The Mount: Week 7

Results

Results

Records: Arden Hudson’s 9.925 on beam is the highest beam score in program history.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 24 North Carolina, No. 46 Pittsburgh and No. 52 LIU at No. 36 Towson

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: It’s LIU’s second meet, and the Sharks will be looking to build upon their opening performance from last week. North Carolina has looked great so far this year, particularly on bars and beam, which have often been problem areas for the Tar Heels in the past. Pitt has been up and down all season long, but when the Panthers hit, they can put up a big number. Towson has been quietly killing it so far, recording a 196.125 in its last outing, which is the highest EAGL score this year and Towson’s sixth-best score in school history.

Need More Proof? Alisson Lapp shined in her LIU debut and looks to be a huge star for this young team. LIU’s beam rotation in particular was a highlight last week, with all six gymnasts hitting their routines. Elizabeth Culton is the No. 1 ranked gymnast on the country on beam after week 6 and also excels on bars. Pitt’s pair of injury returners, Katrina Coca and Katie Chamberlain, have been huge assets for the Panthers on bars and beam especially. For Towson, keep an eye on Camille Vitoff. She is the reigning EAGL Gymnast of the Week and has recently added a Yurchenko one and a half to her repertoire.  

Recap

The Big Storyline: Oklahoma put together another strong performance to take first place by over a point. N.C. State also put together a strong meet, reaching 196 for the second time this season. George Washington improved on its performance from last week but still had some struggles, especially on beam. William & Mary had rough rotations on bars and beam but put up respectable totals on both vault and floor in what was its season opener.

Implications: Oklahoma will pass Utah in the rankings to move up to No. 3 in the country. Once NQS kicks in after next weekend, expect the Sooners to move up even more as they will be able to drop their sub 197 scores. N.C. State will improve its average score by a bit, but its ranking won’t change significantly until after next weekend when it can start dropping its lower scores.

Records: Emily Shepard set a new career best in the all around with a 39.450.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 48 George Washington and William & Mary at No. 26 N.C. State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: It’s a somewhat uncommon occurrence to see Oklahoma on a widely accessible stream, so don’t miss your chance to watch the No. 4 team in action. While the other teams in this meet are not as highly ranked, there are several standout routines you won’t want to miss. It’s also William & Mary’s season debut.

Need More Proof? It’s a great opportunity to see Anastasia Webb—one of the best all arounders in the country. George Washington freshman Kendall Whitman has become a gymternet sensation this week with her unique vault and three E-pass floor routine. N.C. State’s Emily Shepard does beautiful gymnastics on all four events with high scores of 9.900 on vault, bars and floor. While it’s hard to know exactly what William & Mary will look like after losing over half of its 2020 routines to graduation and transfers, freshman Grace Costello is expected to be a standout for the Tribe, especially on floor.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Alyssa Baumann made her first competition appearance on bars since the 2016 P&G Championships. Her collegiate debut on bars and season debut on vault led her to a win in the all around. Baumann was one of seven athletes competing in the all around in this competition. Florida was able to take home the win despite missing four athletes due to COVID protocols and that make up 37% of its lineups to remain undefeated in 2021. The Gators excelled on beam for an NCAA season-best that was led by Leah Clapper’s perfect 10. Kentucky had a solid showing and has found consistency on beam in recent weeks. The Wildcats had four 10.0 start values on vault, which gave them an advantage over Florida with none.

Implications: Florida’s lineups looked different tonight with the absence of Trinity Thomas, Nya Reed, Savannah Schoenherr and Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, but the team was able to test its depth and give opportunities to other athletes. Baumann’s event win on bars could make a case for her to be a permanent contributor in the lineup. Despite its success tonight, Florida will want to put forth its top lineups in the coming weeks to remain on-top of the rankings. Kentucky seems to have found consistency across all four events and could thrive if a top team falters. Bailey Bunn is flying under the radar, but has hit every single routine she’s competed for Kentucky in her freshman year. 

Records: Florida scored an NCAA-best on beam this season with a 49.675. Bailey Bunn scored a career high 9.925 on beam. Leah Clapper scored her first 10 on beam. Baumann made her all around debut with a 39.650 and her collegiate debut on bars with a 9.925.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 15 Kentucky at No. 1 Florida 

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: These programs are coming off of season high scores last week. Florida was able to defeat the No. 2 team in the country with a 198.150 and Kentucky reached 197.000 for the first time this year. The Gators annual Link to Pink meet is always an exciting night of gymnastics, and don’t expect anything less from this one. Floor could be the highlight of the night as Kentucky has really engaging choreography with solid tumbling, and Florida is looking to put together its top six athletes on the event for postseason. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Trinity Thomas scored a 39.900 in the all-around last week with a perfect 10.0 on floor. However, she has yet to get her 10.0 on vault to complete the gym slam. This could be the meet where Alyssa Baumann makes her long awaited appearance on bars. Prior to the bye, head coach Jenny Rowland indicated that this could be the competition for the debut. Additionally, Baumann has not competed on vault in competition yet this season, but an all around appearance could be up her sleeve. Kentucky’s Bailey Bunn is quietly having a stellar freshman season. After starting the year on just two events, she has made her way into the all-around competition for three consecutive meets. Raena Worley has also been a consistent competitor for Kentucky. The sophomore has improved on all four events and has a sky high full-in on floor. Sydney Johnson-Scharpf is dealing with a pulled hip flexor muscle, but was seen training beam earlier in the week.

Results

Note: This meet was cancelled without explanation. Michigan will travel to Illinois on Feb. 21 instead.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Arkansas scored its highest team total in program history with a 197.350. The Razorbacks’ effort was led by Kennedy Hambrick, who scored a program record in the individual all around with a 39.750. The scores are all Arkansas, but don’t shy away from Missouri’s successful night on the road. Missouri scored a season-best 196.850 and went 49-plus on all four events.

Implications: Arkansas came back from its shaky beam performances last week with a season-best 49.400 on the event. The Razorbacks scored a program high despite counting a 9.600 on bars. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they top the record again in the coming weeks. Missouri has shown significant improvement in the past few weeks especially on bars and beam. The Tigers aren’t a contender this year, but the experience the underclassmen are gaining will serve them well in the future.

Records: Arkansas scored its highest team total in program history with 197.350. Kennedy Hambrick scored a program record in the all around with a 39.750. Hambrick also had a career best on vault with a 9.975. Madison Hickey had a career high 9.900 on floor. Missouri tied its second highest road score in program history. Jena Swanson had a career high 9.900 on vault. Sienna Schreiber tallied a 9.950 on beam, becoming the seventh athlete in Missouri’s history to reach 9.950 or better on that apparatus.

Recap

The Big Storyline: LSU was handed its second loss in a row as Alabama pulled an upset against the No. 2 team. The Crimson Tide had a season-best night led by its two all arounders, Lexi Graber and Luisa Blanco. The 197.725 was its highest team score since Feb. 3, 2017.  Alabama was able to hit five of its 10.0 start value vaults and Junior transfer Kaylee Quinn stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 cold. LSU had a steady competition, but was unable to bring in the same caliber of scores. Reagan Campbell was absent for the Tigers after suffering an injury against Florida last week. 

Implications: Alabama made a statement that it is vying for a final four spot at nationals. The Crimson Tide outscored every SEC team in week seven and has the opportunity for one of the highest scoring vault rotations in the nation. If it can maintain consistency in execution, it most certainly shouldn’t be left out of the conversation. Shania Adams has fallen on vault three weeks in a row, so expect her to be absent or compete a downgraded vault next week. LSU is on a two meet losing streak and will need to course-correct to maintain on pace with its SEC rivals. 

Records: Luisa Blanco scored a career-best 39.825 in the all around, which is the highest score recorded at Alabama since 2004. Blanco also recorded career best numbers on vault, bars, beam and floor scoring 9.925, 9.950, 9.975 and 9.975, respectively. Lexi Graber had a career best 9.975 on floor. Kaylee Quinn also recorded a career high 9.950 on vault.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 2 LSU at No. 6 Alabama

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Reeling from a rivalry loss at Georgia last week, Alabama will look to capitalize on an otherwise impressive 197-range performance as it returns home to Tuscaloosa. LSU looked hot last week, and it seems to be peaking when it counts; the Tigers should have an edge, but the closeness of these teams makes it tough to say. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: We’re watching two freshmen on their key events after uncharacteristic struggles: Shania Adams on vault and Haleigh Bryant on floor. The former has sat her last two vaults, and the latter fell on her final pass to ice the competition for LSU last week. It’s redemption time in Tuscaloosa. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: Southern Utah earned its highest team total in program history with a 197.300. This is the Thunderbirds first score over 197.000 this season, and it came during an emotional senior night for the team. Molly Jozwiakowski hit her new tucked Tsuk 1.5 to help lead the team to tie its program record on its lowest ranked event. The quick start jolted a historic night as they tied the third highest program score on bars and beam. Hannah Nipp also contributed her best career scores on senior night. Utah State had a solid showing resulting in its best score at Cedar City. The team had a season high on floor, despite some unexpected lineup absences throughout the meet. Autumn Deharde returned to the vault lineup for the first time this season. 

Implications: Southern Utah’s score is not far away from the top teams in the country this week. In fact, it came in higher than Utah’s Friday-night score. The Thunderbirds have an opportunity to pull off an upset at regionals if they can stay consistent on all four events when it counts. Vault has been holding them back throughout the start of the season, but they seemed to have figured it out. MRGC is the conference to watch for the next few years as its competitiveness with the rest of the country continues to rise. 

Records: Southern Utah had its highest team total in program history with a 197.300. Hannah Nipp had a career high on bars with a 9.925. Aubri Schwartze had a career high 9.900 on beam. Utah State scored its highest program score in Cedar City. The Aggies’ 49.227 on beam is seventh in school history. DeHarde captured her own record by winning her 15th beam event title.

Recap

The Big Storyline: In a thrilling meet that came down to the final routine, Sydney Soloski delivered a 9.925 on floor for the Utes to edge out the visiting Bruins and stay undefeated against Pac-12 opponents. Alexia Burch won vault for Utah’s lone event title on the day, as it is now on a two meet win streak against UCLA, who was led by freshman Chae Campbell’s all around- and floor-winning performances.

Implications: With both teams coming into this matchup undefeated in conference action, UCLA will now need Utah to be upset in its remaining conference meets to win or tie for the Pac-12 regular season title. The Utes and Bruins both have California and Oregon State left on their schedules.

Records: Campbell set a new career high on floor while tying her best all around score.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 14 UCLA at No. 3 Utah

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The Pac-12’s headlining matchup pits two foes against each other having had drastically different seasons so far. Although momentum is definitely in the Utes’ favor, you can never count the Bruins out as they have the talent on their roster to beat anybody if they can hit.

What We’re Watching: Can UCLA put together a complete meet? Utah has been firing on all cylinders to start 2021, and looks like a legit national title contender behind the strength of Maile O’Keefe, who has asserted herself amongst the nation’s top all arounders and beamers. Utah could easily run away with this one, but if the Bruins can get Norah Flatley back into the lineups alongside typical all arounders Nia Dennis, Margzetta Frazier and Chae Campbell, UCLA will have a shot to win.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: The past seven Pac-12 titles have been won by one of these programs, with last season’s meet coming down to the final routine to decide a winner. Abby Paulson’s perfect 10 on beam clinched the meet for the Utes, snapping their five meet losing streak to the Bruins.

The Big Storyline: Air Force notched a season high at this tri meet, which ended a long streak of road meets for the Falcons. The vault team registered a season-high total of 48.325—impressive with just two 9.950 SV vaults—while one low score was counted on floor, meaning that the Falcons should be able to break 193.000 with a fully hit meet.

Implications: With the no high score dropped rule in NQS calculations this year, Air Force will be very happy to use this score when NQS kicks in this weekend.

Records: Heidi Sand’s 9.850 on vault is the highest score by any Falcon on any event this season.

Results 

Records: This number ties Minnesota’s second-highest number in program history. It is Rutgers’ highest ever road score and third-highest total in program history.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Iowa fell back to earth a little bit with this one after some difficulties on bars. The good news for the Hawkeyes is that they were able to pull things back together and hit the next three rotations. This isn’t a disastrous score, and they will come away having learned a lot about the team’s mental game. For Nebraska, it once again came down to beam and floor issues. Five up on floor with a fall and two out of bounds was insurmountable. Still, this is the Huskers’ third highest number this year, and they’ll be encouraged by back-to-back 195s heading into Big Fives weekend.

Implications: Iowa already has two higher road numbers on the year, so as soon as NQS kicks in on March 1, this one is out the door. Minnesota’s near-record night will mean the Gophers surpass the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten. They’ll be in different Big Five sessions next weekend, so we’ll have to wait for the conference meet to see those two duke it out once again. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: Michigan is good on the road. We knew it would be, but we also needed confirmation. Some steps and bobbles we haven’t seen in Crisler kept the total slightly down, but the Wolverines came out strong. Natalie Wojcik followed her beam 10.0 from last week with a 9.975, and Abby Heiskell scored a perfect 9.950 for her stellar Yurchenko full. For the Illini, junior Mallory Mizuki made her competition debut on bars for a 9.900 and the event win.

Implications: Michigan needed a strong away number here, since it has so few away meets and will need this number when it debuts in NQS rankings after its March 5 contest at Michigan State. Illinois will be thrilled to have put up another season best and 196. It will allow the Illini to drop a 195.475 from its NQS once those numbers kick in on March 1. It’ll also put distance between Illinois and Ohio State with Maryland on its heels, as well as put pressure on Iowa going into Big Fives.

Controversies: There was one weird fall on floor from Arayah Simons. She appeared to injure her ankle and immediately pointed to the floor. Illinois staff checked it for a dead spot, but we didn’t really see a resolution on the stream. We also had questions about Mizuki’s start value on bars, as she did a bail to horizontal not connected to anything.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 8 Michigan at No. 20 Illinois

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Michigan put up a massive 197.650 on Monday after its two week hiatus. The Wolverines have only been outscored by Florida, Oklahoma and LSU so far this year. That said, they haven’t competed on the road yet. With NQS rankings in effect as of March 1, this away number is critical. Unless Michigan adds another away meet in the interim, it’ll be the only away number on the docket until March 5, meaning this number has to count for the Wolverines’ NQS debut, and they won’t be ranked as of March 1. With only four away meets on the schedule as it stands now, Michigan can drop two max from its in-season NQS. There is very little room for error on the road. Illinois has been on an up swing, improving its total in each meet so far this year. The Illini will want to put up a third consecutive 196 here, with a goal to do the same on the 26th at Big Fives as well. Two more means they’ll debut in NQS rankings with only 196-plus numbers counting.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Arayah Simons debuted on floor last week for Illinois for a massive 9.950. Don’t miss Mia Takekawa on beam, either; she scored a 10.0 last year, and has a 9.925 under her belt in 2021. Natalie Wojcik is coming off of her own beam 10.0 on Monday, and has looked sharp on all four all year. The all around trio of Wojcik, Sierra Brooks and Gabby Wilson is not to be missed.

Results

Results

Records: Payton Murphy broke the school record in the all around (previously set by Rachael Underwood in 2018) with her 39.375. She also recorded career bests on beam and floor.

Recap

The Big Storyline: It was a tough senior night showing for Lindenwood, which had a respectable lead through three rotations only to miss all of its final three floor routines. SEMO on the other hand notched a season-best team total that would have beaten even some of Lindenwood’s better meets. The return of Jordan Jones for the first time in 2021 was key to a season high on floor, while Lydia Test also returned to contribute on two events after a two-week absence.

Implications: This lower score brings Lindenwood’s average score down one again, leaving the Lions narrowly hanging onto first place. It won’t matter next week, though, since NQS is about to kick in

Controversies: While Aleah Leman missed the punch into her front double full on floor quite badly and barely survived the encounter, she did both rotate the skill and stand it up (barely) at the end. The judges didn’t seem to know quite how to score it, leading to a lengthy conference and an eventual 8.500/9.000 judging split. There was also some fan consternation over Lindenwood beam scores, but a few slow series cost the Lions critical SV on that event.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 49 SEMO at No. 40 Lindenwood

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: With the USAG postseason looming, it’s key to know how these two MIC powerhouses match up. SEMO has been struggling for a few weeks while Lindenwood has been in cruise control with the exception of a minor beam catastrophe on Friday. The personnel links between these two teams also make the matchup compelling: One SEMO coach is a former Lindenwood assistant coach while the other is a former Lindenwood gymnast.

Need More Proof? Lindenwood is nationally ranked on vault, with Courtney Mitchell’s Yurchenko Arabian providing a highlight.

The Big Storyline: As is the case most Sundays, Denver was thankful for Lynnzee Brown today; the senior had excellent outings on vault and bars, which saved otherwise subpar performances on those events. The Pioneers put six gymnasts up on every event, though, which is an improvement. West Virginia hit all but one routine in an otherwise confident-looking outing for the Mountaineers.

Implications: The Big 12 standings should remain the same next week. Denver sophomore Amoree Lockhart, a two-event contributor for the Pioneers, was carried off the floor during floor warmups with an apparent injury, the extent of which is unclear.

Controversies: Brown scored a 9.750 on beam after her score was split 9.850 and 9.650. Her dismount was a little shaky, but the score seemed low for the performance. 

Records: Temple’s 49.300 on floor ties its program record, and its 195.100 team score is the fifth-highest score in program history.

Results

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 13 California at No. 37 Oregon State

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After rough starts to the season for both teams, California and Oregon State have started to show signs of progress. The Golden Bears looked much stronger in last week’s 197 performance against Arizona State, and the Beavers have managed back to back scores in the 195s after starting the year in the 191s. Both teams are due for hit meets, and will both need to in this one to stay relevant when the NQS rankings make their debut.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: California’s Nevaeh DeSouza posted a huge 39.600 in the all around last weekend that nobody is talking about, hitting 9.900 across all four events after sticking her vault to get things going. Oregon State’s Madi Dagen also has a huge vault worth watching as she will look to start a new stick streak, while Kaitlyn Yanish has yet to score below a 9.900 on floor.