Cornell, Denver and Southern Utah at Penn State

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Recap

The Big Storyline: Denver reigned supreme and managed to hit 197 despite suffering yet another loss to injury after Emily Glynn was unable to finish her floor routine. Penn State and Southern Utah put up lower totals than they did throughout February. Notably for the Nittany Lions, senior Dymiana Cox, who has never competed for a counting score due to injures, went up on beam in the second spot for a 9.750.

Implications: Denver’s number is its second-best on the year and raises its NQS about a tenth, but it will fall a spot in the rankings due to Oregon State’s debut at No. 13. These aren’t usable NQS numbers for the other teams.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 13 Denver, No. 21 Southern Utah and No. 61 Cornell at No. 31 Penn State

Why You Should Make Time to Tune in: What a lineup of teams! Denver has work to do to keep scores high after it lost a second gymnast to an Achilles injury in Mia Sundstrom. Its first outing without her versus Air Force last week was decent but not up to the Pioneers’ scoring standards; it will be aiming above a 196.600 to add to its NQS. The Thunderbirds hit 197 two weeks ago at BYU and will want to repeat that performance here, potentially upsetting Denver if they go that high. Penn State is going to be looking for a mid-196. 2022 has been a bit up and down for the Nittany Lions, but last week versus Maryland they approached their season high 196.425, and things seem to be settling into place. Cornell has been incredibly consistent this year, hitting mid-to-high 191s all season. This perhaps more generous scoring environment is a chance to break 192.

Need More Proof? Denver’s Jessica Hutchinson has been a breakout all-around star this year. She’s especially strong on beam and floor. Rylie Mundell has a 9.975 on beam from January and is certainly one to watch there. Southern Utah’s Shylen Murakami has a 9.975 of her own, on bars, and is an excellent beamer as well. The Thunderbirds are spectacular on beam, where Hannah Nipp and Rachel Smith are also can’t-miss routines. Penn State excels on bars, on the heels of fifth-years Lauren Bridgens and Alissa Bonsall. Bridgens had a breakout meet last week, returning to her stellar all-around numbers from before her Achilles injury last season. Bella Salcedo is also dynamic, with an excellent Omelianchik and punch double front. Kate Michelini is Cornell’s top bar worker, and Calista Brady, who has been in and out of the floor lineup and inconsistent, owns a 9.900 on floor.