Big 12 Gymnastics Week 5 Preview: BYU back in action, top 2 showdown for Oklahoma
Jumping into the second month of Big 12 gymnastics, all five teams are back in action and looking to start February on a high note.
Boise State @ #19 Iowa State
Week 5 Matchup: Friday, February 2 @ 9 p.m. ET | Iowa State @ Boise State – Live Stats | Video (Free)
Iowa State is climbing up the rankings, and the Cyclones are looking to build off their recent victories going into this week’s matchup against Boise State. Ending the last meet with a 196.650, it will be interesting to watch them attempt to keep their momentum against the Broncos, who are averaging about a point lower but can be competitive.
Routines to watch:
- Noelle Adams earned a career high of 9.9 on beam last week, tying with teammate Lauren Thomas for the event title.
- Lauren Thomas tied with Adams on beam and was a standout on bars, winning that title as well. Her performances on those events will be crucial with the Broncos having Emily Lopez, who scored a 9.95 on bars and a 9.925 on beam last week.
#1 Oklahoma & #2 Cal @ #23 Arizona State
Week 5 Matchup: Friday, February 2 @ 9 p.m. ET | California, Oklahoma @ Arizona State – Live Stats | Video (Pac 12)
Oklahoma is still dominating the rankings so far, but this weekend will be one of the Sooners’ toughest matchups of the regular season – if not the toughest – when they face No. 2 California. The Sooners are averaging a 197.963 to Cal’s 197.638. Oklahoma has the leg up, having already scored over a 198, but Cal has relatively just as consistent and exceptional in the first month of the season. This could be a preview of the battle to come in the Four on the Floor national final.
Routines to watch:
- Katherine LeVasseur received the Sooners’ highest score last week (9.9) on vault. She also went 9.9+ on beam and floor.
- Ragan Smith performed an excellent beam routine last week, resulting in a 9.975. The fifth year is one to watch in a meet that could see multiple 10s awarded.
West Virginia @ BYU
Week 5 Matchup: Friday, February 2 @ 9 p.m. ET | West Virginia @ BYU – Live Stats | Video (ESPN+)
West Virginia
West Virginia opens Big 12 play with an exciting matchup against conference newcomer BYU. It’s an uphill battle for a team that’s peaked at a 195 thus far this season, but a statement win isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Routines to watch:
- Jurnee Lane was named Big 12 Event Specialist of the Week after her performance on floor (9.925) against Kent State. Her routine is bound to make a statement going into this matchup against BYU.
- Emma Wehry was a powerhouse in last week’s meet, winning both bars (9.8) and vault (9.875) while competing in the all-around. As the Mountaineers’ worst-ranked event, bars will be key for the team in this matchup.
BYU
Coming off a bye week, BYU returns to competition against a West Virginia squad that could pull off an upset if the Cougars let their guard down.
Routines to watch:
- Eliza Millar-Crossman took home the highest beam score (9.9) in the team’s last meet against Iowa State.
- Lindsey Hunter-Kempler, Kylie Eaquinto, and Anyssa Alvarado were all standouts on bars (9.825) last meet.
Towson @ #10 Denver
Week 5 Matchup: Sunday, February 4 @ 4 p.m. ET | Towson @ Denver – Live Stats | Video ($)
After back-to-back meets against Oklahoma, Denver is heading back home to take on Towson on Sunday in the Pioneers’ pink meet. After two weeks in the 197.1s, this is a great meet to reach a new season high without the added pressure of competing against the defending national champion.
Denver
- Jessica Hutchinson scored 9.95s on everything but bars last week and earned a career-high 39.725.
- Madison Ulrich has comfortably slipped into the No. 2 all-arounder spot for Denver, showing no signs that she’s only been competing for the Pioneers for a month.
