In a thrilling display of athleticism and precision, the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners women’s gymnastics team delivered a season-high performance to defeat the No. 5 Florida Gators. The meet, held at the Lloyd Noble Center, saw the Sooners post an impressive 198.075, outscoring the Gators by 1.45 points.
The highlight of the night was Faith Torrez’s perfect 10 on the floor, marking the team’s first perfect score of the year. This victory not only showcased the Sooners’ consistency and excellence but also extended their home winning streak to 90 consecutive meets.
OU’s Stellar Performance
Oklahoma’s head coach, K.J. Kindler, motivated her team with a simple yet powerful directive: *Crush it*. The Sooners responded by delivering their best meet of the season, demonstrating consistency from start to finish.
This performance was particularly significant as it followed a loss to LSU the previous week, highlighting the team’s resilience and determination.
Key Highlights
The meet was filled with standout moments, starting with Keira Wells’ first career stick on vault during the first rotation. Two routines earned perfect scores from one judge, setting the tone for the evening.
The final rotation on the floor was where the Sooners truly shined:
- Audrey Davis: Scored 9.925 to kick off the rotation.
- Lily Pederson: Followed with another 9.925.
- Elle Mueller: Achieved a career-high 9.950.
- Addison Fatta: Posted a 9.925.
- Jordan Bowers: Scored a 9.950, including a 10 from one judge.
- Faith Torrez: Closed the night with a perfect 10.
Faith Torrez’s Perfect 10
Faith Torrez’s perfect 10 was the highlight of the night, capping off the Sooners’ dominant performance. Torrez had come close to a perfect score multiple times this season, with a 9.975 against Missouri and four 9.950s.
Her flawless routine not only earned her the perfect score but also tied the third-best event score in program history.
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Setting Up for Success
Coach Kindler emphasized the importance of the team’s collective effort in setting up Torrez for her perfect 10.
*When you’re the anchor, you can be set up for that moment and her team did a remarkable job setting her up and then she captured it,* Kindler noted.
The team’s overall score of 49.775 in the floor event tied the third-best in program history, with only higher scores being a 49.825 against Alabama last season and against Florida in 2019.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the impressive performance, the meet was not without its challenges and controversies. Scoring inconsistencies were a point of frustration for both the team and the fans.
Audrey Davis, the national bar champion, received the lowest bar score of her career from one judge, leading to audible discontent from the crowd.
Scoring Controversies
Coach Kindler did not hold back in expressing her dissatisfaction with the scoring.
*Audrey Davis got the lowest bar score of her entire career today from one of the judges and she is the best she’s ever been,* Kindler remarked.
Despite these setbacks, Davis quickly rebounded with a 9.850 to lead off the beam lineup in the next rotation.
Florida’s Struggles
The Florida Gators faced their own set of challenges during the meet. Anya Pilgrim’s fall on the uneven bars early in the meet set them back, and subsequent injuries and falls further compounded their difficulties.
Skye Blakely’s awkward landing on the floor exercise and subsequent exit for treatment was a significant blow to the Gators’ performance.
Beam Woes
Florida’s struggles continued on the beam, with both Ly Bui and Riley McCusker experiencing falls.
Bui received a 9.250 and McCusker a 9.175, leaving the Gators with a 48.625 in the event. These setbacks made it challenging for Florida to keep up with the high-flying Sooners.
Looking Ahead
The Sooners will next compete against North Carolina at the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
This meet will provide OU with an opportunity to compete on a podium again, something they haven’t done since January 11 in Oklahoma City.
It will also allow Coach Kindler to experiment with her lineup, giving gymnasts on the verge of breaking into the lineup a chance to gain valuable meet experience.
Upcoming Changes
Coach Kindler plans to shake up the lineup to keep all-arounders fresh and integrate other gymnasts into the rotation.
Freshman Elle Mueller will compete on the balance beam, and Dani Sievers, who has struggled with injuries, will warm up in the floor exercise.
“I think as a coach I’m going to test myself to take a few risks because I think it will help us to have better information going into the postseason,” Kindler said.
For more detailed insights and a comprehensive breakdown of the meet, you can read the full article on the Oklahoman’s website.
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