Razorbacks Upset Defending Champs LSU, Auburn Tops Oregon State in Last-Minute Judging Inquiry
Unfortunately, questions about judging, plus some technical difficulties and a poorly-timed cut away by ESPN, led much of the discussion during week 4. Don’t let the negative outshine the positive, though: there was some stellar gymnastics this week.
Meet of the Week
LSU at Arkansas
No. 2 LSU walked into Bud Walton Arena the heavy favorites to defeat No. 17 Arkansas at home. The Razorbacks came to play, upsetting reigning champion LSU, nabbing an SEC win, and doing it all in front of the third-biggest home crowd in program history. Bud was bumping.
Other contenders: Georgia at Florida where the Gators put up the first 198 of the year
Gymnast of the Week
Morgan Price, Fisk
Morgan Price continues to shine. She broke her own Fisk program record, notching a 39.450 at the George Washington quad. Her program-record 9.925 vault helped her get there.
Other contenders: Rylee Guevara and her three back-to-back 9.900s on floor, Jade Carey who never misses
Performance of the Week
Michigan State on Vault
The Spartans were on fire in Covelli versus Ohio State. Michigan State stuck four out of six vaults for a 49.450, tied for the second-best vault number in the country behind only Florida’s 49.550, and toppled the Buckeyes at home.
Other contenders: Lali Dekanoidze’s 9.975 on bars, Marissa Neal’s 9.975 on beam (the best freshman score so far this year)
Outrageous Moment of the Week
ESPN cut away from Oregon State at Auburn, with the Beavers looking like the victors in a slim 196.975-196.925 come-from-behind win. Marissa Neal’s 9.775 on floor was under review, however, and a neutral deduction for an out of bounds was removed, raising her number to a 9.875 and giving the Tigers the most last-second victory possible, one you would’ve missed if you turned off your TV when ESPN cut away.
Other contenders: Floor scoring snafus at Michigan at Washington, late meet starts (even by Pacific Time standards), all-but-impossible scores at Minnesota at Iowa
Hidden Gem of the Week
Alyssa Bigler (Air Force) on Vault
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a stuck vault. Alyssa Bigler dropped this Yurchenko one and a half out of the sky for a 9.925 to help Air Force upset Utah State.
Other contenders: Illinois State and its 196.150, Reanna McGibboney’s 9.800 on bars for UW-Oshkosh (and the Titans’ bar rotation in general)
Viral Moment of the Week
Jordan Chiles is not the only fashionista in the family. Her dad had the Bruins sign the back of his jacket in the postmeet autograph line, claiming he’ll wear the signed jacket to nationals. He has faith that the Bruins are headed to Fort Worth.
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Article by Emily Minehart
