Big 12 Gymnastics Week 4 Preview: Denver vs. Oklahoma part 2, Iowa State eyeing another win
Another weekend, another set of Big 12 gymnastics meets.
The matchups this weekend will be quite interesting as the circumstances leading into them have shifted slightly. One team is coming off a win and will want to keep it going. Two teams are facing each other for the second week in a row, and another is hoping to redeem themselves in a road trip to Ohio.
BYU is off this week. The Cougars face West Virginia next Friday.
Illinois State @ #22 Iowa State
Week 4 Matchup: Friday, January 26 @ 7:30 p.m. ET | Illinois State @ Iowa State – Live Stats | Video (ESPN+)
Coming off their first win of the season and under coach Ashley Miles Greig, the Cyclones are at an advantage against Illinois State as they strive to keep that momentum going toward a winning streak.
Athletes to watch:
- Freshman Noelle Adams has once again shown up and showed out. She took the lead score last Friday with a 9.9 on both vault and floor. Adams was also awarded Big 12 Newcomer of the Week this week.
- Senior Lauren Thomas is another one to follow with her skills on bars. Last weekend, she stuck the landing on her dismount and received a 9.9 in an impressive showing.
#12 Denver @ #1 Oklahoma
Week 4 Matchup: Friday, January 26 @ 7:45 p.m. ET | Denver @ Oklahoma – Live Stats | Video (ESPN+)
Oklahoma
With a three-week winning streak, Oklahoma is on a roll, wowing the nation and topping the competition with no signs of slowing down. Look for the Sooners to continue to clean up tiny things as they eye another 198+ against the Pioneers.
Athletes to watch:
- Last week, junior Jordan Bowers tied teammate Katherine LeVasseur on floor, both earning a 9.95 to top the field. Bowers has also been incredible on the other three events, contributing 9.9+ consistently. She was this week’s Big 12 Gymnast of the Week.
- Senior Ragan Smith keeps nearing perfection on beam. If she achieves the mark, it will be the third perfect score of her career overall, with all having come on the treacherous apparatus.
Denver
Coming in second behind Oklahoma at their home quad meet last weekend (197.175), the Pioneers will have to go into this meet with a strategic game plan in an attempt to outperform the Sooners and gain improved results at the end.
Athletes to watch:
- Senior Jessica Hutchinson performed a stunning beam routine last week to earn a team-best 9.9 and also share the floor title with a 9.950. Denver will need a knockout performance from the powerhouse if they want to get close to Oklahoma in Norman.
- With senior Rosie Casali winning her first event title of the season (9.95 on vault), it’s safe to say her Yurchenko 1.5 is a crucial score for the Pioneers.
West Virginia @ Kent State
Week 4 Matchup: Sunday, January 28 @ 1 p.m. ET | West Virginia @ Kent State – Live Stats | Video (Free)
West Virginia
Coming off a loss against Penn last weekend, the Mountaineers will be back on Sunday in an attempt to claim a rebound win against Kent State. The two squads are relatively evenly matched.
Athletes to watch:
- Junior Brooke Alban took the team high score on bars last week with a solid 9.825. With more to achieve, Alban will try to improve on that score in an effort to help get the team a victory.
- Tying for the event title on vault last weekend, sophomore Emma Wehry received a 9.85.
