The Mount: Week 9

Results

Results

Results

Results

Recap

The Big Storyline: It was a good meet for all in attendance! Michigan State earned a nice road score to count toward its NQS, and Eastern Michigan’s 194.900 isn’t its best but should still boost its NQS. LIU won’t count this meet, but we saw some great performances, including Syd Morris’ 9.900 on bars. Gabi Stephen also nailed her Yurchenko full for a perfect 9.950.

Implications: This meet combined with Michigan State’s second of the weekend moves the Spartans up to 1-th in the national rankings. Eastern Michigan and LIU will remain out of the regionals picture, but this performance could be a good confidence-builder with the conference championships coming up. 

Records: Michigan State put up a program record score on bars with a 49.525.

Recap

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: This wasn’t either team’s best meet, but it wasn’t too bad either. Ohio State fell just short of a 197, and BYU scored a 195.575 after counting a fall on beam. The Cougars were really fighting with the Buckeyes for the first half of the meet, but after going to floor and counting a 9.550, things started to go downhill. 

Implications: This meet won’t really affect either team’s NQS. BYU already has a number of road scores in the 196s, and Ohio State has higher scores to lean on as well. As for the national standings, Ohio State moved up to 15th place, which gives it a little bit of room for error when it comes to being seeded at regionals. BYU also moved up one spot and is now sitting in 33rd. The Cougars will have to keep improving to avoid either the play-in round or missing regionals entirely.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 34 BYU at No. 16 Ohio State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: This year’s postseason might look different than previous years for both of these teams. Ohio State is fighting for a coveted seeded spot at regionals while BYU is just trying to sneak in at all. This meet will be crucial for both teams to accomplish their postseason goals. A big road score would be helpful for BYU’s NQS, and Ohio State could use another 197 to secure that spot in the top 16.

Need More Proof? If you haven’t seen Rebekah Bean Ripley’s viral Barbie-themed floor routine yet, this is your chance! You’ll definitely be smiling throughout the whole routine. As for Ohio State, freshman Payton Harris is coming off a huge 9.950 on vault. If she can minimize deductions on her other events, her all-around score could be huge. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: While both teams were doing well through the first two rotations of the meet, Missouri was able to pull ahead of the Crimson Tide, who faced problems on floor, leading to its first sub-49 score on the event this season. Missouri once again put up a stellar floor rotation, led by Alisa Sheremeta, which helped propel the Tigers to the win. 

Implications: While Alabama didn’t change positions in the national rankings, it’s getting ever more susceptible to Auburn and Kentucky taking its place in the SEC championship night session. Missouri fell out of the top 16, putting a seeded regionals spot in jeopardy.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Despite losing two more gymnasts to injury prior to the meet, the Tigers won the inaugural Purple & Gold Challenge in close fashion. A standout day in the all-around from Haleigh Bryant was enough for LSU to edge out California for the team title and put up a strong total. The Golden Bears were led by freshman eMjae Frazier, who earned the first perfect score of her career with a great floor routine, while Washington’s strong away total was boosted by a freshman as well—Lilly Tubbs’ stellar bars set for a 9.950. Despite a season low team score, George Washington’s Deja Chambliss was able to give the Colonials an event win with her beam title.

Implications: While Aleah Finnegan was absent for the Tigers due to illness, Kai Rivers is feared to have suffered an Achilles injury that will have long-term effects. California finishes the Pac-12 conference regular season at 4-1-2 while Washington ended winless.

Records: Frazier’s perfect score is the first in program history on the event.

Controversies: There were a few interesting developments at the first edition of this event, starting with the fact it was not streamed. California co-head coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell were not present due to illness. The meet also started roughly 30 minutes late without much explanation due to the lack of video. Finally, scoring failed completely partway through the meet, leaving it to be done by hand.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 6 LSU, No. 7 California, No. 23 Washington and No. 37 George Washington

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The Purple and Gold Challenge features a showdown between two tightly ranked foes, California and LSU, alongside two teams on the rise. The battle for sixth in the rankings will take place head to head, but the Huskies can’t be counted out as a spoiler after hitting 197 last weekend. The Colonials—currently fighting for a regionals spot—should be at their best following their two best totals of the season.

What We’re Watching: All eyes will be on the Tigers as they try to repeat last week’s near-198 despite losing several more routines to injury. Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan continuing to earn perfect scores may be critical for LSU’s continued success. For the Golden Bears, it’s all about which of their all-arounders can have a particularly successful day. Mya Lauzon and eMjae Frazier have been the usual suspects, but Nevaeh DeSouza is due for a breakout performance.

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: This is the first P&G Challenge college meet.

Recap

The Big Storyline: In just her second all-around performance of the season, Maile O’Keefe led the Utes for the second week as they picked up an important Pac-12 win over Arizona. While O’Keefe didn’t nab her usual 10, teammate Cristal Isa did as Utah’s top-ranked beam lineup lived up to the hype once again. Arizona had a strong meet, their best road outing, as Alysen Fears’ bars set was stellar enough to prevent a Utah sweep on the night.

Implications: Utah’s win puts it at 5-1 in conference regular season action, setting up a showdown with Oregon State next week for the title. Arizona finishes Pac-12 play at 1-5 and notched a score that will improve its NQS. Ute seniors O’Keefe, Jaedyn Rucker, and Abby Paulson all announced they will return for their fifth years.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 28 Arizona at No. 3 Utah

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After hopping up to third in the rankings this week, it will take another big night to stay there as Utah hopes to use the Red Rocks crowd to notch another high score. They’ll face a Wildcats squad needing a rebound, as they try to cement themselves as a regionals team.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: You can never miss the Utes’ beam lineup, especially now since Maile O’Keefe has the opportunity to start another 10 streak. As does teammate Jaedyn Rucker, the reigning NCAA champion on vault, who notched her first career perfect score on the event last week. She’ll have competition from Arizona star Malia Hargrove, who stuck a vault for a near-perfect 9.975 a few weeks ago.

Recap

The Big Storyline: While the marquee matchup of the season may not have been quite the national championship rematch fans hoped for, both teams put up respectable performances, especially Oklahoma, which proved itself as a force to be reckoned with even on an off day. Florida chose not to capitalize on an opportunity to upset the Sooners by resting some of its key players and thus putting up some unique lineups, notably on floor. 

Implications: Although it was mathematically already the case after last Monday, Florida officially fell behind Michigan in the national rankings to No. 3, ensuring that Oklahoma’s matchup against the Wolverines this week is another one vs. two matchup. 

Records: Florida’s streak of 60 meets going above 49.200 on floor was broken. The Gators tallied a 49.175 after multiple scores in the 9.7s had to count.  

Controversies: Florida seemingly threw in the towel by resting many top contributors, causing some fans to believe that head coach Jenny Rowland was going into the challenging matchup with a “fold before you try” mindset.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 2 Florida at No. 1 Oklahoma

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: A No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup is must-see television in any sport, but if you need another reason, this is the first time the two teams have met since Oklahoma edged out Florida for last year’s national title by 0.1125.

What We’re Watching: Florida fifth-year Trinity Thomas is four perfect 10s away from setting a new all-time collegiate record, so any perfect marks against Oklahoma will bring her closer to that achievement.

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: Oklahoma’s late-season secret weapon Olivia Trautman returned to the vault lineup last week, casually debuting with a 9.975. We expect she’ll remain in that lineup and give OU an extra boost. 

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: San Jose State and UC Davis upset Southern Utah and bettered their regionals aspirations. 

Implications: For San Jose State, tonight’s road 196 was significant for securing its regionals spot. Similarly, for UC Davis this massive road score will increase its NQS greatly and keep its regional hopes alive. Looking forward to conference champs, if these two teams keep performing like this, MPSFs will be a very close meet. As for Southern Utah, tonight’s performance was a little troubling, as it had to count a fall on beam for the second week in a row. This is not the ideal time for beam problems to develop, and the Thunderbirds will need to work out these issues next week before MRGCs, especially as other MRGC teams like BYU have been starting to peak.

Records: San Jose State got its second highest progam score and UC Davis earned its third highest, both scoring mid 196s. San Jose State junior Lauren Macpherson tied the school all-around record and the school beam record, as well as led San Jose State to its second highest floor score of all time with a 9.925. For Sacramento State, fifth-year Amber Koeth tied school records on beam and floor with 9.950s in her senior meet.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 19 Southern Utah, No. 36 San Jose State, No. 45 UC Davis at No. 53 Sacramento State 

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: This quad meet will be a really entertaining matchup of three MPSF teams plus MRGC conference leader Southern Utah. Lots of unique vaults and stunning beam work will be on display throughout the competition. 

Need More Proof? The pressure is on for San Jose State to get a big road score to stay in the regionals picture. Watch out for Emma Milne on bars and beam and all-around duo Jaudai Lopes and Lauren Macpherson to lead the way for the Spartans. As for Southern Utah, the Thunderbirds will try and capitalize on an opportunity to get a big road score and make a push for the seeded regionals spots, leaning on fifth-year all-arounder Karley McClain. UC Davis is looking to sort out its beam issues and score into the 196s again. Look for Keanna Abraham and Amelia Moneymaker to lead the way. Lastly, home team Sacramento State is looking to build on its season high 195.725 from last week and will be depending on Emma Morgenthaler in the all-around and Amber Koeth’s lovely beam work to get there. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: With Sunisa Lee resting, it would have taken a near-perfect performance for Auburn to pull off the win against Kentucky, but all hopes were dashed in the final rotation when a counting beam fall left Auburn without a counting score for NQS. Kentucky continued to impress, with Makenzie Wilson breaking out on vault to score a 9.975. 

Implications: Neither of these teams saw a shift in their rankings, but with Kentucky’s NQS starting to skyrocket while Auburn’s plateaus, we could be looking at an Auburn-less night session at the conference championship after the Tigers spent much of the season as the second-ranked team in the SEC. 

Records: Kentucky set a new vault program record with a 49.550.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 9 Auburn at No. 12 Kentucky

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The Wildcats have a knack for upsetting higher-ranked teams, and they’re coming in hot: They’ve scored five consecutive 197-plus scores, including a program record 197.875 in Week 7. Auburn, meanwhile, is in a bit of a slump. It’ll need to be at its best if it hopes to beat Kentucky at home on Senior Night. 

What We’re Watching: Raena Worley is one of the Wildcats’ all-time greats with numerous 9.975s on her résumé, but she has yet to score a perfect 10. What better time than senior night to join the 10 Club? 

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: Sunisa Lee was spotted in a boot after last week’s meet when she attempted a Silivas and came up short on the landing. There’s been no official word from either Lee or Auburn, so it’s probably just a precaution. However, don’t be surprised if Lee skips the leg events this week.

Results

Records: Cornell set a program floor records with a 49.225. Kyra Figurelli tied the Brockport floor record with a 9.925. 

Results

Recap

The Big Storyline: Halle Remlinger and Mya Hooten’s back-to-back 10s on floor headlined a banner senior night for Minnesota. The Gophers finished with a huge 49.700 on the event. Boise State’s day was solid across the board, culminating in a 49.425 on beam to close out the day to mark a season best.

Implications: Minnesota’s total puts pressure on the Big Ten teams ahead of it in the second session of Big Tens. The Gophers could easily surpass teams in the later session. It also moves up to No. 19 nationally. The Broncos moved up to No. 31, more securely in regional position, and their NQS jumps nearly three tenths with this effort.

Records: Minnesota tied its third-best floor number.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Neither team had a clean meet, but in the end, the Hawkeyes were able to push ahead on their home floor to take this installment of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series. Balance beam was the story of this meet as both teams recorded scores in the 47s, counting multiple falls.

Implications: Iowa State needed a higher score to get into a better position for the postseason, but with only two meets left, it currently ranks only No. 44. Iowa drops to No. 24 in the NQS rankings after recording a season low and needs to get high 196s in its last two meets to position itself well heading into regionals.

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Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: Ohio State came back from a relatively mediocre meet versus BYU earlier in the weekend to storm to a huge total on senior night to close out its home slate. The Buckeyes especially shone on floor for a 49.600. Illinois fell short despite a solid and season best day, with big performances on beam and floor. The Flashes also put up a season best and their first 196 of the year.

Implications: Ohio State made a case for a challenge to the top two Big Ten teams with conference championships approaching. While Michigan and Michigan State are in the 198s, this number from the Buckeyes is still competitive. It also keeps Ohio State securely in the seeded regionals spots at No. 15. Illinois’ number is a season best and boosts its NQS about a tenth and a half, lifting it two places nationally.

Records: Ohio State’s 197.600 is its second best program number. The Buckeyes finish their home season undefeated.

Results

*This meet was postponed from Friday, March 3 due to maintenance at Stegeman Coliseum.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Perfect scores from the Bruins in the opening two rotations of the night highlighted their season high score in a rout of Stanford. Chae Campbell stuck her Yurchenko full for a perfect 9.950, and Jordan Chiles’ bars 10 elevated UCLA to a 49.725 on the event—good for second best in the NCAA this year. Chiles’ all-around mark also ties for best in the country this season. The Cardinal broke its 197 streak but still posted a respectable total, with Brenna Neault’s 39.475 all-around total leading the way and Chloe Widner’s 9.950 bar routine another standout performance.

Implications: The Bruins stay alive in the Pac-12 regular season title race but will need help to claim a share of the championship. Both teams improve their NQS with their scores from this dual.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 21 Stanford at No. 5 UCLA

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Two teams with their two best totals of the season the last two weeks face off as the Cardinal hits the road to face the Bruins. This is a must-win for UCLA if it wants to stay in contention for the Pac-12 regular season title while Stanford wants another stronger number to move closer to regionals seeding.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Both teams feature an outstanding freshman, as Stanford’s Anna Roberts has been hot lately and UCLA’s Selena Harris has been dominant all year. You also can’t count out the veterans either: Chloe Widner recently posted a new career-best for the Cardinal, and Jordan Chiles did the same for the Bruins.

Recap

The Big Storyline: The meet started with Towson in the lead, but that shifted quickly. After a slow start on vault, Senior Day saw the Pioneers break multiple team records en route to recording its first 198 in program history, ending with perfect 10s on beam and floor for Jessica Hutchinson and Lynnzee Brown.

Implications: Denver will enter this week at  No. 11 in the NQS rankings, keeping it in a solid position for a seeded spot at regionals. While Towson started the day with a strong bar rotation, the Tigers were not able to maintain that momentum through the rest of the meet, ending with a non-counting total. Towson remains No. 27 nationally and No. 2 in the EAGL.

Records: Denver set a record for highest program team score (198.150), second highest bars score in program history (49.600), tied the highest beam score (49.650), and set a new floor program record (49.825). The floor total is also tied for the fourth highest floor score in NCAA history.

Recap

Recap

Recap

The Big Storyline: In front of a packed house on senior day, Michigan pulled the upset and gave Oklahoma its first loss of the season after scoring 9.900 or higher on every floor routine in the final rotation.

Implications: Both teams should maintain their rankings heading into competition this weekend. The Sooners will want to drop the sub-198 score to keep its NQS at a reasonable distance from the other teams at the top while Michigan will need to build on this momentum heading into Big Tens.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 4 Michigan

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: If you’ve been watching college gymnastics this year, you know that Oklahoma is looking insanely good. It could even be argued that the Sooners look unbeatable right now. If Michigan is able to hit to its full potential, this meet should tell us if Oklahoma is really in a class of its own or not.

What We’re Watching: We’ll be on the edge of our seats for this entire meet, but vault should be particularly interesting. Last week was a great vault week for both teams. Katherine LeVasseur scored a perfect 10 and Olivia Trautman scored a 9.975. Michigan’s lineup scored a 49.450 last week, but the week before it was a bit of a disaster. We’ll be watching to see if Michigan can hit vault like it usually does. 

What Else to Know Before Tuning in: It’s senior night for Michigan! We might see some emotions from the Wolverines’ seniors, and we can hope for some fifth-year announcements too.