SEC shakeup near the top of Week 11's women's college gymnastics power rankings

We’re in the home stretch! For all intents and purposes, this was the final week of the regular season. Although next week’s conference championships will still count toward NQS, the majority of teams are already locked into or out of regionals (individual qualifiers are a different story). 

Like Week 10, Week 11 saw — or didn’t see, depending on the meet — quad meets and senior night scoring galore, resulting in nearly 50 scores of 9.975 or better and dozens of shattered team and individual records. While scores across the board fell anywhere from “obviously impossible” to “absolutely correct” on the accuracy scale, more and more teams and gymnasts are starting to peak, making our job of finding a top six that much more difficult — exactly how it should be heading into the postseason. 

Teams

1. Oklahoma, 198.775
2. California, 198.500 and 197.925
3. LSU, 198.250
4. Kentucky 197.925
5. Utah, 198.300
6. Florida, 197.900

The Sooners continue to do the unthinkable, bouncing back from mid-lineup falls on bars and beam by putting up another program-record score to increase their already record-breaking NQS. This wasn’t just an Oklahoma record but the second-highest score in NCAA history. The team had been vocal about some members dealing with strep throat throughout the week, and if this is what it looks like not at full strength, we might as well crown it champion right now. The Sooners look unstoppable.

California ended its regular season with two tri-meets in three days — to replicate regionals — and put together a pair of performances that would easily send it through to a second-straight NCAA championships if matched in early April, especially since the Golden Bears host this season.

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Although the Tigers and Gators didn’t hit season or program-besting marks this weekend, they impressed with their depth as they showcased shuffled lineups while resting routines. And while we didn’t get to see Kentucky’s meet as there was no video (yes, it’s still a problem), its total indicates that it’s going to be a must-watch showdown between the Wildcats, Tigers, and Gators at the upcoming SEC championships. On paper, it’s set to be the most intriguing major conference championship meet of 2024.

After two strong away scores, the Red Rocks’ season-high at home is all the more convincing, as Utah is peaking at the right time and cannot be counted out of title races. An underdog win at the conference championship hosted just outside Salt Lake City could fuel this squad to another team final finish.

Honorable Mentions: Arkansas

After setting a new program-high score at Missouri two weeks ago, the Razorbacks upped the ante by breaking 198 for the first time in program history and jumping to No. 12 in the national standings. Backed by 9.975s from Hailey Klein on vault, Reese Drotar on bars, and Maddie Jones on floor, Arkansas is looking like a good pick for nationals spoiler.

Other Scores of 198-plus: 

• UCLA, 198.550
• Alabama, 198.025

All-Around

1. Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma, 39.850
2. eMjae Frazier, California 39.725 and 39.600
3. Mya Lauzon, California, 39.725 and 39.525
4. Raena Worley Kentucky, 39.650
5. Jessica Hutchinson, Denver, 39.825
6. Selena Harris, UCLA, 39.900

Don’t panic! Both Bryant and Wong rested this week, meaning their absences are only temporary as they gear up for runs at both team and individual hardware throughout the postseason. That makes way at the top for Bowers, who has cemented herself as the top all-arounder on the nation’s top team. That’s no easy feat, as the Sooners are beyond deep on every event and every lineup spot is earned — not guaranteed.

Lauzon and Frazier continue to be the backbone of the Golden Bears, as the team’s success generally revolves around their ability to score huge totals. That hasn’t been an issue of late, as the dynamic duo continues to hit every routine at an extremely high level (even when competing twice in three days).

Lack of any video leaves question marks about Worley’s performance over the weekend, but judging by her scores, landings got the best of her on vault and bars before dialing in on beam and floor. That’s the recipe Hutchinson used in tying her career-best all-around mark from earlier this season — this time on the road against a top-10 Michigan squad.

The highest total of the weekend went to Harris, who snagged a duo of 10s on vault and bars, lifting the Bruins to a season-best 198.550 and keeping them in the hunt for a conference title this week with another star showing.

Honorable Mentions: Grace McCallum, Utah

McCallum has been in and out of the all-around this year after being limited due to injury in 2023, but she seems to be back at full strength after this weekend’s 39.825. It was just her fourth time competing all four events this year and her first time vaulting in back-to-back weeks. Most notably, however, is that she vaulted her 10.0 Yurchenko half-on tuck half for the first time since 2022.

Other Scores of 39.7-plus: 

• Luisa Blanco, Alabama, 39.750
• Sierra Brooks, Michigan, 39.700
• Katherine LeVasseur, Oklahoma, 39.700
• Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Washington, 39.700

Vault

1. Haleigh Bryant, LSU, 9.925
2. Katherine LeVasseur, Oklahoma, 9.900
3. Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma, 9.925
4. Selena Harris, UCLA, 10.000
5. Mya Lauzon, California, 9.925 and 9.925
6. Makenzie Wilson, Kentucky, 9.900

As predicted, we’ve seen a shift in the vault power rankings. Many of the front handspring pike halves have exited — with Bryant being the exception — making way for Yurchenko one and a halves, as early season stalwarts Makenzie Wilson and Sage Kellerman have been grappling with inconsistent landings. Not only do the judges have hops and steps to take deductions on, they also the low chest positions that have been the prevailing issue in recent weeks.

Leading the Yurchenko trend are the Sooners, with Bowers taking top score in the lineup this week. LeVasseur’s score is justifiable given the hop forward, but — like Bryant’s — her technique is so impeccable that the landing is the only possible deduction. It’s a shame the scores don’t reflect that.

Hoppy landings have also prevented Lauzon from putting up huge numbers on vault, but her form and amplitude make it one of the most consistent Yurchenko one and a halves. Likewise with Harris, who reached 10.0 for the third time this season after gluing her feet to the mat on her landing. She’s had to squat considerably on a few of her sticks — including this weekend’s — meaning she’s playing the game and flirting dangerously close to underrotating and suffering a fall.

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Honorable Mentions: Olivia Zsarmani, Michigan State

The Spartan sophomore is trending in the right direction heading into championship season, sticking her Yurchenko one and a half with exemplary form for a career-best 9.975. She’s been steadily building her scores from a 9.825 last month, and this 10.0 start value will play a critical role in Michigan State’s nationals hopes.

Other Scores of 9.975-plus: 

• Hailey Klein, Arkansas, 9.975
• Molly Arnold, Clemson, 9.975
• Kyen Mayhew, California, 9.975

Bars

1. Leanne Wong, Florida, 9.975
2. Audrey Davis, Oklahoma, 9.925
3. Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma, 9.975
4. Haleigh Bryant, LSU, 9.975
5. Jade Carey, Oregon State, 9.950
6. Madelyn Williams, California, 9.975 and 9.850

As mentioned, it was a rest week for Wong, but she made the most of her one event. This is her third 9.975 in as many weeks, besting the marks of dynamic duo Davis and Bowers, who helped get the Oklahoma six up to a stratospheric 49.800 for the second time this season.

Bryant wasn’t able to follow up her 10 from last week with a matching mark but continues to be the stabilizing anchor of a Tigers bar lineup that has seen a bit of shuffling over the last few weeks as they test new faces before championships.

Carey has been the face of a bars revolution in her time as a Beaver, as the team has jumped from No. 48 nationally in 2022 to its current residence in the top six. Delivering a 9.950 or better in the anchor spot nearly every week, Carey has helped Oregon State transform its worst event into its best. 

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A funky landing lowered Williams’ Sunday score, but she was nearly flawless, per usual, in the Golden Bears’ Friday quad meet. The landing of her double layout is the only place she ever leaves room for deduction, as her Maloney to Pak salto combination is identical every week.

Honorable Mentions: Selena Harris, UCLA

Following up her vault 10 with a bars 10 is legendary behavior, as doing your best to mimic Haleigh Bryant — who did the same last week — is always a good thing. Although the dismount wasn’t her best, we’re glad Harris was finally rewarded for having some of the crispest handstands and pirouettes in the NCAA.

Other Scores of 9.975-plus: 

• Luisa Blanco, Alabama, 9.975
• Reese Drotar, Arkansas, 9.975
• Andi Li, California, 9.975
• eMjae Frazier, California, 9.975
• Gabby Perea, California, 9.975
• Ragan Smith, Oklahoma, 9.975
• Isabella Minervini, Towson, 9.975
• Grace McCallum, Utah, 9.975

Beam

1. Abby Paulson, Utah, 10.000
2. Faith Torrez, Oklahoma, 9.975
3. Maile O’Keefe, Utah, 9.900
4. Ragan Smith, Oklahoma, 9.950
5. Mya Lauzon, California, 9.925 and 9.900
6. Sienna Schreiber, Missouri, 9.900

Usually known for setting up their anchoring teammates for huge scores, the set-ups shined this week, as Torrez was near-perfect for the Sooners and Paulson hit perfection on senior night for the first time since her freshman year as a Ute.

Lauzon continues to hit regardless of circumstance, turning in a pair of 9.900s this weekend — the first in a no-pressure situation and the other after an early lineup fall. She continues to be the stabilizing force for the Golden Bears in both presence and consistent scoring.

Also coming in clutch this weekend was Schreiber, delivering a key 9.900 after the first half of the lineup failed to reach 9.800 and enabling the Tigers to post a season-high 197.600. Her composure on the road in an upset-minded quad meet against Illinois is just what Missouri needs to make a postseason run.

Honorable Mentions: Luisa Blanco, Alabama

Before blossoming into an all-around star, Blanco was known as a beamer. That skill was on full display in her 9.975 to tie Torrez in a head-to-head battle this weekend. She’s obviously great on all four events, but beam is where Blanco’s exquisite toe point, relevé, and finishing position on every skill truly shine.

Other Scores of 9.975-plus: 

• Gabby Perea, California, 9.975
• Jessica Hutchinson, Denver, 9.975
• Raena Worley, Kentucky, 9.975
• Konnor McClain, LSU, 9.975
• Emma Malabuyo, UCLA, 9.975

Floor

1. Mya Hooten, Minnesota, 10.000
2. Gabby Wilson, Michigan, 10.000
3. Jocelyn Moore, Missouri, 10.000
4. Creslyn Brose, Kentucky, 9.975
5. Raena Worley, Kentucky, 9.975
6. Chae Campbell, UCLA, 10.000

Hooten had one of the most memorable senior night performances of the entire weekend, switching her routine back to her iconic music and choreography from the 2022 season and earning a perfect 10. We’re not sure which routine she plans to compete this postseason, but that’s one way to mic drop in your final home meet.

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Not to be outdone, Wilson’s final outing in Ann Arbor also culminated in a 10.0, as she followed up fellow fifth-year and power-rankings contender Sierra Brooks’ 9.975. Similarly, UCLA’s Chae Campbell earned a perfect score — her first since 2022 — after teammate Margzetta Frazier set her up with a 9.975. This was Frazier’s first floor routine of the season and her final performance in Pauley. 

After three 9.975s in her career, Moore and her sky-high double layout became the first Missouri gymnast to ever notch the mark on the event, propelling the Tigers to a program best 49.700 on floor. That’s the type of total they’ll need to earn a second trip to the national championships in the last three years.

Brose continues to be one of the most underrated freshmen this season, as the rookie’s performances have been a key component in the Wildcats’ rise this season. After nearly hitting perfection yet again, she’s the latest name to add to 10-watch. We don’t know what the judges took on anchor Worley’s routine since there was no live stream, but it’s a testament to the quality of her floor work this season that a 9.950 is notably lower than what we’ve come to expect.

Honorable Mentions: Kiya Johnson, LSU, and Jordan Bowers, Oklahoma

Johnson is noted for her power, but we haven’t seen all that much of it on floor in the last few seasons due to unfortunate injuries. Despite that, she’s looking better than ever, as her giant full-in has warranted her back-to-back 9.975s and keeps another perfect routine within reach before she closes out her career.

Bowers snagged a second consecutive floor 10 but also suffered the awkward moment of week 11, as it was announced while the commentators — Olympic champions Aly Raisman and Bart Conner — analyzed the obvious landing error on her double pike. For what it’s worth, the routine was pretty darn flawless elsewhere.

Other Scores of 9.975-plus: 

• Maddie Jones, Arkansas, 9.975
• Kylie Eaquinto, BYU, 9.975
• Jessica Hutchinson, Denver, 9.975
• Kendall Whitman, George Washington, 9.975
• Dani Fuertez, Kent State, 9.975
• Ragan Smith, Oklahoma, 9.975
• Faith Torrez, Oklahoma, 9.975
• Grace McCallum, Utah, 9.975
• Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, Washington, 9.975
• Payton Murphy, Western Michigan, 9.975