Hello everyone, and welcome to Gymnastics Insider!
NCAA regionals came to an end this past weekend, and we’ve whittled down our teams to eight: Florida, Georgia, LSU, Stanford, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Minnesota and UCLA (here’s your updated bracket).
They will compete in two semifinal sessions on Thursday, April 16, in Fort Worth, and the top four teams will compete for the big trophy on Saturday, April 18, at 4 p.m. ET. For reasons unclear, it’s all happening atop a faceless horse:
We had a few surprises at regionals, mainly that Utah ended its 49-year nationals streak, Minnesota elbowed its way into nationals, and Alabama was left behind. Here’s how it went down:
Florida (198.050) and Georgia (197.750) did what they do in the Tempe final, taking the top two spots there in accordance with prophecy. LSU (197.825) and Stanford (197.2250) progressed in Baton Rouge, despite a strong effort from Clemson (197.1500).
Kailin Chio’s 10 streak continues, with one on vault. Kaliya Lincoln, meanwhile, snagged her first-ever 10 on floor:
Konnor McClain unfortunately had a bad fall on bars, and her status is unclear. Jay Clark told the media that she tweaked a pre-existing arm injury.
Oklahoma (198.350) sailed through in Lexington, with a 10 on beam from Faith Torrez. Arkansas (197.450) edged ahead of Missouri (197.2250) in a nail-biter of a meet for the closely matched teams.
NCAA saved the best for last, though, bringing on the drama at the Corvallis final. Alabama (197.1750) underperformed, and Utah (197.5000) lost out by just over a tenth. In the end, Minnesota (197.625) and UCLA (197.725) made it through.
My prediction? I’m still giving the win to Florida. After that, it’s back to studying, ladies!
Full standings and schedule at Road to Nationals. If you want in-depth coverage of each and every routine, I highly recommend you head over to The Balance Beam Situation.
Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women’s Sports Daily
We are excited to announce the launch of TWO new podcasts for all the women’s sports fans out there looking for a daily dose of women’s sports news and analysis. Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts, and make sure to subscribe!
More NCAA news
- The NCAA might limit athlete eligibility to five years from their 19th birthday or high school graduation, whichever comes first. There would be no redshirts and few exceptions.
- Now that most teams’ seasons have come to an end, we’re getting some coaching shakeups. Auburn broke up with Jeff Graba, and Nebraska’s coach has also been let go. Same with BYU.
- The transfer portal is also lit up. Notably, Molly Brinkman is leaving LSU.
Elite news
Tickets for LA2028 are wicked expensive and/or sold out. This is what happens when you try to leave the house, people.
Cairo World Cup
As expected, Kaylia Nemour was the star of this show. She took the bars gold (14.033), and beam gold with a 14.266, followed by China’s Ke Qinqin (13.166) and Qiu Qiyuan (12.933).
Nemour fell on bars in the final, but, hilariously, the IG account cut that part out; nothing to see here. Her quals performance was more of what we’re used to — 15.266 (6.9 D) despite a major wobble:
Ke also had a strong showing on floor, taking the title there with a 12.966. She opened with a beautiful triple twist:
Laia Font of Spain won gold on vault with a 13.533. Hillary Heron of Panama opened her floor routine with a Biles; she earned a silver there and on vault.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the photos that were chosen to celebrate these accomplishments on social media. Everyone has been taken hostage and forced to look sad with their proof of life (the medals).
Aaaaand the website is already gone.
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
Apr 9-12 Osijek World Cup
Roster | Website | Instagram | Live scores
Osijek is now the final world cup of the season. Elena Colas will be there following her strong showing at Jesolo. She will be joined by Manila Esposito, Ruby Evans, Tisha Volleman, Teja Belak, and Pauline Schaefer-Betz.
Vault and bars qualifications are complete; notably, Yang Fanyuwei of China leads on bars with a 14.900 (6.6 D). Elena Colas is in second with a 14.400:
Vault and bars finals are today, and beam and floor finals will be held tomorrow.
Kaylia Nemour has secured the bars and beam titles for the season, and it looks like she’s sitting this one out.
Five at the IX
Jordyn Wieber, Frankie Price, and Morgan Price talked to the media following their regional final success, with a cameo from little Gigi Brooks.
Mondays: Soccer
By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tuesdays: Tennis
By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Wednesdays: Basketball
By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Thursdays: Golf
By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Fridays: Hockey
By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Saturdays: Gymnastics
By: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer
