Big 12 Gymnastics Week 9 Recap: Oklahoma breaks NCAA NQS record as teams enter final regular season push
As the season progresses, the focus across the country and in Big 12 gymnastics is shifting toward identifying the regional qualifying teams and gearing up for conference championships.
Southern Utah @ BYU (& vice versa)
Friday: Final score: BYU: 195.650 – Southern Utah: 195.175
BYU defeated their in-state rival Southern Utah on Friday to kick-off the weekend.
Starting on vault, there were three back-to-back scores of 9.800 from Melissa Earl, Kylie Eaquinto, and Sydney Benson – all tying for the event title. Moving to uneven bars, the Cougars showed great precision and flair as Anyssa Alvarado led the field with a 9.875 to help the Cougars achieve a total event score of 49.100 – there only 49+ of the meet.
As the third rotation opened on beam for the Cougars, Elease Rollins earned a team-leading 9.850 to keep the Cougars in the lead with a 48.900 overall on beam. Closing out the meet on floor, Heidi Schooley scored a 9.850 to finish second on the event as the Cougars secured the overall win.
Monday: Final score: Southern Utah: 197.125 – BYU: 197.000
In a double meet weekend against Southern Utah, the Cougars scored a season-high 197.000 on Monday but narrowly lost the meet by 0.125.
Still, the team surpassed the 49 mark on all four events, with a meet-high of 49.325 on beam. A Cougar also won or shared all four event titles: Melissa Earl tied for first on vault (9.900), Alyssa Alvarado tied for first on bars (9.950), Brynlee Andersen won the beam title outright (9.925), and Heidi Schooley tied for the floor title (9.900).
While the overall team score was much improved from just three days earlier, it’s also promising to see consistency from BYU; three of its event leaders from Friday also led their event Monday.
Next, face Ohio State on Friday, March 8 at 9 p.m. ET.
Northern Illinois, Temple, Iowa State @ #21 NC State
Final Score: NC State: 197.000, Iowa State: 196.700, Northern Illinois: 195.200, Temple: 194.425
Placing second in their quad meet, the Iowa State Cyclones are making adjustments to earn another win before conference championships.
Beginning on bars, Laura Cooke took the team’s highest score for the event with a 9.875. In the second rotation on beam, there were three back-to-back scores of 9.875 by Lauren O’Brochta, Noelle Adams, and Josie Bergstrom that resulted in the ladies all tying for first on the event. Next, on floor, Kaia Parker tied for first with her stunning 9.925 to help the Cyclones achieve a total of 49.350 on the event – their highest event total of the meet. Finishing on vault, Emilie Hong scored a 9.875 to top the team.
“I am so happy with what I saw today. This is the team that we have known is in there this entire season. I am so proud of the way we came into this environment and really executed. However, we know there is still even more out there for us to achieve. We are on a great pathway, and I could not be prouder of this team,” Head Coach Ashley Miles Greig said.
#7 Michigan @ #1 Oklahoma
Final score: Oklahoma: 198.650 – Michigan: 197.325
Oklahoma took won both of the meets they competed in this past weekend, with a record-breaking national qualifying score of 198.420 – the highest ever in the NCAA.
Starting on Friday against No. 7 Michigan, The Sooners started the first rotation on vault, where Katherine LeVasseur snagged the title with a 9.975 on her stuck Yurchenko 1.5 that, save for maybe an amplitude deduction, was otherwise perfect. LeVasseur also tied for the title on bars with the same score as Audrey Davis – matching 9.975s. LeVasseur took the all-around title with a career high of 39.775.
On beam, Ragan Smith achieved yet another perfect 10 to take the title, and to close out on floor, Jordan Bowers posted a 9.95 to top the field.
With Smith’s 10, she became the outright record holder for Oklahoma when it comes to most perfect 10s on beam. She’s the first to earn back-to-back-to-back perfect scores on any event (and would add to that tally on Sunday).
The Sooners’ lowest event score was a 49.525 on vault, peaking with a 49.800 on beam and tying the program record on that event.
#1 Oklahoma, Clemson, Penn @ Texas Woman’s
Final score: Oklahoma: 198.300, Clemson: 196.350, Texas Woman’s: 196.275, Penn: 194.825
Moving to Sunday’s match against Texas Woman’s, Clemson, and Penn, Oklahoma brought home another win (198.300) from Texas and swept all the event titles.
This time starting in bars, Davis scored a perfect 10 to set the tone for the night. This was also Davis’ first 10 of her career after many 9.975s.
During the second rotation on beam, Smith recorded another perfect 10, making this her fourth straight perfect score on the event and tying with OU alum Maggie Nichols for most perfect scores on any event (9) for the Sooners.
The third rotation floor title was taken by both Bowers and Faith Torrez with 9.950s. Torrez also took the vault (9.950) and all-around titles (39.725).
The Sooners look unstoppable at this point in the season, with the nearly five-tenth lead over No. 2 Cal translating onto the competition floor. At this point, the title looks like theirs to lose.
The Sooners will next be competing against Arkansas on Sunday, March 10 at 5 p.m. ET for their final road trip of the regular season.
San Jose State, Lindenwood, Air Force @ #11 Denver
Final score: Denver: 198.025, San Jose State: 196.675, Lindenwood: 195.400, Air Force: 194.050
Hosting their final home meet of the season, the Denver Pioneers achieved a win (198.025) in their quad meet.
Opening with vault, both Rylie Mundell and Mila Brusch took the vault title with a 9.900 to help the team achieve a 49.350. Moving to bars, there was an impressive performance from Jessica Hutchinson as she took a high score of 9.950. She would also score a perfect 10 on floor to close the meet. Hutchinson also achieved a 39. 725 in the all-around to win the title.
On beam, Momoko Iwai topped the field with a 9.975 in the lead-off spot.
The Pioneers next face No. 13 Missouri, New Hampshire, and Southeast Missouri on Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m. ET.
West Virginia, #25 Ball State, Towson @ #22 Penn State
Final score: Penn State: 196.825, Towson: 196.775, Ball State: 195.875, West Virginia: 195.800
Despite besting only one opponent in a double quad meet weekend, the West Virginia Mountaineers put up a season-high 195.800.
Reaching the 195.800 on Friday night in Pennsylvania, the Mountaineers started on beam where Julia Brown topped the team with a 9.85. On floor, Abbie Pierson led the lineup with a 9.875. Vault welcomed a team-high score from Kiana Lewis with a 9.9, making that a season-high for her. And finishing Friday on bars, Amber Lowe scored a 9.825 to lead the team.
Western Michigan, Pitt, Towson @ West Virginia
Returning home, the Mountaineers finished third (195.000) in their quad meet on Sunday afternoon, with Towson coming in first. Starting on vault, Kiana Lewis earned the team-leading score of 9.875.
Returning from injury, junior Anna Leigh entered the lineup for the first time this season and put up a 9.75 in bars while Miranda Smith led the Mountaineers with a 9.875.
Moving to beam, Emma Wehry posted a team-leading 9.825, and completing the meet on floor, Lewis scored a 9.875 to finish second.
The Mountaineers next face Rutgers on Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. ET.
