NCAA women’s gymnastics power rankings: Sooners and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

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 (-)

The Sooners have a stronghold on the No. 1 national ranking as we head into Week 8 of NCAA season. The team showed out against Arkansas, Washington, and Cal at the Metroplex Challenge. Ragan Smith scored a perfect 10 on beam, while both Audrey Davis and Jordan Bowers scored nearly-perfect 9.975s on bars. All this being said, they’re staying in the top spot for another week.

2. LSU (+5)

The Louisiana Tigers brought the heat against the Auburn Tigers. LSU racked up a 198.300 thanks to high 9.9 scores across the board. Plus, Aleah Finnegan snagged a perfect 10 on floor, while Konnor McClain continues to shine in her freshman season earning a near-perfect routine on beam. Haleigh Bryant had what she may consider an off week, and by that we mean not scoring a 9.975 or a 10. However, the LSU icon still raked in high scores on all four events.

3. Cal (-1)

A changing of the guard per se. For the first time since the start of the season, California has moved down a peg. While they remain in the top three of the national rankings, it was definitely an off week for the Golden Bears.

Mya Lauzon has been having a breakout season, recording huge score after huge score, but last week, she took a rest week, and this week, she scored an uncharacteristic 9.8 on bars and a 9.875 on beam. Plus, eMjae Frazier had a shake up from her usual high marks on balance beam, earning her a 9.6250. We’ll see if they can shake this off and move back into second in Week 8.

4. Florida (-1)

Oh me, oh my… the Gator girls are on it. The team earned a BIG 197.925 in their quad meet against Mizzou, Illinois, and Lindenwood. Just like last week, Leanne Wong did not come to play, scoring a near-perfect 9.975 on balance beam and a 9.950 on floor, while scoring impressive 9.9s on vault and bars. Dare we say, the Gators are hitting their stride?

5. Kentucky (+5)

How about them Wildcats being back in our top five? Raena Worley earned another perfect 10, but this time on bars! The rest of her team also had a great performance, helping UK get back on an upward trajectory after an “off” week in Week 6. Let’s see if they can keep it up and keep on climbing the proverbial ladder of our power rankings.

6. Michigan State (+2)

Michigan State! They’re taking our number six spot this week, and for good reason. The team scored a 197.550 in Week 7 to add to their past three weeks of consistently good performances, which are keeping them in the top rankings. Sage Kellerman and Gabrielle Stephen earned 9.95s on bars to help their team out.

7. Denver (-3)

While Denver posted a low 197 score this week, the Pioneers are stilling fighting the good fight and remaining in the top 10 rather effortlessly if you ask us. Even when there are less than perfect routines, the Pioneers have shown they’re capable of gritting it out and persevering as a team.

8. Utah (-2)

While they remain high in the national rankings, we can’t get past Utah’s inconsistency. The team isn’t packing a punch with their performances, most recently scoring a 197.300 in a close one to UCLA. The highest score from their meet was, naturally, Maile O’Keefe with a 9.975 on beam, but the majority of their scores were in the 9.8s, bringing their all-around team score down. It’s not that the Red Rocks are bad… but are they national title contenders? Or is rampant over-scoring in other parts of the country dulling their sparkle? It will be interesting to see where they go from here as we get into the latter half of the season.

9. UCLA (-)

The Bruins love to play with our emotions this season. While they’ve remained in our power rankings, the biggest highlights of their meet against Utah, which earned them a 196.975, were Selena Harris and Chae Campbell. Harris scored a perfect 10 on vault, while Campbell gave us a gorgeous 9.925 on vault.

10. Alabama (previously unranked)

They’re back! Between the Tide and Auburn’s back and forth in the power rankings, we’re getting whiplash, but this week, the Crimson Tide has risen to our No. 10 spot. The teamed scored a 197.675 against Arkansas, Arizona, and Texas Woman’s. Plus, Cameron Machado had a gorgeous 9.975 bars set, which is definitely worth noting.