The Mount: Week 4

Recap

The Big Storyline: Trinity Thomas led the Gators to their highest score of the season in record-setting fashion by earning her 23rd career perfect 10 and surpassing Maggie Nichols and Kyla Ross for sole possession for fourth-most 10s in NCAA history. Thomas also became the first gymnast ever to earn four Gym Slams.

Implications: Florida maintains its place as the clear SEC frontrunner and holds onto second place in the national rankings over No. 3 Michigan by a little under a tenth, yet it still trails top-ranked Oklahoma by nearly three tenths. Georgia hangs onto the No. 17 spot nationally and seventh in the SEC with its fourth consecutive score of 196.125 or better, though No. 18 Arkansas is hot on its heels. 

Records: In addition to Thomas’ records, junior Victoria Nguyen—who transferred from Georgia in the offseason—earned a career high on floor while sophomore Sloane Blakely scored a career high 9.925 on bars.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 17 Georgia at No. 2 Florida

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: Georgia comes into the meet looking better than expected this early in the season, beating Kentucky last week and scoring just a tenth below (197.225) what Florida did against Alabama (197.325) in the process. While it will be tough for the Gymdogs to get a similar upset in front of the O’Dome’s raucous crowd, they will look to capitalize on upward momentum, the likes of which they haven’t seen in several seasons now. Speaking of the Gators, they left a lot of tenths on the table at Alabama last week, so they’ll want to resurge tonight. 

What We’re Watching: It’s always interesting to see the Gators’ flirtations with depth early in the season. It’s resulted in unexpected twists like Morgan Hurd anchoring the floor lineup for the past few weeks. We’ll see if the same decision is made tonight. In similarly surprising lineup decisions: highly anticipated but elusive former five-star Jacquie Moran cracking Georgia’s beam lineup (and hitting) last week. Moran has tons of potential, so we’ll see if she returns in this big meet tonight. 

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: The O’Dome has sold out for the seventh consecutive meet, so this should be a loud one in Gainesville. 

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: Kentucky proved itself to be a force in the conference, setting a program record and handily beating Alabama. Isabella Magnelli was a standout for the Wildcats, going above 9.9 on all three events she competed. Alabama finally broke 197 and will get a good away score come NQS. 

Implications: While conference standings will remain unchanged, Kentucky brought its average within half a tenth of LSU’s, cementing the Wildcats as a favorite for the SEC championship night session. Alabama may not have cracked the top four in the SEC rankings, but it did separate itself from the conference’s bottom three and reassert itself as a potential threat come championship season. 

Records: Kentucky notched a program record team total, along with its third-highest beam score ever. 

Records: SEMO posted a program best team total and bars score with its 196.175 and 49.325, respectively. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: The meet ended in a tie! Both teams had a solid meet and scored a 196.875. The Gophers are trending up and scored their highest number of the year. Iowa is showing some consistency after only dropping its score by a quarter-tenth from last week. 

Implications: Iowa and Minnesota remain in fourth and fifth place in the Big Ten, respectively. The Hawkeyes are only leading Minnesota by about three tenths, so they’ll have to keep up the consistency to stay ahead of the Gophers.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 18 Minnesota at No. 15 Iowa

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: Not only is this meet very evenly matched in terms of the national rankings, but it’s also crucial to the Big Ten standings. Iowa sits in fourth and Minnesota is in fifth. Even though it’s early in the season, it’s not too early to start thinking about who will compete in the afternoon and evening sessions of the conference championship. This meet could be a big factor.

What We’re Watching: Watching to see if Iowa can keep improving its team score. The Hawkeyes have been improving each week, and if they keep it up, they could be looking at a 197 this weekend. As for Minnesota, it’ll be looking to jump into the mid-196 range. In order to hold off the Hawkeyes, the Gophers will need to hit their best routines and also count on some mistakes from the home team. 

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: Iowa’s coming off a few losses, most recently to Ohio State, but as long as the Hawkeyes don’t let their confidence fall, they should be able to come out on top here. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: Both Auburn and N.C. State had steady competitions and will be pleased by the landings the gymnasts had across the events this early in the season.

Implications: Auburn did the opposite of many of the other top teams by having a stronger meet last week and a weaker meet this week. Wobbles by key contributors on beam and resting Lee on floor hindered the scoring potential. N.C. State had a strong meet, though, with its third consecutive 196 score and its first one that was away, which will be helpful when it comes time for NQS.

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: Southern Utah posted its fourth straight score over 196 while Boise State showed improvement and notched a season high 195.700 despite a rocky floor rotation in a meet which featured all three Kho sisters (Caitlin and Kaylee at Southern Utah and Sydney at Boise State). Beam was particularly impressive for the Thunderbirds; both teams left room for improvement on vault. 

Implications: 196.275 is a season high road score for Southern Utah, which will be useful when NQS kicks in. Boise State will ideally not counting any of its scores received thus far at the end of the season, but its 195.700 is its highest of the season. In the MRGC picture, there is no movement in the standings; nationally Southern Utah drops to No. 22 and Boise State reenters the regionals threshold at No. 35. 

Records: Emma Loyim’s 9.925 on beam is a career high. Alyssa Vulaj set a career high 9.825 on floor. 

Controversies: There was initial confusion as to why Courtney Blackson notched just a 9.575 on floor. However, our resident judge took a look at the routine and determined she did not get her full 10.0 SV, as she performed a front full for her first pass instead of a front double full.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 21 Southern Utah at No. 37 Boise State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Southern Utah is quietly cruising, improving on its team score each meet and is coming off its best performance thus far in 2023. Boise State has had a rocky start to the season, but the potential is there. It, too, is showing an upward trend. 

Need More Proof? Karley McClain is back in the all-around this season and thriving. Her floor in particular is a highlight, opening with a full-in. Fellow fifth-year Shylen Murakami is must-watch on bars. Ellie Cacciola is coming off her best meet of her college career and is worth watching on beam and floor. Boise State’s Emily Lopez is also stunning on bars, and she hasn’t gone below 9.900 on beam this season either. Courtney Blackson is an underrated gymnast for the Broncos; some of her highlights include a Yurchenko one and a half on vault and a Markelov on bars. Adriana Popp debuted her new vault, a front handspring pike half, this season and is worth watching on beam per usual. 

Recap

Cortland, Ursinus @ WCU

Records: Cortland had the best vault score since the 2018 season, with a 47.825. Ursinus posted its second best vault score since 2020 with a 47.675.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Back home for the first time since Week 1, Utah used season bests on bars and floor to cruise to victory over Washington and notch a new season high score. Maile O’Keefe stunned as usual with her near-perfect beam set, but it was Jillian Hoffman who stole the show for the Utes as she stuck her new Yurchenko one and a half for the vault title. The Huskies missed out on a season best by a few tenths but had their best beam outing of the season, finally breaking 49 thanks to a 9.900 from Skylar Killough-Wilhelm.

Implications: While Lucy Stanhope was absent from lineups due to a heel bruise, Hoffman’s new vault gives Utah the ability to field a full 10.0 start value lineup when healthy. The Utes also remain undefeated in Pac-12 action while the Huskies fall to 0-2—although their schedule gets easier now with Utah and UCLA already behind them.

Recap

The Big Storyline: North Carolina wrapped up its string of three consecutive home meets with a third score over 196, and both George Washington and North Carolina where able to put up season high team scores.

Implications: George Washington won the EAGL title in 2022 and has yet to make its case for being the top team in the conference this year, having only scored between 195.250 and 195.350 so far this season while both North Carolina and N.C. State have been starting to consistently pile up on 196 scores. Getting closer to that 196 marker will be the goal for George Washington heading into Week 5 while North Carolina will try to bring the recent home success on the road.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 35 George Washington at No. 33 North Carolina

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: This is an opportunity to see the matchup between the reigning EAGL champion and the preseason favorite for the title.

Need More Proof? North Carolina has posted a team score above 196 the past two meets while George Washington has yet to eclipse that mark and will be looking to do so here. In both of those outings for the Tar Heels, Lali Dekanoidze scored a 9.975 on bars, which matches the program record. Will this be the week she scores a 10? Hallie Thompson made her comeback in the beam lineup on Monday after missing most of last season with an ACL tear, so watch out for her there. On the other side, Deja Chambliss for George Washington started the season right where she left off but had a miss on floor last week that she’ll be wanting to bounce back from. Deana Sheremeta has started off her career strong and will be one to watch on beam and floor.

Recap

The Big Storyline: It was a strong showing for both teams, but Michigan ultimately came out on top. Beam was the make or break event: the Wolverines got past their struggles from last week, but the Buckeyes have some room for improvement next week. 

Implications: Michigan and Ohio State will remain in first and second place in the Big Ten, respectively, but Michigan State is creeping up on the Buckeyes. Ohio State will have to sort out its shakiness on beam if it wants to hold off the Spartans for another week.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 11 Ohio State at No. 3 Michigan

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is legendary across all athletics. It’s one that hasn’t ever fully seeped into gymnastics, but that might be changing now that these two teams are more evenly matched. Michigan still certainly has the edge, but the Buckeyes are within striking distance for the first time in recent memory. Is this the first chapter in a new storied gymnastics rivalry? 

What We’re Watching: Ohio State is on the cusp of rewriting its record book. The program record number is a 197.625 set in 2012. After a 197.225 last week, that number is looking more and more realistic to surpass. That 2012 team, by the way, is the last Buckeye squad to make a nationals appearance. Michigan will have its eye on settling back in after a great-but-not-amazing contest that saw the Wolverines fall to Michigan State in East Lansing last week. Look for freshman Kaylen Morgan to possibly break into lineups after some very successful exhibitions, most notably on bars. Bev Plocki is pacing her team differently this year: A few bumps in the road seem like a good thing this early while she finds her best lineups and allows stalwarts to rest as necessary. That said, this is clearly a team that wants to win, especially at home, and one that will be looking for vindication after last week’s loss.

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: This is a Big Ten conference dual, so win/loss does matter as far as seeding for the conference championship goes. Ohio State (1-0) comes in with the edge over Michigan (0-1) in that regard.

Recap

The Big Storyline: After a rough outing in Week 3, California bounced back in its home opener with a season high-tying score to beat its Bay area rival Stanford—who kept pace with the Golden Bears for three rotations and was on track for a season high of its own until a wonky beam rotation spoiled the Cardinal’s night. California was led by its four all-arounders, who all went 39.400 or higher, while Stanford’s Anna Roberts continued her impressive freshman campaign with standout floor and vault.

Implications: California picked up its second conference win of the season and remains undefeated overall while Stanford suffered its first Pac-12 loss. 

Records: The Golden Bears have not lost to the Cardinal in the regular season since 2014.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 22 Stanford at No. 7 California

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: These Bay Area rivals always manage to have a competitive meet—last year’s opening dual between the two was decided by half a tenth—and this year should be no different. California’s hot start cooled off a bit last week as it dipped below 197 for the first time while Stanford enters with a trio of consistent scores under its belt and plenty of room to grow with underclassmen-heavy lineups.

Need More Proof? The Cardinal’s top-ranked freshman class is settling in well, as Anna Roberts, Claire Dean and Taralyn Nguyen have all made a positive impact. Roberts’ big Yurchenko one and a half on vault is the 10.0 start value the lineup had been lacking for years. On the other wise, California’s newcomers have also been dynamic, with Ella Cesario shining as a sophomore after missing last season and eMjae Frazier putting up some stellar numbers. However, Frazier was absent from the Golden Bears’ lineups last weekend. She could have just been resting, or it could have been another issue. Keep an eye on that at this meet.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Both Greenville and Simpson posted new program highs with Greenville increasing its program best score by over six points and Simpson by over four.

Implications: Both Greenville and Simpson sit at No. 82 and No. 83, respectively, above Hamline, in the Week 4 standings, which is flipped from where they started the meet. While neither are in a conference this season, these scores are comparable to the season highs of about half of the DIII programs so far, which is promising for their first seasons and those to come. 

Records: Both teams set new program team records and in doing so Simpson set its new vault record (47.950), floor record (47.525), and bars record (43.550) while Greenville set its new floor record (47.200), beam record (46.400), and bars record (45.650).

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 82 Simpson at No. 83 Greenville

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: Both in their first year as college gymnastics programs, this will be the first time Simpson and Greenville will meet on the competition floor. This meet is one for the history books and is likely to be pretty equally matched, making for an exciting competition. Bars and beam are going to be the determining factors in this dual, so keep an eye out for those. 

Need More Proof? A quick recruiting cycle did not prevent these teams from bringing in some big gymnastics. Greenville’s Amara Nelson brings a beautiful Yurchenko full, scoring as high as 9.700 already this season. Simpson’s Emma Tolbert and Baily Tessena have each brought home multiple event wins on floor and beam, respectively. Watch out for Tessena’s difficult side aerial two feet on beam, a rare skill at all levels of college gymnastics.

Records: LIU posted its highest road score in history, landing at No. 3 on the all time scoring list.

Recap

The Big Storyline: This meet came down to the final rotation, with the Golden Flashes and the Broncos having nearly identical scoring through their first three events. Finishing on an event they both lead the conference on, Kent State’s floor consistency ultimately won the dual over Western Michigan’s shaky beam—but only by the value of the fall Western Michigan was forced to count.

Implications: While wins and losses still definitely count for in-conference matches, these two teams are no more separated than when they tied last week. Both also showed multiple exhibitions, proving they have the depth to produce another tight race at MAC championship.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 40 Western Michigan at No. 36 Kent State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: The weekly Sunday afternoon MACtion time slot has quickly become one to watch out for, producing three teams currently on the regionals bubble. Western Michigan and Kent State are separated by four tenths in the national rankings and earned the same score last weekend.

Need More Proof? Both teams will be looking to check off their first 196-plus of the season after each notching 195.925 in Week 3. Each team’s strength will likely come in the last rotation; the Broncos currently have a narrow lead over the conference on beam, and the Golden Flashes are slowly revealing their arsenal of options to score 9.9-plus to further cement their spot atop the conference on floor. Payton Murphy also tied her own program record last weekend, earning her second 39.400 as a Bronco.

Penn, Whitewater, Yale @ UNH

Records: Penn posted its fifth beam team score in program history, and tied for its fourth best bar score with a 49.075.

Records: Lindenwood hosted a record-breaking crowd with 1,526 fans in attendance.

Recap

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: The Sooners were dominant in the Mile High City, beating the Pioneers by a full point and securing the highest score in January in NCAA history. They started strong, even with a few landings eluding them in the first half. Denver came alive in the third rotation with its second-highest beam score and highest floor score of the season, but Oklahoma did not let up and ultimately secured the victory with a 10 from senior Ragan Smith.

Implications: Oklahoma will remain No. 1 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12 while Denver will move up to No. 8 nationally after scoring a season high at home.

Records: Denver set an attendance record with a sellout crowd of 6,473. Oklahoma’s beam score of 49.725 is its third highest beam score in program history and eighth all time in NCAA history. Its team score of 198.425 is its fifth highest team score in program history.

Controversies: A tweet post-meet originally had Denver’s team total at 197.350; however, the live scores online did not counting Jessica Hutchinson’s floor score of 9.900.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 9 Denver

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: This top 10 battle features the top two teams in the Big 12 and could be crucial in determining placements for the conference championship in March. At last year’s meet, the Sooners earned their first 198 of the season. With the Sooners being so close to that number again thus far in 2023, this is the meet they could finally get over the hump. Meanwhile, Denver’s last victory against Oklahoma came at the 2021 Big 12 championship, but the last time the Pioneers won a dual meet against the Sooners was in 1999. The Pioneers have shown a lot of talent in the early weeks of the season and will want to put it all together against their biggest conference rival.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Denver’s vault rotation has already set a new program record this year, but the Sooners are coming into this meet as the No. 1 team on the event. These vaults, if stuck, are going to be something fans will not want to miss. Also keep an eye on beam; at one point, they were tied for the top score in the nation.

Records: La Crosse’s beam mark of 48.675 was the second highest all time, with its overall team total ranking top four in school history.

Recap

The Big Storyline: After the Bruins pulled ahead at the halfway point, counting a fall on beam opened the door for the Beavers to take the lead, which they did briefly before UCLA stormed back with a huge 49.625 on floor to end this Pac-12 classic in a tie. World and Olympic teammates Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles led the way, as expected, sweeping the individual titles for each of their programs.

Implications: While both teams’ scores will move them up in the national rankings, a tie will complicate matters for both teams when it comes to the conference standings, as wins take precedent. In a conference as tight as the Pac-12, it will be interesting to see how this develops.

Controversies: This meet was full of interesting developments. In the second rotation, as Bruin Ana Padurariu went for her Maloney on bars, a cable came loose and she stopped her routine. After restarting, she was originally given a 9.325, but after the judges determined it was an equipment failure, her score was raised to a 9.875. In the final rotation, Jenna Domingo originally received a 9.850 for her effort on beam for Oregon State, resulting in a UCLA victory at the end of the broadcast. About half an hour later, Domingo’s beam score was raised to a 9.900, changing the final score for the Beavers and changing the result of the meet to a tie.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 16 Oregon State at No. 6 UCLA

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: Reigning world champions and U.S. Olympic teammates Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey are set to reunite and put on a showdown as the pair of Pac-12 foes battle in a conference dual. While those two alone could headline a meet with their all-around race, Bruin freshman Selena Harris will certainly be in the mix as she’s the highest ranked all-arounder of either team, sitting at third in the NCAA. Expect lots of huge scores from that trio.

What We’re Watching: UCLA has surpassed expectations so far this season, only competing on the road, with this home opener a great chance to put another big total on the board and grab an important conference win. Oregon State beat the Bruins last year in the Pac-12 regular season standings and got to compete in the evening session of the conference championship, so this is a crucial result for the Beavers as well in their conference opener.

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: Of the Bruins’ celebratory meets this year, it will be their Equity Meet.

Results