The Mount: Week 9

By Elizabeth Grimsley, Christina Marmet and Caroline Medley

​It’s rivalry week in NCAA gymnastics with lots of great team squaring off with not only the W and scores on the line but bragging rights as well. No. 2 LSU will take on No. 3 Florida in Baton Rouge while the storied Alabama-Georgia matchup is sure to be a good one. But even the non-rivalry meets will thrill as Oklahoma travels to Michigan and Oregon State and Washington take the floor. As always, find an updated injury report, previews of the upcoming meets, our predictions on the top matchups and all the links you could possibly need.

Out of Action or Questionable for Week 9

• Alabama: Mackenzie Brannan (bone chip removal surgery, seen training bars on Snapchat 2/14 but no dismount)
• Arizona: Skyler Sheppard (hyperextended knees, out for a few weeks)
• Arkansas: Amanda Wellick (torn Achilles), Sarah Shaffer (elbow injury, according to Arkansas meet notes), Mia Bargiacchi (potential knee injury last week, unable to complete floor), Sydney McGlone (rumored to be nursing injury due to vault fall two weeks ago)
• Auburn: Telah Black (unknown, out for 2017 season), Sarah Garcia (hip surgery), Abby Milliet (knee injury, out for 2017 season according to SEC Network)
• Boise State: Sandra Collantes (working through knee injury), Isabella Amado (unknown, out for four weeks)
• California: Dana Ho (torn ACL/MCL, out for 2017 season), Cassidy Keelen (dislocated kneecap, questionable for rest of season), Toni-Ann Williams (torn Achilles tendon, out for 2017 season)
• Michigan: Brianna Brown (unknown, has not competed in past six meets)
• Missouri: Morgan Porter (torn Achilles), out for season
• New Hampshire: Makenzie Kerouac (ankle surgery)
• Penn State: Mason Hosek (concussion, out a few meets), Chanen Raygoza (right foot in a boot – Sept. 2016)
• Sacramento State: Annie Juarez (ankle)
• SEMO: Kenna Skepnek (left knee brace – Oct. 2016)
• Southern Utah: Danielle Ramirez (knee injury, out for 2017 season)
• Stanford: Elizabeth Price (sprained toe – back on UB and FX)
• UCLA: Mikaela Gerber (broken toe during beam warmups two weeks ago)
• Utah: Kim Tessen (torn ACL), out for 2017 season
• Washington: Kristyn Hoffa (unknown, out the last two weeks)

No. 18 Auburn at No. 15 Missouri: Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. ET
We sound like a broken record but Auburn is still looking for its first win of the season. And it’ll be a tall task to pick it up this weekend at Missouri. The Tigers from Alabama have struggled to get back the mid-196 range but the Tigers from Columbia aren’t having much more luck, only scoring slightly higher at the inflated GymQUARTERS Invitational. It should be a good showdown between the two teams that all comes down to who hits, who minimizes mistakes on the apparatus and who is more “on.”Caroline: Missouri, if only for home court advantage. I expect Auburn to keep stepping up their game, though.
Christina: I didn’t expect this one to be a tough choice at the start of the season… I’m going to have to go with Mizzou because it’s at home.
Elizabeth: Missouri (unfortunately for Auburn). I just don’t see Auburn getting its first W Friday.

No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 11 Michigan: Saturday, March 4 at 4 p.m. ET
It will be senior night in the Crisler Center for Talia Chiarelli and Nicole Artz (what? No, don’t go. Please.) The Wolverines are coming out of their strongest performance of the season against Southern Utah, and they tied for second highest score in program’s history. They killed it on all the events, but really came lights out on the floor exercise, where all six gymnasts scored a 9.900 or better. The Sooners are coming off a busy weekend where they competed twice, once at home for their own senior night against Georgia, and then on the road against TWU. Their performance on Friday against UGA was not as precise as we had come to expect from them, but the Sooners came back roaring on Sunday afternoon by scoring a 198.175, and all that without freshman phenom Maggie Nichols who was being rested. That meet was highlighted by back-to-back 10.000s on uneven bars by sophomore Nicole Lehrmann and senior Mckenzie Wofford… To which the entire gymternet screamed “finally!” Wofford’s 10.000 on the event was long overdue. This match-up should be thrilling, and it will be another opportunity for Oklahoma to increase its already-ridiculous RQS (197.990).

Caroline: As nice as it would be for Michigan to pull an upset on senior night, I can’t see it happening. The Sooners are just crazy consistent and crazy good.
Christina: Oklahoma, always. The Sooners just went 198+ without Nichols. They are unstoppable.
Elizabeth: Oklahoma. However, if Michigan replicated what it did last weekend and the Sooners have an average-for-them meet, things could get interesting.

No. 6 Alabama at No. 8 Georgia: Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. ET
Ah, this SEC rivalry never gets old! While we are far from the Suzanne/Sarah rowdy times, this matchup still should keep us all on the edge of our seats until the very last routine. This will be a great road test for Alabama and a chance to improve its RQS. The Tide has been a bit underwhelming this season on the road so this meet will be interesting and crucial for it as we inch closer to postseason. Last week, Alabama was unexpectedly challenged by Boise State on its own home turf in Tuscaloosa, so it will want to get its confidence back and hit solid routines on all events. Junior Kiana Winston was being rested at that meet, so it will be crucial to have her back here if the Tide wants to give Georgia a good run for its money and come out with the W in Athens. Georgia posted a solid score against Oklahoma last weekend and it will happily count it towards its RQS. The Gymdogs hit six for six on balance beam, and freshman Rachel Dickson continued to prove her steadiness in the all-around. The Gymdogs will want to put out their strongest lineups on all events, and we are still holding on to the hope that Snead will make her comeback on beam and floor very soon. All we wish for here is a tight battle until the very end, and for the scores to not make us roll our eyes too far!

Caroline: I’ll go Bama, but if Winston is out another week, they’re going to have trouble.
Christina: This is going to be fun one! I’ll pick Georgia, because it will be a home meet for the Gymdogs, and Alabama just hasn’t been that stellar on the road so far this season.
Elizabeth: Alabama! Unless Georgia wears those black and white leos that they’ve upset teams in two times in a row.

No. 24 Eastern Michigan, No. 16 George Washington, No. 52 Pittsburgh at No. 26 West Virginia: March 5 at 2 p.m. ET
This quad meet should really be a battle between Eastern Michigan, George Washington and West Virginia with Pittsburgh pulling up the rear. GW is coming off a massive 196.700+ (on the road!) last weekend and will hop to show that wasn’t an anomaly but rather the norm. Jillian Winstanley tied her all around career high with a 39.550 as well. Eastern Michigan, after starting the season off with a terrible meet, has really come into form in recent weeks, making a case for not only another regionals bid but perhaps a top 25 finish as well.West Virginia started its season strong but has since degressed in recent weeks. Those mishaps plus the unfortunate knee injury to Tiara Wright suffered at last weekend’s meet. But with the Mountaineers at home, there’s a good chance the team performs well if not well enough to beat its opponents.

Caroline: GW all the way, man.
Christina: George Washington. The Colonials are on a roll!
Elizabeth: G-Dub. Even at West Virginia.

No. 45 Arizona State at No. 23 Arizona: Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. ET
Each of these teams has had its hardships and successes this season. Arizona State is looking for its first conference win of the year (for a couple years, actually) but has shown vast improvements since Jay Santos took the program over this season with 195s in two of the last three meets. Arizona has had an up-and-down season as well. The Wildcats picked up an upset over California but has suffered more injuries in 2017 than a lot of other teams combined with big contributors Skyler Sheppard, Madison Cindric, Selena Felix-Terrazas and others being out for extended periods of time as various times. But Arizona has since made a turn, competing well its last time out and showing promise for a big number against ASU. The Sundevils, while winning would be a great addition to the season, are mainly looking to put up a strong road number with only a few meets left in 2017. If Arizona State is on like it has been recently, it could give Arizona a run for its money. But any mistakes and Arizona should have the meet in the bag.

Caroline: I’ll stick with the Cats. Arizona’s finally in the top 25, I don’t think they’ll let that go easily.
Christina: Arizona. While ASU looks better every week, I don’t think they’ll be able to overtake Arizona quite yet.
Elizabeth: I’m going to be wild and say Arizona State even though it’s probably not happening just yet.

No. 17 ​Washington at No. 9 Oregon State: Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. ET
This meet is shaping up to be quite an exciting showdown between two recently emerging Pac-12 powers. Oregon State is proving this is the season it will finally make nationals, not as a fluke, but because of true merit. The Beavers goal will be to put themselves into a position where they can be relatively safe at regionals and not in that precarious 1/12/13 position it’s been in so many times in the past few years. Washington’s first goal will be to secure the night session placement at the Pac-12 Championship. With the top three spots pretty much secured for UCLA, Utah and Oregon State, the last spot is up for grabs. Washington will want to stay ahead of California to seal the No. 4-seed. But more importantly, putting up another strong road score similar (or better) than last weekend’s mark will also be a priority to help move the Huskies even higher in the rankings. Last weekend’s score was really the first on the road worth using in RQS, so adding another to the mix is the next step.

Caroline: As much as I would love for the Huskies to win, I’ll go Beavs. Home court advantage.
Christina: Oregon State at home comes out as the favorite for me.
Elizabeth: Beavs FTW.

No. 3 Florida at No. 2 LSU: Sunday, March 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET
This is probably the most exciting meet of the weekend, as both teams will be vying for the SEC regular season title. And also because they are both so thrilling to watch. It’s going to get rowdy and loud in Baton Rouge for this fierce SEC rivalry. The Tigers will be back at home after yet another impressive performance against Auburn on the road. They rested freshman Kennedi Edney who was a bit under the weather, and they were able to test out their depth on all the events. With hopefully Edney back in the all-around, the Tigers will aim to continue their SEC winning streak, and to win the first SEC regular season championship. An LSU win would capture the title outright for it, while a victory by the Gators would split it. The Gators also had a fantastic weekend with their home meet against Missouri. 10.00s were flying all over and sometimes maybe a bit too much, but overall Florida put up strong routines on all four events. The Gators have been struggling a bit with their depth on floor this season after losing yet again Lacy Dagen to injury, Claire Boyce to medical retirement and Kennedy Baker who has been out of the lineup these past three meets. They still put up an impressive performance on that event last Friday, and McMurtry hit her floor routine with her out-of-this-galaxy triple full (we have had it on repeat ever since) for a 10.000. The scores are likely to fly high at this meet, and both teams are very well capable of scoring 198+, although the Gators have yet to accomplish that this season. All we want is a “battle of the DTY” if McMurtry decides to go for hers!Caroline: This is going to be the meet to watch this week. I have to go with the Tigers man, they won’t give up the win on such a big night.
Christina: LSU, because it’s at home. But oh boy do I foresee scores flying high here!
Elizabeth: LSU. Although it would be nice for that conference win streak to be smashed.

Other Notable Matchups
No. 22 Utah State at No. 10 Boise State: Thursday, March 2 at 9 p.m. ET
Boise State continues to creep up the standings and make a real case for a nationals bid. With two low 196s still to drop, the Broncos will want to take full advantage this weekend and capitalize in front of a home crowd. But Utah State isn’t a team to sleep on anymore. The Aggies are putting together a nice little season for themselves, scoring into the 196s a couple times this season and coming within two tenths of UCLA a couple meets ago. With a finish in the top 25 a real possibility, the team just needs to keep doing what it’s doing for that great finish.

No. 28 Arkansas at No. 11 Kentucky: Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. ET
Arkansas suffered another setback last week when Mia Bargiacchi went down during the meet and the Razorbacks were only able to put up four floor workers. The scratched fifth routine left the team with only a 185 total and a throw away opportunity to move up in the rankings. However, that adversity will only make the team stronger as it continues to fight through a season of adversity. Depending on the severity of Bargiacchi’s injury as well as Sydney McGlones ability to get back from lingering pain from a fall a few weeks ago will determine how competitive this meet will be. Kentucky is still plugging along but with only two meets left until the conference championships, it’s not or never for the Wildcats to make a move on Georgia and claim that last night slot at the SEC Championship in what would be an unprecedented feat for this emerging program.

No. 33 Stanford at No. 5 Utah: Friday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET
Utah has continued its steady and consistent showings one week after the other, and last week was no different. Freshman star Mykayla Skinner dominated the all-around once again and she looks unstoppable in the conference. This will be the Red Rocks’ final home meet of the season and they will want to put up a show in front of their fans one last time this season. On the other hand, Stanford finally put up a complete meet for its own senior night against Oregon State, and posted its first 196+ score of the season. Junior Elizabeth Price competed on uneven bars again and made an appearance on floor to score a big 9.925. While Stanford is finally heading in the right direction, it really needs to put up a solid meet here to improve its poor RQS and hope to move up in the rankings. The Cardinals at least aren’t in the precarious position they were in a few weeks ago where it looked like they might not make it to Regionals, but they really do need to get Price back in the all-around sooner rather than later if they want to move up from this No. 33 ranking. While it will be extremely challenging for Stanford to beat Utah at home, a strong 195/196+ score in Salt Lake City would be ideal for the Cards so they could drop one of their low away scores from the start of the season. Considering it will be senior night in the Huntsman Center, this seems like a high possibility.

​No. 25 Ohio State at No. 7 Denver: Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET
The Buckeyes and Pioneers meet again for the second weekend in a row. Denver took the first matchup in Columbus with a score it should be happy about while Ohio State had an average meet it will look to improve upon that mark this weekend, especially with the opportunity to post a strong road score on the horizon. And for the Buckeyes, it’s the last competition before the Big Five meet next week, the first step toward qualification to either the heralded night session of the Big 10 Championship or the less-impressive day session of the conference meet. Denver, having moved up to No. 7 in the country, is having an exceptional season despite limited depth on vault and floor, as well as no more Nina McGee. As long as things stay the way they are and no more injuries crop up, the Pioneers should have a real chance at improving upon last year’s end results.

No. 19 California at No. 4 UCLA: Sunday, March 5 at 5 p.m. ET
UCLA jumped to No. 4 in the country after last week’s 197 success and will look to hold on to that position and even gain ground on Florida with another opportunity to drop the last 196 remaining in the team’s RQS calculation. The Bruins will also look to put together a complete meet as some of the individual often fall victim to scoring a perfect 10 one rotation then faltering the next. The team will have to be 100 percent on if it wants to challenge for the national title in April. As for California, things are looking up after struggling in the weeks post-Toni-Ann Achilles tear. The Bears scored a 197 for the first time this season last weekend and will look to replicate it on the road, hopefully taking advantage of some UCLA scoring opportunities.

These aren’t the only meets happening this weekend! To see all the matchups all in one place, take a look at our master schedule. You can also find live scoring and video links below.

Do you play Fantasy Gymnastics and don’t see a team some of your gymnasts’ teams competing this weekend? See if they’re on a bye this week (or competing twice) below, and check out the entire byes and doubles list here.Byes

• ​UW-Whitewater
• Nebraska

Doubles

• Alaska
• Ball State
• Bowling Green
• ​Bridgeport
• Brown
• Centenary
• Michigan State
• New Hampshire
• Pittsburgh
• SEMO
• Southern Connecticut
• Texas Woman’s
• UIC
• Utah State
• West Virginia
• Western Michigan

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