The Mount: Week 6

As always, you’ll find everything you need to follow along with all the meets happening this weekend, including previews of the top matchups, Fantasy Gymnastics resources and every scoring and video link you could ever need.

Can’t-Miss Matchups

No. 4 Denver and No. 18 Iowa State at No. 2 Florida

When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m. ET (SECN+)

Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: The Big 12 meets the SEC! Denver and Florida are both top teams, so we could be in for an exciting meet. The last time the Pioneers and Gators met was the Corvallis regional last season where Florida missed nationals and Denver advanced; Florida will certainly look forward to proving its worth in this rematch. The Gators have settled in nicely and are ranked in the top five on every event. Denver has also had a great start to the year, but with a few more bumps than Florida. Still, the Pioneers are off to one of their best starts in program history. If those two teams aren’t enough for you, Iowa State gets to join in on the Florida fun. The Cyclones have also had a good start and have arguably been better than many expected. We should be in for a good bars competition also: Denver and Florida are currently Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, on bars, and Iowa State is No. 12 on the event.

What We’re Watching: We get Trinity Thomas, Maddie Karr and Lynnzee Brown all in one meet. The all around battle between those three is one to watch for sure. Alexis Vasquez is always a joy to watch on beam, as well as Gators Rachel Gowey and Alyssa Baumann. Savannah Schoenherr is great on bars for Florida, and Emily Glynn stands out for Denver. Iowa State’s Jade Vella-Wright has impressed thus far on bars, as has Natalia Ros Vaquer. Andrea Maldonado of front triple twist fame is excellent on floor for Iowa State.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Jazmyn Foberg performed in exhibition on vault last week, but with Florida’s strong lineup it could be hard to break into. Nya Reed didn’t travel to Kentucky last week due to an illness but is expected to return here.

No. 3 Utah at No. 12 California

When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Saturday, February 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Network

Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: After falling prey to upsets on the road the past two weeks, California returns home for the chance to be the spoiler against visiting Utah. However, the Utes have surged to No. 3 in the country, having improved on its season best team score in every meet so far. The Golden Bears have the potential to win, as their highest score this season surpasses Utah’s. But they will have to solve their consistency problems to be able to do so.

What We’re Watching: Utah boasts the nation’s fourth ranked beam team, led by the freshmen duo of Abby Paulson and Maile O’Keefe. Kim Tessen is also having a stellar senior year for the Utes, having posted 9.9-plus scores on vault, bars and floor. California is led by all arounder Kyana George, who averages a 9.875 on every event except bars. Nevertheless, the Golden Bears are ranked sixth on that event, led by Emi Watterson who notched a near perfect 9.975 on the event a few weeks ago.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Despite last week’s loss, California earned two conference honors last week. George is entering this meet as the reigning Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week with Nevaeh DeSouza winning the freshman award.

No. 19 Maryland at No. 14 Nebraska

When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Saturday, February 8 at 8 p.m. on BTN+

Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: Nebraska has settled into a nice groove, hitting 197 or close to it at its last two meets. Floor and vault remain really strong events for the Huskers, and if they can clean up beam and bars, they will find themselves right in that Big Ten championship conversation with Michigan and Minnesota. Maryland may have to compete without its best (and only) all arounder again after Audrey Barber missed last week for (as of yet) undisclosed academic reasons. Despite her absence, however, Maryland still managed to put up its second highest score of 2020, and if the Huskers have an off day, there is some possibility of an upset. 

What We’re Watching: We will continue to keep our eye on Taylor Houchin on vault to see if this is the meet she gets that long sought after 10. Sierra Hassel has also become a bit of a consistency queen for the Huskers, not dipping below a 9.850 on beam or floor all season. Maryland freshman Emma Silberman made her all around debut in Barber’s absence, posting an impressive 39.150. 

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: If Audrey Barber is out for an extended period of time, it could have a big impact on the Terps this season. Seeing how the team performs without her will give us a good indication of what that would look like. As far as Nebraska is concerned, we think we speak for the entire gymternet when we ask: Where the heck is Kynsee Roby? 

Meets You Didn’t Know You Should Be Interested In

No. 48 Lindenwood at No. 63 SEMO

When the Meet’s Happening: Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Why You Should See the Error of Your Ways: Lindenwood is coming off of a season high at its home opener last week and will be looking to bring that momentum into this conference dual with SEMO. The Redhawks also had a stellar showing last week, capped off with a huge 49.025 on floor. The Lions are the stronger team, but SEMO is more than capable of taking advantage of any errors and walking away with the win. The meet will also be a nice little reunion of sorts between Lindenwood head coach Jen Llewelyn (if she is back from giving birth) and former assistant coach and current SEMO head coach Ashley Lawson.

Need More Proof? Ryan Henry, a senior from Lindenwood, absolutely nailed her beam routine last week for 9.900. Also keep an eye on Gayla Griswold (Lindenwood) and Anna Kaziska (SEMO) on floor: Both athletes are capable of big scores on that event.  

No. 31 Central Michigan at No. 23 Southern Utah

When the Meet’s Happening: Friday, February 7 at 9 p.m. ET on Pluto TV

Why You Should See the Error of Your Ways: Southern Utah is favored here, but this is a meet that could really go either way and will ultimately come down to which team is more able to put together four strong events at the same meet. The Chippewas are better on vault, but the Thunderbirds have more potential on the remaining three events. Beam has been the nemesis of Central Michigan so far this season—it has counted a fall at every meet but one—but if it can survive without any major errors, it is looking at much higher scoring potential than what its shown so far. 

Need More Proof? There are quite a few gymnasts to keep an eye on here: For the Thunderbirds, junior Hannah Nipp is absolutely spectacular on floor, and Rachel Smith is beautiful on beam. Central Michigan senior Denelle Pedrick continues to shine with her difficult gymnastics—watch for her double-twisting Yurchenko on vault and beautiful triple full on floor. 

Meets You Should at Least Record and Watch Later

No. 10 Georgia at No. 15 Arkansas

When to Find It on the TV Guide: Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m. ET on SECN+

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Arkansas will be on upset watch this week; we’ve seen the environment Barnhill Arena has established for gymnastics, and Arkansas is looking clean and consistent to start the season. Georgia should feel confident after a great showing last weekend, but a victory is anything but guaranteed. 

What to Look for If you Missed It: Georgia is an especially important team to watch here. The Gymdogs have been very hot and cold this season, and this will be an important road test after going 197 at home. We’ll be watching to see if sophomore Mikayla Magee returns to the vault and floor lineups this week after injury prevented her from those events versus Auburn. 

No. 21 Missouri at No. 7 Alabama

When to Find It on the TV Guide: Friday, February 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC+

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Alabama is riding high after an upset victory at LSU, and that energy should carry back to Tuscaloosa for a big home score. Cracking 197 for the second time would be a big victory and cement Alabama even further into the postseason conversation. Missouri is looking for a momentum boost after some lackluster performances as of late, including a home loss last week. 

What to Look for If you Missed It: Missouri freshman Helen Hu had an uncharacteristic fall on bars last week, so look to see if she bounces back here. Watch for Battle Beam between her and Alabama freshman Luisa Blanco; the title could go to either on any given day. Speaking of Blanco, she was out of the all around at LSU after going up on all four events the week before. Was that a one-off, or will she be back on all four against Missouri?

No. 20 Arizona at No. 5 UCLA

When to Find It on the TV Guide: Sunday, February 9 at 5 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After getting upset at home by Washington last week, UCLA will be looking to redeem itself and take steps toward fixing its inconsistency on beam. Arizona is having a great year so far, exceeding the expectations of many and currently sitting 15 spots higher in the rankings than where it finished last season. Look for the Wildcats to try and pull off the same feat the Huskies did last week over the Bruins.

What to Look for If you Missed It: In addition to Kyla Ross on everything, keep an eye on Gracie Kramer on floor for the Bruins. The senior earned the first perfect 10 of her career on the event last week. Christina Berg continues to be the leader for Arizona, with her bars routine being the highest averaging routine across all events for the team while also providing a clean set on floor.

Links and Things

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 for all this weekend’s competitions below.

 

Date Time (ET) Teams Scoring Link Video Link
Thurs, Feb. 6 7 p.m. Hamline at UWEC Scores
Fri, Feb. 7 6 p.m. NIU at EMU Scores ESPN3
Fri, Feb. 7 6:45 p.m. DU & Iowa St at UF Scores SECN+
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. Cornell at KSU Scores Live Stream
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. UK at Aub Scores SECN
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. LU at SEMO Scores ESPN+
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. TWU at Centenary Scores Live Stream
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. UWLC at UWS Scores Live Stream
Fri, Feb. 7 7 p.m. UNC at Towson Scores Live Stream
Fri, Feb. 7 8 p.m. UGA at Ark Scores SECN+
Fri, Feb. 7 8 p.m. GAC, UWO & UWW (Harley) Scores
Fri, Feb. 7 8 p.m. PSU at Ill Scores BTN+
Fri, Feb. 7 8:15 p.m. Miz at Ala Scores SECN+
Fri, Feb. 7 9 p.m. Boise St at USU Scores Live Stream
Fri, Feb. 7 9 p.m. CMU at SUU Scores Pluto TV
Fri, Feb. 7 9 p.m. Sac St at BYU Scores BYUTV
Fri, Feb. 7 10 p.m. SJSU at UCD Scores Live Stream
Sat, Feb. 8 1:30 p.m. MSU at RU Scores BTN
Sat, Feb. 8 2 p.m. NCSU at Pitt Scores ACCNX
Sat, Feb. 8 3 p.m. ASU & LSU at OSU Scores Live Stream
Sat, Feb. 8 3 p.m. Utah at Cal Scores P12N
Sat, Feb. 8 4 p.m. Ill St & SPU at USAFA Scores Live Stream
Sat, Feb. 8 6:30 p.m. RIC at Bridgeport Scores
Sat, Feb. 8 7 p.m. Brown, GWU & WVU at UNH Scores Live Stream
Sat, Feb. 8 7 p.m. Iowa at Minn Scores BTN+
Sat, Feb. 8 8 p.m. UMD at UNL Scores BTN+
Sun, Feb. 9 1 p.m. Ball St at WMU Scores Facebook
Sun, Feb. 9 1 p.m. Brockport at Yale Scores ESPN+
Sun, Feb. 9 1 p.m. Ithaca & Ursinus at Springfield Scores Live Stream
Sun, Feb. 9 1 p.m. Temple at Penn Scores ESPN+
Sat, Feb. 8 1 p.m. Cortland at WCU Scores
Sun, Feb. 9 3 p.m. OU at TWU Scores Live Stream
Sun, Feb. 9 3 p.m. Winona St at Centenary Scores
Sun, Feb. 9 4 p.m. tOSU at UM Scores BTN+
Sun, Feb. 9 5 p.m. Ariz at UCLA Scores PAC 12
Sun, Feb. 9 6 p.m. Bridgeport & SCSU at Brown Scores

Fantasy Gymnastics Resources

Don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten about Fantasy Gymnastics players. Check out our weekly feature, Fantasy Central, for the latest injury news, find out which teams are one a bye, advice on who to trade for and more.

READ THIS NEXT: Leotard Rankings: Week 5

Want to receive the latest collegiate gymnastics news in your inbox? Sign up for the College Gym NewsLetter here.


Article by the editors of College Gym News

Like what you see? Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year! [wpedon id=”13158″]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.