These four teams showed out on Thursday, and are here today for the last opportunity to get to Fort Worth and compete for a national title!
Michigan State and Kentucky qualified out of semi final one on Thursday afternoon after finishing just within a tenth of one another! MSU saw the only perfect score of the day here form Stephen on vault and were holding the lead strong at the halfway point. A couple of minor mistakes adding up on beam for the Spartans and a lights out rotation from Kentucky on floor might this an exciting, extremely close, finish. These ending rotations will be the same for these two during the final, so, MSU will need to tap into its confidence on beam and Kentucky will need to have another stellar floor if this competition comes down to the final rotation, which it very well could.
Arkansas and LSU qualified out of the second semifinal Thursday night, rounding out the four for Saturday. Out of the top four, LSU comes in with the highest team total by more than five tenths, breaking the 198 mark with the absolute potential to go higher in the final. Arkansas showed up in the evening session, putting up a score to match Kentucky’s and put them in third place heading into Saturday. The Razorbacks unfortunately are losing Frankie Price after going down on floor in the last rotation. Arkansas still has the capability to make the nationals dream a reality and get to this top eight.
It could truly be anyone of these four teams, its just going to be who sticks the most, whole holds a landing, who out performs. Needless to say, its going to an exciting night.
Follow along at 5:00 PM EST on ESPN + !
Rotation 1: Kentucky VT, LSU UB, Arkansas BB, Michigan State FX
Rodriguez (UK): Y. full, STUCK COLD. 9.850
Zeiss (LSU): Maloney to Pak salto, nice swing on that. Full in dismount, nails the landing and the crowd is going crazy already. Amazing leadoff!! 9.925
Gamiao (ARK): LOSO LOSO, amazing. Side sumi, so nice. Switch leap to split jump, nice. Full turn ends on toe Dismounts RO 1.5, step on the landing. 9.850
Harkness (MSU): Huge full in to start. Split leap full to wolf full, nicely done. Front tuck through to double tuck, great on that landing. These leotards are stunning in person!! 9.850
Procasky (UK): Y. full, flairs it out with a hop back. 9.800
Cowan (LSU): Ray to immediate shoot over, great on that, dismounts big double layout, small step on the landing. 9.875
Waligora (ARK): BHS LOSO solid aggressive finish. Side aerial, nice. Split to tuck full, much better today. and a stuck RO 1.5 WOW STUCK! 9.875
Tucker (MSU): Front rudi to LOSO, really nice. Front double full, really nice control on that. 9.875
Rizo (UK): Y. full and another STUCK landing!! 9.9!
Chio (LSU): Great Maloney to shootover and holds that, back up to the high bar, Markelov on the high bar so good. Dismounts full- in just a little movement on that but a great routine! 9.900
Park (ARK): Candle mount to start. Nice full turn moving into her BHS LOSO, solid. Arkansas came to FIGHT. Switch leap to switch leap, nice connection. Dismounts side aerial 1.5 STUCK. 9.875
Beaufalt (MSU): Front double but really a front 1.5 to turn, doesn’t get that all the way around. Nice leaps recovering down the middle. Ends a little under rotated on her last pass too. Will be interested to see start value on that. 9.650
Wilson (UK): Front handspring front pike half, stuck but low chest on that. 9.825
Finnegan (LSU): Almost over on that first handstand but saves it .Gorgeous Delchev to shootover , nice. Dismounts full in, and a stuck landing! 9.850
Swaney (ARK): Sets up with a cat leap to front aerial, nice. BHS BHS LOSO, big wobble but saves it. Switch leap to split jump, good . Dismounts with a Gainer full, stuck. That was the only break for Arkansas so far, still doing a great job. 9.800
Stephen (MSU): Front tuck through to Rudi, very nice. High switch half to wolf full. Front double twist, great rotation on that. 9.9
Magnelli (UK): Front handspring front pike half HUGE and just a hop on that landing. 9.850
McClain (LSU): Gorgeous church to Pak and its FAR but she saves it. Dismounts full in and a shift on that landing. 9.850
Weaver (ARK): BHS LOSO and is solid. Side aerial, great. Straddle jump to double stag ring. Full turn, wobbles on it but moves out of it. RO 1.5 STUCK! Okay Arkansas! 9.850
Smith (MSU): Huge full in stick to step wow. Switch half to straddle full, solid. Front tuck through to double tuck, a little under rotated and a step forward. 9.850
Killough-Wilhelm (UK): Y. 1.5, steps back on the landing. 9.825
Roberson (ARK): Beat jump to pike jump, perfect. Switch leap to back tuck, so good. Full turn, perfect. Side aerial to LOSO, solid. WOOOOO PIG. FUN! Dismounts front full, STICK. WOW. What a rotation. 9.950!
Bryant (LSU): Blind to straddle Jaeger, far on that but is fine. Shoot over to the low bar, nice shape on the catch. Double front half out dismount, hops on the landing. 9.9
Schulte (MSU): Sky high full in to start, much better landing. Switch half, straddle full, straddle. Front tuck through to double back, pretty much stuck. Wow. 9.925
AFTER ONE: LSU 49.450, Michigan State 49.425 Arkansas 49.400, Kentucky 49.250
After one this is CLOSE. Highlight would have to be Arkansas on beam, they came to PLAY. Stuck landings for 5/6 and an aggressive approach to this event. LSU had a good rotation on bars and leads currently, but will need to hone in more than they did on bars, especially on landings in order to keep the lead. Kentucky had a good start but stuck less than Thursday so will be looking to pick it up on the other three to not let this gap get too much bigger. MSU shined on floor and needed to replace a low score early in the lineup and had no problem doing so landing themselves in second by 0.025.
Rotation 2: Michigan State VT, Kentucky UB, LSU BB, Arkansas FX
Tucker (MSU): Y.1.5 STUCK. 9.925!! LEAD OFF!
Rizo (UK): Mounts with a straddle Jaeger, nice, down to the low bar nicely and dismounts double layout and has to step forward. 9.800.
Ballard (LSU): Seeing these leos up close are so pretty! Great BHS LOSO to start, looks maybe a little off and pulls it back. Sissone to switch half, maybe a little off again but no problem. Front toss, great chest up on that. Round off double full and sticks it to start off this rotation! 9.9 !
Gamiao (ARK): Solid double pike to start. Back 1.5 step out to double full, so good she twists so good. LOVE this dance section Switch half to straddle full, great rotation. Ends double tuck, great maplitude on that. 9.850
Doyle (MSU): Y. 1.5 just a small hop! 9.850
Reigert (UK): Straddle Jaeger and a great shoot over and sticks the double tuck! 9.9!
Coen (LSU): Front aerial to beat jump, good connection! BHS LOSO, good. Good extension on switch to split jump. RO double full STUCK. 9.925!
Klein (ARK): Opens up front through to double tuck, comes in a little close to the corner but stays in. Side side to straddle 1/2 to the floor. Ends front layout to front full, nice rise and control to end! 9.850
Zsarmani (MSU): Y. 1.5 and basically stuck just jumps her heels together. 9.925!!
Procasky (UK): Maloney to Pak, great on that. Dismounts with a stuck double layout!! Her bars these past two days have been lights out WOW! 9.9!
Chio (LSU): RO BHS mount, so good. Great BHS LOSO. Switch leap to split jump, nice. Front aerial, perfect. BHS 1.5 STUCK! 3/3! 9.950
Lang (ARK): HUGE double pike and goes immediately out . Nice leaps into the corner to recover. Missed her second pass but much better. Double tuck to end, too much power and shuffles in place but way to go in when her team needs her. 9.625
Smith (MSU): STUCK Y. 1.5. MSU IS HERE. 9.95!!!
McClain (LSU): Switch leap to switch half so good. Front aerial to BHS, great. Pike jump is majestic. Side aerial is good. Gainer full off the side, STUCK! 9.925!
Rivelli (UK): Blind to straddle Jaeger, great distance to the shoot over. Double layout and has to take a step forward. 9.850!
Stephen (MSU): Y. 1.5, just a step forward on that. 9.9!
Jones (ARK): Starts front double full controls that step. Switch ring to switch half, so beautiful. Second pass back 1.5 to front layout, really nice. Front rudi to close nails it. 9.95!!
Bryant (LSU): Front aerial to BHS, great connection. Leaps I missed but she landed great. Standing front tuck no movement wow. Front rudi dismount, sticks it!! 9.925!
Kellerman (MSU): Front handspring front pike half and nails it and thats got to be a 10. Insane. 9.95!!
Rodriguez (UK): Great Tkachev, clear hip to shoot over, nice handstand. Dismounts with a double layout stuck!! 9.9!
Finnegan (LSU): Perfect BHS LOSO LOSO. Switch leap to split jump is excellent. Front aerial it stunning. Gainer full off the side, STICKS IT. 9.95!
Waligora (ARK): front layout to front double full to start, almost misses the landing but pulls it back on no problem. Great leaps into her dance, last pass is a back 1.5 to front layout great rise on that. 9.9!
Killough-Wilhelm (UK): Blind to Piked Jaeger immediate shootover, really well done. Nails the handstand and into her double layout, lands chest a little low and steps forward.
Roberson (ARK): HUGE Double layout, perfect. I love how much fun she is having!! Switch side to straddle full, maybe the slightest bit under rotated. Front layout step out to double tuck, no movement stuck cold. Wow. 9.95!
AFTER TWO: LSU 99.125, MSU 99.075, Arkansas 98.900 Kentucky 98.700
Okay that went crazy. MSU was controlling / sticking vaults like I’ve never seen from them, WOW! They put themselves in an excellent spot moving into the third rotation. LSU crushed beam, every landing was a stuck one, and they looked confident throughout. Arkansas, even with the loss of Frankie Price on floor, you could tell they were doing it for her. They looked strong, attacked and performed floor today and ended with pair of 9.95s from Jones and Roberson in the anchor spot. The Razorbacks go into the third rotation in third, but not by much. Kentucky is not out of this either, especially heading to two of its best events in beam and floor. All four teams are separated but only .425 in total; it’s still anyone’s to take.
Rotation 3: Arkansas VT, Michigan State UB, Kentucky BB, LSU FX
Weaver (ARK): Y. full, smallest movement if any wow! 9.875
Doyle (MSU): Blind to piked Jaeger nice on that and holds the handstand, toe on to Pak switch kip, dismounts with a blind full to double tuck, really tries to hold onto that landing. 9.825
Rodriguez (UK): Switch leap to split jump great. BHS BHS LOSO, she’s always on. Side sumi, nothing to take on that. RO 1.5 STUCK! 9.925!!
Coen (LSU): Front handspring front double full to start, great control. Second front pass to end a front full to layout, nice landing on that and leaps, maybe a little under rotated into her choreo to end. 9.850
Lang (ARK): STUCK Y. full. WOW.
Brose (UK): NAils front tuck, HUGE. Front toss, BHS so much better on that today. Switch leap to beat jump, great. Full turn on toe ending, amazing. RO 1.5 and sticks it! 9.925!!
Stephen (MSU): All I saw was the full in dismount but it was stuck! 9.950!
Essenpries (ARK): Y. 1.5, just a step on that landing. 9.825
Ballard (LSU): Double layout, perfect. Great leaps down into the corner. Back 1.5 to front layout for a second pass, nice ending! 9.900
Lee (UK): BHS BHS LOSO, nothing to take on that, much better.. Switch leap to straddle 1/4, great series. Full turn is good. Stuck RO 1.5 to end!! 9.95!!! KENTUCKY!
Klein (ARK): Y. 1.5, just a small hop!9.825
Zsarmani (MSU): Maloney to Pak, nice connection and nails the double layout! 9.9!
McClain (LSU): Floor debut!!!! HUGE double layout. Loving this choreo for her! Back 1.5 to front layout looks a little low but recovers well. What a first floor routine! 9.9!
​Bennett (UK): BHS LOSO LOSO pulls it straight up perfectly. Front aerial I believe looks off with a big wobble. Switch leap, low back leg, to beat jump. Gainer pike to a stick! 9.775
Roberson (ARK): Y 1/2 on 1/2 off, a little loose form and a step back on that but always such a great vault to see! 9.800
Smith (MSU): Toe on, Maloney, pak fights for the pirouette. Super solid handstand on the high bar. Double layout and drills it to a stick! 9.975!!!
Drayton (LSU): Double layout, shuffles on the step but makes it. Switch ring to switch half is great. Front through to double tuck, maybe a little lack of control but keeps her foot down. 9.925!
Killough-Wilhelm (UK): Front aerial to BHS LOSO, great. Switch leap loose back foot to beat jump. Small hop forward on that dismount, but a hit !! 9.875
Ewald (ARK): Front handspring front pike half small hop and its a great vault when the Razorbacks need her!! 9.800
Harkness (MSU): Perfect Gienger to start, bail goes right to handstand. Double layout and just a hop back on that. 9.825
Magnelli (UK): BHS LOSO LOSO, always so good. Switch leap to straddle 1/4, excellent. Front aerial, nails it. Full turn is nice, Gainer pike and comes in a little low with a step forward. 9.850
Finnegan (LSU): Huge double Arabian to stag and moves forward! Switch ring to Torjete full to dance. 2.5 to front tuck, perfection. Changing her steps was the best idea. 9.975!!!
Kellerman (MSU): Great blind to straddle Jaeger, shootover and holds that. Back up to the high bar with a double layout and sticks it!! MSU wow!! 9.925!!
Bryant (LSU): Front double, a little under rotated steps back. Second pass a front layout to front rudi and much better on that. 9.875
AFTER THREE: LSU 148.700, Michigan State 148.650, Kentucky 148.225, Arkansas 148.125
MSU and LSU are holding steady and have started to take the lead a bit more, but its not over until its over!! LSU had a great floor rotation like they typically do, and will end on another excellent event for them on vault. MSU is in a great position but will need to stay confident and use this momentum on beam to guarantee this second spot. Arkansas and Kentucky could still make a run for these spots but will need to be near perfect in this final rotation to get close to these two.
Rotation 4: LSU VT, Arkansas UB, Michigan State BB, Kentucky FX
Johnson (LSU): Y full STUCK COLD. 9.9!!
Roberson (ARK): Maloney to the high bar, right to Pak, pirouette right on top, dismounts huge double layout and sticks it no movement!! 9.925!
Schulte: Switch leap to switch leap, so good on that. LOVE the slide to split. BHS LOSO, nails it. Switch leap to gainer full off the side, STUCK! 9.9!!
Procasky (UK): Front double comes in a little short but saves it. Last pass, double tuck, great landing on that. 9.9! Back to back!!
Zeiss (LSU): Y 1.5, big step forward. 9.825
Swaney (ARK): Maloney up, nice, Pak, dismounts with another double layout and just a step back on that. 9.800
Duplissis (MSU): Missed the routine but nails her RO 1.5 and sticks it! 9.9!
Magnelli (UK): Front rudi to LOSO, great on that and so floaty. Switch side half to straddle full. Solid double pike to the signature straddle jump to end! 9.9!
Finnegan (LSU): Y 1.5, hop back on the landing. 9.825
Missenheimer (MSU): great turn, front aerial to split jump really well done. Series is PERFECT. RO 1.5 and a big step but that was the only thing from that routine! 9.775
Ewald (ARK): Jaeger, Pak down and a pirouette to immediate toe circle back up, dismounts with a double layout and a big step on that. 9.775
Rizo (UK): Much better control on that double pike today! Double pike, great control and a back 1.5 to front layout! 9.850
Drayton (LSU): Y. 1.5 just a hop to the side on that landing. 9.9!
Harkness (MSU): BHS LOSO is perfection. Switch leap to switch leap moves great on that. Side aerial really ncie and a stuck aerial tuck 1.5 to end!!! 9.9!!
Park (ARK): Ray is great distance and a great Pak down. Missed the rest of the routine but it sounded good! 9.800
Chio (LSU): Y 1.5, and a couple arm circles to a hop back on that really tried for the stick! 9.750
Rodriguez (UK): Front rudi to straight back layout, nice height on that! Switch ring to torjete great on that. double tuck, big step back but better than Thursday. Back 1.5 to front half to straddle, nice ending after that. 9.850
Smith (MSU): BHS LOSO, a little off put pulls it back on. Beat jump to straddle 1/4, good. Full turn to beat jump. Finishes with a RO double tuck STICKS IT COLD ARE YOU KIDDING. 9.875
Jones (ARK): Blind to piked Jaeger to Pak and drills the double layout! 9.950!!
Bryant (LSU): Front handspring front pike half and the smallest scoot back but HUGE. 9.9!
Stephen (MSU): Front kickover, laid out. BHS LOSO is off on that but they have five great scores already. Split jump to straddle jump 1/2, good. Round off to double twist, sticks it! Good recovery on that.
Waligora (ARK): Missed the routine but a great double layout dismount stuck to close the rotation. 9.350
Brose (UK): HUGE double pike, great control on that. Front full to front layout. Perfect front double full to a cold stick!!
FINAL: LSU 198.050, Michigan State 198.00, Arkansas 197.375, Kentucky 197.475
LSU is headed back to defend its title and MSU gets the second spot by less than a tenth!! This was such an exciting meet and for the most part was kept close the whole way through! In the end, LSU and MSU looked locked in and ready to go and are now the first two teams to be heading to Texas!! What an electric arena here tonight!!
BIG 10 CHANTS OLIVIA KARAS YOU’D LOVE IT HERE!!
INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS:
VT: Sophia Diaz (Michigan)
UB: Maddie Jones (Arkansas)
BB: Isabella Magnelli (Kentucky)
FX: Creslyn Brose (Kentucky)
AA: Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas)
READ THIS NEXT: Tracking Individual Nationals Qualification Scenarios
Live blog by Julianna Roland
What happened to rotation 4?