NCAA women’s gymnastics power rankings: Highs and lows shake things up

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 (-)

BOOMER SOONER, oh my word! While Oklahoma stayed on brand in Week 8, they shook things up by scoring a program high of 198.675. This isn’t just a high for the team that owns the No. 1 spot week in and week out; this huge score also allowed them to post their highest opening NQS score in program history.

Some key contributions that helped them earn this huge 198.675 were Ragan Smith’s perfect 10 on beam and three of their four all-arounders scoring a 9.9 or above on all four events. Plus, their lowest scores didn’t drop below 9.8. We might sound like a broken record, but they’re seemingly unstoppable.

2. LSU (-)

LSU is remaining No. 2 after posting a big 197.950 this week, despite losing to Florida in a close one on the Gators’ turf. While the score isn’t their highest of the season, it was enough to keep them in second place heading into Week 9. Kiya Johnson had a great night, with 9.95s on floor and vault, Aleah Finnegan had a perfect floor routine to boost their score, and we actually think it’s near impossible for Haleigh Bryant to score below a 9.925 this season. All in all, a solid meet for the Tigers.

3. Cal (-)

THE CALI GIRLS ARE BACK. While they remain in third place, the team bounced back after two less than ideal weeks in the low 197s. Not only did the team score an entire point above their last showing, but they earned their first 198 of the season and a program record with a HUGE 198.400.

Mya Lauzon and eMjae Frazier had themselves a night. Lauzon scored a perfect 10 on beam while Frazier scored nothing lower than a 9.9 on all four events, which included a perfect 10 on floor and a 9.975 on beam.

4. Utah (+4)

Now those are the Red Rocks we know! The Utes also scored their first 198+ of the season with overall improvements while Grace McCallum scored a perfect 10 on floor and a 9.975 on beam to help her team out.

Maile O’Keefe also pulled her weight, scoring a near-perfect 9.975 on beam, and teammate Abby Paulson had an identical score on the same event. Makenna Smith also put in a 9.975 on bars. All in all, they worked their way up our power rankings as they head into Week 9.

5. Florida (-1)

The Gator girls are rounding out our top five, and rightfully so! If it wasn’t for Utah’s overall season performance and bounce back we’d probably move Florida ahead of them. However, their 198.150 was their first 198 of the season (there seems to be a theme here in Week 8), and the team had huge performances from multiple of their athletes. Leanne Wong, bow CEO and icon, scored her first perfect 10 on floor, a 9.975 on beam, and 9.95s on vault and bars, Anya Pilgrim scored big on vault (9.95) and beam (9.975), and Sloane Blakey stayed consistent, earning a gorgeous 9.975 on floor.

6. Michigan (previously unranked)

Coming in at No. 6 is the Big Blue! The Wolverines earned a solid 197.5. Sierra Brooks had a huge night on bars, scoring a 9.95 and on floor scoring a 9.975. Gabby Wilson hit a 9.95 on floor to add to the team’s overall score, and Carly Bauman helped out with a 9.925 on beam.

7. Michigan State (-1)

Michigan State is holding their ground in our power rankings as well! The Spartans earned a 197.725 in their meet against Minnesota, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Rutgers. Nikki Smith continues to kill it this season, earning another near-perfect vault (9.975) for her team, and Elle Beaufait scored a gorgeous 9.925 on floor.

8. Kentucky (-3)

The Wildcats didn’t have the best week. They lost to Arkansas and scored a low 197.150, which doesn’t represent the strong season they had so far as their second lowest score this year. We’ll see if they can rally heading into Week 9.

9. Alabama (+1)

The Tide is on the rise! Bama scored a 198.075 with big routines from Shania Adams (9.95) and Luisa Blanco (9.95) on bars, and Gabby Gladieux had a phenomenal day with a 9.925 on vault and and a 9.975 on floor.

10. UCLA (-1)

The Bruins were usurped by Alabama’s powerful performance, but their 197.775 was still a nearly full point in improvement week-over-week. They’re definitely back on track after their third highest score of the season. Even if it was a loss to Cal, it was a win on the road to the postseason. Now, it’s time to put up a big mark on the road at Stanford for their NQS.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated LSU beat Florida.