Super 16 Vegas Podium Challenge Session Three

Recap

The Big Storyline: The Golden Bears shattered expectations with the 11th best score in program history and the third highest score of Week 1 competition. 

Implications: California ranked third in the Pac-12 preseason coaches’ poll but outscored top-ranked Utah’s first-meet score despite the latter having the benefit of competing in a dual meet at home. Despite losing several key contributors from last season’s lineups, Iowa came out swinging with 49-plus on three events. 

Records: California turned in its best opening meet score. Junior Andi Li tied her career high on uneven bars while freshman teammate eMjae Frazier tied a program record on beam in her collegiate debut. Iowa’s team score was its second best in program history. Eleven of the Hawkeyes gymnasts tied or set career high event scores. 

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 8 California, No. 18 Iowa, No. 22 BYU, and No. 24 Arizona State

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The first session of the Super 16 mega meet featuring only ranked teams will give us a look at a handful of programs that are dark-horse picks in their conference races. California won its first Pac-12 title in program history by tying for last season’s regular season crown and figures to be in the fight again with some standout freshmen added to the roster. Arizona State was part of that tie for the Pac-12 title last season, but after a disappointing postseason, it has a lot to prove with its roster of returnees. BYU and Iowa lost a lot of routines to graduation and will both show off plenty of fresh faces.

What We’re Watching: Set to make her NCAA debut is former elite eMjae Frazier, who should be a difference-maker for California with standout skills and difficulty on every event; she could help elevate the Golden Bears into the nationals picture after being on the bubble in recent years. Iowa’s two standout gymnasts—JerQuavia Henderson and Adeline Kenlin—return after the Hawkeyes’ upset run into the top 16 last season and will lead a new-look team while BYU’s top-10 freshman class will be relied upon immediately. Arizona State’s team returns the core of its roster from its ninth-place finish in 2021 and could pull a stunner if Hannah Scharf and Alex Theodorou are on their A-game.