Week 2 of NCAA women’s gymnastics brought thrilling competitions and standout performances, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
The Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City was a highlight, featuring top teams like Michigan, Oklahoma, and UCLA.
This blog post delves into the weekend’s high scores, individual achievements, and key storylines, offering a comprehensive recap of the action-packed events.
Oklahoma Dominates with Top Scores
The Oklahoma Sooners once again proved their dominance by earning the highest score in the country for the second consecutive week.
Their impressive 197.950 score showcased their consistency and depth, nearly hitting the coveted 198 mark.
This performance was particularly notable as it bested reigning national champion LSU (197.650), California (197.275), and Utah (196.800) in Session 2 of the Collegiate Quad.
Standout Performances
Individual performances were a significant highlight for Oklahoma.
Audrey Davis shone on the uneven bars with a near-perfect 9.975, while Faith Torrez matched that score on the balance beam.
Meanwhile, Jordan Bowers excelled in the all-around, securing a 39.675.
Despite a moment of concern when freshman Addison Fatta fell on vault, the team rallied, ensuring they didn’t have to count a fall.
LSU’s Record-Breaking Road Opener
LSU also had a remarkable weekend, earning their highest score for a road opener in program history.
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Although they fell short of Oklahoma’s mark, the Tigers’ 197.650 was an impressive feat.
Haleigh Bryant made a notable return on beam after missing the first meet due to injury, although her 9.75 was ultimately dropped. Meanwhile, freshman standout Kailin Chio claimed the vault title with a 9.95 and tied for second in the all-around.
Key Contributions
LSU’s depth was on full display with several gymnasts making significant contributions.
Chio’s performance on vault was particularly noteworthy, as was her overall consistency across events.
The Tigers demonstrated their potential to challenge for the national title as the season progresses.
UCLA’s Strong Showing
UCLA continued to build momentum with a strong performance in the third session of the Collegiate Quad, besting Kentucky, Ohio State, and Arkansas by more than a point.
The Bruins improved their opening week score by over two points, achieving a 197.550, the third-highest score in the country this season behind Oklahoma and LSU.
Notable Gymnasts
Several UCLA gymnasts delivered standout performances.
Jordan Chiles earned a 9.975 on floor exercise, tying with LSU’s Aleah Finnegan for the highest score in that event.
The Bruins’ depth and talent were evident as they continued to establish themselves as strong contenders this season.
Other High Scores and Highlights
Beyond the top three teams, several other programs delivered impressive performances in Week 2.
California and Alabama both scored over 197, showcasing the depth of talent across the NCAA.
All-Around Excellence
Leanne Wong of Florida and Jade Carey of Oregon tied for the highest all-around score of the weekend, each earning a 39.725.
Their performances highlighted their versatility and consistency across all four events.
Event Specialists
- Vault: Makenzie Wilson (Kentucky), Anna Flynn Cashion (Kentucky), Danie Ferris (Florida), Mya Hooten (Minnesota), Kailin Chio (LSU) – 9.95
- Uneven Bars: Audrey Davis (Oklahoma), Grace McCallum (Utah) – 9.975
- Balance Beam: Faith Torrez (Oklahoma) – 9.975
- Floor Exercise: Aleah Finnegan (LSU), Jordan Chiles (UCLA) – 9.975
Honorable Mentions
Arkansas’ Joscelyn Roberson made a memorable collegiate debut, tying for the all-around title with a 39.475.
Her best score came on floor, where she earned a 9.95, and she also posted strong scores on vault (9.875) and bars and beam (9.825 each).
Michigan’s Reyna Guggino, unfortunately, was seen on crutches and wearing a boot ahead of Session 1, raising concerns about her availability for upcoming meets.
Travel Challenges
LIU faced significant travel challenges, journeying approximately 1,775 miles to compete at Air Force, followed by another meet at Denver before heading back home.
Despite the grueling travel schedule, the team showed resilience and determination.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the first perfect 10 of the year. However, despite several near-perfect scores, no gymnast has yet achieved a 10.
The last time a perfect score wasn’t awarded in the first two weeks of the season was in 2014. Kytra Hunter and Bridget Sloan of Florida finally broke through in Week 4.
For more detailed coverage and insights from the Collegiate Quad, including interviews and photos, visit Gymnastics Now.
The excitement and competition are just heating up, and it promises to be an exhilarating season for NCAA women’s gymnastics. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis as the journey to the national championships continues.
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