What We’re Talking About
Let’s get rid of the Conference Championships. Seriously, what’s the point? Oklahoma just ran the gauntlet of an undefeated season to claim the SEC (regular season) title and now they have to… defend the title? Win the title a second time this season? Make it make sense! Conference Championship weekend should simply be called Bonuses and Bragging Rights. That’s not a pejorative, this is the part I’m in favor of. It’s a long season and I’m happy that coaches can collect an extra five figures for a W. Outside of that, however, there’s very little to get the adrenaline pumping.
Who this weekend really matters for are the teams on the bubble–those around the 36th ranking cutoff. Washington, Pitt, Rutgers and Penn are all battling in the 35-38 position. Washington is sitting in the best spot at No. 35 and can punch their ticket to Regionals with a 196.100. But for a team like Utah, sitting at 12 and mathematically removed from the top 8 seeding; what are they competing for? Is it about momentum for them? Would they be better off resting this week, moving on to regionals a bit fresher and hungrier than their weary, battle-worn rivals?
I’m trying to find a reason to get excited about the Conference Championships, but it’s like getting excited about a movie preview. Sure, it’s cool to see the 90-second clip of the thing you want to watch, but you’re also perfectly fine watching the actual movie having never seen it. Will it be exciting to watch No. 1-4 (Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, Alabama) go head-to-head for the SEC title? Absolutely! Also… eh. Now if one of those teams got eliminated it would be a must-see event. For the most part the Conference Championships are a pride thing–and I get that. Honestly, if I was on one of those teams it wouldn’t matter if this weekend was a one-off paper airplane construction competition–I’d want to win! For the fans, however, we’re stuck trying to find meaning. That doesn’t happen until April rolls around. And I cannot wait! Until then, I just hope everyone stays healthy for the final run at the title. Bonus for anyone who uses a cash cannon for their stick tchotchke.
Feelings
- If you’re not following Greg Marsden on Bluesky you’re missing out
- It’s great to see NCAA providing informative graphics
- Every college should have an NIL tab on player profiles like LSU
- Livvy Dunne has manifested her Malibu dream from 5 years ago (video: 1:35:00)
- Georgia vs. Alabama rivalry has been rejuvenated as the Bulldogs won on the road for the first time in 20 years.
- The Gators were scary good on Friday the 13th.
- Not all 10s are created equal. Or as Marsden says: There are 10s and then there are perfect 10s
- Hannah Horton is clutch
- Air Force is having a breakout season
- Kailin Chio is the best gymnast in the country
- Bonus: You should definitely get your Live Show Season Pass and/or your Cecile Landi Live Show Replay Ticket
Facts
- 198.575: For the second week in a row, Florida posted the highest score in the nation
- Oklahoma is still the team to beat: They have 10 wins over top 10 teams
- Kailin Chio competed on three events and scored three perfect 10s
- Kailin has the opportunity to be the first gymnast to ever have a perfect beam NQS with a 10 at SECs.
- Anna Roberts is someone who scores perfect 10s
- 10: Selena Harris-Miranda is becoming automatic on beam and getting closer to the gym slam on floor with a 9.95 this week
- Nikki Smith scored her second career 10 on floor
- Arianna Ostrum scored the first perfect 10 of her career
- Rhys McClenaghan has won first gold since injury at the Antalya World Cup
- LA28 Olympic ticket registration ends March 18
- Bonus: Get – The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles for under $5!
Award(s)
- Triple Threat: Kailin Chio
- Road Dogs: Georgia
What’s On the Socials?
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Quotes
“I’m walking away from this World Cup with a gold medal but with a lot to work on.”
~ Rhys McClenaghan, Gold Medalist
For the first time since the Paris Olympics, Rhys got back on top of the podium at the Antalya World Cup as he’s been battling back from shoulder surgery.
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“This should not happen at all. He should be banned from entering Ukraine for life.”
~ Stella Zakharova, Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation Vice president
Stella responding after Vyacheslav Lavrukhin, senior coach of Ukraine’s national artistic gymnastics team, left the country to become coach of Belarus’s national team.
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“It’s an incredible conference. I can’t say enough about the other teams and the way they’re coached and the talent on their rosters. For this team to earn this is huge for the university and it’s something they should be extremely proud of.”
~ K.J. Kindler, SEC Champion
Oklahoma won the regular season SEC title outright; going undefeated in a conference that hosts seven of the top 10-ranked teams.
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This column was composed and compiled by Steve Cooper, Editor at GymCastic and co-author of “The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles“; some thoughts culled from hosts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes.
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