Pure Michigan and program records: 5 memorable moments from Week 9 of NCAA gymnastics
We’re rewinding the tape and reminiscing on five of the most memorable moments from Week 9 of NCAA gymnastics season!
Full recaps:
- NCAA men’s gymnastics Week 9 recap: Oklahoma extends win streak, Greenville upsets Springfield, Malone returns
- NCAA women’s gymnastics Week 9 recap: Oklahoma beats Florida, Michigan upsets Oklahoma
1. No.2 Michigan takes down No. 1 OU
In a Monday night matchup, the No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines took down No. 1 Oklahoma at home in the Crisler Center on senior night. Michigan scored a 198.025 to take the win over OU’s 197.925. Needless to say, the Wolverines were on fire, recording four scores at 9.9 or above on bars, including senior Sierra Brooks earning a career-best 9.975 on the event.
Senior Gabby Wilson also had herself a night. Let’s start with her uneven bars performance, where she earned a 9.95, atching fifth year Abby Heiskell’s 9.95 on the event as well. Then Wilson went on to tie another high score with fifth year Natalie Wojcik for the beam title, with each gymnast earning a 9.975. She rounded out her meet with a 9.975 on floor to take that event title and the all-around (39.800). I think it’s safe to say these senior Wolverines went out in style, leaving everything they had on the mat for their last meet on home turf.
2. Western Michigan breaks multiple school records
The MAC conference is on the rise in NCAA gymnastics, and there may be no greater indication of this than Western Michigan scoring over a 197.000 last weekend. It was the first time in program history the team has ever scored above a 197.000, earning a 197.100 in their win against Northern Illinois.
This isn’t the only school record the team shattered; the team broke their beam record as well, earning a 49.375. Personal records were broken too, with senior Payton Murphy breaking her all-around record for the THIRD time this year with a 39.550 – also a program record. Sophomore Cassie St. Clair tied the program record on vault with a 9.925 as the team also broke the squad vault record with a 49.250. Keep an eye on the Broncos!
3. MSU keeps on climbing
The Michigan State Spartans are a force to be reckoned with this season. After having the highest score during the Big 5 competition and winning the Big 10 conference title for the first time in program history last weekend, they only kept the momentum going as they took on Bowling Green and Long Island University in Week 9. The team smashed five program records, became the eighth team in the country to score above a 198.000 this season, and moved into the top 10 in the national rankings with the postseason on the horizon.
The team broke program records on beam (49.600), uneven bars (49.550), and vault (49.575) on their way to an overall record 198.225. The Spartans not only shined as a team; they were rock solid, individually, with two gymnasts earning perfect 10s.
Freshman Nikki Smith earned a perfect score on vault with her stuck Yurchenko 1.5, and senior Jori Jackard earned a perfect 10 for her gorgeous bars set. With this momentum, we can only imagine what they’ll do as we head into Week 10.
4. OU men hold off Michigan, maintain No. 1
What better way to celebrate senior night than with a huge win over a fellow top five team. The Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team bested Michigan on Saturday night, earning a 414.55 to the Wolverines’ 410.40.
Whether it was the senior night energy or the fact that the team was in their home arena, which they haven’t lost in since 2007, the team had a strong performance with big scores on all six events.
Freshman Ignacio Yockers scored big again on pommel horse, earning a 15.200, which is his second-highest score in his NCAA career. Sophomore Emre Dodanli also had a huge 14.750 on vault for the Sooners, while senior Jack Freeman earned a 14.100 on high bar.
5. Kentucky goes undefeated at home
The Kentucky Wildcats have had a stellar season, and if you haven’t been paying them any attention, it’s about time you start. The No. 12 team in the country has gone toe-to-toe with some of the top SEC teams while producing strong and compelling performances on every event. Week 9 was no different, as they took on the Auburn Tigers at home. The meet was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved back to Saturday due to severe weather in the Lexington area. It was a tough night for Auburn, who also rested star all-arounder Suni Lee.
The Wildcats brought it on their senior night with huge high scores. The team posted a new program best on vault with a 49.550. Senior Kaitlin Deguzman tied her career-high on bars with a 9.925, junior Hailey Davis tied her career-high with a 9.950 on floor, and sophomore Jillian Procasky recorded a season-high on bars with a 9.850.
Honorable mentions
There were so many immaculate, perfect 10 routines this week that we couldn’t decide on just highlighting one, so here are all 12 flawless routines from Week 9:
Denver: Not one but two perfect 10s from the Pioneers! Lynnzee Brown crushed it on floor to earn hers, while teammate Jessica Hutchinson earned one on beam. Denver also recorded its first 198+ score in program history!
UCLA: Jordan Chiles earned her first perfect 10 on bars, which was her first 10 of the season on the event. The routine was electric and well deserving of the perfect score.
Cal: Freshman eMjae Frazier earned her first-ever 10, on any event, on floor.
MSU: As mentioned above, MSU dominated this past weekend, with two athletes earning perfect 10s. Freshman Nikki Smith earned a perfect score for her Yurchenko 1.5 on vault, while Spartan senior Jori Jackard earned a perfect 10 for her soaring bars set.
Minnesota: Another Big Ten team with not one but two perfect scores! Junior Mya Hooten and senior Halle Remlinger both earned perfect marks on floor. The 10s were earned back-to-back to close out the competition.
Utah: Senior Cristal Isa earned a perfect score for the Utes on beam with her artistic and technically-sound routine, which was a joy to watch on her senior night.
OU: Oklahoma fifth year Olivia Trautman soared her way to a perfect 10 on vault. With her powerful and perfectly stuck Yurchenko 1.5, this high score was a no-brainer.
Bama: Senior Luisa Blanco has been on fire this season, and this weekend was no different for the Crimson Tide gymnast. She earned a perfect score on beam for her elegant and strong performance.
Oregon State: Jade Carey continued her perfect 10 journey, adding another to her collection this season with a 10 on beam, completing her Gym Slam in the process. She continues to slay this season away.
To honor all of these perfect routines, and in honor of International Women’s Day, we put together a highlight reel of the sets (see above).
