What We’re Talking About
You don’t win championships in January, but that doesn’t mean we can’t draw a few conclusions from this week’s showdown of Oklahoma (No. 1) vs. LSU (No. 2.), a battle that concluded with a separation of just 0.30. To begin, Oklahoma looked like the Sooners we’ve seen for the better part of a decade: prepared, focused and setting the pace for everyone else to chase. The reigning champions, on the other hand, looked like they’re still picking a few pieces of confetti out of their hair as they settle into the season. So far, the Tigers have looked like the second best team in the nation through this very young season. The strength of this team is clearly their depth and they should feel really great about how much more they still have to show. Haleigh Bryant has only competed on one event so far this season. KJ Johnson was a scratch after spraining her ankle in warm-ups. And Olympic alternate, Kaliya Lincoln, has only competed on vault. As the season unfolds one storyline we’ll keep an eye on is the potential of a fully-healed LSU roster and how that stacks up to a well-oiled Sooner wagon.
Also of note this week was UCLA’s bounce back performance. They posted the third highest score of any team this season after barely breaking 195 in week one. A team that saw a bump, but not a bounce is Michigan, which posted a 194.9 in week one and improved to just a 195.9 in the second week. While lots of team recorded their first scores this week, Florida got started with a 196.675, which ranks them 7th; and Georgia begins the Cecile Landi era with a 195.975, starting their journey in 15th position.
Through the first two weeks no team has scored a 198+ and no athlete has registered a 10.0. But here we are… about to enter week 3. The week of the infamous Tennessee Tipping Point, where all seven teams competing scored program records and five gymnasts were awarded 10s. If the scoring seems tighter so far, it’s because it is—and that’s a good thing! Heading into week three of last season there had already been seven 10.0s and after week 3 that jumped to 15. It’s true you can’t win a championship in January, but we’re wondering if the scoring will hold or if someone will crack the seal on a perfect score?
Feelings
- Joscelyn Roberson was made for college
- We love to see perfect 10s, but we’re happy to not see them for not perfect routines
- The Jade Carey era is so strong we’re surprised they don’t hand out friendship bracelets at Oregon State meets
- Happy to hear from from Utah coach, Carly Dockendorf, that Ella Zirbes “is fine.”
- We smiled when we saw Skye Blakely back on bars
- So glad Mya Hooten returned as a grad student
- Kyrstin Johnson from Temple is getting people to notice
- With Snoop Dogg supporting women’s sports we’re pumped women are elevating Snoop
- We really want schools to start posting on BlueSky instead of Twitter
- We’re not surprised the No. 1 gymnast in the country is The CEO (Leanne Wong)
Facts
- Olympic Bronze medalist, Ana Barbosu of Romania, is heading to Stanford
- Brazilian Olympic Champion, Arthur Zanetti, has announced his retirement
- Vault is the only apparatus currently that’s not dominated by elite gymnasts
- The top three all-around gymnasts were all in Paris this summer.
- Skye & Sloane Blakely are the first sisters competing in the same lineup since 2014
- With all the things Jordan Chiles has been up to, she still doesn’t miss a beat
- Georgia only posted a 195.975 in their debut, but they’re ranked second on bars
- Three of the top six vaulters in the country right now are from Kentucky
- Since the start of the 2024 season Hailey Davis has competed floor 15 times and only twice recorded score below 9.9
- Freshman Katelyn Jong is currently ranked in the top 20 in the all-around
- Bonus: The best (and funnest way) to follow college gymnastics is to play our free fantasy game. Join here.
Award(s)
- Freshman of the Week: Katelyn Jong
- Save of the week: Jahzara Ranger
What’s On the Socials?
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Quotes
“The scoring was interesting today.” ~ Carly Dockendorf, Scorekeeper
The Utah head coach highlights the unfamiliar tighter scoring through two weeks.
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“It was kind of disappointing to be an alternate for a second time. But I was like, ‘Well, I’m on this team for a reason, and I have my role as an alternate, and I’ll get to go to Paris and train.”
~ Leanne Wong, The CEO
The No. 1 gymnast in the country shares many thoughts as she enters her senior season.
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“We have so many strengths, but some of the more important ones are the willingness to consistently do the hard things.”
~ Shannon Welker, Head Tiger
In a brief preseason Q&A, the Missouri head coach shared the strengths of the 2025 team.
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What? You want even more? Join Club Gym Nerd and you get a bonus episode, College & Cocktails, every weekend 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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