(GYM) ***CLOSED***Gymnastics 2023 - 2024***CLOSED

Yep, NQS (National Qualifying Score) will be week 6 average:

NQS - 197.435 (6th after Friday)
Week 7 Average - 197.517 (5th after Friday)

 

I thought we looked terrific until we got to vault which is the event that kept UF from cracking 198 for the first time. It wouldn't have mattered this week as it is the score that will be dropped from our 5 average NQS (National Qualifying Score). It could matter as future scores come in. In general, the plan should be to score as high as possible from here on out.

Whatever it takes to fight for every .1 to obtain the best score possible. I said the same thing yesterday. When I watched the CJR interview during the meet last night, she said UF was going to fight for every .1. I had the strangest feeling she has read our board here, silly I know.

Shout out to Payton last night hitting 9.925 on floor. I can't help thinking she would put up a good vault score as well.

Surprised Morgan was taken off floor. I like what Kaylee put up at 9.875, but Morgan needs to get herself ready for post season.

Broken record, Anya still needs her split leaps to hit 180. She is doing better, but those are the only deductions I can see in her scores on beam and floor. Yep, for sure being picky, but gotta fight for every .1.

Leanne looked the best she has looked all season. She looked relaxed and is now the comfortable team leader, a good thing.

Looking forward to next week against LSU. They will be a handful if they are on.

 

Comment on LSU after last night:

The tiggers scored 198.300. I didn't see any home cooking judging. That was a well-deserved score. With the lead in the regular season SEC race on the line, I think UF will have to go over 198 next week and about the same the following week at Kentucky. After Week 7, there is a 3-way tie at the top of the SEC with UF, UK, and LSU at 4-1.

Haleigh Bryant scored a 10.0 beam at Georgia last week to get to Gym Slam that wasn't as good as the 9.950 she received at home against Auburn. Funny thing is she got home cooking style judging on her vault on the road instead of at home.

Bottom line, LSU is a legit national champion contender. They scored a program high on beam last night which has been their Achilles heel, and they deserved the score they got. Other than LSU when they click on all 4 events, I don't see any other team capable of knocking off Oklahoma. The tiggers can do it and they know it. Their confidence and team chemistry are over the top good.

To have a chance next week, UF will have to be at the top of their game.

 

Working link to stats for the Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, and Washington meet tonight. From College Gym Fans:

7:15 pm CT Arkansas, Cal, Oklahoma, Washington Link NA

It's a shame this meet isn't on free TV. Simply put, it is the best meet of the weekend. It's a neutral site and I'd really enjoy seeing Cal and OU, hopefully without home cooked style judging.

EDIT

OU 198.300
CAL 197.400
ARK 196.800
WASH 196.450

OU Gymnastics: Oklahoma Rides Ragan Smith's Perfect 10 to Another Dominant Victory (msn.com)

Both LSU and OU scored 198.300 this weekend. It's going to take that type of score to win the national championship.

 

Sunday Meets of Interest

1:00 pm Maryland @ Michigan State - Live Stats | Video (BIG+)

2:00 pm Denver, Iowa State @ West Virginia - Live Stats | Video (ESPN+)

On President's Day, Utah will be visiting UCLA:

UCLA Hosts Utah Monday in Top 10 Matchup - UCLA (uclabruins.com)

The meet will be televised at 2:30 PM PT/5:30 PM ET on ESPN 2:

#8 UCLA vs. #4 Utah
Date: Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 – 2:30 pm PT
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
TV: ESPN2
TV Talent: Bart Conner, Samantha Peszek
Live Stats: uclabruins.com
Meet Theme: Alumni Meet

We'll likely get to see Nya Reed on vault and floor for UCLA.

EDIT: Results for Denver and Michigan State:

No. 7 Denver (197.350) and No. 24 Iowa State (195.675) at No. 52 West Virginia (195.250)

No. 25 Maryland (195.525) at No. 10 Michigan State (197.550)

EDIT 2: Watched the Utah at UCLA meet. Color me unimpressed. In the last 2 weeks, I've seen Cal, UCLA, and Utah. I'm not near as impressed as the judges who have these teams so highly scored and ranked. I'd take UF, Kentucky, and Michigan State over the PAC 12 top teams.

 

Tigger fan has made no mention yet of LSU visiting UF next Friday night. They appear to be more focused on Oklahoma:

LSU Gymnastics Recruiting Thread (2024 and 2025 Recruiting Classes) | Page 9 | LSU Recruiting (tigerdroppings.com)

I hope the tigger team is overlooking UF as well. Besides the Gators being a home dog, perceived lack of respect from LSU could help push the Gators to keep their improvement every week streak going. That could keep UF in the meet presuming LSU's beam Achilles heel doesn't show up. After setting a new program high at home against Auburn, maybe the tiggers will come back to earth on beam.

It would be quite the upset if the Gators can pull off a win in this meet.

Sav prediction: 9.900 on bars and 9.850 on vault.

 

Agree, but the winner stays in the race for the SEC Championship. The LSU meet has both NQS and SEC Championship implications. Insofar as the SEC is concerned, the loser is likely out of the SEC regular season championship headed into week 9 and the final SEC season meets.

With a win over LSU followed by a win at Kentucky, UF would become the 2024 SEC Champion. The HC at LSU Jay Clark is talking down the conference championship implications for the meet, but I don't believe him.

ESPN recognizes the implications as the meet will be televised on ESPN 2 instead of the SEC Network. It is the top meet in week 8.

 

Winter Cup Starts Friday - Women Perform Saturday:

Event Information | Winter Cup

Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, and Trinity Thomas will be competing in the senior elite women's division.

There is a link to the YouTube Channel for watching the meet.