What We’re Talking About
The theme of this week is road warriors. This might surprise people like Jessica, but rivalries are a thing in college sports and a few saw new chapters getting written. For the first time in program history, Kentucky traveled to Alabama and left with a victory. Seems like the perfect gift for a program celebrating their 50th birthday. Just over 750 miles north, Michigan State entered Wolverine territory and got their first win since 1990. It wasn’t an easy task. It took the highest road score in program history, 198.050, to accomplish the feat.
In all, five teams cracked 198 this week. Oklahoma (of course); UCLA got over the hump for the first time this year at their Pride meet; Denver is quietly climbing the charts; Michigan State; and LSU… who put up their highest score in program history. Not only that, it was the 14th highest score ever… for anyone!
Feelings
- We’re still not over not getting to watch Adeline Kenlin on beam every weekend
- We’re really excited to see Olivia Greaves competing in NCAA, finally!
- Is this exhibition our new favorite UCLA floor routine?
- Addison Fatta is making sure she isn’t ignored
- Sunisa Lee looks great
- Auburn, currently ranked 14th, is showing their rise is more than one athlete deep
- It was nice to see Joscelyn Roberson back on the apparatus
- Shilese Jones is gunning for the top D with that laid-out jaeger
- We’re surprised KJ Johnson hasn’t broken the vault earlier with all that power
- We’re happy to hear Alicia Sacramone tell us the Olympic Selection procedure has already been submitted for review
- We’re not sure why it’s taking so long to release it
Facts
- Oklahoma’s current average is a 198.045, only three other teams have a scored higher all season
- The Sooners tied their program record on uneven bars
- 198.475: the highest score in program history for LSU
- It’s also the 14th highest score ever posted
- It was aided by the highest floor score in program history
- Kentucky beat Alabama on the road for the first time in program history
- Sienna Schreiber became the all-time leading scorer in Mizzou gymnastics history
- Maile O’Keefe is up to three perfect 10s on the season
- Sage Kellerman is up to two, as is Konnor McClain and Haleigh Bryant
- Jordan Bowers is now up to 13 perfect 10s in her career
- 39.775: A new career high for the Selena Harris
- Gabby Douglas is on the start list for Winter Cup!
Award(s)
- Hardest Beam Skill Ever: This Guy at London Gymnastics
- Demolition Vault Style: KJ Jonhson
What’s On the Socials?
Our first perfect 10 of the season goes to @jordansbowers! pic.twitter.com/rRsUv8TnW9
— Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) February 3, 2024
THE 13TH CAREER 1⃣0⃣ ON BEAM FOR THE BEAM QUEEN, @maile_okeefe‼️ 👑#RedRocks | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/qxasA3WXUs
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 3, 2024
Play this one on repeat 🔁
The perfect floor routine from @haleighbryant3
📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/QmgCfaeAAI
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) February 3, 2024
https://twitter.com/UKGymnastics/status/1753611265467949494?s=20
The definition of a PERFECT (10.0) floor routine! 🤩
Gabby Wilson delivers for @UMichWGym. pic.twitter.com/p1JIgH3hyW
— Big Ten Gymnastics (@B1GGymnastics) February 4, 2024
Quotes
“I love the fact that I was able to just be myself as well as my other teammates who are also part of the LGBTQ community.” ~ Selena Harris, Pride Barer
In a post-meet interview, after scoring a career high at the UCLA pride meet, Selena shared her thoughts on the support.
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“Once I started getting into the daily grind and being very consistent with the training, it became very easy to get the skills back.”
~ Gabby Douglas, Comeback Kid
Gabby, who will be competing at Winter Cup, shared thoughts on her comeback journey.
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“The Fisk Gymnastics Team would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our fans and the gymnastics community for the overwhelming support and concern expressed following Alyssa Wiggins’ recent incident.”
~ Fisk Gymnastics
Fisk Gymnastics did not elaborate on the injury, but added that Alyssa is doing well.
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“I’m not gonna say who it was… [they] basically asked if there was a way that I could change my music in my floor routine. That’s all I’m gonna say because I don’t want there to be any situation or anything like that. … they didn’t think I was going to get judged the proper way. ” ~ Jordan Chiles, Artist
We asked Jordan why she had changed her elite floor routine and informed us that she was told to do it, even after she fought to keep her music.
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College & Cocktails
Listen to this week’s bonus episode recorded immediately after Oklahoma, Cal, Arizona State: College & Cocktails: Battle Relevé
Cocktail of the Week:
Up in the Rankings
Like the bubbles in this drink, things are moving up
Boozy
2 oz Spice Infused Bourbon
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
Mango Soda
Make Your Drink:
Combine all ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Stir gently to combine.
Stick the Landing:
Garnish with a stick of cinnamon or two.
Full Recipes & Entire Season Cocktail Menu Available Here (Thank You Linzerz!).
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What? You want even more? Join Club Gym Nerd and you get a bonus episode, College & Cocktails, every Friday after our meet of the week. Once the NCAA season is over you continue to get a weekly bonus episode every Friday afternoon. Plus you get access to all of our archives, exclusive content and more. Then we give the sober analysis on Monday (or Tuesday) after we’ve allowed the data to penetrate our feelings.
This column was composed and compiled by Steve Cooper, Editor, GymCastic; as performed by hosts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes.
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