The No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners Women’s Gymnastics team showcased their dominance at the Sprouts Collegiate Quad meet, securing a significant victory over three top 10 opponents, including the defending National Champion LSU Tigers. With a season-high score of 197.950, the Sooners reasserted their status as the leading team in NCAA Women’s Gymnastics. This article delves into the highlights and key performances of the event, illustrating why this meet has been dubbed the “meet of the year”.
Oklahoma Sooners Shine Bright
Starting on beam, the Oklahoma Sooners made an impressive start with a score of 49.525, led by Faith Torrez’s season-high 9.975. Meanwhile, the LSU Tigers excelled on vault, with freshman Kailin Chio’s stuck Yurchenko 1.5 highlighting their rotation. Despite a strong performance, LSU trailed Oklahoma by just .075 after the first rotation.
First Rotation Highlights
- Oklahoma Sooners: 49.525 on beam
- LSU Tigers: 49.450 on vault
- Cal Bears: 49.325 on bars
- Utah Red Rocks: 49.250 on floor
Oklahoma’s beam performance set the tone for the rest of the meet, with the team averaging above 9.90 per routine. Meanwhile, LSU’s prowess on vault kept them within striking distance, thanks to Chio’s standout performance.
Maintaining the Lead
In the second rotation, Oklahoma moved to floor and delivered strong performances, including two second-place 9.95s. LSU continued to impress on bars, with Ashley Cowan leading the way with a 9.95. Despite some landing errors on vault, Utah managed a solid 9.925 from Avery Neff, while Cal maintained their position with consistent beam routines.
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Second Rotation Highlights
- Oklahoma Sooners: 99.050
- LSU Tigers: 98.875
- Cal Bears: 98.650
- Utah Red Rocks: 98.450
Oklahoma’s strong floor performance extended their lead, while LSU’s bars rotation kept them close. Utah and Cal continued to battle, with both teams showing resilience despite minor setbacks.
Third Rotation Drama
As the meet progressed to the third rotation, Oklahoma faced a challenge on vault but managed to push through with solid performances from the rest of the lineup. Meanwhile, LSU’s beam rotation saw strong scores from Aleah Finnegan, but a sub-par routine from Olivia Dunne affected their total. Cal’s floor performances, led by EmJae Frazier, helped them close the gap on LSU, while Utah’s bars rotation saw a standout 9.975 from Grace McCallum.
Third Rotation Highlights
- Oklahoma Sooners: 148.250
- LSU Tigers: 148.125
- Cal Bears: 148.000
- Utah Red Rocks: 147.725
With just .250 separating the top three teams, the final rotation was set to be a thrilling conclusion. Oklahoma’s ability to stick landings on vault proved crucial, while LSU’s beam rotation showed their competitive spirit.
Final Rotation and Conclusion
In the final rotation, Oklahoma delivered a stunning performance on bars, scoring an average of 9.94 per routine. Meanwhile, LSU’s floor rotation, highlighted by Finnegan’s near-perfect 9.975, kept them competitive, but it wasn’t enough to overtake the Sooners. Cal’s consistent performances on beam helped them secure third place, while Utah’s struggles on beam led to a fourth-place finish.
Final Scores
- Oklahoma Sooners: 197.950
- LSU Tigers: 197.650
- Cal Bears: 197.275
- Utah Red Rocks: 196.800
Oklahoma’s final score of 197.950 asserted their dominance in women’s college gymnastics. Meanwhile, LSU’s strong showing, led by Finnegan, Chio, and Cowen, highlighted their potential to challenge for the national title. Cal’s performance indicated their growth and potential, while Utah’s resilience despite setbacks showcased their competitive spirit.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Oklahoma Sooners have set the stage for an exciting season. The return of key athletes and continued strong performances will be crucial as they aim for the national title.
LSU, with a healthy roster, poses a significant challenge. Teams like Cal and Utah will continue to push the boundaries of competition.
For a detailed breakdown of the meet and individual performances, you can read the full article on Forbes.
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