Arkansas at Florida

Recap

The Big Storyline: Florida’s numbers through the first three rotations were eye-popping and had some talking about program and NCAA record potential. The Gators didn’t quite get there, but they still managed the season’s highest team total for their efforts with a 198.250. A highlight of the night included former five-star recruit Leanne Wong becoming the first freshman to earn a 10.000 in 2022, doing so on bars. Senior Trinity Thomas also recorded a 10.000 on beam, her eleventh such mark in her career and the first for anyone on beam this year.

Arkansas had a slow start to the meet with some rough bars dismounts and a fall in the anchor position but surged as the night went on to record a program record beam score in the final rotation. Freshman Leah Smith had another solid evening, recording an all-around score of 39.300. Sarah Shaffer competed on vault for the first time this season, which Razorback fans and fantasy players alike should be excited about.

Implications: Florida moved up to second place in the nation in the week four in-progress rankings.

Records: Florida’s beam total of 49.700 tied its program record, as did its bars total of 49.725. The Razorbacks’ new program record beam total eclipsed a mark it hadn’t previously reached since 2012, when they were in the Super Six final.

Controversies: Alyssa Baumann’s floor score of 9.750 caused some head scratching, but it was changed after the meet to a 9.850. Coach Jenny Rowland said after the meet that the judges “missed a bonus connection in her leap series” and initially had the routine starting from a 9.900 before moving it up to a 10.000.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 13 Arkansas at No. 4 Florida

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After coming in hot, Florida’s looked a little less polished the last two meets (which is to say, still capable of pulling a 197 if not looking postseason ready). The Razorbacks have been particularly hampered by COVID protocols with the bulk of the freshman class sitting out week one and its week three meet being rescheduled. However, they still managed to post a 197.200 in last time out, higher than the Gators scored in their past two meets. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Florida’s freshmen have garnered a lot of attention for obvious reasons, but you won’t want to miss Arkansas freshman Leah Smith, especially on bars and floor.