It’s time to determine the final two teams in the national championship final and settle on some individual event champions, as semifinal two at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships is here! The top two teams from this evening advance to the title round Saturday, while individual scores from tonight and this afternoon will crown event winners. This session features No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 UCLA, No. 5 Utah, and No. 9 Kentucky alongside individuals from Michigan, Oregon State, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, and Alabama. View the full slate of individuals and their events here.
The Sooners were ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire this season and are considered the favorites heading into this meet. Even after counting a fall on beam to start regional finals, Oklahoma bounced back to still win the meet and post a score over 198. Jordan Bowers has emerged as one of the nation’s best all arounders after making the beam six this season, as she, Ragan Smith, Danielle Sievers, and Audrey Davis are among a few who should end tonight on at least one podium and help get the Sooners through to the final.
Kentucky is the clear underdog as the non-top-five team but is known for always performing its best in the postseason, which could make the difference on an off-day for a few of the other three teams. Raena Worley is also capable of trophy-worthy finishes with championship experience already under her belt. The second advancing spot to Four on the Floor is set to be a showdown between Pac-12 rivals Utah and UCLA, who’ve traded spots in the rankings this season, yet the Utes are 3-0 against the Bruins this season. Jordan Chiles and Selena Harris are one tough combo for UCLA, while a potential Grace McCallum bars return could be the difference-maker for Utah with Maile O’Keefe already in stride.
Although the Wolverines didn’t qualify as a team to these championships, they’ll still have plenty of opportunity to nab some hardware as their quartet of athletes—Natalie Wojcik, Sierra Brooks, Naomi Morrison, and Abby Heiskell—are all threats on their respective events. Auburn’s Derrian Gobourne is also a must-watch routine on floor alongside Alabama’s Luisa Blanco, who will star on bars.
Follow along with live scores and video! (ESPN2)
Rotation 1: Kentucky Vault, Oklahoma Bars, UCLA Beam, Utah Floor
Sievers (OU): Maloney to Pak, great, good half pirouette, dismounts stuck FTDT. 9.900
Brenner (Utah): Opens double pike, a tad under, step forward, RO 1.5 front layout right into choreo, switch side Popa, no issues, ends with a double tuck, good landing. 9.8875
Wilson (UK): Front pike half. Stuck cold, chest a bit forward. 9.9125
Fletcher (OU): Toe hand, Pak, dismounts FTDT, shuffle back. 9.850
Patterson (UK): Front pike half. Bounce to the side. 9.875
Gilstrap (Utah): Good opening Rudi, switch leap to switch ring half, closes with front layout front full, knee bend in the air but no landing problems. 9.900
Magnelli (UK): Front pike half. Bounce back. 9.8625
Smith (OU): Ray, to hand, Pak, good half pirouette, stuck double layout dismount. 9.925
Chiles (UCLA): BHS LOSO LOSO, flawless, switch leap wolf jump, side aerial, RO double pike, way short, lunge forward. 9.825
Smith (Utah): Nice front double full, a tad off line, FHS Rudi LOSO, floaty, Rudi double stag, solid landing control. 9.875
Harris (UCLA): BHS LOSO LOSO, small check, switch leap split leap full turn, front toss, stick the dismount. 9.9375
Davis nailed a bars set for Oklahoma, small dismount hop. 9.900
Rucker (Utah): Mounts with a FTDT, chest up and good landing, clean leaps, ends with a front layout front full, easy landing. 9.8875
Malabuyo (UCLA): Wolf turn, BHS LOSO, front aerial beat jump, ring jump, dismounts BHS gainer full, stuck. 9.950
O’Keefe (Utah): Double pike, small step forward, front layout front full, stuck cold, RO 1.5 front layout, no problems.
Hesikell 9.950 on bars for as an all rounder.
Gobourne (Auburn): Has the arena all to herself for her final routine, nailed it all, a little wonky on the leaps. 9.9125
After 1: UCLA 49.5125, Utah 49.500, Oklahoma 49.4875, Kentucky 49.312
Even on the “trickiest” event, UCLA takes the lead thanks to some crucial early lineup 9.9s. The Bruins have the slightest of edges over Utah, who had a good start on floor, and Oklahoma, who hit everything it needed to on bars. Kentucky also got some good landings on vault and is still right in this thing. Rotation two will be key with UCLA on floor, Utah on vault, and Oklahoma on beam – events where they can all shine.
Rotation 2: Utah Vault, Kentucky Bars, Oklahoma Beam, UCLA Floor
Dunn (OU): BHS LOSO LOSO, secure, split jump split jump half, gainer full, piked it down. 9.9125
Underrotated Rudi last pass for Moors to end floor. Otherwise hit for UCLA.
Brenner (Utah): Y1.5. Cleaner in the air than normal, small hop forward. 9.850
Procasky (UK): Maloney to Pak, nice, dismounts giant full double tuck, slung it double and hops forward. 9.800
Malabuyo (UCLA): Music stops a few seconds in, nails a double tuck, RO 1.5 front layout, music starts again?!?!? and in the right spot somehow?!?!?!? switch ring to switch half, gorgeous, finishes with a double tuck, lunge forward, a bit under. 9.8875
Smith (Utah): Omelianchik. Nice in the air, hop forward. 9.900
Bowers (OU): BHS LOSO, a bit under and a check to the side, good leap series, dismounts RO double full, messy legs, sticks. 9.825
Rucker (Utah): Y1.5. Goes for the stick, takes a step back. 9.875
Harris (UCLA): Double tuck, easy, tour jete half split full, bouncy, RO front half stag jump. 9.950
Williams (Arkansas): Y1.5. Clean in the air, squats to try for the stick but takes a hop. 9.825
Luksik (UK): Ray, good height, bail, double layout, hop forward. 9.825
Frazier (UCLA): Whips through to double tuck, problem-free, good leaps and side somi, great double pike to finish. 9.950
Worley (UK): Clear hip, Tkatchev, Pak, good form, dismounts FTDT and sticks it. 9.925
Campbell (UCLA): Great full-in, impressive height in her leaps, hangs in the air, FHS front layout front full, closes with a stellar double tuck. 9.9375
Smith (OU): BHS LOSO, small check, front aerial, split jump half to BHS swingdown, full turn, dismounts gainer full. 9.900
Wonderful bar routine from Michigan’s Wojcik, just a small foot shift on the dismount. 9.925
Chiles (UCLA): Double layout to open, front tuck to double tuck, no problems, tour jete half wolf full, good height, so much energy, dismounts double pike, and the Bruin fans throw confetti to celebrate. 9.9875
After 2: UCLA 99.225, Oklahoma 99.0375, Utah 98.8625, Kentucky 98.4375
The Bruins capitalized on their best event, extending their lead and not just maintaining their lead. The Sooners and Utes are right behind, with both capable of finishing in any position without a fall changing the standings. Oklahoma has the vault difficulty edge and Utah can be stellar on beam, and both those hitting at 100% will be needed tonight to advance.
Rotation 3: UCLA Vault, Utah Bars, Kentucky Beam, Oklahoma Floor
Frazier (UCLA): FTY. Big hop back. 9.7875
Morgan (Utah): Maloney to Bhardwaj, giant full double tuck, bouncy into salute. 9.8125
Lee (UCLA): FTY. Good in the air, goes for the stick but takes a hop forward. 9.700
Smith (OU): Nearly perfectly stuck double tuck, RO 1.5 front layout, no problems, hits her leap series, closes with a double pike, great landing again. 9.925
Moors (UCLA): Front pike half. Chest a bit down, slides back. 9.7875
Hit bars for Brenner and Utah. 9.9375
Campbell (UCLA). FTY. As big as can be, tiny hop. 9.900
Harris (UCLA): Y1.5. Comes up short going for the stick, but just a small hop back. 9.800
Bowers (OU): Front double full front tuck, great, double pike, high but a lunge a bit to the side, great height in her leap pass. 9.950
Chiles (UCLA): DTY. Small hop, in place basically. 9.900
O’Keefe (Utah): Maloney to Pak, great, good half pirouette, dismounts double Arabian, stuck cold. 9.950
Great floor from Sievers with a stellar full-in to open. 9.9375
Scharf (Arizona St): FTY, Flares it out and gets the stick! 9.8375
Isa (Utah): Ray, big, bail, quick through to her squat on, giant full to double layout, sticks it. 9.925
All hits but no remarkable scores from Kentucky on beam with Worley and Magnelli to go.
Torrez (OU): Huge double layout mount, easy tour jete full wolf full, beautiful extension, front tuck to double tuck, chest up perfect lunge. 9.950
McCallum (Utah): Maloney to Pak, problem-free, hits the half pirouette and handstands, sticks the FTDT! 9.950
Magnelli (UK): BHS LOSO LOSO, solid, switch leap split side, nice toe point from across the arena, front aerial, sticks the gainer dismount. 9.950
A beautiful routine from Blanco on bars for Alabama along with a hit from Oklahoma’s Fletcher on floor.
Carey (Oregon St): Forward roll onto the beam, full turn, front aerial straddle jump, smooth connection, BHS LOSO, great, switch leap switch side, dismounts gainer full, and sticks as always. 9.9625
Heiskell (Michigan): Double Arabian, slide to the side, good leap pass, closes with a RO 1.5 front full. 9.9375
After 3: Oklahoma 148.700, Utah 148.5375, UCLA 148.400, Kentucky 147.850
Both spots are still up for grabs heading into the final rotation, with the three in contention all strong on their last event! Kentucky should be out of it without help, setting up a showdown for two spots between three teams. Oklahoma has the lead and the edge with vault and their difficulty (and stability), while Utah also has a slight edge already and is headed to its best event (where it tops the country). But, the Bruins are capable of huge numbers, including 10s from Chiles, so anything can happen.
Rotation 4: Oklahoma Vault, UCLA Bars, Utah Beam, Kentucky Floor
Sievers (OU): Y1.5. Step to the side. 9.875
Campbell (UCLA): Maloney to bail, blind to double front, sticks. 9.900
Morgan (Utah): Front walkover mount, BHS BHS LOSO, clean leaps all around, front full dismount stuck. 9.8875
Y1.5 with a step forward from Stern. 9.900
Steele (UCLA): Maloney to Pak, misses a toe on before her squat jump to high bar, double layout with a hop back. 9.5875
Wilson (UK): Front tuck through to double tuck, easily through her leap series, RO 1.5 front layout. 9.8125
Bowers (OU): Y1.5. Big lunge forward, off to the left a tad. 9.8125
Paulson (Utah): Side aerial LOSO, great, nice leaps, beat jump side aerial 1.5, quickly into her salute. 9.850
Stuck-ish Y1.5 from Trautman. 9.950
Padurariu (UCLA): Maloney to bail, good, dismounts FTDT, chest down hop forward. 9.800
Fall from Patterson on floor on her ending double tuck.
Heiskell (Michigan): Y1.5. Bounding lunge forward, too much power.
Great set from Harris on bars. 9.9125
Frazier (UCLA): Maloney to Pak, great leg form, hits the half pirouette, dismounts double layout, small hop. 9.900
Isa (Utah): Dive mount, BHS LOSO LOSO, secure, full turn, beat jump split side, sticks her gainer full. 9.9625
Chiles (UCLA): Piked Tkatchev to Pak, incredible first handstand, Maloney to Gienger, dismounts FTDT, stuck cold! 10!
O’Keefe (Utah): Side aerial LOSO, no wobbles, great leaps through the cheers for the Chiles 10, full turn, stuck gainer full. 10!
Worley (UK): Great full-in, front layout front full, nice leaps, closes with a double tuck, good landing. 9.9375
McCallum (Utah): Nails the wolf turns, BHS LOSO, no issues, split jump split side, slightly flexed feet, tucked gainer full dismount, stuck. 9.925
Brooks (Michigan): Massive full-in to start, slight front foot slide, tour jete half split full, bouncy, closes with a front tuck to double tuck, fantastic. 9.950
Flatley (Arkansas): Gorgeous BHS LOSO, full turn with leg up to beat jump, smooth, BHS 1.5 stuck. Huge roar from the crowd for her.
FINAL: Utah 198.225, Oklahoma 198.1625, UCLA 197.9125, Kentucky 197.125
Utah and Oklahoma advance to Saturday’s national championship final!
Individual NCAA Champions:
All Around: Maile O’Keefe, Utah 39.7625
Vault: Olivia Trautman, Oklahoma 9.950
Bars: Jordan Chiles, UCLA 10.000
Beam: Maile O’Keefe, Utah 10.000
Floor: Jordan Chiles, UCLA 9.9875
READ THIS NEXT: UCLA Has No Regrets After Culture Change
Live blog by Brandis Heffner.
Like what you see? Consider donating to support our efforts throughout the year! [wpedon id=”13158″]
Scoring was wildly inconsistent in this season in comparison to season 1. Oklahoma having chest low passes on floor to the hops and steps on vault where the other teams were penalized for, they were not. I hope this isn’t the case in the finals.