The top two teams in the Big 12 face off for the second time in less than a week, this time in a dual format that should have fans talking.
Oklahoma took first at the Denver quad after an impressive balance beam rotation. Jordan Bowers was named the conference Gymnast of the Week and Hannah Scheible won her second straight Specialist of the Week award and remains No. 1 in the conference on vault. Oklahoma is at home for the first time this season, so I’ll be curious to see if nerves come into play being in front of the home crowd for the first time. The floor lineup could also be shuffled around with Danae Fletcher’s season-ending injury. Look to see if Soraya Hawthorne keeps that spot or if another athlete gets an opportunity.
The Pioneers started strong at their home quad, but a low balance beam rotation landed them in second place. Denver has its own freshman phenom in Madison Ulrich, who is currently averaging above 9.800 on all four events. Rosie Casali stuck a Yurchenko one-and-a-half for a 9.950, tying for first with three Sooners. If the landings are there,, anyone could take home the victory. Look specifically for how the Pioneers end the meet on beam; counting three scores in the 9.700 range is not something they want to repeat on the Sooners’…
