Sooners Back on Top, Jordan Bowers Takes All-Around Crown
What a thrilling celebration of gymnastics! We had upsets, program-firsts, and three great sessions. We cried as careers ended and celebrated the sport we love. Cheers to another year, gym fans!
Meet of the Week
National Championship Semifinal II was a nail-biter. Michigan State led through the half, then gave up ground to the surging field. LSU clawed its way back from fourth but couldn’t eclipse UCLA on a very clean day for the Bruins. Ultimately, Utah and UCLA advanced, knocking the reigning champion Tigers out of the final. It was a thriller from start to finish.
Other contenders: National Championship Final, National Championship Semifinal I
Gymnast of the Week
The Oklahoma freshmen are undeniable. Elle Mueller, Addison Fatta, and Lily Pederson collectively put up nearly 40% of the Sooners’ routines this weekend, performing like absolute veterans. Oklahoma’s future is in good hands.
Other contenders: Helen Hu, Jordan Bowers
Performance of the Week
Missouri was unstoppable in Semifinal I. On the heels of exceptional bar and beam rotations, the Tigers upset national championship mainstays Florida and Alabama to qualify to the final for the first time in program history.
Other contenders: Emily Lee’s leadoff beam routine in the final, Avery Neff’s nailed Yurchenko one and a half in the final
Outrageous Moment of the Week
Grace McCallum just had an off day in the final, and we are outraged on her behalf. In the last meet of her career, she had a fall and an out of bounds. After a lights-out day in the semifinal, it was heartbreaking. Still, it does not cloud McCallum’s storied career; she will go down as one of the best athletes in Ute history. And that’s saying something!
Other contenders: John Roethlisberger constantly calling for perfect scores
Hidden Gem of the Week
Elizabeth Gantner was thrown into the Utah beam lineup during the final after not competing in the semifinal. She anchored, following a shaky leadoff from Amelie Morgan and a fall from Grace McCallum. The Utes needed a big hit, and Gantner delivered a much-needed 9.875.
Other contenders: Whitney Snowden’s program-shifting coaching, Sage Kellerman’s flawless vault, Amy Wier’s utter class hugging all of her former teammates after competing against them with Missouri
Viral Moment of the Week
Frida Esparza used the biggest stage available to her to exercise her freedom of speech and to engage in peaceful protest. She kneeled during the national anthem preceding the National Final. It certainly got people talking. She explained to the Daily Bruin in February.
Other contenders: Helen Hu’s post-title-winning worm celly
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Article by Emily Minehart
The comment about Roethlisberger constantly calling for perfect scores is spot on! He is so annoying as an announcer in general -always trying to drum up some huge score needed by this team or that team- even when teams are sometimes within a tenth or two of each other. I have to turn my volume down because of his constant irritating commentary. Bring back Bart or please find someone else.