Big 12 Gymnastics Week 7 Recap: Oklahoma rolls on; BYU, West Virginia put up season highs

Oklahoma continues to dominate more than halfway through the Big 12 gymnastics season. Plus, BYU and West Virginia put up season high team scores.

#5 Kentucky @ BYU

Final score: Kentucky: 197.775 – BYU: 196.600 

Starting the weekend off, the BYU Cougars fell to the Kentucky Wildcats, 197.775 – 196.600, but earned a season high team score.

On bars during the first rotation, Anyssa Alvarado put up a 9.925 to lead the Cougars. On vault, both Allix Mason and Sydney Benson scored 9.85s to help the team achieve their 49.100 overall on the event. Moving to floor, Benson put up a team-high of 9.85. To close out on beam, Elease Rollins earned a 9.925 for second place.

The Cougars next face Big 12 opponent No. 7 Denver on Friday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.

#2 California, #16 Arkansas & Washington @ #1 Oklahoma

Final score: Oklahoma: 198.300, California: 197.4000, Arkansas: 196.800, Washington: 196.450

Coming out on top once again (198.300) in their sixth Metroplex challenge, it’s beyond safe to say the Oklahoma Sooners are unstoppable as they continue displaying supreme talent and champion status as the season continues.

Starting on vault, Keira Wells scored a 9.925 to take the high score of the evening and win the vault title. Moving to bars, both Audrey Davis and Jordan Bowers posted 9.975s with their near-flawless routines to share the event title and help the Sooners earn a 49.550.

Ragan Smith anchored on balance beam and earned a perfect 10 to make that two perfect 10s for the Sooners this season. Faith Torrez also stuck her gainer full dismount and achieved a 9.95. Transitioning to floor for the last event of the night, there was a three-way tie from Bowers, Torrez and Smith for the team’s top score, with all earning 9.95s to cap off the night and tie for the event title. Bowers also took home the all-around (39.675). 

The Sooners next face Big 12 foe West Virginia on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:45 p.m. ET.

#24 Iowa State & West Virginia @ #7 Denver

Final score: Denver: 197.350, Iowa State: 195.675, West Virginia: 195.250

Finishing off the weekend of competition was a tri-meet in West Virginia. Three Big 12 teams faced off against each other with Denver taking the highest score (197.350), Iowa State coming in second (195.675) and West Virginia in third (195.250).

Denver

Coming out with a win, the Denver Pioneers also set a new program record for the highest overall score on bars (49.600) at an away meet. 

Beginning on bars, Madison Ulrich put up a 9.975 to top the scores for not only the event but for the night on all events.

Starting the second rotation on beam, Jessica Hutchinson scored a 9.95. Hutchinson also placed first in the all-around (39.575). On floor, Rosie Casali earned the first floor title of her career with a 9.925, tying with Hutchinson. With a lineup alteration in the last rotation on vault, both Casali and Mila Brusch tied for third.

“I’m proud of the team’s work ethic, passion, and commitment, and I thought they adapted well to an early meet and a two-hour time change. The leadership from the seniors was phenomenal today. They stayed within the team and brought energy, and their attitude and effort were exceptional. Even Jessica [Hutchinson] wasn’t feeling great and still had a gritty performance. I want everyone to use this experience to continue to grow and compete at a high level,” head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. 

The Pioneers will next travel to BYU on Friday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. ET. 

Iowa State

Iowa State opened the meet on beam, where Josie Bergstrom scored a 9.825 to lead the Cyclones on the event. Moving to floor in the second, Kaia Parker led with a 9.85. On vault, Emilie Hong put up a team-leading 9.875, and finishing off the night on bars, Loganne Basuel scored a 9.875. 

Coach Ashley Miles Greig is still hopeful as the season continues and knows the women have more in the tank going into the next week.

“It was really cool to come into a great environment with the Beauty and the Beast as well as a tri-meet going on simultaneously. Unfortunately, this was not the result we were looking for, and we ended up facing some challenges today. We had to make some changes to the lineups. However, we still have an opportunity to find out what works for us and continue to build and get back to performing to our ability,” Miles Greig said. 

The Cyclones next head to Utah State for a tri-meet on Friday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. ET. They’ll follow that up with a meet against Southern Utah on Monday, Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

West Virginia

Hosting the Beauty and the Beast tri-meet, the Mountaineers might not have won, but they were able to still earn a season high.

Starting on vault, Kiana Lewis put up a 9.875, tying for the event title. Amber Lowe earned a 9.875 to lead the team on bars. On beam in their third rotation, Julia Brown scored a 9.8, and ending on floor, both Lowe and Abbie Pierson put up 9.875’s as the team’s top scores.

West Virginia will be facing No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:45 ET.