The Dismount: Week 8

For full scores and results for every meet, check out Week 8 Results.

It feels appropriate that NQS kicks in the same week a score of program, conference, and NCAA records tumble. The team and individual rankings are largely in flux, though a few constants (i.e., Oklahoma and Haleigh Bryant) remain. 

Gym Slam Alert 2.0

Earlier this month, LSU’s Bryant became just the 14th gymnast in NCAA history to complete a gym slam. Two weeks later, Leanne Wong added her name to that exclusive list thanks to a clutch walk-off 10.000 on floor that secured the win for Florida (coincidentally over Bryant and the visiting Tigers).

For Florida head coach Jenny Rowland, Wong’s performance was all the more impressive because it followed a mid-routine injury to teammate Payton Richards: “To see Leanne do that, I don’t think it was a surprise for the Gators by any means, and at the same time, we all had each other’s backs.” 

Records

Wong’s gym slam was just one of the record-breaking performances from week eight. According to Drew Porche, a whopping 21 schools set or tied various program records. Here’s a quick rundown of all the team-high scores from this weekend:  

• Oklahoma’s 198.675 is not only the best score in program history, but also the third-highest score in NCAA history. The Sooners are also the first team to post scores of 39.700 or better on three events at the same meet.
• California broke 198 for the first time this season on the road against UCLA with a 198.400, more than a tenth better than the record 198.275 set last season. Sophomore eMjae Frazier also notched a new best individual all-around total for the Golden Bears with a 39.825. 
• After cracking 198.025 in week three at the infamous Tennessee Collegiate Classic, Ball State finally broke into the 197s with a stellar 197.425 on the road against George Washington. While this is technically the Cardinals’ second-best team score, it’s still very much worth celebrating. 
• Likewise, Towson posted a 197.425 that is not only a program best for the Tigers, but also a new EAGL record. 
• The fledgling Clemson Tigers broke out of the 196s for the first time with a 197.350, thanks in large part to a 49.600 on floor to overtake the visiting Tar Heels. 
• Sacramento State obliterated its previous program high by 0.350 with a 196.825 against Air Force. The Hornets’ 49.425 on floor is also a team-best, breaking the record that had been in place for 20 years. 
• Yale finished second to Penn at the Ivy Classic and scored a program-high 195.400 in the process.
• Brockport tied its high score of 193.700 with a tri-meet win over Ursinus and Springfield. Star freshman Lienna Kay broke her own record on beam with a 9.900, leading the Green and Gold to a stellar 49.200. Notably, teammates Laken Sooy and Kiara Hockman both matched Kay’s previous record of 9.875. 
• In truly epic fashion, UW-Eau Claire bested the record high they set last week at home by nearly a point. In addition to the team’s 190.550 total, two Blugold gymnasts set individual records: Andrea O’Connell with 9.900 on floor and Harriet Toth with a 38.925 in the all-around. 
• Gustavus Adolphus also improved on its two-week-old record high with a 188.875 against Winona State. 

Power Five Shake-Ups

Conference championships are rapidly approaching and the fields are unusually wide open compared to recent seasons. Week eight saw numerous upsets in Power Five match-ups.  

ACC: While regular-season champion N.C. State is the clear favorite for the de facto inaugural ACC title, Clemson proved it’s also capable of breaking into the 197s. The Wolfpack hasn’t taken home a conference title since 2018 despite being the top-seeded team, and—should they open the door this year—the Tigers will be waiting to pounce. 

Big 10: As expected, Michigan State and Michigan each won their respective sessions of Big Fives, but it was a tight race for second during both: No. 14 Ohio State edged out Minnesota by just a tenth in the afternoon session, while Illinois edged out Penn State by a little under two tenths. 

Big 12: Denver eked out the win over home team and Big 12 newcomer BYU, but the meet was a little too close for comfort. The Pioneers are the presumptive heir to the throne when the Sooners join the SEC next season, but—as this meet demonstrates—BYU and Iowa State are imminently capable of keeping the pressure on. 

Pac 12: California was the clear frontrunner on paper heading into this week’s matchup against ninth-ranked UCLA, but you can never count out the Bruins in Pauley (as evidenced by that 198.075 from earlier this month). This time, the data won out and Cal walked away with the victory and a slew of program records. 

SEC: Florida taking down No. 2 LSU was the highest-profile upset of the weekend, but Arkansas’s win over Kentucky was arguably more consequential. The Razorbacks rebounded from a midseason slump with a 197.400, tying the fourth-highest score in program history. They also notched their first victory over the Wildcats in nearly a decade. As tightly grouped as the SEC teams currently are score-wise, conference win/loss records actually do matter.

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Article by Claire Billman