What We’re Talking About
If we learned anything in week two it’s that there is a lot of parity across the nation and that there are many ways you can construct a winning team. For example, Florida leaned on their super star roster packed with World Champions and all-star elites to haul in three perfect 10s to best Auburn, who is anchored by their own Olympic all-around champion. Yet, neither of these two teams has the highest score in the nation this season. That honor goes to the Michigan Wolverines who is the first team to crack 198 in 2023. No Olympians. No World Champions. No perfect 10s. Just the top score in the nation.
Out on the west coast 10.0-machine Jade Carey has Oregon St. ranked in the top 20, but the Beavers are still looking up at the peak of the Pac-12 where UCLA, Utah and Cal are ranked 4, 5 and 6. Going back to how competitive and even things are, four out of the top five ranked teams in the nation are from different conferences—not that conferences will mean anything much longer.
A microcosm for how you can win in many different ways can be seen at UCLA. Two-time Level 10 all-around national champion and standout freshman, Selena Harris, put up a 39.725 to tie for the all-around win at the Wasatch Classic along with Olympic silver medalist and World Champion teammate, Jordan Chiles. Excellence truly comes in a variety of ways.
Feelings
- Gym Nerds know Raena Worley is great, but she’s not talked about enough in this new world of college super stars.
- Neither is Haleigh Bryant, who just chalked up an all-around victory against Oklahoma.
- Trinity Thomas just tied Kyla Ross and Maggie Nichols for the fourth most 10s (22) in NCAA history. *
- Norah Flatley’s triple full.
- LSU is leveraging Olivia Dunne’s social media popularity by putting her handles before her official bio, unlike the bios of the other 18 gymnasts. The bio also features several large images that’s unique to her bio. Genius. Now do it for everyone.
- Grace McCallum teaches us how to count to 3.
- Janelle McDonald can coach bars.
- Not sure if Leanne Wong retires her bows after each 10, but she should.
- Morgan Hurd’s floor.
- Read the study.
Facts
- Michigan is first in the 198 club.
- Sunisa Lee’s bars are the smoothest in the NCAA… probably the world.
- Jamie Dantzscher AND Jenny Hansen hold the record for most 10s (28).
- Friday the 13th claimed the achilles of Kiya Johnson of LSU and an undisclosed injury (looked like achilles) to Elizabeth Switzer of LIU.
- Payton Richards was born on Friday the 13th.
- Denver broke their team vault record… and they didn’t have their best vaulter.
- We don’t care if there’s an asterisk next to Trinity’s 10s record, we’re lucky we get an extra year to watch her.
- Morgan Price is the first all-around champion for Fisk with a win at the Georgia quad meet.
- Eight perfect 10s after two weeks of competition is the most in NCAA history.
- Last year the eighth 10 came on January 24th, this year we saw it on the 14th.
- Leanne is currently the top all-arounder in the nation.
- NCAA is still trying to figure out the status of athletes… and don’t call them employees.
Award(s)
- Toughest Beam Lineup in the Country: Florida
- Champion of the Stands: Maile O’Keefe
What’s On the Socials?
Oh what a night!
First 198.000+ in the nation in the 2023 season ✅
First 198.000+ at Crisler Center ✅#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/qVfDr3Rcog— Michigan Women’s Gymnastics (@UMichWGym) January 14, 2023
https://twitter.com/BeaverGym/status/1614494183770951680?s=20
One thing that was not talked about enough yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ZSsjXKA2G4
— Lucas (@gymnastics_best) January 14, 2023
https://twitter.com/GW_Gymnastics/status/1614729481196867585?s=20
https://twitter.com/Bdownie/status/1613262892811313152?s=20&t=ajtIKEw_w-d2_TcXGWS_Bw
https://twitter.com/UtahGymnastics/status/1614106073769861121?s=20
The Maile O’Keefe everyone. pic.twitter.com/hd0xL7HYXS
— allie (@gymstan2213) January 15, 2023
Quotes
“I don’t know how you gator chomp to that routine but she did it.” ~ Kathy Johnson Clarke, Truth Teller
Kathy highlighting the ubiquitous Florida choreography applied to Victoria Nguyen’s exquisite floor routine.
♦
“Team energy was great, but landings and sticks were eluding us.” ~ K.J. Kindler, Oklahoma Boss
The five-time Champion coach reflects on the road performance in a victory over LSU.
♦
“…Vault was obviously a big success with five 10.0 starts. We have more (10.0s) training so we are excited about where we are at.” ~ Tom Farden, King of Utah
After winning the Rio Tinto Best of Utah for the fourth straight year, Coach Farden shares the upward trajectory of his Utes.
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“We know that we have something special in this team.” ~ Chae Campbell, Bruin Stalwart
Chae responding to the first road win of the season while the team climbs to No. 4 in the nation.
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College & Cocktails
Listen to this week’s bonus episode: Auburn at Florida
Cocktail of the Week:
Boozy Version
2oz Vodka
.5oz Elderflower Liqueur
1oz Clementine Juice
Elderflower Soda (or Ginger Ale)
Fresh Thyme
Non-Alcoholic Version
2oz Clementine juice
1oz Elderflower Syrup
Elderflower Soda (or Ginger Ale)
Fresh thyme
Instructions: Clap a few sprigs of fresh Thyme between your hands like you’re trying to make a chalk-cloud for your first promo-video. Put that in a glass along with some ice, add in your vodka, liqueur, and juice, (or juice and syrup for the n/a version) then top with chosen soda and more fresh thyme.
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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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