If I had to make one prediction about the gymnastics meets listed below, it would be that scores will go up this weekend. So far Alabama has been the only team to break 197. It seems doubtful that will be the case come Monday.
Here's what already happened this week:
Jan. 27:
Alaska vs. Air Force @ Air Force: Air Force 185.35, Alaska 184.8. Air Force may have won the meet, but Alaska still had something to show in its narrow loss: junior Leah Wilson won the all-around (37.9), balance beam (9.575) and shared the bars title with teammate Kristy Boswell (9.45). Air Force's Brittany Dutton won vault (9.65), while teammate Jenna Dudley took the floor title (9.725). (NMNAthletics.com)
Rutgers vs. Temple @ Rutgers: Rutgers 188.55, Temple 187.775. Temple's Kaity Watson won the all-around (37.825) and vault (9.75), while Rutgers freshman Jenna Zito won uneven bars (9.5). Temple's Kathryn Ho won balance beam (9.7) and Rutgers's Kia Banfield was the top gymnast on floor (9.7). (OwlSports.com)
Here's what's happening in NCAA women's gymnastics this weekend:
Jan. 29:
George Washington vs. Kent State @ Kent State
Sacramento State vs. Cal State Fullerton and Southern Utah @ Sacramento State
Boise State vs. Utah State @ Utah State
Arizona vs. Cal @ Arizona
Michigan vs. Iowa State and BYU @ Iowa State
Oregon State vs. Stanford and Seattle Pacific @ Oregon State
Auburn vs. Georgia @ Auburn
Arkansas vs. Kentucky @ Arkansas
LSU vs. Florida @ Florida
Utah vs. Washington @ Washington
Jan. 30:
North Carolina State vs. Oklahoma, Alaska and Texas Women's @ Metroplex Challenge
Rutgers vs. Maryland, Denver and West Virginia @ Maryland
William & Mary vs. Towson @ Towson
Nebraska vs. Missouri @ Nebraska
San Jose State vs. Southern Utah @ San Jose State
Illinois vs. Iowa @ Iowa
Ohio State vs. Michigan State @ Michigan State
Pittsburgh vs. New Hampshire @ New Hampshire
Yale vs. Penn @ Yale
Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan @ Eastern Michigan
Penn State vs. Alabama and Minnesota @ Penn State
Air Force vs. UC Davis @ Air Force
UIC vs. Southeast Missouri State @ Southeast Missouri State
Jan. 31:
Northern Illinois vs. Ball State @ Northern Illinois
Arizona State vs. UCLA @ UCLA
Brockport State vs. Southern Connecticut, Wilson, West Chester and MIT @ Brockport
Winona State vs. Illinois State and Wisconsin-Oshkosh @ Illinois State
Bowling Green State vs. Western Michigan @ Western Michigan
Can't miss meets of the week: Oregon State vs. Stanford (and Division II Seattle Pacific) @ Oregon State, and LSU vs. Florida @ Florida. The Oregon State Beavers have been a top 10 team for the past several years, yet for whatever reason are never really talked about as Super Six contenders or title contenders. But this year's OSU gymnasts are particularly good. Look out for senior Mandi Rodriguez, freshman Makayla Stambaugh and Canadians Leslie Mak (she's capable of a Bhardwaj on bars!) and Laura-Ann Chong.
LSU has had a rough start to its season, but has a huge diamond in senior Susan Jackson, currently ranked no. 1 in the nation in the all-around. Jackson is having the season of her life, but the Tigers have yet to put it together as a team, despite having a talented lineup that includes Kayla Rogers and 2008 Olympian Ericka Garcia of Mexico. Florida, however, presents them with an interesting challenge -- the Gators are another team with a breakout star (freshman Ashanée Dickerson) that has yet to do everything its capable of.
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer.
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