In the NCAA gymnastics postseason, we had 10 routines earning a perfect 10.0, all earned during regionals. Judging panels increase in size from two judges to four at regionals and six at nationals, making it harder to earn a perfect 10 with more judges searching for errors or breaks in the routines. Are the postseason 10.0s of a higher quality than those awarded during the regular season? Let’s find out.

Next, I’ll break down the deductions I saw when watching the videos in real time, and rank the 10.0 from one to five stars. As a reminder, here’s my rating scale:

⭐ This was clearly not a 10.0 routine (but still very good!)

⭐⭐ There was definitely a deduction there, but maybe the judges blinked?

⭐⭐⭐ 10.0 vibes, but not actually perfect

⭐⭐⭐⭐ It was a “college 10”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 100% a perfect routine

Vault

Gabrielle Stephen, Michigan State (April 3)

Watch the Vault

Deductions

Shoulder angle (0.05)

Early twist (0.05)

This vault had great height, dynamics, form, and an undeniably stuck landing. The only deductions I saw were on the table, where you can see her shoulders are slightly closed and that she starts twisting before she finishes her block. While shoulder angle may be getting deducted more consistently in college, an early twist is not routinely applied, which definitely makes this a solid “college 10.0.”

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma (April 6)

Watch the Vault

Deductions

Shoulder angle (0.05)

Arm bend (0.05)

Leg bend? 

This vault is difficult for me to evaluate as the resolution on the video is lower. However, Bowers clearly has a significant shoulder angle and arm bend that should have been seen by the panel. In fact, the head judge gave Bowers a 9.950, which was the dropped low score and not factored into her final score. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Bars

Grace McCallum, Utah (April 3)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Arm bend (0.05)

McCallum has become extremely consistent with this bar routine, with the second highest NQS on the event going into the postseason. From this angle, I only saw a slight arm bed on her giant swing, but otherwise, this was a stellar performance. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grace McCallum, Utah (April 5)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Arm bend (0.05)

McCallum received back-to-back 10.0s for these two routines, and I can understand why, as they are essentially identical. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma (April 6)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Leg separation (0.05)

Arm circle (0.05)?

I’ve noticed Bowers often does this small arm circle on her bar dismount, which some judges may interpret as a bit of finesse and others a landing deduction. Technically, the arms should land and hold in the landing position before extending upward to the finish position. Although it doesn’t look like she needs the arm circle to control her landing, it may still incur a deduction. The leg separation going into her piked Jaeger is definitely a deduction but may be largely invisible to the judges from their side angle.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beam

Helen Hu, Missouri (April 4)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Knee bend (0.05)

Hu’s original and stunning beam routine is also one of the most consistent. I especially love the rhythm and confidence in her front aerial series as she moves quickly between both skills. She does bend her knee a bit on the second front aerial, but this built-in deduction is often ignored, as it can be very difficult to keep the leg straight until landing. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Faith Torrez, Oklahoma (April 4)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Body posture (0.05)

My favorite part of Torrez’s beam routine is her gainer full dismount, which is usually one of my least favorite NCAA skills. Torrez has beautiful lift and height off the beam, which is lacking in so many other gainer fulls. Her stick position here is a little off in my opinion, with her chest a bit far forward to maintain her stuck landing. The head judge gave a (dropped) 9.950 for this routine, which is where I would have scored it as well.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Floor

Jade Carey, Oregon State (April 4)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Precision of turn (0.05)

Jade Carey’s combination of power, difficulty, and control in her tumbling is unmatched. She has also improved her dance elements, but in this case, she does overturn her switch leap half a touch. One of the four judges on the panel also went 9.950 for this routine.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma (April 6)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Lack of open (0.05)

Body posture (0.05)

Bowers has truly exceptional performance quality in this routine, with great artistry, choreography, dance, and form throughout. In her double pike, she doesn’t open until she’s about to land—and lands with her chest down—which are both separate deductions. Although it’s unlikely an NCAA judge would take both (even though they should), there was a clear landing deduction on this pass that should have made this routine a 9.900 to 9.950 instead of a 10.000. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Faith Torrez, Oklahoma (April 6)

Watch the Full Routine

Deductions

Pike down (0.05)
Foot adjustment (0.05)

Torrez’s 10.0 followed Bowers’, but in my opinion, Torrez’s double layout has a built-in deduction that should keep her from getting a 10.0. While improving, she clearly pikes her hips to complete the last half of the second flip. She also has a very tiny foot slide that would have been hard to see from the other side of the floor but that the judge in the corner closest to her should have seen. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Article by Rhiannon Franck

Rhiannon Franck is a former nationally rated NAWGJ women’s gymnastics judge with over 15 years of USAG judging experience and nine seasons judging NCAA gymnastics. Outside of gymnastics, Franck works at a university as a nursing professor and loves to travel.