Perfect 10s Pour in as NQS Is Set To Shake Up Standings
Ahead of the last-second push for the rankings to switch to NQS this week instead of next, teams began to put out some of their best performances of the season. The judges, too, seemed willing to throw big scores as the number of perfect scores of 2025 grew exponentially over the weekend.
Meet of the Week
Oklahoma at LSU
The meet circled on everyone’s calendar heading into the season lived up to the hype. A back-and-forth battle between the nation’s top two teams that came down to the final routines was exactly what fans wanted—and the sport needed on a primetime national TV broadcast. It was an instant classic and one that you should go watch if you haven’t already.
Other contenders: Elsewhere in the SEC, a Lily Smith 9.95 on floor earned Georgia a hard-fought walk-off victory over Arkansas in a key conference dual.
Gymnast of the Week
Kennedy Griffin, Missouri
Capping off a big win at the Zou to the Lou quad meet was Kennedy Griffin, who’s 10.0 on floor notched the sophomore the first perfect score of her career and pushed Missouri to a fourth-straight score of 197-plus. Griffin became just the sixth Tiger to record a 10.0 in program history and was the key to the school-record 49.725 on floor.
Other contenders: Another perfect score earner from the Zou to the Lou was Lilly Hudson, who also hit 10.0 on floor. It was the first of Hudson’s career on the event, and she now is just a 10.0 on bars away from a gym slam with perfect scores on vault and beam already on her resume. Sloane Blakely deserves a shoutout, too, with a perfect 10 on floor in a key Florida win.
Performance of the Week
UW-Whitewater
For the first time in years, UW-Oshkosh was defeated by another Division III team, as UW-Whitewater scored a huge home win in a two-point victory in the in-state rivalry. The Warhawks tied or won every event on Saturday, with Kelsey Kollhoff’s 9.8 on floor the top score of the meet.
Other contenders: Adding to her perfect 10 tally, Utah’s Grace McCallum notched her fourth on bars in a narrow Red Rocks win on the road at Arizona State.
Outrageous Moment of the Week
Fans heading into Stegeman Coliseum were treated to a smoky surprise. A fire nearby the stadium caused some disruption, with smoke and an off-putting smell lingering in the arena for quite some time. Thankfully, as mentioned above, it didn’t prevent incredible gymnastics.
Other contenders: Another week, more judges awarding 10s to routines with obvious errors—like hops on dismounts.
Hidden Gem of the Week
Cortland head coach Sulekha Modi Zaug has long wished to have the Red Dragons compete a full lineup of twisting vaults. On Wednesday in a win over Ithaca, Modi Zaug got her wish—Cortland competed six vaults with at least a half twist, highlighted by a 9.775 from Samantha Meadows.
Viral Moment of the Week
Standout Bruin Frida Esparza did double-duty on Friday night, performing the national anthem prior to UCLA’s dual with Penn State. Esparza’s rendition was played on the electric guitar, an instrument she taught herself how to play.
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Article by Brandis Heffner
