What We’re Talking About
And just like that Oklahoma is ranked No. 2 in the nation with the second highest score of the entire season with a 198.200. Michigan continues it’s record pace ahead of everyone else… even without collecting all the 10s. Auburn is quietly (or maybe not since they’re selling out arenas) closing in on the top 5 (they’re currently ranked sixth–a watermark for the program). Florida, Minnesota and Utah continue to be steady, with the Red Rocks facing rival UCLA this Friday. The UCLA team is stacked with Olympic and World team members yet ranks six out of eight in their own conference after four weeks. Will this be the week it comes together?
Lexy Ramler is the current all-around leader, followed by Jade Carey and Sunisa Lee (never heard of them). Trinity Thomas leads on balance beam and floor, while Ona Loper leads on vault. So far nobody wants sole custody of the uneven bars ranking, although Leanne Wong did score a perfect 10 this week.
Lastly, Artur Dalaloyan did not retire this week.
Feelings
- The Chinese gymnastics team is welcoming all of us to the Beijing Winter Olympics with a music video and now all gymnastics teams need to do this moving forward.
- Sunisa Lee said she still practices the Nabieva every day, so now we’re on Nabs watch for the next four years.
- USAG has a job opening for the position we’ve been dreaming about: Compliance Investigator. Apply now.
- Trinity Thomas: You don’t know what events she’s going to compete each week, but you know one (or more) will be a 10.
- We applaud the cheering prowess of Cammy Hall.
- We salute Elena Arenas for her headstand forward roll fall.
Facts
- Leanne Wong is the first of the greatest-freshman-class-of-all-time to score a perfect 10.
- Jade Carey hasn’t posted a score lower than 9.9 this entire season.
- Michigan’s first four scores to start the season are the highest in NCAA… ever!
- Florida has now posted the highest score of the 2022 season: 198.25
- Jeff Graba has a gaming chair.
- Brooklyn Moors artistry is so good she is blinding judges to get impossible scores.
Awards
- Big Ass Vault Award: Suki Pfister
What’s On the Socials?
Another near-perfect 9.975 for Lynnzee Brown, this time on vault!#PioneerTogether | #GoPios pic.twitter.com/i0DkqLiEkG
— Denver Gymnastics (@DU_Gymnastics) January 30, 2022
My heart is absolutely breaking seeing so many Achilles ruptures in NCAA gymnastics.
This is my official flag in the ground
WE NEED MORE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND FUNDING FOR THEM.
The gymnasts deserve it.
Please every human in gymnastics – retweet this so someone important sees.
— SHIFT MvmtScience (@SHIFT_MvmtSci) January 30, 2022
Anna Leigh (West Virginia) – West Virginia vs. Denver 2022
FHS + Front 2.5 Twist (Randi/Cojocar) pic.twitter.com/GMF2V58kZ6
— ncaa gymnastics gifs (@ncaagymgifs) January 26, 2022
Jay Clark held a press conference today in which he addressed the Alexis Jeffrey transfer. Quotes threaded below. https://t.co/GUetGqcZtx
— Emily Minehart (@emilym90) January 25, 2022
View this post on Instagram
Quotes
“I honestly don’t feel any temptation to water down my routines.” ~ JADE CAREY, OREGON STATE
Jade Carey offering a hero’s response to her super-difficult NCAA routines.
♦
“Everybody’s gonna stock up on pickles.” ~ KATHY JOHNSON, LEGEND
Kathy Johnson commentating during the Auburn meet, highlighting the Suni effect, after she ate a pickle (as is her routine) then rocked the balance beam.
♦
“I’ve always tried to teach my athletes that whatever energy there is in the arena, you take it as yours.” ~ BEV PLOCKI, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COACH
The Wolverine coach discussing how her team handles an energetic away crowd. In this case it was an excited Minnesota fan base.
♦♦♦
What? You want even more? Be sure to check out our new College & Cocktails episodes for Club Gym Nerd members on Friday nights right after the competition. Then we give the sober analysis on Monday 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.