Price Makes More HBCU History, SEC Upsets Reign Supreme
While a jam-packed Friday night brought plenty of drama, with key upsets and rivalry meet wins, the weekend’s top story came Saturday, as Fisk’s Morgan Price put her name in the history books with the fifth perfect 10 of the season carrying extra significance. A few injury returns were also of note this weekend, as championship contenders aim to be at full strength by the postseason.
Meet of the Week
Stanford at California
The first rivalry meet between the pair of Bay Area schools as members of the ACC was one to remember. In a season-high performance for both teams, California and Stanford traded off the lead all evening down to the final routines when Mya Lauzon’s first career-perfect 10 on floor notched the walk-off victory for the Golden Bears. This one was worth staying up late for.
Other contenders: Bud Walton Arena continues to be a tricky place to compete in the SEC as Arkansas’s win over Florida is the Razorbacks’ second major home upset this season.
Gymnast of the Week
Morgan Price, Fisk
The former five-star recruit has been making headlines and history since her signing to Fisk, and this weekend Price added to her accolades as she became the first gymnast from an HBCU to score a perfect 10. Capped off by a stuck full-twisting double tuck dismount Price earned the honor on bars as her set also propelled Fisk to a new season-high.
Other contenders: Lauzon’s perfect floor routine was just the highlight of an incredible night, as her 39.750 in the all-around is the second-best in the nation this year.
Performance of the Week
Avery Neff (Utah) on Bars
Sidelined since an injury on floor during week three, the former highest-rated recruit ever, Neff, returned to competition over the weekend, notching a 9.825 on bars. While she did remove the full twist from her double layout dismount, Neff competing less than a month after what appeared to be a serious lower-body injury is a great sign for the Red Rocks’ championship aspirations and a remarkable feat in general.
Other contenders: In other injury returnee news, reigning NCAA all-around champion Haleigh Bryant competed her signature vault on Friday for a 9.925 as she continues to add events back while dealing with an elbow injury.
Outrageous Moment of the Week
Another week, another impossible score from the judges. In Florida’s Friday evening bout with Arkansas, Gator Selena Harris-Miranda received what our resident former judge, Rhiannon Franck, deemed to be an impossible score on bars after a missed connection should’ve affected her start value and visible form deductions. We anxiously await a breakdown from Franck in the near future.
Hidden Gem of the Week
Kaelyn Tally (Simpson) on Vault
The Storm junior is getting praise on the gymternet for her unique vault—and excellent execution of it. In a world where the Yurchenko full is the most popular route to a 9.95 start value, Tally opts for a front handspring tuck half, and this week nailed the landing to earn a 9.750 and event title in Simpson’s dual with UW-Eau Claire.
Viral Moment of the Week
This weekend marked the broadcast analyst debut of former Florida legend Trinity Thomas, who joined longtime play-by-play announcer Bart Conner on the call for Kentucky at Oklahoma. When displaying Thomas’ long list of career accomplishments, Connor’s reaction was delightful as he joked about her having so many that they lost room on the screen for him.
READ THIS NEXT: Victoria Nguyen’s Comeback: How She Found Her Confidence at Florida
Article by Brandis Heffner
Shouldn’t have mattered, but neither Sloane Blakely nor Skye Blakely traveled with the team to Arkansas. It just goes to show how important Sloane Blakely is to the team. She has her moments, but she is as good as anyone when hitting her routines, could have used her as a stopper on beam.
Florida delivered one of the worst beam performances I have ever witnessed. It was embarrassing. The implosion started with someone that shouldn’t have been in the beam lineup falling and ended with the poor performances of almost always dependable beam performers.
Jenny Rowland gets cute with her lineup decisions at times when she should put her best 6 to 8 performers in the rotations. It almost cost Florida its opener and it did contribute mightily to the loss at Arkansas. If others can’t break into the lineups, give them exhibitions.