saturday night. Every piece of this routine is special, from her LOSO + LOSO combination to her switch split jump to the airtime on her gainer full dismount.
https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/1228841947860627456?s=20
Best Execution of a Meet Theme
Iowa hosted Michigan for an ’80s Night and man did both teams play it up. Thank you, you’re amazing, we love you, never change.
Best “Necessity Is the Mother of Invention” Moment
With the GymQuarters meet being broadcast on Flo, we weren’t optimistic about official live scores. Luckily, Missouri took matters into its own hands and tweeted out a link to scores…on a Google Sheet. Shoutout to the Mizzou communications team for coming through!
Most Carol Score
Kennedi Edney scored an impossible 9.600 for a floor routine with a hand-down fall.
https://twitter.com/pasekascheng/status/1229181332510707713?s=20
[Insert unnecessary disclaimer about this category not being about the gymnast but the judging here.]
Stick of the Week
Angelica Labat stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 at the Redbirds’ meet against Bowling Green and Temple, recording a career best 9.925.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mqHfxpr2O/?igshid=whey9sqbu4ht
Cover of the Week
Cristal Isa came up short on her double pike, but she didn’t let it just be an ordinary fall. Instead, she slid into a split.
The Highlights
| No. 29 West Virginia & No. 52 Texas Woman’s at No. 1 Oklahoma | ||||
| Full Results | OU: 198.400 | WVU: 195.575 | TWU: 193.875 | |
| VT: Nichols 10.000 | UB: Nichols 10.000 | BB: Smith 9.950 | FX: Webb 9.950 | AA: Webb 39.650 |
The Big Storyline: Oklahoma was the story in this one. The Sooners posted their highest score of the season and the highest in the NCAA this season. Maggie Nichols scored two 10.0s, and the Sooners had a lights-out vault rotation to set the program record. Oklahoma also debuted six 10.0 start value vaults for the first time in 2020. West Virginia had a solid meet, posting its second-highest total of the season and its highest road score of the season. Floor was the highlight for West Virginia while beam left room for improvement.
Implications: A season high ensures Oklahoma will stay on the top of the rankings, and the Sooners have enough high scores that they’ll be just fine once NQS kicks in. West Virginia will be happy to count this road score, as it is its highest thus far.
Records: Anastasia Webb set a career high on floor with a 9.950. Olivia Trautman and Allie Stern both scored career high 9.975s on vault as the Sooners set the school vault record with a 49.775.
| No. 2 Florida at No. 17 Auburn | ||||
| Full Results | Florida: 197.875 | Auburn: 194.750 | ||
| VT: Richards 9.950 | UB: Thomas 9.950 | BB: Thomas 10.000 | FX: Thomas 9.950 | AA: Thomas 39.775 |
The Big Storyline: This will be a forgettable one for Auburn, who put up decent numbers on vault and bars but started to crumble midway through the meet. The Tigers might have salvaged a few tenths, but subbed out Derrian Gobourne on floor at the last minute (for precautionary reasons) for freshman Morgan Leigh Oldham, who fell in her career debut. The team score is just a few tenths shy of the Tigers’ season low score from the opening weekend. Florida had its usual solid performance, and it looks like Trinity Thomas 10s are going to start becoming a regular thing.
Implications: Florida will remain comfortably in the second spot while Auburn will likely slide a bit. As mentioned, Derrian Gobourne competed only vault and bars; it didn’t seem serious, but it’s something to consider for the coming weeks. Also, for the third week in a row, Florida sophomore Nya Reed was not dressed out.
Records: Florida’s 49.625 beam total was good enough for the third best score in program history.
| No. 21 Oregon State at No. 3 Utah | ||||
| Full Results | Utah: 197.100 | Oregon State: 196.275 | ||
| VT: Tessen 9.950 | UB: Reinstadtler 9.925 | BB: O’Keefe 9.975 | FX: Soloski, Lowery, Yanish 9.900 | AA: Isa 38.850 |
The Big Storyline: Counting a fall on floor ended Utah’s streak of setting a new season high in each meet, but the Utes still came away with a win and their highest home score of the season. Beam was once again the best event for Utah, where freshmen Maile O’Keefe notched a near-perfect score to take the event title, helping the Utes at least tie for the win on every event. Oregon State, despite some misses on beam, was able to score above a 196 for the fourth time in a row, led by Isis Lowery and Kaitlyn Yanish’s tie for the floor title.
Implications: The misses on beam for the Beavers were a missed opportunity to grab a good road score before NQS kicks in next week. Oregon State only has one more away meet—next week at California—before the Pac-12 championship.
Records: O’Keefe’s 9.975 on beam is a new career high.
| No. 4 UCLA at No. 30 Arizona State | ||||
| Full Results | UCLA: 197.200 | Arizona State: 195.475 | ||
| VT: Dennis 9.900 | UB: Ross 9.950 | BB: Ross 9.950 | FX: Kramer 9.950 | AA: Hano 39.100 |
The Big Storyline: UCLA hit the road this week and notched a victory over Arizona State, swept all the event titles and broke 197 for the second week in a row. As usual, Kyla Ross led the way for the Bruins by winning event titles on bars and beam—the only two events she competed after being rested on the other two. Three missed beam routines derailed what was a great meet for Arizona State, who started off the meet behind by only one tenth after a trio of 9.850s by the Sun Devils.
Implications: UCLA will slide up one spot in the rankings this week to sit tied with Pac-12 rival Utah at third in the RTN rankings (despite having a higher average if scores aren’t truncated). The Bruins also hit five of six routines on beam to start to put their troubles on the event behind them.
| No. 44 George Washington at No. 5 Denver | ||||
| Full Results | DU: 197.425 | GW: 194.900 | ||
| VT: Karr 9.900 | UB: Karr 9.975 | BB: Vasquez 10.000 | FX: Karr 9.950 | AA: Karr 39.775 |
The Big Storyline: Denver tied its season high score, setting program records on bars and beam in the process. It was a meet of high highs and low lows for the Pioneers, with Alexis Vasquez dazzling on beam to earn her second perfect 10.000 of the year while standout junior Lynnzee Brown went down on her double pike with an apparent lower leg injury. George Washington had a solid meet, nearly eclipsing 195. It wasn’t the Colonials’ best meet, but it’s a step in the right direction for a team that has been inconsistent thus far.
Implications: Denver’s second 197.425 ensures one of them will count in its NQS. The injury to Lynnzee Brown is a huge loss for the Pioneers. The team is already small, and without the depth of a larger squad it will be hard to replace Brown’s 9.9-plus scores on four events with routines similar in quality. George Washington’s performance will allow it to drop a 192.900 road score when NQS kicks in. It also moves the Colonials into a three way tie for third place in the EAGL.
Records: Denver set two program records: on bars with a 49.575 and on beam with a 49.650. Maddie Karr tied the program record and set a personal record in the all around with a 39.775. Lynnzee Brown and Alexandria Ruiz both recorded 9.925s to set personal bests. Deja Chambliss competed floor for the first time since her Achilles injury last year and recorded a career high 9.825.
| No. 7 Michigan at No. 34 Iowa | ||||
| Full Results | UM: 196.800 | Iowa: 195.975 | ||
| VT: Brenner, Heiskell, Brooks 9.875 | UB: Brooks 9.900 | BB: Mariani 9.900 | FX: Wilson 9.900 | AA: Brooks 39.475 |
The Big Storyline: Michigan has become the Sierra Brooks show. If you’re sitting around scratching your head about Natalie Wojcik and her now weekly oddball moments, same. She has just felt off this year, and falling on bars on her hecht mount is a clear example. Thankfully for the Wolverines, Brooks has calmly stepped into the all around leadership role. The Hawkeyes have looked much more comfortable the past two weeks; Clair Kaji is back in form, Erin Castle is coming into her own and bars is beginning to right itself. We also can’t talk about this one without acknowledging how amazing the ’80s Night theme was, with both teams playing it up. Did you see Bev Plocki’s big hair, headband, jean jacket outfit?!
Implications: Michigan remains undefeated in the Big Ten going into next weekend’s Big Five meet, where the regular season conference champion will be crowned. (The Big Ten finishes the season with out-of-conference opponents.) That’s a closely fought title this year, with Minnesota just a skosh behind. Iowa’s surge couldn’t come at a better time; the Hawkeyes are in position to land another conference championship night session berth next weekend, although the middle of the conference is also very competitive.
| No. 14 Arkansas at No. 6 Alabama | ||||
| Full Results | Alabama: 196.625 | Arkansas: 196.100 | ||
| VT: Graber 9.900 | UB: Doggette 9.900 | BB: Hambrick 9.875 | FX: Desch, Graber, Lovett & Mahoney 9.925 | AA: Hambrick 39.400 |
The Big Storyline: This was a close meet that came down to the last routine for both teams, and it was made even more of a nail biter when Makarri Doggette was taken out of Alabama’s anchor position for Alonza Klopfer. Klopfer needed a hit, and she ultimately came through. Arkansas did what it had to do on beam, but two sub-9.600 routines kept the Razorbacks from catching up after what was an otherwise average road performance. Of note, Alabama had similar beam issues and had to count a fall.
Implications: Alabama’s lower score than usual could cause it to move down by just a little; the same goes for Arkansas. Alabama sophomore Griffin James was injured on floor with what was later confirmed to be a torn achilles. Makarri Doggette was taken out of the floor lineup after experiencing pain in her knee after bars; she will undergo an MRI. Arkansas sophomore Amanda Elswick appeared in the beam lineup tonight, as well as on vault, so it’s clear she is back from an early season shin injury. Her teammate Jessica Yamzon raised some lineup questions tonight too since she did not compete vault in the only non-all around performance of her career. It’s likely a one time change, but it’s still worth watching.
Records: Alonza Klopfer’s 9.850 on floor was a career high.
| No. 15 Nebraska at No. 8 Minnesota | ||||
| Full Results | Minnesota: 197.400 | Nebraska: 195.700 | ||
| VT: Houchin 9.950 | UB: Ramler 9.975 | BB: Ramler 9.975 | FX: Loper 9.900 | AA: Ramler 39.625 |
The Big Storyline: Minnesota will be pleased with another score in the mid-197s, which was the result of a very put together meet. The Gophers led the way on their two best events despite some interesting scoring (not to mention score changes) on bars. Vault remains the weakest event for Minnesota; it isn’t a bad event per se, but the scores seem to be stuck in the mid-9.8s due to hoppy landings. That is something that will need to be cleaned up for the Gophers to truly be competitive against the top teams. It was not the best outing for Nebraska, which had mistakes on every event but beam. The Huskers are a far better team than the scores reflected, but they are beginning to run out of away meets to lock in those higher scores—and NQS time is fast approaching.
Implications: Minnesota jumps ahead of Michigan after this meet and continues to prove that it is a legitimate threat for that Big Ten championship and is a true nationals contender. Nebraska is just as capable of big scores as its conference counterparts—it just needs to put together a clean meet and live up to its full potential.
| GymQuarters Invitational with No. 9 LSU, No. 18 Iowa State, No. 19 Missouri & No. 48 Lindenwood | ||||
| Full Results | LSU: 197.875 | Iowa State: 196.625 | Missouri: 196.450 | Lindenwood: 193.550 |
| VT: Johnson 10.000 | UB: Durante, Hu, Schreiber & Shchennikova 9.950 | BB: Johnson 9.925 | FX: Johnson 9.950 | AA: Johnson 39.750 |
The Big Storyline: LSU came close to cracking 198 in its most put-together meet of the season, punctuated by a 10.000 on vault for Kiya Johnson. Iowa State also had a clean competition that matched its second highest team score of the season. The Cyclones had a vault highlight too, with sophomore Kelsey Boychuk debuting her Yurchenko one and a half, one week after teammate Andrea Maldonado did the same. Missouri is capable of better, but its bars rotation was one of several highlights that the Tigers should be proud of. Lindenwood counted a floor fall but put together an otherwise solid meet.
Implications: LSU climbs to No. 6 with its season high score. Kennedi Edney added vault back tonight, but still did not compete bars.
Records: Missouri’s bars score of 49.400 tied the program’s record; freshman Sienna Schreiber earned a career high of 9.950. Iowa State freshman Jade Vella-Wright became only the second freshman in school history to earn a 9.925 on bars. Helen Hu turned in her third all around performance of the season and earned her highest mark of 39.475.
| No. 12 Kentucky at No. 9 LSU | ||||
| Full Results | LSU: 197.500 | Kentucky 196.625 | ||
| VT: Harrold
9.975 |
UB: Warren
9.925 |
BB: Worley
9.900 |
FX: Johnson
9.975 |
AA: Johnson
39.650 |
The Big Storyline: LSU came close to its season high score it set on Friday. Not all of that was entirely legit (see below), but it’s clear that the Tigers are on the right track and are getting ready to peak when it matters most. Kentucky had another strong day, but showed some weaknesses, seeing a fall from Mollie Korth on beam and Raena Worley on vault.
Implications: LSU continued making its case to move up in the rankings with another strong day. Kentucky should not see much movement. On the injury front, LSU junior Olivia Gunter was seen in a boot.
Records: Ruby Harrold set a career high of 9.975 on vault.
Controversies: It might be shorter to list which scores weren’t controversial… Not only did Johnson and Edney receive mathematically impossible scores on vault and floor respectively (see Most Carol Score superlative), LSU’s entire beam lineup went 9.800-plus despite four of the gymnasts having major leg-up checks (not to mention other significant errors, such as steps on landings or form breaks, that were seemingly ignored). LSU outperformed Kentucky and deserved to win; thanks to the many egregious lapses in judgment, however, this win feels more like a “win.”
| No. 10 California at No. 25 Stanford | ||||
| Full Results | California: 197.125 | Stanford: 196.175 | ||
| VT: George, Mastrangelo 9.875 | UB: Bordas, Watterson 9.925 | BB: George 9.925 | FX: Bryant 9.950 | AA: George 39.525 |
The Big Storyline: California used consistent gymnastics across all four events to outpace Stanford and record its highest road total of the season. Kyana George once again led the way for the Golden Bears, placing second on floor while winning vault and beam en route to the all around title. Despite a flat first three rotations, Stanford finished the meet on a high note, posting the night’s highest event total on floor and Kyla Bryant winning the event for the Cardinal.
Implications: Stanford posted its second highest score of the season, which should help it out in the impending NQS rankings. California did itself a big favor too by notching this road score in the 197s.
Records: Bryant’s 9.950 on floor is a new career high for the junior.
| No. 36 Eastern Michigan & No. 45 Ball State at No. 11 Georgia | ||||
| Full Results | Georgia: 197.075 | Ball State: 194.725 | Eastern Michigan: 194.700 | |
| VT: Lukacs & Magee 9.900 | UB: Roberts 9.900 | BB: Baumann 9.950 | FX: Vega 9.950 | AA: Lukacs 39.300 |
The Big Storyline: Georgia played with lineups tonight in what was expected to be (and ultimately was) a comfortable win. The MAC teams in attendance, Ball State and Eastern Michigan, had a tight race of their own, but Ball State came through to upset the Eagles by a quarter tenth.
Implications: Georgia’s lineups were likely a fluke, but they raised some eyebrows nonetheless. Junior Marissa Oakley did not compete; her bars spot was taken by junior Emily Schild in Schild’s first competitive routine of the year. Freshman Soraya Hawthorne competed beam for the first time, and sophomore Sterlyn Austin made her collegiate debut on floor. We also learned freshman Amanda Cashman tore her Achilles and will be out for the season. She had been a three-event contributor for the GymDogs.
Records: Mikayla Magee earned a career high vault score of 9.900.
| No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Washington | ||||
| Full Results | Washington: 196.600 | Arizona: 195.700 | ||
| VT: Thompson 9.925 | UB: Roberson 9.875 | BB: Roberson 10.000 | FX: Roberson 9.925 | AA: Roberson 39.650 |
The Big Storyline: Led by Evanni Roberson’s perfect 10 on beam, Washington was able to easily defeat Arizona despite trailing at the halfway mark due to two misses on bars. Winning three event titles led Roberson to a new career high all around score, and the Huskies got the event title sweep thanks to Geneva Thompson’s stuck Yurchenko full on vault. The Wildcats suffered from some low scores on bars and beam, but were still able to put up their highest road score of the season. Arizona also had runner-up finishes from Maddi Leydin on vault and Christina Berg on bars.
Implications: Both teams should remain around their relative places in the standings. Washington is still keeping a good distance above Oregon State to remain in the top half of the Pac-12 standings.
Records: Roberson’s perfect score is the first 10.0 on beam in Washington history and the program’s first perfect score since Carly Dockendorf—current Utah assistant coach—in 2004.
| No. 37 Boise State at No. 16 BYU | ||||
| Full Results | BYU: 196.375 | BSU: 196.150 | ||
| VT: Evans, Bouza 9.850 | UB: Evans, Muhlenhaupt 9.950 | BB: Rollins, S. Miner, Evans, Bouza, Masiado 9.875 | FX: Vitkauskas 9.900 | AA: Evans 39.550 |
The Big Storyline: It wasn’t a perfect meet for either team, but it wasn’t a disaster either. Boise State posted a season high, and it would have been even better if not for counting a fall on beam. It was the Broncos’ most put together meet to date, with season highs on both vault and floor in addition to a return to form on bars. BYU had to count a fall on bars, but the Cougars recovered in the second half of the meet to post their third highest score of the season. Floor was a highlight for the Cougars and freshman Elease Rollins had a stellar debut on beam, posting a 9.875.
Implications: With its performance, Boise State moves up to No. 35 overall. However, the Broncos will want to build on their success in this meet if they want to continue to rise in the rankings come NQS. Sophomore Alexis Stokes performed in exhibition on beam and was spotted with her grips on as well, which is a good sign that she could be back soon.
Records: Abby Stainton scored a career high 9.925 on bars. She also set a career high 9.875 on floor. Sadie Miner’s 9.875 on beam is a career high, and Brittney Vitkauskas scored a career high 9.900 on floor. Boise State’s Isabella Amado (9.875), Maddi Nilson (9.825) and Hope Masiado (9.800) all set career highs on floor.
| No. 20 Southern Utah at No. 31 Utah State | ||||
| Full Results | USU: 196.525 | SUU: 196.450 | ||
| VT: C. Kho, Alfaro 9.850 | UB: Murakami, Sullivan 9.875 | BB: DeHarde 9.925 | FX: DeHarde 9.925 | AA: Sullivan 39.300 |
The Big Storyline: It was a close and exciting meet from beginning to end. Utah State narrowly edged out the Thunderbirds, posting its third highest score in program history in the process. Southern Utah had the edge after three rotations, but a less-than-stellar beam performance did the Thunderbirds in while the Aggies ended the meet with a 49.325 on floor to seal the deal. Thunderbird sophomore Karley McClain was replaced by Mikaela DeFilippo on beam and floor. DeFilippo was originally the exhibition on floor, but per the commentator, head coach Scotty Bauman said she would be put in as the anchor if Southern Utah had five good routines before her. The reason for the substitution on beam is unknown. Utah State freshman Maia Fishwick also made her collegiate debut on beam.
Implications: McClain has been a steady contributor in the all around for Southern Utah. If she is in any way limited or out, it’s a blow for a team that could use any consistency it can get. Despite the rocky end to the meet, the Thunderbirds still posted a mid-196, which speaks volumes to the team’s potential. Its 196.525 brings the Aggies to No. 26 nationally, but Utah State will want to replicate or build on this performance; right now this is its highest score of the season and will be dropped come NQS.
Records: Utah State’s Mikaela Meyer scored a career high 9.875 on floor.
| No. 38 Western Michigan at No. 23 Illinois | ||||
| Full Results | Illinois: 195.900 | Western Michigan: 194.850 | ||
| VT: Ludwig, Scott, Townes 9.800 | UB: Howell, Mohler 9.900 | BB: Howell, 9.850 | FX: Scott 9.925 | AA: Howell 39.325 |
The Big Storyline: Illinois defeated Western Michigan in this non-conference meet, recording a season high 195.900 and handing the Broncos their first dual loss of the season. It was still a strong meet for the Broncos, however, and will allow them to drop their early season 191.800 once NQS kicks in. Illinois senior Karen Howell had an exceptionally strong showing, recording season highs on three of the four events and winning the all around title.
Implications: Western Michigan has surpassed everyone’s expectations all season and continues to do so. Illinois recorded season highs on bars and floor in addition to a season high team total. Mia Takekawa was limited to bars here; whether or not they are being cautious or there is a bigger injury concern remains to be seen.
Records: Shayla Scott earned a career high 9.925 on floor.
| No. 23 Illinois at No. 32 Michigan State | ||||
| Full Results | MSU: 196.150 | Ill.: 195.775 | ||
| VT: Biondi 9.850 | UB: Jackard 9.925 | BB: Howell, Noonan, Scott 9.900 | FX: Simons, Hofelich, Mitchell 9.850 | AA: Mitchell 39.300 |
The Big Storyline: The Spartans continue to be rock solid at home. They have hit three of their best four scores in Jenison Fieldhouse, including both 196s. One- and two-eventers, many of them freshmen, have settled in and are now putting up the big totals a team needs from specialists to notch big scores—and Lea Mitchell having a stellar year in the all around doesn’t hurt. Illinois continues to be mired in the high-195 range, seemingly unable to hit on all four in a given meet. Here, bars was the sticking point, and a near-program record beam total couldn’t make up the difference.
Implications: NQS is not going to be kind to the Illini; they do have one low total to drop, but without any big numbers, including no 196, they’re in danger of falling behind. Michigan State has proven it can score well; it now needs to do that away at Big Fives if it hopes to compete in the conference championship night session.
| No. 40 Rutgers at No. 24 Maryland | ||||
| Full Results | UMD: 195.750 | RU: 194.000 | ||
| VT: Hall 9.875 | UB: Farrell 9.875 | BB: Joyner 9.925 | FX: Wright 9.925 | AA: Joyner 39.350 |
The Big Storyline: Hannah Joyner and Belle Huang are a formidable one-two punch for the Scarlet Knights. We’ve seen some brilliant performances from this team, that duo included, but misses that cascade throughout a lineup have held it back. Here, the problem was floor. The Terps started out hot and have fallen back with two of their star athletes—Audrey Barber and Kirsten Peterman—missing time. Lineups have stepped up and performed well, but the absences are holding Maryland back from its early 196 parade.
Implications: The Big Ten is brutally competitive this year. Any one of the 10 teams in the conference is capable of landing in the championship night session out of the Big Five seeding meets next weekend. For Maryland, this number sans Barber and Peterman should be encouraging; it might just be enough to squeak in next week. Rutgers will be hoping to shore up its floor lineup to be a spoiler.
| No. 28 Penn State at No. 26 Ohio State | ||||
| Full Results | tOSU: 195.350 | PSU: 195.150 | ||
| VT: Malas, Chinnery 9.825 | UB: Miller 9.900 | BB: Hodges 9.825 | FX: Hankins, Abanto 9.900 | AA: Bridgens 39.150 |
The Big Storyline: This one was messy. Maybe because it’s weird to have a Friday night Big Ten dual? Who knows, but it got a little splatty. Ohio State continues to count major mistakes on beam, and the vault squad fell flat. The Nittany Lions didn’t count a major error but just lacked the polish we expect to see halfway through the season.
Implications: This one is forgettable for both teams. They’ll want to shake off the dust before next weekend’s Big Five meets, which seed the conference championship.
| No. 35 New Hampshire & No. 41 North Carolina at No. 27 N.C. State | ||||
| Full Results | UNH: 195.150 | N.C. State: 194.950 | UNC: 194.600 | |
| VT: Hislop 9.925 | UB: Gorgenyi, Culton 9.800 | BB: Grantham 9.875 | FX: Hislop, Beucler 9.950 | AA: Grantham 39.225 |
The Big Storyline: N.C. State had an uncharacteristic bars rotation and fell to conference-mate New Hampshire, who had a solid day to put up another 195 score. North Carolina still continues to struggle on beam and bars, though huge vault and floor totals kept the final tally from dipping lower than the mid 194s.
Implications: Bars still continues to be a struggle for the Tar Heels. They have yet to put together a hit rotation. While New Hampshire has been fairly consistent with its scores, it’s going to need to start scoring higher if it wants to claim a spot at regionals. The Wildcats are currently ranked 36th and are in danger of falling behind when NQS kicks in.
Records: Khazia Hislop’s 9.925 on vault was a career high. Lauren Kent and Alexis Beucler both posted career highs on floor, with a 9.825 and a 9.950, respectively.
| No. 39 Kent State at No. 33 Central Michigan | ||||
| Full Results | Kent State: 195.175 | Central Michigan: 195.075 | ||
| VT: Lindway, Pedrick 9.825 | UB: DeMers, Pedrick 9.900 | BB: DeCavitch 9.875 | FX: Pitchell 9.875 | AA: Pedrick 39.400 |
The Big Storyline: This was a big match-up between two powerhouse teams in the MAC, and it was as close as it could possibly get: The Chippewas and Golden Flashes were tied after the meet concluded. It wasn’t until an inquiry into the start value of the final beam routine of the meet—resulting in a raised score—effectively handed the victory to Kent State by one tenth.
Implications: Kent State passes Western Michigan, moving into third place in the conference. Central Michigan remains in first place, but the lead it currently holds is narrowing each week.
Controversies: There is no way we can ignore the fact that a score was raised just enough to give one team the victory here, although it would be even more controversial if it had happened to the home team.
| No. 35 New Hampshire at No. 41 North Carolina | ||||
| Full Results | North Carolina: 196.050 | New Hampshire: 195.650 | ||
| VT: Hislop 9.900 | UB: Gorgenyi, Culton 9.875 | BB: Worthington 9.875 | FX: Hislop 9.900 | AA: Culton 39.275 |
The Big Storyline: It was a huge day for the Tar Heels, who finally hit a bars rotation to put a complete meet together—and hit 196—for the first time this season. Elizabeth Culton continues to shine for North Carolina, scoring a 39.275, her best score of the season so far. It was also a solid day for New Hampshire, who put up a season best road score—and second highest meet of the season—including a strong 49.100 on beam, its signature event.
Implications: Despite scoring a 196.050 here, the score won’t matter a lot for the Tar Heels once NQS kicks in next week, unless they can replicate this kind of score at their next meet Sunday. New Hampshire will be happy to have broken out of the low 195s again, as this is a score that can help its ranking when NQS starts. Still, the Wildcats are going to need to continue building on this score to avoid falling behind when lower ranked teams start dropping low scores.
| No. 36 Eastern Michigan at No. 45 Ball State | ||||
| Full Results | Ball State: 195.750 | Eastern Michigan: 195.450 | ||
| VT: Schweikert, Slonim 9.850 | UB: Rondeau 9.850 | BB: Dobronics, Rondeau, Satler, Volpe 9.825 | FX: Goyco 9.900 | AA: Rondeau 39.100 |
The Big Storyline: Ball State set a new program record on its way to defeating Eastern Michigan in this conference dual. The Cardinals and the Eagles faced off twice this weekend, and in both matchups the Cardinals came out on top. Ball State took the lead after the first rotation and held it for the entire meet, although Eastern Michigan closed the gap pretty significantly going into the final event. Floor is the Cardinals’ strongest event, however, and they sealed the victory with the highest individual score of the meet: a 9.900 from junior Claudio Goyco.
Implications: This was an excellent weekend for the Cardinals, and one they will absolutely hope to build on as the season continues and MAC championships and the postseason looms closer. Despite this being a loss for Eastern Michigan, it is still a good road score that will help the team’s overall ranking when NQS kicks in.
Records: 195.750 is a program record for Ball State.
| No. 47 Towson & No. 53 Yale at No. 43 Pittsburgh | ||||
| Full Results | Pitt: 194.700 | Towson: 193.200 | Yale: 193.050 | |
| VT: Petrikis 9.850 | UB: Burton 9.775 | BB: Burton 9.875 | FX: Petrikis 9.900 | AA: Buford 38.725 |
The Big Storyline: Despite a rough outing on bars, Pitt used huge beam and floor totals to finish well ahead of the field and register a high 194. Yale was actually leading going into the final rotation but had bars trouble of its own and wasn’t able to pull off the upset. While Towson did not count any falls, an overall shaky day kept the total in the low 193s.
Implications: While Pitt will probably not want to have to count this score towards NQS, the big totals on beam and floor show that the team is capable of scoring high if it can put a complete meet together.
Records: Alecia Petrikis, Kiley Robatin and Deven Herbine all recorded career highs on floor with a 9.900, 9.875 and 9.825, respectively.
| No. 63 Alaska at No. 46 San Jose State | ||||
| Full Results | SJSU: 195.025 | Alaska: 192.125 | ||
| VT: Andrada
9.850 |
UB: Mazury
9.900 |
BB: Duggan
9.800 |
FX: Chan
9.950 |
AA: Chan
38.775 |
The Big Storyline: Strong showings for both San Jose State and Alaska during a conference dual meet.
Implications: San Jose State has led the MPSF rankings all season, but will face stiff competition from second place UC Davis once NQS kicks in (and the Aggies can drop some of those early season lows). Having a 195 under their belt will help the Spartans defend their position at the top.
Records: Alaska’s junior Hope Nelson made her all around debut, leading the Seawolves to their second highest team score of the season (third highest after their second meet of the weekend concluded). The Spartans set their own season high, breaking 195 for the first time in 2020. Senior standout Chan scored a career high 9.950 on floor, becoming only the fourth Spartan in program history to earn that mark. Sophomore Nikki Duggan made her collegiate debut on beam by winning the event.
| No. 50 Temple & No. 56 Illinois State at No. 51 Bowling Green | ||||
| Full Results | Bowling Green: 194.550 | Illinois State: 194.350 | Temple: 193.550 | |
| VT: Labat 9.925 | UB: Labat 9.875 | BB: East 9.850 | FX: Cooke, East 9.875 | AA: Labat 39.325 |
The Big Storyline: Bowling Green pulled off a win, defeating Illinois State and higher ranked Temple in this non-conference tri-meet. The Falcons looked strong on all events but beam, where they unfortunately had some large errors. Illinois State finished only two tenths behind Bowling Green, with a very notable performance from freshman Angelica Labat who scored a career best 9.925 on vault and 39.325 in the all around to take the title. Temple again had some struggles on bars and beam but pulled off a respectable score thanks to solid vault and floor totals.
Implications: Bowling Green has had a rough go of it so far this season, but this meet was one of its best. If not for the mistakes on beam, the Falcons would be approaching 195 territory, which is where they need to be if they want to remain competitive within the MAC. Illinois State also looked great, recording the only event score above 49 and with two all arounders scoring above 39.200. Temple still has some work to do on bars but remains the top ranked team in the ECAC.
Records: Angelica Labat recorded a career high 9.925 on vault and 39.325 in the all around.
| No. 54 UC Davis & No. 73 UW-Whitewater at No. 57 Air Force | ||||
| Full Results | UC Davis: 195.475 | Air Force: 193.2500 | UW-Whitewater: 192.700 | |
| VT: Cunningham, Clagg
9.800 |
UB: Landess, Clagg
9.850 |
BB: Boll
9.900 |
FX: Landess, Clagg
9.800 |
AA: Landess
39.250 |
The Big Storyline: UC Davis finally puts all the pieces together to break 195 for the first time this season.
Implications: After a slow start—and a sidelined Kelley Hebert—the Aggies have hit their stride. Once NQS kicks in, UC Davis will be in a tight battle with San Jose State to lead the conference rankings. Air Force turned in a respectable performance that, ultimately, is unlikely to affect their MPSF standing.
Records: In addition to their season high team score, the Aggies tied the third best bars score in program history. Air Force freshman Amber Boll won beam, her first collegiate title, leading the Falcons to a season high on that event.
| No. 49 Bridgeport, No. 58 West Chester & No. 62 William & Mary at No. 55 Penn | ||||
| Full Results | Penn: 193.425 | WCU: 193.250 | UB: 192.450 | W&M: 191.950 |
| VT: K. Johnson 9.825 | UB: Waldman 9.850 | BB: Nelson 9.775 | FX: Lashley 9.875 | AA: Meakim 38.925 |
The Big Storyline: Thanks to a strong floor rotation, Penn came out on top, just barely finishing ahead West Chester and a point ahead of Bridgeport. William & Mary had a strong bars rotation, but rough rotations on beam and floor kept the team in last place.
Implications: William & Mary remains in fourth place in the ECAC. It’s scores have been fairly consistent this year, but it has yet to put a full meet together.
| No. 63 Alaska at No. 59 Sacramento State | ||||
| Full Results | Sacramento State: 193.700 | Alaska: 192.575 | ||
| VT: Catour
9.775 |
UB: Marquez
9.800 |
BB: Nelson
9.850 |
FX: Brent
9.850 |
AA: Nelson
38.575 |
The Big Storyline: MPSF conference mates Alaska and Sacramento State both earn season highs in dual this Sunday night meet.
Implications: The pre-NQS MPSF rankings have been very tight, with less than a point separating sixth place Alaska and third place Air Force. While these scores aren’t likely to cause any immediate shake-ups, they could prove vital closer to postseason (especially for Alaska; having two 192-plus away scores in their bank is huge). Even more impressive? Both teams had to count falls on beam, meaning there’s plausible room for improvement.
Records: Alaska’s Hope Nelson won the beam and all around titles; the junior made her collegiate debut on both just two days prior against San Jose State. Teammate Tere Alonso earned a career high on floor.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
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