It’s fun to watch rankings change every week, but they only tell us so much about the status of a team. Which teams are on the rise and which are barely hanging on? Which ones have a competitive ranking by the grace of their RQS drop scores and which will pose a real threat in postseason? I’ll dig into the real dynamics of NCAA gymnastics in this biweekly column that’s part power ranking, part high school yearbook awards—all serious analysis.
Just kidding, almost zero serious analysis.
Are you tired? I’m tired.
Still, what a great ending to this season. From conference weekend all the way to NCAA nationals we had an amazing number of shocks, nailbiters and displays of true excellence. It’s a testament to how great this postseason was that I’m able to look back fondly rather than just feeling burnt out. It’s a rarity.
Flames Emoji
Oklahoma’s bars excellence has been an underrated story of this season, but the rotation that functionally won this year’s championship was just extraordinary in its style, athleticism and clutchness. It’s really stuff like this that keeps us watching the sport.
On the Struggle Bus
There are few things that unite the gymternet these days, but we’re truly united now in waiting with bated breath to hear that Courtney Kupets Carter has lost her job. It’s moments like these that make me think we might actually grow up to be a real sports fandom someday.
Won Twitter For The Week
Glad You’re Having Fun
We don’t owe Chris Waller thanks for a whole lot of things, but dropping a resignation on a Tuesday evening when everyone on Twitter was bored out of their minds was a masterstroke. Best of luck to him in the other professional opportunities he’s definitely really pursuing.
Quietly Cruising
USAG nationals tends to get lost a little in the season retrospectives because the turnaround to NCAA nationals afterwards is so fast, but Texas Woman’s got its first 196 in four years! And it wasn’t even at home.
In Memoriam
I have to give credit here: Michigan, and most Michigan fans, have taken the Wolverines’ semifinal exit in fairly good grace. Still, even for a team so well-known for its history of stinging postseason disappointments, this one was pretty undignified.
Fall of the Week
Thanks for taking us out in style, Maile.
Article by Rebecca Scally
Like what you see? Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year!
First fall of O’Keefe’s NCAA career, after 121 straight “hit routines.” 🙁
Save the gif, you may not see that again.
Just a note to Rebecca. I’ve always enjoyed your site because you give great in-site and a lot of information. It’s always been classy. Recently you have become a bit snarky and boarder line mean. I think your M O’keefe comment was a tad mean. She’s amazing and was truly rattled and upset by her fall. Could have been phrased better. Not your best work If I want rude and snarky I’ll read the BBS