UCLA, Florida Break 198 While Williams Breaks Out
Former five-star recruit CaMarah Williams, once a member of the recruiting class of 2026, had her breakthrough meet of her debut season to highlight a weekend where scores are noticeably trending higher as teams settle into the year. The Bruins and Gators expanded the 198-club to four members this season, while a Big Ten rivalry upset also took center stage on Saturday.
Meet of the Week
Michigan State at Michigan
Decided by just a tenth, the fifteenth-ranked Spartans were able to pull off the rivalry meet upset over host and No. 10 Michigan for a crucial Big Ten Conference win and season-high. With teams swapping the lead rotation-by-rotation, a pair of 9.9s on beam from Olivia Zsarmani and all-around winner MaKayla Tucker were enough for Michigan State to prevail in a key momentum-building meet for a program that has had a slow start to the season compared to expectations. After a slower start to the season than expected, the Spartans looked more “normal”, with Sage Kellerman also nailing her signature event, vault, for a very familiar 9.975. Plus, it was a strong performance for the Wolverines, who also hit a new season-best and saw Carly Bauman match the meet’s best score of a 9.975 with a stellar outing on floor.
Other contenders: California at Stanford, Washington at UCLA, Arkansas at Florida
Gymnast of the Week
CaMarah Williams, Georgia
Graduating high school early to join the GymDogs in 2026 instead of 2027 has proven to be incredibly beneficial for Williams, who is showing she’s ready for college gymnastics now, and Georgia is reaping that reward. In a home win over Auburn, the rookie hit for 9.950 or better on every event but bars, finishing her evening with a near-perfect 9.975 on floor. Results from January joinees in the sport have always been a mixed bag, but Williams’ early debut is trending the stats in the positive direction.
Other contenders: Jordan Chiles notching the season’s best all-around score with a 39.875 and back-to-back 10.000’s on floor
Performance of the Week
Skye Blakely, Florida
After only competing bars in her freshman season, Blakely’s expanded role has been a huge benefit for the Gators, with her pair of 9.95s on bars and beam and a 9.975 on floor this weekend showcasing the potential the world champion brings. Those three career-highs helped Florida to a new season-best in a home win over Arkansas that also saw the Gators break into the 198-club for the first time in 2026. Blakely vaulted in the Gators’ preview meet, meaning there is still all-around potential to possibly come.
Other contenders: Ana Bărbosu helping secure Stanford’s win with improvisation during her beam routine, Lily Smith’s 9.975 on floor to follow up her perfect routine Friday night.
Outrageous Moment of the Week
As it has been before and will inevitably be again, judging was a hot topic over the weekend, with beam judging in the final moments of LSU at Missouri in question as the gymternet debates over whether the outcome of the meet was correct. When judging is getting so questionable that the meet’s veteran broadcasters are confused over totals, it’s not a good look for the sport.
Hidden Gem of the Week
Abby Royer, Southern Connecticut
The Owl has a streak going, as Royer has hit for a 9.95 on floor in the last two meets on floor, this week helping SCSU secure a close win at Brown. A floaty, finishing Rudi to split leap highlights Royer’s routine that currently has her sitting ranked second in the NCAA.
Other contenders: West Virginia besting its season-high by over two and a half points for a quad meet win against Cornell, Kent State, and Pittsburgh
Viral Moment of the Week
Iowa has been quite popular this weekend on social media, as the Hawkeyes fully embraced the recent trend of over-the-top celebrations with a multitude of creative ways to celebrate after hit routines. It helped that the Hawkeyes went for a season-best 196.775 in a competitive loss at Minnesota, giving them plenty to celebrate with dabs, faux boxing, the WWE head-drop, and more. And shoutout to Missouri’s Addison Lawrence’s feet-stuck-to-the-ground stunt to conclude her fourth 9.95 beam routine of the season.
READ THIS NEXT: Connections Throughout Gymnastics Bring Frazier to Florida
Article by Brandis Heffner
Lily Smith’s perfect floor routine wasn’t a week ago, but on Friday night at the Georgia Quad Meet. Her follow-up 9.975 was on Sunday night at UGA vs. Auburn.