Michigan at Minnesota

Recap

The Big Storyline: The Wolverines and Gophers battled in a preview of the Big Ten conference title matchup. These two teams were evenly matched, with Minnesota pulling out ahead after a lights-out vault rotation. A sub-standard beam number is all that kept the Gophers from a program record. Michigan held steady throughout the meet, weathering a beam rotation a pace behind its other events in the fourth rotation to put up the first 198 of the 2022 season.

Implications: We’ll be talking about this meet for a long time; it’s an instant classic. The gymnastics was immaculate, top to bottom. Minnesota will be looking for revenge after this home loss at Big Tens in March, as the Gophers try to defend their title against the reigning national champs. Michigan made a national statement, and Minnesota asserted itself as a final four contender. The upper echelons of the NCAA have been put on notice.

Records: Lexy Ramler’s 39.825 is the second-best in Minnesota program history, behind her 2021 39.850, and the best number so far in the nation this year. Ona Loper’s 39.725 is a career best, and the Gophers shattered their floor program record by by 0.150, hitting a 49.725 on the heels of a Mya Hooten 10.0. Minnesota missed it’s program record mark by just 0.100. The Wolverines put up the first 198 in the country in 2022, and only the fourth over the 198 mark in program history.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 1 Michigan at No. 6 Minnesota

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: This will be a close meet, as both teams have stellar squads with the potential for 10s in each rotation. Minnesota is the reigning Big Ten champ while Michigan won the NCAA championship last year. Need we say more?

What We’re Watching: The all-around battle between Lexy Ramler, Ona Loper, Sierra Brooks and Natalie Wojcik (plus potentially a couple more Wolverines) will be crazy to watch. Each gymnast has the potential to win, and it will come down to tenths to see who ultimately comes out on top.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: It’ll be interesting to see if Michigan’s Nicoletta Koulos will be competing yet. The junior has been working back from a hand injury and performed twice in exhibition on beam the past two weeks. She’s also been seen training bars.