NCAA women’s gymnastics power rankings: Florida, Auburn thriving like it’s 2022

Each week, Gymnastics Now will share our “Power Rankings“ for the top 10 women’s teams, providing insight into why certain teams are trending up and others trending down.

These rankings are purely subjective. A (+) or (-) next to each team will signify how far the team rose or fell compared to the previous week.

1. Oklahoma (-)

You know the drill all to well by now, don’t you? The Sooners and their consistently clean routines had another solid performance in Week 6 to earn their highest score of the season so far with a 198.450 and leaving zero room for debate: they’re the No. 1 team in the country right now. When your lowest score (including drops) is a 9.8, you’re doing something exceptional.

2. Cal (-)

Phew… We’re here to tell you Cal being ranked No. 2 is no error. Yes, the team had their second lowest score of the season this past week, after four weeks pushing 198, but they still managed a 197.125 even without the No. 2 all-arounder in the nation, Miss Mya Lauzon.

Lauzon rested last weekend, which was much deserved and a smart move as the team tries to remain consistent and not burn out in the latter half of the season.

3. Florida (+7)

Tell a friend to tell a friend… the Gators are back! The team hit their highest mark of the season with icon, legend, and bow CEO Leanne Wong getting a perfect 10 on bars. This was in addition to two 9.925s on vault and balance beam, as well as teammates Danie Ferris and Anya Pilgrim going 9.95 on vault and bars, respectively.

While it wasn’t a 198, it did our hearts good to see the Gators start to find their stride and hit a 197.850. The way they’ve been trending (increasing their team score every week thus far this season), we wouldn’t be surprised to see a 198 soon.

4. Denver (+3)

The Pioneers are putting us all on notice – do NOT count them out. Similar to the Gators, Denver may not have scored a 198 last weekend, but they still had a solid competition, earning a 197.775. Star all-arounder Jessica Hutchinson had a nearly perfect vault with a 9.975, a gorgeous 9.95 beam routine, and a perfect 10 on floor. This team has all the makings for an impressive postseason run: talent, depth, and an X-factor.

5. Auburn (previously unranked)

War Damn Eagle – the Tigers went from unranked to our top five after an impressive rivalry win. Not only did they beat Alabama at home in Neville Arena, but they did it by scoring a huge 197.725. All-around star Cassie Stevens didn’t score below a 9.9 and hit a BIG 9.975 for her team on balance beam, while teammate Olivia Hollingsworth had a great night as well, score 9.9 or higher on vault, bars, and floor.

6. Utah (-2)

Utah had another solid week, posting a 197.775 against Washington. Amelie Morgan was the star of the show in Washington. The gymnast hit a 9.925 on bars and a 9.95 on balance beam, helping keep the Utes steady in the top five nationally.

7. LSU (-4)

Like a yo-yo, LSU goes back down the rankings, and it’s not because of Haleigh Bryant, who continues raking in the perfect 10s and 9.95+ scores. In reality, the Tigers had a rather subpar meet on the road at Georgia compared to their Week 5 blowout. Consistency is key, and while we know LSU home scoring can be generous, the Tigers are plenty capable of hitting that 198 mark consistently… They’ll certainly have to start doing that to challenge the Sooners in the postseason.

8. Michigan State (-)

A week after their first 198+ of the season, the Spartans are proving they belong in our top 10 by putting on another consistent performance – this time a 197.475. Six different gymnasts went 9.9+ against Illinois, including a 9.95 from floor queen Nikki Smith. It seems Michigan State is settling in for a steady second half of the season that could see them peak at just the right moment if they play their cards right.

9. UCLA (-3)

There were highs and some ehs for the Bruins in Week 6. Selena Harris earned a perfect 10 on vault and 9.95s on beam and bars, and you can’t forget about the floor party that once again produced a 9.95 (Brooklyn Moors), 9.925 (Katelyn Rosen), and 9.9 (Emma Andres). But two falls left the team on the cusp of disaster, and if you want to contend for a national title, hitting every routine is crucial.

10. Kentucky (-5)

Week 6 wasn’t a great week for many teams, but Kentucky earned its lowest score since the team’s season opener with a 197.350. Raena Worley scored 9.9s across the bored, including a 9.95 on bars and another near-perfect set on floor with a 9.975. But beam was the killer to keeping their streak of high-197s alive, with a season low 48.8. That ended the team’s streak of scoring at least a 49 on every apparatus that dated back to March 2022.