The Dismount: Conference Championships

Recap

The Big Storyline: Illinois State came back in the final rotation to claim its first conference title since 2012 with a program-best team total. 

Postseason Implications: Traditionally, the MIC championship can be a pace setter for what we’ll see at the USAG national championships. Lindenwood’s strong performance here, even without star Hannah Appleget, gives those betting on a Lions’ victory a bit more weight. SEMO falls to third place in the USAG rankings, just 0.005 behind TWU. However, there’s still time for rankings to change with the rest of conference championships still to come. 

Records: Illinois State started the meet with the second-highest vault total in program history en route to a program-best 196.375. Lindenwood’s second place performance was good enough for third all time on its list. 

Controversies: A 9.8/10.0 split? Is this the SEC? Maybe not, but this sure was fun. Also, at the end of the meet, it originally appeared as if Lindenwood had sealed the deal, but with a couple score inquiry updates and Jaye Mack’s stellar floor routine, the cards fell in ISU’s favor instead. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Angelica Labat (Illinois State)
• Newcomer of the Year: Nirel Bart-Williams (Illinois State)
• Senior Athlete of the Year: Alix Pierce (Texas Woman’s)
• Woman of the Year: Gayla Griswold (Lindenwood)
• Sylvia Keiter Memorial Award: Emma Lavelle (Centenary)
• Coach of the Year: Ashley Lawson (SEMO)
• Assistant Coaches of the Year: Matt DeGrandpre and Kristen Harold (Texas Woman’s)

Preview

• No. 52 Illinois State | 195.010 NQS | 195.850 season high
• No. 54 Lindenwood | 194.945 NQS | 196.175 season high
• No. 56 SEMO | 194.845 NQS | 196.175 season high
• No. 57 Texas Woman’s | 194.825 NQS | 195.650 season high
• No. 73 Centenary | 189.430 NQS | 192.475 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The MIC is one of the most competitive conferences in the country. With the proximity of scoring potential, any of the top four teams could take the title on any given day. While Illinois State has the highest NQS, it’s Lindenwood and SEMO that are the only teams to eclipse 196. The reigning champion Pioneers aren’t too far behind either, with the team just catching steam, ending the season with four straight 195-plus performances. There’s never a dull moment at an MIC championship. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Illinois State has a rockin’ vault rotation, complete with stickable Yurchenko one and a halves from Angelica Labat and Alana Laster. Teammate Jaye Mack is on another level on floor, sporting the only full-in double pike at this championship. Gayla Griswold’s vault rivals the best of them, hence why she was an NCAA national qualifier on the event a year ago and has a career-high of 9.975. SEMO features unique skill combinations, including multiple Liukins on beam, two and a halves on floor, and an Ezhova from Jolie Miller on bars. Keep an eye out for Alix Pierce for TWU. She’s been having an out-of-this-world season, and we don’t expect her to stop now. Most notably she has unique skills on bars and one of the most satisfying floor routines in the NCAA. For Centenary, Emma Lavelle’s front tuck mount on beam is as steady as they come, and Leilani Johnson is coming off a new floor career high of 9.900. Fun fact: Event orders for this meet are still TBD because the MIC chooses rotation order by random draw rather than ranking.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? For all but Illinois State, this meet is going to set the tone for USAG nationals in April. TWU got the ball rolling last postseason with a win at the conference championship, eventually claiming the USAG title a few weeks later. Needless to say, this meet is a huge momentum shifter. SEMO has been lights out at home this season, so that’ll be an advantage. Illinois State will look to reclaim the MIC title after narrowly missing out the past few seasons, even when entering the meet as the favorite to win. Lindenwood will also be looking for redemption after its six year winning streak was snapped in 2022. For Centenary, the postseason picture looks a bit different. While the team will look to put together a strong final showing for 2023, individuals will also be motivated to perform well in hopes of qualifying to nationals. 

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Illinois State: 2 titles, last won in 2012
• Lindenwood: 6 titles, last won in 2021
• SEMO: 6 titles, last won in 2014
• Texas Woman’s: 3 titles, last won in 2022
• Centenary: 0 titles

Records Watch

Team: 196.575 (UIC,2003) | Vault: 49.500 (Lindenwood, 2015) | Bars: 49.425 (UIC, 1997) | Beam: 49.375 (SEMO, 2003) | Floor: 49.575 (TWU, 2015)

Last Time Out

Texas Woman’s won the crown in its route to capturing the USAG national title as well. Illinois State had to count a mistake on bars and didn’t full recover. However, the Redbirds claimed two event titles with youngsters Laster and Mack claiming the vault and floor titles, respectively. Lindenwood was held back by a sub-normal vault rotation but was able to claim second place by killing the other three events. SEMO’s conference meet last season was highlighted by a tie for the bar title by Jolie Miller and Lindsay Ockler. Since the 2022, SEMO has eclipsed its team program record and subsequently succumbed to several injuries. But don’t count the Redhawks out of the game, especially on their home playing field. The team has adjusted lineups and is performing as well as ever.

Recap

The Big Storyline: William & Mary squeaked past Cornell to take the high score of the afternoon session. But that 193.050 likely won’t hold up against the teams in the later session.

Postseason Implications: Southern Connecticut will qualify a team to the USAG Nationals in just a few weeks, officially ending Cornell’s season as a team. However, Cornell and Bridgeport should qualify several individuals for nationals. William & Mary, not part of the USAG, will end its season on a high note, tying its season high of 193.050.

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Raegan Walker (Yale)
• Event Specialist of the Year: McCaleigh Marr (Pennsylvania) and Julia Bedell (Brown)
• Newcomer of the Year: Marissa Lassister (Penn)
• Woman of the Year: Tiara DeTommaso (West Chester)
• Performance of the Year: Raegan Walker (Yale)
• Assistant Coaches of the Year: Cassie Hageman and Casey Rohrbaugh (Penn)
• Coach of the Year: Kirsten Becker (Penn)

Preview

• No. 5 Southern Connecticut | 192.995 NQS | 193.925 season high
• No. 6 Cornell | 192.585 NQS | 193.575 season high
• No. 7 William & Mary | 191.930 NQS | 193.050 season high
• No. 8 Bridgeport | 191.820 NQS | 194.100 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The top team in this session could be anyone, quite literally. Bridgeport has been on fire the past few meets, and we all know momentum in this sport is very real. Southern Connecticut is a legitimate threat to Cornell’s appearance as a team at USAG nationals this year. This session has the potential to come down to the very last rotation. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Keep an eye out for Cornell’s beam rotation. They bring a variety of acro series to turn beam from expected to unexpected, but in a good way. Keep an eye on Bridgeport’s Nicole Javinett’s beam set, as she went 9.975 earlier this season. Southern Connecticut’s Libby Allen could give William & Mary’s Keaghan Schafer a run for that floor title, although they’ll both still need to fight for that title with the teams in the second session.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? While William & Mary’s season will be ending after today, Southern Connecticut and Cornell will be dueling for the coveted eighth-place spot in the USAG. The Purple Knights will eye individual spots for qualification to nationals. 

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Penn: 1 title, last won in 2022
• Bridgeport: 0 titles
• Brown: 0 titles
• Cornell: 0 titles
• Southern Connecticut: 0 titles
• West Chester: 0 titles
• William & Mary: 0 titles
• Yale: 0 titles

Records Watch

• Team: 196.950 (Penn, 2022) | Vault: 48.975 (Brown, 2022) | Bars: 49.325 (Penn, 2022) | Beam: 49.250 (Penn, 2022) | Floor: 49.475 (Penn, 2022)
• All Around: 39.275 (Lindsay Chia, Yale, 2022) | Vault: 9.850 (Sydney Beers, Cornell, 2022) | Bars: 9.950 (Raegan Walker, Yale, 2022)| Beam: 9.950 (McCaleigh Marr, Penn, 2022) | Floor: 9.975 (Sara Kenefick, Penn, 2022)

Last Time Out

With last year being the inaugural season, there isn’t a huge history to comb through, but that first one was a doozy. Penn stormed through, claiming the victory by a landslide with nearly a point between the Quakers and second-place Brown. The Golden Rams would take third, nearly two points behind dominant Penn.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Minnesota led top to bottom in this one, while Illinois, Penn State, and Nebraska were engaged in a nail-biter for second. The Illini really pulled away on bars and beam, while the Nittany Lions had some missteps on beam and Nebraska fell a bit short on vault. Maryland and Rutgers had slightly off days, with some mistakes from stalwarts. It was a pretty clean, drama-free meet overall, with great production quality from BTN to boot.

Postseason Implications: No team in this session will see a lot of movement in NQS heading into regionals.

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)
• Newcomer of the Year: Nikki Smith (Michigan State)
• Coach of the Year: Mike Rowe (Michigan State)

Preview

• No. 20 Minnesota | 196.900 NQS | 197.600 season high
• No. 22 Maryland | 196.710 NQS | 197.100 season high
• No. 23 Nebraska | 196.705 NQS | 197.500 season high
• No. 24 Illinois | 196.700 NQS | 196.875 season high
• No. 33 Penn State | 196.350 NQS | 197.025 season high
• No. T-41 Rutgers | 195.860 NQS | 196.875 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… Just look at those NQS numbers and season highs. Minnesota is the clear favorite, but any team could win this session, and any team with a 197 high could place above teams in the evening group. Nebraska, Maryland, and Penn State have all broken out recently and tallied huge scores. Illinois has been consistent but not yet had a truly break out meet. If it happens here, the Illini could also make things interesting. The Scarlet Knights have had ups and downs but are coming off a program record win and have good momentum. If Minnesota leaves the door open, absolutely any team could come out on top of this session. It might come down to the last routine. Keep in mind, too, that all of Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, and Maryland have season highs higher than host Iowa in the evening session. The Hawkeyes haven’t hit 197 yet this year.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Illinois starts on its best event, floor, so tune in at the top if you can; you’ll also catch Ava Piedrahita’s huge vault in that rotation and Emma Simpton’s stunning beam work. Nebraska hits floor in the third rotation, around 1 p.m. ET, featuring Emma Spence’s fan-favorite set. Rutgers will also be on beam in the third, so look out for that high-risk-high-reward rotation for the Scarlet Knights. If you’re looking for Mya Hooten and Halle Remlinger’s potential 10.0 floor routines, check in around 1:30 p.m. ET to catch Minnesota on floor. Maryland takes to the beam in the final rotation, around 2 p.m. ET, so catch Reese McClure and co. then, when you can also get a look at Emily Leese’s often-stuck Yurchenko one and a half on vault. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Every Big Ten team except Rutgers is locked into regionals. The Scarlet Knights are just outside the picture and nothing they do here can get them in. Penn State is currently sitting in the play-ins but has 1.150 in upside with a 195.875 still to drop. It can go as high as No. 28 with a lights-out performance. The only team in this session with the ability to move into the seeded spots is Minnesota, which can go as high as No. 15. All other teams are locked into a position between Nos. 18 and 28 and are looking at geographical seeding for regionals.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Minnesota: 6 titles, last won in 2021
• Nebraska: 2 titles, last won in 2013
• Illinois: 1 title, last won in 1990

Records Watch

• Team: 198.200 (Michigan, 2022) | Vault: 49.725 (Nebraska, 2012; Michigan, 2022) | Bars: 49.625 (Michigan, 2004) | Beam: 49.550 (Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 49.700 (Michigan, 2014)
• All Around: 39.800 (Ray) | Vault: 10.000 (Wymer, Kabnick, K. Rowland, Mable, Wojcik, Brooks) | Bars: 10.000 (Peters, Ray) | Beam: 10.000 (Nikki Smith, Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 10.000 (Sampson, Wong)

Last Time Out

Michigan roared to the Big Ten title in 2022, setting a new conference championship team record on the way. The Spartans snuck past Iowa to take second despite a subpar beam rotation. Ohio State struggled on beam, finishing fifth, just behind Minnesota. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: Despite a tricky session with several missed routines from teams, Temple capitalized on this and posted the highest score in the first session. It was a meet of tenths with the spread of points a very narrow 0.700 between all four teams forced to count a fall or routines with significant errors. 

Postseason Implications: Despite hosting regionals next weekend, Pittsburgh’s season ends today. George Washington, Temple, and LIU will close its season out as a team now. Each will hope to qualify several individuals in the all-around and their event specialists, including Long Island’s Mara Titarsolej on bars and Ilka Juk on beam. Qualifying in the all-around includes George Washington’s Deja Chambliss and Pittsburgh’s Hallie Copperwheat. However, Copperwheat was notably absent from the lineups this afternoon and it’s suspected she may be out for the rest of the season with a concussion. Even with an absent Copperwheat, Pittsburgh will still have representation from Reyna Garvey on beam and Natalia Pawlak on bars. Making an appearance for Temple includes Renee Schugman and Brooke Donabedian.

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Emily Shepard (NC State)
• Rookie of the Year: Syd Morris (LIU)
• Co-Specialists of the Year: Mara Titarsolej (LIU) and Lali Dekanoidze (North Carolina)
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Deja Chambliss (George Washington)
• Head Coach of the Year: Randy Lane (LIU)
• Assistant Coach of the Year: Olivia Courtney (LIU)
• Scholar Athlete of the Year: Lauren Bolen (Towson)

Preview

• No. 39 George Washington | 195.970 NQS | 196.550 season high
• No. 44 Pittsburgh | 195.655 NQS | 196.550 season high
• No. 46 LIU | 195.530 NQS | 196.100 season high
• No. 49 Temple | 195.490 NQS | 196.375 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The EAGL championship is always one that comes down to who hits on the day. Last season, after already being eliminated from the postseason, George Washington upset N.C. State at home to take the title, and the previous year Temple pulled out the upset. With a strong day, any of these teams in the afternoon session could walk away with the title.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… If you have to tune in to only one rotation, make it the last rotation around 2:30 p.m. ET. Temple will be wrapping up the meet on beam. George Washington will be on vault, its highest-ranked event. Pittsburgh will be on floor, where Sidney Washington has been a highlight all season, and LIU will be on bars, where the rotation will feature the 10th-ranked bars worker in the country in Mara Titarsolej. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? All of these teams are out of the postseason, but many individuals are looking to break into or hold onto their spots. Syd Morris is the first one out of the all-around qualification currently and will be looking to replace a 38.900 all-around score to qualify for regionals. Other individuals on the outside looking in will also be trying to bump up their NQS, including Kennedy Duke on vault, Natalia Pawlak on bars, Alyssa Worthington and Robyn Kelley on beam, and Sidney Washington on floor.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• N.C. State: 6 titles, last won in 2018
• North Carolina: 5 titles, last won in 2011
• New Hampshire: 3 titles, last won in 2019
• George Washington: 3 titles, last won in 2022
• Pittsburgh: 1 title, last won in 2016
• Temple: 1 title, last won in 2021
• Towson: 0 titles
• LIU: 0 titles

Records Watch

• Team: 196.750 | Vault: 49.525 | Bars: 49.325 | Beam: 49.325 | Floor: 49.575

Last Time Out

George Washington pulled out the upset at home to claim its third EAGL title.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Central Michigan came out swinging on the bars and never let up, taking the MAC championship for the second year in a row. Ball State finished second by two-tenths while home team Kent State took third.

Postseason Implications: Western Michigan finishes No. 27 and Ball State finishes No. 33. Both teams could be susceptible to the play-in round. Several MAC gymnasts are in contention to qualify as individuals, including MAC all-around champion Demers as an all-arounder.

Records: Multiple teams recorded top five program scores across all four events. Ball State scored a top five team score, bars and floor, while Central Michigan scored a top five record on bars. Kent State scored new top five records on bars and floor, while Western Michigan scored a top five record on floor.

Controversies: Originally, the balance beam championship was a tie between Jensen and Kathryn Weilbacher from Bowling Green. A scoring change at the end of the meet took Weilbacher out as co-champion and Jensen as the sole champion in the event. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Payton Murphy (WMU)
• Event Specialist of the Year: Suki Pfister (BSU)
• Freshman of the Year: Luciana Alvarado-Reid (CMU)
• Senior of the Year: Hannah Demers (CMU)
• Coach of the Year: Joanna Saleem (BSU)

Preview

• No. 26 Western Michigan | 196.590 NQS | 197.100 season high
• No. 32 Ball State | 196.355 NQS | 196.950 season high
• No. 38 Central Michigan | 195.985 NQS | 196.500 season high
• No. 41 Kent State | 195.680 NQS | 196.025 season high
• No. 47 Northern Illinois | 195.525 NQS | 195.950 season high
• No. 50 Bowling Green | 195.225 NQS | 196.200 season high
• No. 55 Eastern Michigan | 194.930 NQS | 195.800 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The MAC championship screams “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” with all seven teams competing in one monster of a session. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Expect this meet to be a hotbed of regional qualifiers, between Western Michigan, Ball State, and many gymnasts in individual contention. A vault battle is expected between Suki Pfister and Cassie St. Clair. Northern Illinois’ Natalie Hamp and Alyssa Al-Ashari form a one-two punch on bars that’s not to be missed either. No matter when you tune in, you’re bound to catch a floor contender—10 MAC gymnasts have achieved 9.925 or higher this year, with all-around favorite Payton Murphy even notching a 9.975. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? While Western Michigan and Ball State are mathematically locked into the postseason, they aren’t immune to the play-in round. Scoring north of 196.500 will be their best route to advancing straight to round one. Ball State also trails the conference in MAC team titles, with this year’s championship being its best bet—the last time the Cardinals were top two in the conference going into MACs was over two decades ago, and this season has presented a strong case to rewrite that. 

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Central Michigan: 17 titles, last won in 2022
• Kent State: 12 titles, last won in 2015
• Eastern Michigan: 4 titles, last won in 2021
• Western Michigan: 4 titles, last won in 2013*
• Bowling Green: 3 titles, last won in 1985
• Northern Illinois: 1 title, last won in 2019
• Ball State: 1 title, last won in 2002

*Co-champion with Central Michigan

Records Watch

• Team: 197.525 (Central Michigan, 2004) | Vault: 49.450 (Central Michigan, 2004) | Bars: 49.550 (Central Michigan, 2003) | Beam: 49.475 (Central Michigan, 2018) | Floor: 49.575 (Central Michigan, 2003)

Last Time Out

The seven-ring circus had fans convinced Western Michigan would maintain their breakaway lead from the first half, only for Central Michigan to come from behind on beam to nab the conference title. Northern Illinois snuck its way into second place, as one of only two teams to tally three event totals over 49. Ball State narrowly missed the top three, with its final score good for fourth place. Kent State fended off Eastern Michigan to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, while Bowling Green took itself out of contention early with bars troubles to finish in seventh.

Recap

The Big Storyline: In a meet that came down to the final routines, Utah came out on top of a battle between four programs that all tied for the regular season title. All-around winner Jade Carey had the Beavers on top at the halfway point before vault squandered their lead, making room for the Utes and Bruins to surge into the top two. The last rotation saw California post the highest event total of the night on beam (49.625) to nab a close third while Ute Abby Brenner stuck her vault to help Utah hold onto the lead despite a strong 49.600 on floor from UCLA—led by one of two 9.975s on the evening from Jordan Chiles.

Postseason Implications: With all eight programs already locked into regionals, this championship only had implications on seeding. UCLA, Utah, and California secured the four, five, and seven seeds, respectively, while Arizona State clinched the 14-seed. Stanford, Arizona, and Washington will all be unseeded headed into regionals.

Records: The Golden Bears’ posted their highest total in Pac-12 championship meet history, while the Utes became the first program to win three-straight meet titles after the conference transitioned from the Pac-10.

How to Watch

Preview

• No. 14 Arizona State | 197.105 NQS | 197.725 season high
• No. 19 Stanford | 196.930 NQS | 197.575 season high
• No. 27 Washington | 196.585 NQS | 197.250 season high
• No. 29 Arizona | 196.570 NQS | 197.275 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The Pac-12 has been one of the most competitive conferences this season, with every team posting a season-high in the 197s and boasting individuals capable of reaching the podium despite competing in the afternoon session. With all four of these schools already a lock for the postseason, they’ll be giving it their all in hopes of an upset title and momentum for regionals.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Each of these schools boasts an impressive all-arounder who’s capable of an explosive score or two that could launch them to an event title. Arizona State’s Hannah Scharf has earned 9.975 on bars, Malia Hargrove has done the same on vault for Arizona, Stanford’s Chloe Widner notched a near-perfect beam set just last weekend, and Washington two-event star Amara Cunningham reached a 9.975 career-high on floor. Looking better than they did in 2022 when they were a part of the regular-season co-championship, don’t be surprised if the Sun Devils finish in the top four.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? While each school knows they’ll compete at regionals, they’re in important fights for seeding and positioning. Arizona State is trying to maintain a spot among the top 16 while Stanford is on the outside looking in. As some of the lower-ranked regionals teams, Washington and Arizona need good totals to, hopefully, avoid the first-round duals.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• UCLA: 19 titles, last won in 2019
• Oregon State: 6 titles, last won in 2013
• Utah: 5 titles, last won in 2022
• Stanford: 5 titles, last won in 2008

Records Watch

• Team: 198.400 (UCLA, 2019) | Vault: 49.675 (Utah, 2015) | Bars: 49.675 (Oregon State, 2013) | Beam: 49.675 (Utah, 2021) | Floor: 49.775 (UCLA, 2019)
• All Around: 39.825 (Richardson, UCLA, 2004) | Vault: 10.000 (Basaldua, Arizona, 1992) | Bars: 10.000 (Fenton, UCLA, 1993) | Beam: 10.000 (Ross, UCLA, 2017) | Floor: 10.000 (Brinkman, Arizona State, 1992)

Last Time Out

After sharing the regular season title with Arizona State, California, and Oregon State, Utah cruised to victory in the conference championship meet with a 198.000 to defeat the runner-up Golden Bears by over half a point. Jade Carey’s all-around win helped the Beavers round out the podium while Grace McCallum’s perfect bars set highlighted the Red Rocks’ championship.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Despite another week with Sunisa Lee out, Auburn clinched the top spot of the session, led by ever-emerging all-around star Cassie Stevens. While a low vault score kept Missouri from taking the title, a standout performance on bars—led by Helen Hu’s meet-winning 9.950—gave the Tigers the highest score of the session on the event. Floor was a good event for everyone, with seven gymnasts coming together to hold a share of the title. Moore’s and Stevens’ 9.950s on vault hold up with the evening session scores—making the two SEC champions. 

Implications: Missouri snuck back into the top 16, guaranteeing it a seeded spot at regionals. Less lucky was Arkansas, who will enter the postseason in the dreaded 17th position—just outside of the seeded regionals spot.

Records: Missouri matched its bars program record with a 49.400; Helen Hu matched the individual record with a 9.950.

How to Watch

Preview

• No. 5 Auburn | 197.480 NQS | 197.750 season high
• No. 6 Arkansas | 197.050 NQS | 197.475 season high
• No. 7 Missouri | 197.040 NQS | 197.850 season high
• No. 8 Georgia | 196.955 NQS | 197.325 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… Ignore the rankings. Missouri is catching fire at just the right time and is the favorite to win the afternoon session (and if the stars align, could potentially outscore an evening session team or two). Further tipping the scales in its favor, Auburn and Arkansas appear to have rosters in turmoil; Olympic champion Sunisa Lee is questionable for the remainder of the season, and graduate student Bailey Lovett unexpectedly announced her retirement earlier this week. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Team performances aside, there is no shortage of stellar gymnasts who can factor into the individual event titles: Auburn’s Derrian Gobourne is one of the best floor performers in the country, notching 9.975 twice this season. Missouri’s Jocelyn Moore scored the Tigers’ first perfect 10 on vault earlier in the season while teammates Helen Hu and Addison Lawrence have each snagged a 9.975 on beam. Arkansas’s Frankie Price and Norah Flatley each hit 9.975 on floor and beam, respectively, and Georgia’s floor queen Soraya Hawthorne is always one to watch.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Missouri is currently just outside the regional seeds at No. 17 but has the opportunity to move into that coveted 16th spot with a 197.500. It’s a tall order but certainly doable, with the Tigers averaging 197.406 in their last four meets. Auburn can’t rise any higher than a three-seed no matter its score but will be looking to score well enough to avoid dropping to a four-seed.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Georgia: 16 titles, last won in 2008
• Florida: 11 titles, last won in 2022
• Alabama: 10 titles, last won in 2021
• LSU: 4 titles, last won in 2019

Records Watch

• Team: 198.375 | Vault: 49.800 | Bars: 49.700 | Beam: 49.625 | Floor: 49.725
• All Around: 39.850 | Vault: 10.000 | Bars: 10.000 | Beam: 10.000 | Floor: 10.000

Last Time Out

The Gators ended their six-year SEC championship losing streak by posting a 198.200, the second-highest total in the championship’s 41-year history. Auburn and Missouri posted program best championship scores and finishes (third and fourth, respectively).

Recap

The Big Storyline: UC Davis rode its consistency across all four events to an MPSF title, the team’s first since 2015. The Aggies finished six-tenths ahead of second place San Jose State; The Spartans counted a fall on beam, ultimately ending their chance at the title or a regionals berth. 

Postseason Implications: UC Davis and San Jose State entered Saturday as two of five teams vying for three regionals spots, but neither ended up making the cut, leaving no full MPSF teams in the regionals field. A number of athletes from these teams have the potential to reach regionals as individuals. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Lauren Macpherson (San Jose State)
• Event Specialist of the Year: Amber Koeth (Sacramento State)
• Newcomer of the Year: Amelia Moneymaker (UC Davis)
• Coaches of the Year: Tanya Ho (UC Davis), Melissa Genovese (Sacramento State)

Preview

• No. 37 San Jose State | 196.215 NQS | 196.625 season high
• No. 40 UC Davis | 195.965 NQS | 196.750 season high
• No. 53 Sacramento State | 194.960 NQS | 195.725 season high
• No. 58 Air Force | 194.350 NQS | 195.650 season high
• No. 70 Alaska | 190.770 NQS | 193.700 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… San Jose State and UC Davis are both on the bubble and need big scores at this meet as they try to secure regional spots. This meet should also be a close one, with San Jose State’s season NQA three tenths above UC Davis’, but UC Davis having the higher season high. That said, if either falters, Sacramento State could pounce with its ability to score into the mid 195s

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… San Jose State’s floor rotation has been strong this season, scoring 49.4-plus two times in the last month. Additionally, UC Davis has a very unique can’t-miss vault lineup that features five different vaults, including Keanna Abraham’s massive Yurchenko one and a half and Emma Otsu’s Omelianchik.  

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Both San Jose State and UC Davis need to score mid-196s to keep their regionals hopes alive, although their fates are not completely in their own hands. For both teams, bars and beam inconsistency has kept their scores down throughout the season. If the Spartans and Aggies can hit those events for 49-plus, their regional hopes stay alive.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Air Force: 1 title, last won in 2019
• Alaska: 1 title, last won in 2009
• San Jose State: 3 titles, last won in 2022
• Sacramento State: 5 titles, last won in 2016
• UC Davis: 6 titles, last won in 2015

Records Watch

• Team: 196.425 | Vault: 49.150 | Bars: 49.325 | Beam: 49.275 | Floor: 49.550
• All Around: 39.450 | Vault: 9.950 | Bars: 9.950 | Beam: 9.925 | Floor: 10.000

Last Time Out

Last season, San Jose State won the MPSF championships with a championship record 196.425. UC Davis finished in second with a 196.050. While issues on bars and vault led Air Force and Sac State to third and fourth place, respectively. Alaska finished in fifth in what could have been the program’s last ever competition. Over the summer, the program was officially reinstated.

Recap

The Big Storyline: This was Michigan’s meet top to bottom. The Wolverines came out swinging with a record-breaking bar rotation, then moved to beam where Abby Heiskell was perfect. The Spartans were strong across the board and stellar on beam, but were held back a touch by imperfect vault landings. Ohio State had its best away meet of the year, only faltering a touch during its usually-excellent floor rotation. Iowa was hampered by a counting beam fall, something that has become a trend of late. The Hawkeyes were surpassed by Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska and Penn State from the afternoon session. The Gophers also bested the Buckeyes.

Postseason Implications: Despite a strong showing, Michigan falls to No. 3 in the country due to Florida’s massive total at SECs. Michigan State secured a No. 10 ranking and third-seed to regionals. The Buckeyes come in at No. 16, securing the final seeded regional position. 

Records: Michigan tied its bar record with a 49.725, which is also a new record number for the Big Ten championship meet. Its 198.000 is also the second-best total at this meet, after last years’ 198.200 from the Wolverines. The Spartans set a new beam program record with a 49.525, and Ohio State’s 196.975 is a new program-best at the championship. Heiskell’s 10.0 is her first on beam; all of her previous perfect marks came on vault.

Controversies: Our resident judge Rihannon Franck said she would’ve taken a hop on Heiskell’s beam landing.

Conference Awards

Gymnast of the Year: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

Newcomer of the Year: Nikki Smith (Michigan State)

Coach of the Year: Mike Rowe (Michigan State)

Preview

• No. 2 Michigan | 198.045 NQS | 198.300 season high
• No. 9 Michigan State | 197.575 NQS | 198.225 season high
• No. 15 Ohio State | 197.055 NQS | 197.600 season high
• No. 25 Iowa | 196.650 NQS | 196.925 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… Michigan could rewrite the championship record book again this year, and Michigan State is sitting right there behind the Wolverines, ready to apply pressure to its in-state rival; the Spartans handed Michigan one of its two losses in the regular season. While Iowa sits well behind the pack, it’s the host and is going to be hunting for its first 197 of the year. Plus, all of Ohio State’s 197s have come at home; can the Buckeyes hit their potential on the road? 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Michigan does can’t-miss gymnastics across all four rotations, but you’ll especially want to tune into rotations three and four to see the Wolverines on floor and vault. Rotation three also features Ohio State’s huge, stunning vault lineup, and rotation four sees the Hawkeyes on floor. If it’s Michigan State floor you’re seeking, watch this one from the top, since the Spartans start there. Rotation one is also critical for the Buckeyes, who have the dreaded task of starting on beam.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Michigan will either end the season at No. 2 or No. 3. Only Florida can catch Michigan at this point. Either way, it’ll be a one-seed at regionals. The Spartans are locked into a final ranking between No. 8 and No. 13—so the elusive two-seed is within reach, but Michigan State has to be lights-out here. Ohio State can’t see much movement and will end the year between Nos. 13 and 19 while Iowa is locked into being geographically placed at regionals, finishing between Nos. 22 and 28.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Michigan: 25 titles, last won in 2019
• Ohio State: 5 titles, last won in 1987

Records Watch

• Team: 198.200 (Michigan, 2022) | Vault: 49.725 (Nebraska, 2012; Michigan, 2022) | Bars: 49.625 (Michigan, 2004) | Beam: 49.550 (Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 49.700 (Michigan, 2014)
• All Around: 39.800 (Ray) | Vault: 10.000 (Wymer, Kabnick, K. Rowland, Mable, Wojcik, Brooks) | Bars: 10.000 (Peters, Ray) | Beam: 10.000 (Nikki Smith, Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 10.000 (Sampson, Wong)

Last Time Out

Michigan roared to the Big Ten title in 2022, setting a new conference championship team record on the way. The Spartans snuck past Iowa to take second despite a subpar beam rotation. Ohio State struggled on beam, finishing fifth, just behind Minnesota. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: The beam was the main storyline of the day. Penn came away with the most normal beam rotation and took the crown easily. All four second-session teams defeated the scores from session one. 

Postseason Implications: If USAGs was based on conference scores, the GEC would be firmly behind all three MIC teams as well as Air Force in the scoring category. Not that that means anything since scoring at different locations is bound to vary drastically. Penn’s season ends since the team does not participate in USAG nationals. Watch out for potential NCAA regional qualifiers. 

Records: Julia Bedell broke Alicia Sacramone’s long-standing floor record with a 9.950. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Raegan Walker (Yale)
• Event Specialist of the Year: McCaleigh Marr (Pennsylvania) and Julia Bedell (Brown)
• Newcomer of the Year: Marissa Lassiter (Penn)
• Woman of the Year: Tiara DeTommaso (West Chester)
• Performance of the Year: Raegan Walker (Yale)
• Assistant Coaches of the Year: Cassie Hageman and Casey Rohrbaugh (Penn)
• Coach of the Year: Kirsten Becker (Penn)

Preview

• No. 1 Penn | 195.015 NQS | 195.250 season high
• No. 2 Brown | 194.315 NQS | 195.200 season high
• No. 3 West Chester| 193.795 NQS | 194.650 season high
• No. 4 Yale | 193.685 NQS | 194.250 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… If there’s a team that’s going to claim a win today, it’s more than likely one of these four—it would take major missteps for none of these teams to take the second-ever GEC championship title. Penn is the favorite to win, but Brown and Yale can easily take advantage of any missteps to fight for that title. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… We’d be remiss not to mention the Marr duo on beam, with both McCaleigh and Campbell notching 9.950s on the event this season, the same score McCaleigh claimed the GEC title with last year. Brown’s Julia Bedell continues to edge closer and closer to toppling the Brown floor record and claiming it as her own, but she’ll need to battle Sara Kenefick, last year’s floor champ, for the top spot. Sydney Beers and Raegan walker, defending vault and bars champs, are both in good form to defend their titles. The top three all-arounders last year, Lindsay Chia, Jessica Meakim, and Kiana Session, will not be there after graduating or transferring. The following three in the standings? Sydney Beers, Sarah Wilson, and Keaghan Schafer. Only Beers and Wilson are competing all-around this year, but Bridgeport’s Lola Sepulveda or West Chester’s Kristina Rodriguez will look to claim the title. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Penn’s team season concludes after today, but Brown, West Chester, and Yale will be doing what they can to get one last shot at qualifying to USAG nationals.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Penn: 1 title, last won in 2022
• Bridgeport: 0 titles
• Brown: 0 titles
• Cornell: 0 titles
• Southern Connecticut: 0 titles
• West Chester: 0 titles
• William & Mary: 0 titles
• Yale: 0 titles

Records Watch

• Team: 196.950 (Penn, 2022) | Vault: 48.975 (Brown, 2022) | Bars: 49.325 (Penn, 2022) | Beam: 49.250 (Penn, 2022) | Floor: 49.475 (Penn, 2022)
• All Around: 39.275 (Lindsay Chia, Yale, 2022) | Vault: 9.850 (Sydney Beers, Cornell, 2022) | Bars: 9.950 (Raegan Walker, Yale, 2022)| Beam: 9.950 (McCaleigh Marr, Penn, 2022) | Floor: 9.975 (Sara Kenefick, Penn, 2022)

Last Time Out

With last year being the inaugural season, there isn’t a huge history to comb through, but that first one was a doozy. Penn stormed through, claiming the victory by a landslide with nearly a point between the Quakers and second-place Brown. The Golden Rams would take third, nearly two points behind dominant Penn. 

Recap

The Big Storyline: This meet shook out just about as anticipated, with the Sooners taking the title yet again. Oklahoma came out on the floor and never looked back as it set a new Big 12 championship record with a 198.400. Denver had a good but not perfect meet, showing there’s still room for the Pioneers to improve come regionals. West Virginia overcame adversity with an injury in the first rotation, while Iowa State left much to be desired.  

Postseason Implications: Maddie Diab secured her position as Iowa State’s only individual qualifier to regionals on floor exercise with a 9.950, while West Virginia will likely find itself in the play-in round after failing to raise its NQS at this meet. 

Records: 198.400 sets a new Big 12 championship record for the Sooners. They also set a program record on the balance beam with a 49.800. 198.400 is tied for the tenth highest NCAA score all time. 

Controversies: During its bars rotation, Oklahoma’s Ragan Smith and Olivia Trautman went out of order, causing a one-tenth team deduction at the end of the meet, bringing the original 198.500 down to a 198.400. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Jessica Hutchinson (DU)
• Event Specialist of the Year: Katherine Levasseur (OU)
• Newcomer of the Year: Faith Torrez (OU)
• Coach of the Year: KJ Kindler (OU)

Preview

• No. 1 Oklahoma | 198.300 NQS | 198.575 season high
• No. 13 Denver | 197.445 NQS | 198.150 season high
• No. 29 West Virginia | 196.515 NQS | 197.350 season high
• No. 43 Iowa State | 195.670 NQS | 196.300 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… This Big 12 championship, while deceiving in terms of rankings, has four teams that are looking to make a statement. Oklahoma has been dominant most of the season and is expected to take the title again this year, but Denver has shown moments of greatness. If the Sooners are off, the Pioneers can easily take advantage, just like they did in 2021. West Virginia has started to find its groove toward the back half of the season; with the championships being in Morgantown, it has just as much of a chance as the other teams. Iowa State, while mathematically out of the regionals picture, will want to end its season on a good note and aim to send individuals to regionals with a good showing.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Floor exercise will be the event to watch at these championships. Oklahoma is ranked in the top five nationally on this event and has scored as high as 49.750. Denver shattered its previous floor record this season with a 49.825, and West Virginia has consistently scored above 49 all season. Iowa State has several floor specialists that will be vying for an event title, highlighted by senior Maddie Diab, who has a career-high 10.0. Oklahoma leads the way as the country’s No. 1 team on vault and bars, but Denver is also in the top 10 on three events.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? While West Virginia has mathematically locked itself into a position at regionals, one more mid-to-high 196 could keep it out of the play-in round and send it directly to day two. There are also two regionals hosts in this championship, so the seeding for Norman and Denver could be affected based on the outcome of this championship.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Oklahoma: 13 titles, last won in 2022
• Iowa State: 2 titles, last won in 2006
• Denver: 1 title, last won in 2021
• West Virginia: 0 titles

Records Watch

• Team: 198.200 (Oklahoma, 2022) | Vault: 49.575 (Oklahoma, 2014) | Bars: 49.725 (Oklahoma, 2016) | Beam: 49.650 (Oklahoma, 2015) | Floor: 49.650 (Nebraska, 2003)
• All Around: 39.800 (Richelle Simpson, Nebraska, 2003) | Vault: 10.000 (Maggie Nichols, Oklahoma, 2017) | Bars: 10.000 (Bree Dority, Nebraska, 2001 & 2003; Keeley Kmieciak, Oklahoma, 2016; Lynnzee Brown, Denver, 2021) | Beam: 9.975 (Richelle Simpson, Nebraska, 2003; Chayse Capps & Erica Brewer, Oklahoma, 2016) | Floor: 10.000 (Kim Mazza, Iowa State, 1997; Richelle Simpson, Nebraska, 2003)

Last Time Out

Oklahoma showed dominance at last year’s Big 12 championship, winning by almost a full point. However, it was Denver’s Jessica Hutchinson who took the all-around title, beating out her teammate Rylie Mundell by 0.125.

Recap

The Big Storyline: The top teams in the EAGL conference did not catch the fall-everywhere bug from the first session and instead provided a thriller. It was a three-way race down to the last routine between N.C. State, North Carolina, and Towson. A stellar beam rotation by Towson propelled the Tigers to the top spot of the podium.

Postseason Implications: Like the teams in the earlier session, New Hampshire’s season ends here. The rest of the teams—North Carolina, Towson, and North Carolina State—will compete at regionals. All three teams are ranked in the play-in zone, but due to geographic placement rules, Towson will likely get a bye to the second round. Individuals in this session have also qualified to regionals, including two star all-arounders in Emily Shepard and Julia Knower. Chloe Negrete qualified on her three events for N.C. State as well. Multiple bars gurus are set to qualify as well, including eighth-ranked Lali Dekanoidze.

Records: This was Towson’s first EAGL title.

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Emily Shepard (NC State)
• Rookie of the Year: Syd Morris (LIU)
• Co-Specialists of the Year: Mara Titarsolej (LIU) and Lali Dekanoidze (North Carolina)
• Senior Gymnast of the Year: Deja Chambliss (George Washington)
• Head Coach of the Year: Randy Lane (LIU)
• Assistant Coach of the Year: Olivia Courtney (LIU)
• Scholar Athlete of the Year: Lauren Bolen (Towson)

Preview

• No. 30 N.C. State | 196.430 NQS | 197.225 season high
• No. 31 Towson | 196.375 NQS | 196.775 season high
• No. 36 North Carolina | 196.220 NQS | 196.475 season high
• No. 48 New Hampshire | 195.510 NQS | 196.550 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The EAGL championship is always one that comes down to who hits on the day. The past two seasons, N.C. State came in as the favorite and failed to come out on top. With this being N.C. State’s last EAGL championship before moving to the ACC in 2024, winning will be the goal. Towson also has a great shot at the title, which is one the Tigers have never won, and New Hampshire has never lost the EAGL title at home. This one is bound to be interesting. 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… If you have to tune in to only one rotation, make it the second rotation at 7:30 p.m. ET. Towson will be on bars, where the Tigers are ranked 16th in the country. In that rotation N.C. State will also be on beam, where Chloe Negrete and Emily Shepard are ones to watch while Alexis Ortega competes a back handspring to Onodi acrobatic series. North Carolina will also be on floor, where the rotation will be capped off by Julia Knower’s dynamic set.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? N.C. State and Towson have both locked in regionals spots, but North Carolina is one of the last bubble teams, fighting with four other teams for three spots. The Tar Heels do not control their own destiny and will be watching the scores from San Jose State closely.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• N.C. State: 6 titles, last won in 2018
• North Carolina: 5 titles, last won in 2011
• New Hampshire: 3 titles, last won in 2019
• George Washington: 3 titles, last won in 2022
• Pittsburgh: 1 title, last won in 2016
• Temple: 1 title, last won in 2021
• Towson: 0 titles
• LIU: 0 titles

Records Watch

• Team: 196.750 | Vault: 49.525 | Bars: 49.325 | Beam: 49.325 | Floor: 49.575

Last Time Out

George Washington pulled out the upset at home to claim its third EAGL title.

Recap

The Big Storyline: In a meet that came down to the final routines, Utah came out on top of a battle between four programs that all tied for the regular season title. All-around winner Jade Carey had the Beavers on top at the halfway point before vault squandered their lead, making room for the Utes and Bruins to surge into the top two. The last rotation saw California post the highest event total of the night on beam (49.625) to nab a close third while Ute Abby Brenner stuck her vault to help Utah hold onto the lead despite a strong 49.600 on floor from UCLA—led by one of two 9.975s on the evening from Jordan Chiles.

Postseason Implications: With all eight programs already locked into regionals, this championship only had implications on seeding. UCLA, Utah, and California secured the four, five, and seven seeds, respectively, while Arizona State clinched the 14-seed. Stanford, Arizona, and Washington will all be unseeded heading into regionals.

Records: The Golden Bears’ posted their highest total in Pac-12 championship meet history while the Utes became the first program to win three straight Pac-12 titles since the conference transitioned from the Pac-10.

How to Watch

Preview

• No. 4 UCLA | 197.940 NQS | 198.275 season high
• No. 5 Utah | 197.845 NQS | 198.550 season high
• No. 7 California | 197.765 NQS | 198.275 season high
• No. 11 Oregon State | 197.490 NQS | 198.075 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The only conference to have four teams hit 198 this season, and all four tie for the regular season championship, the Pac-12 evening session should be the highlight meet of conference weekend. The Golden Bears and Bruins are coming off matching season-highs last weekend, the Beavers pulled off the upset to be crowned co-champions, and the Utes own the second-highest total in the country this year, making it impossible to pick a favorite for the title.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Beam is the standout event of the conference, as the Utes rank first in the country but are followed closely by session-mates Oregon State at third, UCLA at fifth, and California in sixth. But, behind a 10 from Mya Lauzon, the Golden Bears matched the highest event total of the year on any event with a 49.825 on beam last weekend, threatening the reign of the Maile O’Keefe-led Red Rocks. The NCAA’s top two ranked all-arounders, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, will do battle, both doing their best gymnastics of the season right now.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? While all four teams will be seeded at regionals, their seed lines aren’t set in stone. UCLA jumped Utah this week to nab the final No. 1 slot, pushing the Utes to a two-seed alongside the Golden Bears. The Beavers are sitting on the three-line currently, but a rough championship could see them drop to a four.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• UCLA: 19 titles, last won in 2019
• Oregon State: 6 titles, last won in 2013
• Utah: 5 titles, last won in 2022
• Stanford: 5 titles, last won in 2008

Records Watch

• Team: 198.400 (UCLA, 2019) | Vault: 49.675 (Utah, 2015) | Bars: 49.675 (Oregon State, 2013) | Beam: 49.675 (Utah, 2021) | Floor: 49.775 (UCLA, 2019)
• All Around: 39.825 (Richardson, UCLA, 2004) | Vault: 10.000 (Basaldua, Arizona, 1992) | Bars: 10.000 (Fenton, UCLA, 1993) | Beam: 10.000 (Ross, UCLA, 2017) | Floor: 10.000 (Brinkman, Arizona State, 1992)

Last Time Out

After sharing the regular season title with Arizona State, California, and Oregon State, Utah cruised to victory in the conference championship meet with a 198.000 to defeat the runner-up Golden Bears by over half a point. Jade Carey’s all-around win helped the Beavers round out the podium while Grace McCallum’s perfect bars set highlighted the Red Rocks’ championship.

Recap

The Big Storyline: Florida won its second consecutive SEC championship in dominant fashion, finishing half a point over second-place Alabama. Unsurprisingly, Trinity Thomas was the star of the meet, putting up 10s on bars and floor, culminating in a massive 39.800 all-around score. Thomas brought in another three SEC titles, bringing her career total to seven. All four teams were able to breach the mid-197 mark, with Kentucky putting up a top-five program score in the process. Alabama outperformed its fourth-seed ranking to finish second.  

Implications: With its huge score, Florida finds itself once again ranked No. 2 in the nation. Alabama and LSU both secured the two-seed at their respective regionals. Kentucky will just barely be a three-seed, as it is ranked ninth ahead of the regionals draw. 

Records: By scoring two more 10s, Trinity Thomas is just two away from matching the all-time 10 record held by Jamie Dantszcher and Jenny Hansen. 

How to Watch

Preview

• No. 1 Florida | 198.015 NQS | 198.350 season high
• No. 2 LSU | 197.780 NQS | 198.100 season high
• No. 3 Kentucky | 197.630 NQS | 197.875 season high
• No. 4 Alabama | 197.560 NQS | 198.000 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… The SEC is the hottest conference in the NCAA, and four of the top 10 teams in the country will be competing during this session. Florida is the decisive favorite coming in but has proven comparatively vulnerable on the road, as evidenced by their loss to LSU earlier this year. Meanwhile, Kentucky is looking better than ever (literally)—the Wildcats have posted their three best scores in program history in the last six weeks.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… The nation’s top vaulter, Haleigh Bryant, scored an incredible three perfect 10s in Week 10. She’ll face stiff competition in the all-around from the likes of reigning NCAA champion Trinity Thomas, Leanne Wong, Raena Worley, Kayla DiCello, Aleah Finnegan, and Luisa Blanco. The team rankings matter, of course, but this has the potential to be the most competitive all-around battle of the year. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Florida and LSU are locked into their seeds, but Kentucky needs a strong performance to avoid getting bumped out of its current spot as a two-seed. Alabama still has a low 197 to drop, and a 197.600 would assure its spot in the top 10 heading into regionals. 

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Georgia: 16 titles, last won in 2008
• Florida: 11 titles, last won in 2022
• Alabama: 10 titles, last won in 2021
• LSU: 4 titles, last won in 2019

Records Watch

• Team: 198.375 | Vault: 49.800 | Bars: 49.700 | Beam: 49.625 | Floor: 49.725
• All Around: 39.850 | Vault: 10.000 | Bars: 10.000 | Beam: 10.000 | Floor: 10.000

Last Time Out

The Gators ended their six-year SEC championship losing streak by posting a 198.200, the second-highest total in the championship’s 41-year history. Auburn and Missouri posted program best championship scores and finishes (third and fourth, respectively).

Recap

The Big Storyline: Southern Utah won its first MRGC championship, just edging out BYU, thanks to a stellar all-around performance from Karley McClain.

Postseason Implications: After the MPSF championship earlier in the day, BYU and Boise State were already locked into regionals. Southern Utah is confirmed not to be in a play-in meet while Boise State and BYU most likely will be. 

Conference Awards

• Gymnast of the Year: Karley McClain (Southern Utah)
• Event Specialist of the Year:
  • Vault: Sydney Benson (BYU), Emily Lopez (Boise State)
  • Bars: Emily Lopez (Boise State)
  • Beam: Elease Rollins (BYU)
  • Floor: Karley McClain (Southern Utah)
• Newcomer of the Year: Kylie Eaquinto (BYU)
• Coach of the Year: Scotty Bauman (Southern Utah)

Preview

• No. 21 Southern Utah | 196.765 NQS | 197.125 season high
• No. 34 BYU | 196.295 NQS | 196.650 season high
• No. 35 Boise State | 196.225 NQS | 196.825 season high
• No. 45 Utah State | 195.560 NQS | 196.175 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… If you’re interested in the regionals bubble, this meet is for you. Both BYU and Boise State are perennial regionals qualifiers, with neither having missed in over a decade. They now find themselves on the bubble. Pending the results of meets earlier in the day, the pressure will likely be on BYU and Boise State to get large enough scores to qualify for regionals. At the very least, they’ll know what they need to qualify.

This meet will also feature conference leader Southern Utah who’s had a fantastic season so far. It should also be Southern Utah’s to lose, but it has had some beam troubles in the last month. If the Thunderbirds slip up on beam, BYU or Boise State could challenge for the conference title with hit meets. Last but certainly not least, Utah State will be capping off its season here. The Aggies have only scored as high as 196.175, but if multiple teams have errors, the Aggies could be in the mix to defend their title from a year ago.

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Southern Utah on floor is a must-watch, scoring as high as 49.500 this season with excellent tumbling highlighted by Karley McClain. Boise State on bars has not been as consistent as in years past, but the duo of Courtney Blackson and Emily Lopez is pristine, with Lopez scoring a 10.000 this season—the Broncos’ first in program history. BYU has struggled with beam this season, but the trio of Elease Rollins, Madison Raesly-Patton, and Mina Margraf are all stunning beam workers. This rotation could be key to BYU’s regional hopes. 

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? BYU and Boise State hitting complete meets will be the focus of this meet as both teams look to secure their regionals spots. Additionally, Southern Utah is looking to build momentum with another hit beam rotation moving into the postseason.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• BYU: 2 titles, last won in 2021
• Boise State: 5 titles, last won in 2019
• Southern Utah: 0 titles, (1 title in former conferences)
• Utah State: 1 title, last won in 2022

Note: The MRGC was formed in 2013

Records Watch

• Team: 197.050 | Vault: 49.325 | Bars: 49.475 | Beam: 49.475 | Floor: 49.575
• All Around: 39.600 | Vault: 9.950| Bars: 9.975| Beam: 9.925 | Floor: 9.950

Last Time Out

Utah State won its first conference championship last season thanks to 49.3-plus scores on bars, beam, and vault. This team is drastically different than this season’s, as former head coach Amy Smith took the coaching job at Clemson while six athletes transferred there as well. As for the rest of the conference, Boise State, Southern Utah, and BYU all finished within two tenths of one another, which ensured all four MRGC teams qualified to regionals.