Every week, Gymnastics Now will share our “Energy Rankings“ for the highest 10 girls’s groups, offering perception into why sure groups are trending up and others trending down.
These rankings are purely subjective. A (+) or (-) subsequent to every workforce will signify how far the workforce rose or fell in comparison with the earlier week.
1. Oklahoma (-)
Did you actually suppose this was going to vary? OU has remained No. 1 within the nationwide rankings all season lengthy and this final week isn’t any completely different. They’re within the 198 membership throughout the board – NQS and common. To not point out they scored a large 198.775 at residence with Jordan Bowers turning into the primary Sooner to earn back-to-back good 10s on ground and Head Coach Okay.J. Kindler incomes her five hundredth win for the Sooners.
2. Cal (-)
Remaining within the No. 2 spot persistently in each nationwide rankings and our energy rankings is one thing to speak about. Cal deserves this spot. Very similar to OU, they’ve turned on that consistency almost each week with highly effective performances and massive scores. Within the final week earlier than postseason competitors, the Bears had two meets in three days (so necessary for postseason prep), and turned in a 198.500 and 197.925; sure, there’s a niche there, however at this level, the 2 ranges of Cal gymnastics are distinctive and out of this world.
3. Florida (-)
After a slower begin to the season than a few of the different high groups, the Florida Gators are clearly hitting their stride on the proper time. Sure, they’ve solely hit 198+ twice, however their “decrease” scores are persistently within the excessive 197s. They’ve additionally surpassed the 198 mark in a real highway surroundings, which is why now we have them presently ranked over…
4. LSU (-)
In all equity to the clearly excellent Tigers, they’ve put up three straight scores of 198+, together with a 198.425 in an away meet, however that away meet was the P&G… in Baton Rouge… completely different venue, similar residence workforce. For now, we’re continuing with warning and maintaining the Tigers at No. 4 in our energy rankings. The following true highway check for LSU will come on the NCAA Regionals in April, as a result of the SEC championship is correct down the highway in New Orleans.
5. Utah (+1)
Utah earned their second 198 of the season and senior Abby Paulson earned an ideal 10 on beam with a stunning routine which was tear-jerking. This workforce is able to huge scores, little doubt, however they nonetheless haven’t hit 198 on the highway. Is Utah an underdog for 4 on the Flooring at this level? We predict sure. (However who doesn’t love a very good underdog.)
6. Alabama (+3)
ALABAMA! Whew, within the final two weeks they’ve shaken issues up, scoring two back-to-back 198s, together with one on the highway in opposition to the baddest of all of them: Oklahoma. Can we nonetheless have to see some persistently increased scores? Sure, however with that being stated, in the event that they maintain this upward second rolling into the postseason, they’ll be a workforce to look at. (A possible spoiler to one of many above groups, maybe?)
7. Kentucky (-2)
The Kentucky Wildcats will be the wild card within the postseason. Sure, they’ve solely hit 198 as soon as this season, however they’ve been capable of dangle with one of the best ranked groups within the nation all season lengthy. Additionally, their final two scores following their 198 haven’t dropped under a 197.800, so we’re speaking about cleansing up landings and making these minor changes to launch up the leaderboard.
8. Denver (beforehand unranked)
The Pioneers are a sneaky workforce that we predict could have the chops to make it into the ultimate eight. When it comes to stats, they’ve the identical quantity of 198s because the Utah Utes and yet one more than the Wildcats (two). Nevertheless, by way of consistency, they’ve been a bit in every single place till the final three meets. A constructive: two of these three meets have been away. A destructive: they really want to stay constant and maintain within the excessive 197s with a purpose to be a contender for the semifinals.
9. Michigan State (-2)
We’re calling it now: Michigan State is a darkish horse this postseason. For what, you ask? All the things. To play spoiler to different high groups, to make it to the semifinals, to make it to the 4 on the Flooring! This workforce is able to huge issues, so we’re to see if they will lastly snag a Huge Ten championship title after profitable the common season title outright.
10. Michigan (-2)
The opposite Mitten State workforce has made it into our closing energy rankings. Now pay attention, when you requested us Week 1 if we might predict this, we might have pleaded the fifth (that 195 gave us a soar scare). Whereas the workforce hasn’t reached a 198 this season, they’ve remained constant and constructed up their particular person scoring. Gymnasts we anticipate to see representing the Huge Blue at nationals embrace fifth 12 months Sierra Brooks and her teammate Gabby Wilson, who simply scored an ideal 10 on the ground.