Happy postseason, folks! What a whirlwind of a day. For the first time in recent memory, and maybe ever, every single conference championship was on Saturday. The MIC used to host their title meet on Friday evening, a slight reprieve from the chaos, but this year we were really thrown into the fire. Emerging on the other side, it was a magical day.
Oklahoma Sets New NCAA Gymnastics Scoring Record in Final Big 12 Win
The Sooners’ 198.950 is a new all-time NCAA scoring record toppling UCLA and Stanford’s twin 198.875s from 2004. It is the Sooners’ fourth top-ten all-time number this year.
Oklahoma swept Big 12 titles in its last conference championship in the conference before heading to the SEC next year. Jordan Bowers (vault, bars, floor), Ragan Smith (beam), and Faith Torrez (floor) all scored perfect 10s. The Sooners’ quest for a third-consecutive national title is looking more secure than ever.
Lindenwood Secures MIC Trophy in Last-Ever Home Meet
In the Lions’ final meet in Hyland Arena before the team disbands after this season, Lindenwood held off Texas Woman’s to win in a storybook ending for the program’s run at home, with USAG nationals still ahead of it.
LSU Wins First SEC Title Under Clark
The Tigers’ first win under head coach Jay Clark came in front of a friendly New Orleans crowd, topping Alabama by 0.325. Kentucky’s third-place finish was its highest SEC championship placement in program history. Konnor McClain’s 10 on beam was the only perfect number of the championship. Fellow Tiger Haleigh Bryant took the all-around title.
Utes Four-Peat in Last-Ever Pac-12 Conference Meet
The final Pac-12 championship in history went to Utah in an upset over California, which fell to third. UCLA came in second, missing the top spot by just over one-tenth of a point. Maile O’Keefe was perfect on beam, as was Jade Carey on floor.
Utah heads to the Big 12 next year while longtime rival UCLA will join the Big Ten. California moves to the ACC.
Kathy Johnson Clarke Exits Commentary After Storied Career
Kathy Johnson Clarke ended her legendary TV commentary career calling the ACC championship. The broadcast included a tear-jerker of a sendoff to the legend. She is scheduled to commentate at the Berkeley regional, which will be streamed on ESPN+.
Michigan State Holds Off Minnesota to Win First-Ever Big Ten Title
The Spartans won their first Big Ten tournament title in NCAA program history at home in Jenison Fieldhouse, holding off the Gophers to secure the win by just one tenth. The last time Michigan State sat atop the conference championship, gymnastics was still an AIAW sport.
Minnesota was led by Mya Hooten, who secured event titles on all three of her events.
N.C. State Rockets to First ACC Title Since 1984
The last time the ACC held a gymnastics championship, in 1984, the Wolfpack came out on top. They repeated the feat on Saturday on the heels of N.C. State’s third-best score in program history, a 197.550 that launched the Wolfpack into the last seeded regionals spot, knocking Ohio State out of that position. N.C. State finished more than a point ahead of the rest of the field, which duked it out for second. Ultimately, Clemson won that battle, inching past North Carolina and Pittsburgh in a close fight.
USAG Nationals Field is Set
Cornell secured the final spot at USAGs with its 193.775 at GECs, and will join Lindenwood, Texas Woman’s, Air Force, Brown, and West Chester in Pennsylvania. Bridgeport narrowly missed out but will send a healthy slate of individuals to nationals.
First Mountain West Gymnastics Title Goes to Boise State in Nail-Biter
The Mountain West closed its first gymnastics season with the Broncos coming out on top, edging out Utah State by just half a tenth, and San Jose State by one tenth. Falcon freshman phenom Maggie Slife took the all-around title, holding off veterans Brianna Brooks and Lauren Macpherson.
Iowa State Secures Final Regionals Berth
In the only regionals bubble drama of the day, Iowa State secured a No. 36 ranking, pushing Iowa and George Washington out of regionals position and securing a place in the play-ins.
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Article by Emily Minehart
