The Dismount: Week Four

It was a wild weekend of NCAA gymnastics as the routines flew high and the scores flew higher. Fans saw the first two 198s of the season, a plethora of perfect 10s and upsets and program records left and right. While there was a lot of excitement coming from every direction, we didn’t expect you to catch it all. Read on for event winners, scores and highlights from every meet this weekend, as well as recaps of the top 10 matchups.

No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 5 Florida
Full Results	UF: 198.150		OU: 198.125
VT: McMurtry 10.000	UB: Nichols, Webb 9.950	BB: McMurtry 10.000	FX: Baker, Nichols 9.975	AA: Nichols 39.775
Both team scores are the two highest in the nation. Florida’s Alex McMurtry completed a ‘GymSlam’ after scoring a 10.000 on beam. McMurtry has earned nine 10.000 in her career, making her the new UF career leader for 10.0s. OU’s Maggie Nichols tied for the highest all around score in the country.

The weekend started off with a highly anticipated matchup between Oklahoma and Florida and ended up being one of the most talked about meets so far. Both teams fought to the finish and ended up setting records along the way: The Gators and Sooners became the first teams to break 198 this season and now hold the two highest scores in the nation. Oklahoma sophomore Maggie Nichols claimed a massive all around score that tied her with Stanford’s Elizabeth Price with the highest in the nation. However, Florida that overtook number one Oklahoma in a narrow margin, resulting in the first Sooner loss since 2016. Senior Alex McMurtry had the meet of her life, earning two perfect 10s on vault and balance beam—completing the elusive “Gym Slam” and breaking former Gator Bridget Sloan’s perfect 10 record for number of 10s with nine. A stellar beam performance by the Gators earned them their highest event total since 2014 with a 49.675. Senior Kennedy Baker and freshman Alyssa Baumann sealed the deal for the team on floor, with 9.975 and a 9.925, respectively.

Metroplex Challenge: No. 2 LSU, No. 4 UCLA, No. T-14 Washington and No. 28 N.C. State
Full Results	UCLA: 197.625	LSU: 197.375	UW: 196.525	NCSU: 195.825
VT: Ross 9.925	UB: Finnegan, Ross 9.925	BB: Lee 10.0	FX: Hambrick 9.975	AA: Ross 39.700
UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos Field surpassed 500 career victories.

While many pegged LSU as the favorites going into the meet, it was UCLA that left with the win, giving longtime head coach Valorie Kondos Field her 500th win, bringing her record up to 502. The Bruins’ stellar performance was helped along by a number of standouts, including Peng-Peng Lee’s perfect 10 on beam and Kyla Ross’ near-perfect 9.975 on the event plus her 39.700 all around win. But it wasn’t for lack of trying on LSU’s part, who put up a strong competition but that just wasn’t enough to top the Bruins. Myia Hambrick hit her own near-perfect 9.975 on floor. Washington finished solidly in third, hitting a season high that included a 9.900 from senior Hailey Burleson. N.C. State rounded out the teams with a high 195 team total and a top score on beam from Chelsea Knight’s 9.875.

No. 3 Utah at No. 21 Arizona
Full Results	Utah: 197.550		Ariz.: 196.225
VT: Bellows, Merrell-Giles 9.950	UB: Berg, Lee 9.900	BB: Lee 9.925	FX: Mattson, Merrell-Giles, Schneider 9.925	AA: Merrell-Giles 39.625
Arizona recorded its best floor score in over 15 years.

The Utes were led to their highest team score of the season by a stellar all around performance from senior MaKenna Merrell-Giles. Merrell-Giles recorded a career best with a 39.625, winning vault and floor in the process. Utah kept its same beam lineup as last week, and it once again proved to be the right choice as the lineup went on to hit a season-best total. The 49.400 was punctuated by an event win from Kari Lee with a 9.925 and a pair of 9.9s from Merrell-Giles and freshman Alexia Birch. Arizona also put up a strong performance to score its own season high and saw its gymnasts tie for event titles on vault, bars and floor. The Cats were great right out of the gate on vault, topped by a stuck Yurchenko 1.5 from freshman Payton Bellows for a 9.950—the highest score by an Arizona gymnast since 2014. But beam proved to be a struggle after seniors Kennady Schneider and Victoria Ortiz fell, recording 9.350 and a 9.100, respectively. Arizona came back strong on floor with a huge rotation to tie Utah’s event total with a 49.425. Schneider and junior Lauryn Mattson shared a piece of the event title with their 9.925s.

No. 6 Kentucky at No. 16 Auburn
Full Results	UK: 196.700		AU: 196.250
VT: Korth 9.900	UB: Cerio, Coca, Korth 9.900	BB: Milliet 9.900	FX: Milliet, Dukes 9.900	AA: Korth 39.300
UK junior Alex Hyland made her all around debut for the first time this season.

Kentucky continues a hot streak in the SEC as it edged out Auburn for the win. In its second road victory, the Cats broke 196 on the road, something done only a handful of times in the past. Sophomore Mollie Korth won three event titles, including her third straight all around win. After sitting out of the bar lineup during the first few weeks of the season, junior Alex Hyland debuted in the all around by leading off the Wildcats on bars with a 9.775. Kentucky had an uncharacteristically weak beam rotation, but solid 9.9s through previous rotations allowed them to seal the win. Just barely trailing behind was Auburn, where the stars of the meet were a group of freshman and junior Abby Milliet, who had a stellar night recording 9.9s on two events—winning beam outright and sharing the floor title with Kentucky’s Sidney Dukes. Freshman Allie Riddle started the Tigers off rock solid on beam with a 9.85 while freshman Meredith Sylvia followed with a matched score. Freshmen Drew Watson and Ashley Smith equally delivered strong performances on bars and floor, respectively. Despite Smith and Milliet’s strong floor work, it wasn’t enough to best the Cats, counting a 9.4 on the apparatus.

No. 17 Missouri at No. 7 Alabama
Full Results	Ala.: 195.850		Mo.: 194.525
VT: Guerrero 9.925	UB: Graber 9.900	BB: Winston 9.900	FX: Armbrecht 9.950	AA: Tucker 38.575
Sophomores Wynter Childers (knee issue) and Shea Mahoney (rolled ankle) were out of the lineups.

Despite being comfortably in their home arena, Alabama suffered adversity before the meet even began. Sophomore Wynter Childers, who has performed all around in the past but is a mainstay on at least three apparatuses, was pulled from all lineups because of a sore knee, and sophomore Shea Mahoney, who has contributed strong performances in vault and floor this season, rolled her ankle during practice and was also taken out of the lineups. Even with two solid contributors out before the night began, and later counting a fall on beam, the Crimson Tide came back strong on floor with junior Abby Armbrecht’s 9.95 performance, the highest individual score of the night between the two teams. Another bright spot was freshman Lexi Graber on bars: initially she was to perform as an exhibition but was put in the regular lineup to replace Mahoney, a decision that proved beneficial for the team as Graber won the event bars title with a 9.9. Mizzou’s fall to Alabama was a combination of counting low-to-average scores and a fall on floor. But the highlight came from sophomore Aspen Tucker, who claimed the only event title not won by an Alabama gymnast with the all around.

No. 8 Michigan at No. 12 Nebraska
Full Results	Neb.: 196.875		UM: 196.525
VT: Crouse 9.975	UB: Epperson 9.900	BB: Schweihofer 9.900	FX: McLean 9.950	AA: Epperson 39.450
Nebraska assistant coach Chris Brooks missed the meet due to illness Nebraska freshman Makayla Curtis made her NCAA debut

The Huskers dominated this battle of last year’s Big Ten regular season co-champions. Nebraska never trailed in the meet and had zero falls. The Huskers had some lineup changes, dropping Anika Dujakovich from vault in favor of giving Makayla Curtis her first NCAA performance, and from floor, where Catelyn Orel competed for the first time since 2016. Overall, it was an outstanding performance for the Huskers, but there is still room to grow. Increased cleanliness can push 9.8s into 9.9s, getting Nebraska ever closer to 197. The Huskers are at home again next week, so we won’t see what they can do on the road until February. Michigan had a much better road meet than it did last week at Illinois, but the Wolverines still can’t seem to put up scores as strong as their Crisler Center performances; this is not an issue of home scoring so much as it is an issue of not looking comfortable on the road. Olivia Karas has now had three falls in three meets (bars, then floor and now vault). Ordinarily her falls would be described as “uncharacteristic,” but it is becoming a pattern. Michigan had one fall on every event except bars, and though none of those scores were counted, the Wolverines need to eliminate inconsistencies moving forward if they are going to defend their Big Ten title. Floor was a highlight for Michigan, with a 49.350 total. It is promising that Michigan’s floor routines can score well on the road, and that should be a positive the team takes away from this week. Michigan returns home next week, and will look to get back on track with a 197 performance.

No. 9 Boise State at No. 38 Southern Utah
Full Results	BSU: 195.475		SUU: 193.475
VT: Bir, Obmann, McBride 9.850	UB: Remme 9.875	BB: Remme 9.900	FX: Remme 9.925	AA: Remme 39.500
Freshman Rachel Obmann made her collegiate debut.

Southern Utah hosted Boise State Saturday in a MRGC dual. The Broncos had the edge on vault, beam and floor but dropped in performance on bars, having to count a miss after both Sandra Collantes and Maddi Nilson fell. Opposingly, bars was a highlight for the Thunderbirds in an event where four girls tallied over 9.8 and five girls hit despite one fall. Although the team had to count a miss on floor, all of the other four routines scored over 9.85. Shani Remme shone for the Broncos yet again, winning three event titles and the all around, while Mary Frances Bir also went over 9.8 on her two events: vault and floor. Particular bright spots for the Thunderbirds in an otherwise forgettable performance for the team were Autumn Jorgensen, who would have broken 39 all around had she not fallen on beam, as well as Karen Gonzalez who hit her three routines all for 9.775 or better.

No. 11 Georgia at No. 10 Arkansas
Full Results	Ark.: 197.175		UGA:196.125
VT: Shaffer 9.875	UB: Snead 9.900	BB: Carter 9.975	FX: Carter 9.950	AA: Snead 39.525
Arkansas freshman Sophia Carter set a program record score on balance beam with a 9.975

As Georgia remains a depleted team, with lineups cut short by multiple injuries, the Gym Dogs and head coach Courtney Kupets Carter remain determined to prove themselves. Even with a loss, Georgia had a memorable night. Junior Sydney Snead won the all around and bars titles with two 9.9s, and earned a career high 39.525 in the all around. Georgia is still only counting five up on vault and floor but is using its lack of depth well, only putting in some of their strongest competitors, including sophomore Rachel Dickson who landed a 9.9 on the latter event. However, it was Arkansas and its breakout freshman Sophia Carter who stole the show. The Razorbacks have only counted six scores in program history over 197, and its win over Arkansas marks its seventh and first since 2016. The Razorbacks had a historic night with strong performances from all gymnasts, but none more so than Carter, who recorded a program record for her near-perfect balance beam routine. While Snead came away with the all around title, sophomore Jessica Yamzon and freshman Sarah Shaffer recorded their own personal bests across all four. Floor proved to be the best event for the Razorbacks, not counting a score below 9.800, as Carter scored her second event title win and Shaffer followed closely by with a 9.900.

No. 40 Utah State at No. 13 Denver
Full Results	Denver: 196.675		USU: 195.000
VT: Brown 9.925	UB: Karr 9.900	BB: Brown, Karr 9.875	FX: Karr, Addison 9.925	AA: Karr 39.600

Denver came in as the heavy favorite in this matchup and lived up to the expectations. Despite only putting up five athletes on vault, bars and floor, the Pioneers did not have to count a fall, finishing with a 196.675. This was the first time in 2018 they were only able to field five gymnasts on bars, with Emily Glynn out of the lineup and Leah Lomonte struggling with consistency. The Pios still hit under pressure and posted a huge 49.475 on floor by counting nothing lower than 9.875. Sophomore Maddie Karr was the star of the meet and won or shared event titles in the all around, bars, beam and floor. Utah State had a bit of a rougher showing right from the start, as it had to count a 9.350 from Madison Ward on bars after Logan Varnadore posted a 8.800. Like Denver, the Aggies were also strongest on floor where they posted a 49.050. Junior Emily Briones earned a 9.775 on that event, which also marked her return to competition for the first time since tearing her Achilles last year. Finally, sophomore MaKayla Bullitt made her collegiate debuts on uneven bars for a 9.675.

No. T-29 California at No. T-14 Arizona State
Full Results	ASU: 196.800		Cal: 194.850
VT: Seilnacht 9.900	UB: Leonard-Baker 9.950	BB: Williams 9.900	FX: Williams 9.975	AA: Leonard-Baker, Williams 39.575
ASU’s 196.800 is its best team score since 2006.

Arizona State was back at home and continued to prove it’s the real deal by scoring a season-high 196.800—its best team score in 12 years. The Sun Devils were solid across all four events, but uneven bars was the highlight for the team. It started off roughly with a fall from lead-off Morgan Wilson, but the next five athletes rallied to hit routines for a 2018-high team score of 49.325. Freshman Cairo Leonard-Baker was stellar on the event and basically flew to the moon and back on her gigantic full in dismount for a 9.950. The Sun Devils changed up their beam lineup slightly, as Heather Udowitch replaced Anne Kuhm who has been struggling with consistency. They finished strongly on floor and showcased controlled landings and fun choreography that got even the rowdy student section into the routines. Once again the highlight was Leonard-Baker who showed off a fun and powerful routine for a 9.925 and a huge 39.575 all around score, tying Cal’s Toni-Ann Williams for the win. Unfortunately, it was yet again another rough showing for California, who had to count a fall on bars and two on balance beam. This was the fourth road meet in a row for the Golden Bears, who have had a lot of troubles starting off on uneven bars every time. Freshman Nina Schank was delightful and helped the Bears get back on track with her 9.900. Vault and floor were Cal’s strongest events where it scored 49.250 and 49.200, respectively. Williams absolutely murdered floor and earned a 9.975 and tying her career-high on the event, but realistically, Carol would have given it a 10.000. It appeared the Bears had gotten their momentum back and had closed the gap behind ASU, but balance beam had other plans in store. Despite being their best event so far this season, tonight was just off as they were forced to count two falls after Sofie Seilnacht, Kyana George and Cassidy Keelen all came off the apparatus. The team totaled a 47.775 there for a final score of 194.850. The Bears will finally have their home opener next weekend, and it will hopefully help boost their confidence going forward.

No. 23 Stanford at No. 18 Oregon State
Full Results	OSU: 196.975		Stanford: 195.550
VT: Davis, Dessaints, Flam, Price 9.850	UB: Price 9.975	BB: Lazaro 9.900	FX: Yanish 9.950	AA: Price 39.600
Sophomore Maela Lazaro made her competitive debut on beam and won the event.

No. 19 Central Michigan at No. 43 Northern Illinois
Full Results	CMU: 195.650		NIU: 194.950
VT: Pedrick 9.925	UB: Prentice 9.900	BB: Clements, Potts 9.900	FX: Clements 9.900	AA: Potts 39.350

No. 20 Kent State at No. 47 Ball State
Full Results	BSU: 195.600		KSU: 193.600
VT: Slonim 9.875	UB: Duffy, Timko 9.825	BB: Marrero 9.825	FX: Finke 9.900	AA: Menzione 39.150

No. 53 Air Force at No. 22 BYU
Full Results	BYU: 196.450		USAFA: 192.700
VT: Douglas 9.825	UB: Salamone, Trejo, Hortman 9.875	BB: Van Mierlo 9.875	FX: Douglas 9.925	AA: Hortman 39.300

No. 24 West Virginia and No. 51 UIC at No. 44 UC Davis
Full Results		WVU: 195.050	UCD: 194.200	UIC: 193.025
VT: Koshinski 9.900	UB: Brown, Northern, Baker, Alicke 9.850	BB: Brown 9.850	FX: Gillette, Koshinski 9.875	AA: Brown 39.250
UIC’s Alli Broad was injured during warmups

No. 55 Texas Woman’s at No. 25 Iowa State
Full Results	ISU: 195.275		TWU: 191.050
VT: Jones, Sievers 9.850	UB: Sievers, Young 9.825	BB: Moredock 9.850	FX: Young 9.850	AA: Young 39.300

No. 26 Pittsburgh, No. 48 Eastern Michigan and No. 56 Rutgers at No. 45 Michigan State
Full Results	MSU: 195.525	EMU: 194.950	RU: 194.225	Pitt: 193.125
VT: Mitchell, Shirley, Herbine, Amoresano, Atienza 9.825	UB: Westney 9.875	BB: Rubin, Conrad 9.850	FX: Rizkalla 9.900	AA: Mitchell 39.325
All four teams came together on the floor after the meet in a show of mutual support in the wake of negative news surrounding MSU athletics this week

No. 27 Minnesota and No. 63 Illinois State at No. 36 Ohio State
Full Results		tOSU: 196.775	Minn.: 195.775	Illinois St.: 190.875
VT: Aepli 9.900	UB: Lu 9.950	BB: Ramler 9.900	FX: Ramler 9.950	AA: Ramler 39.600
Minnesota had its highest floor score since 2004 with a 49.550.

No. T-29 George Washington at No. 46 New Hampshire
Full Results	GWU: 196.175		UNH: 195.925
VT: Drouin-Allaire, Winstanley 9.875	UB: Mulligan, Diggan, Kerouac, Freehling 9.875	BB: Pfeiler, Winstanley 9.900	FX: Diggan 9.900	AA: Winstanley 39.450

No. 31 North Carolina, No. 60 Yale and No. 73 Ursinus at No. 41 Towson
Full Results	UNC: 194.600	Towson: 194.275	Yale: 192.050	Ursinus: 187.425
VT: Hislop 9.825	UB: McKellar 9.825	BB: Arduino 9.850	FX: Hislop 9.825	AA: Lane 39.100

No. 33 Illinois at No. 32 Penn State
Full Results	Ill.: 195.750		PSU: 195.475
VT: LaGuardia 9.850	UB: Bridgens, Garcia 9.875	BB: Tsang 9.900	FX: Tsang 9.900	AA: Tsang 39.350
Through four weeks, Briannah Tsang (PSU) remains undefeated in the all around

No. 34 Bowling Green at No. 37 Western Michigan
Full Results	WMU: 195.675		BGSU: 195.500
VT: East 9.875	UB: Fochler, S. Harrison 9.825	BB: McPeak, Spence, Underwood 9.825	FX: East, Underwood 9.875	AA: Spence 39.075

No. 42 Iowa at No. 35 Maryland
Full Results	Iowa: 196.0		MD: 195.35
VT: Ortiz 9.825	UB: Sullivan 9.875	BB: Chow 9.9	FX: Snyder 9.9	AA: Sullivan 39.3
Clair Kaji (Iowa) out with suspected Achilles injury Charlotte Sullivan’s 39.3 is a career high

No. 54 Sacramento State at No. 39 San Jose State
Full Results	SJSU: 194.425		Sac St.: 191.775
VT: Nadonza 9.825	UB: Won 9.850	BB: Briada, Won, Chan 9.750	FX: Chan 9.850	AA: Chan 39.025
Junior Lauren Schmeiss returned back into the lineup after an injury last season.

No. 58 SEMO, No. 59 Cornell and No. 70 Ithaca at No. 49 Temple
Full Results	Temple: 193.225	Cornell: 191.600	SEMO: 189.325	Ithaca: 188.075
VT: Brawner 9.800	UB: Shen 9.800	BB: Herczeg 9.850	FX: Brawner 9.875	AA: Shen 38.550

No. 50 Lindenwood and No. 77 UW-Eau Claire at No. 65 Seattle Pacific
Full Results		LU: 193.875	SPU: 190.725	UW-EC: 184.900
VT: Sokolowski 9.825	UB: Winner Sokolowski 9.725	BB: Sokolowski 9.775	FX: McMullan, Henry 9.800	AA: Erickson 38.400

No. 58 SEMO at No. 61 Penn
Full Results	SEMO: 192.700		Penn: 192.200
VT: Brawner 9.825	UB: Brawner, Levi 9.800	BB: Moore 9.825	FX: Brawner 9.900	AA: Nelson 37.500

No. 76 Cortland and No. 81 Rhode Island at No. 62 West Chester
Full Result		WCU: 192.050	Cortland St.: 185.350	RIC: 174.800
VT: Meakim 9.675	UB: Marshall 9.725	BB: Gildemeyer 9.825	FX: Loughery 9.775	AA: Murphy 35.950

No. 64 Brown, No. 68 Southern Connecticut and No. 71 Brockport at No. 72 Springfield
Full Results	SCSU: 191.000	Brockport St.: 190.975	Brown: 190.600	SC: 188.300
VT: Ryan 9.675	UB: Hansen 9.750	BB: Keough 9.750	FX: Vasile 9.850	AA: Clemens 38.175
Springfield posted a school record on floor with a 48.575.

No. 66 UW-La Crosse at No. 89 UW-Oshkosh
Full Results	UW-LC: 188.400		UW-O: 183.900
VT: Wiekamp 9.525	UB: Enright 9.600	BB: Spankowski 9.525	FX: Beckman, Enright 9.625	AA: McBrayer 36.850

No.69 UW-Whitewater and No. 75 Hamline at No. 74 Winona State
Full Results		UW-W: 187.525	Winona St.: 186.400	Hamline: 183.675
VT: Jackson 9.525	UB: Mierow 9.575	BB: Jackson 9.750	FX: O’Donnell 9.775	AA: Jackson 38.275

No. 82 Gustavus Adolphus at No. 78 UW-Stout
Full Results	UW-S: 185.275		GA: 179.050
VT: Hyde 9.525	UB: Nicholson 9.475	BB: Terry 9.750	FX: Malo 9.350	AA: Terry 37.825

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Article by the editors of NCAA Gym News