Last weekend, there was a lot of fun and exciting meets! We now know the NCAA Championship qualifiers, and there were some fun, tight races to get there! I've broken down the meets and what each qualifier should do in the next two weeks.
Ann Arbor Regional
Qualifiers
Auburn University
Stanford University
This was quite possibly the most exciting regional! Between Michigan falling apart on beam, and coming back and scoring a 49.675, scoring .05 lower than they needed to tie Stanford (they would've the tie breaker either way), and Eastern Michigan coming out stronger than they have in program history. It was so exciting, and Eastern Michigan was a stellar beam rotation away from Nationals. It is important to note that this was EMU's first trip to Nationals ever, and they should have a fun few years ahead of them. Stanford and Auburn looked okay, they did just as much as they needed to to make it to Nationals.
Looking ahead, Stanford and Auburn will need to have better days than they had today to make it to the Super Six. Auburn knows what they need to do, having made the Super Six a year ago, and Stanford has a storied history of turning it on when they need to and making it farther than people thought they would. Stanford's approach, which payed off today, is to do their job and watch other people make mistakes. However, I don't see either of these teams making Super Six.
Athens Regional
Qualifiers
LSU
University of Georgia
As I predicted last weekend, this was a cut and dry meet. The key for Georgia was starting on beam and hitting, which they've had their demons on earlier this year. If Georgia can keep the damage on beam to a minimum in Fort Worth, than they have a good shot in cracking into the top six teams in the country. They scored a respectable 196.85, but will have to do better in two weeks. Look to see if the Gymdawgs can have one fall or less on beam, it will be a big indicator of how their day will go.
LSU looked good, and ready to make amends for last year's semifinal disappointment. Much like Georgia, they've had some beam trouble this year, but are looking stronger than they have. If all goes according to plan, they should have no problem moving onto the final. However, the same was true last year, and they completely fell apart on beam. Look for the tigers to correct themselves this year, as I don't see them making the same mistakes twice.
Iowa City Regional
Qualifiers
University of Oklahoma
University of Nebraska
While I predicted these two team would be punching their tickets to Texas, I didn't expect it to be this big of a gap between Nebraska and Arkansas. It was really sad to watch the Hogs completely fall apart in the way that they did. Look for them to come back strong next year ready to make amends. Nebraska, who made the Super Six two years ago, does not look anything like that team, and are lucky they were sent to Iowa City, because if they went to a different regional, they would not have made it to Nationals.
Oklahoma looks more ready to win a National title than ever before. After coming so close in 2014- sharing the title with Florida- and this meet shows where they are at. They have some minor things to clean up before Texas, but are looking strong and are in perfect position to make a run for the title.
Minneapolis Regional
Qualifiers
University of Florida
University of Minnesota
This was a fun fight for the second qualifying spot, much like I expected it to be. Florida did not look as invincible as they have in the past, but should easily qualify to the Super Six. The Gators did not have a tight, clean meet, but hit all of their routines. It was a bit of a shock for them to receive the scores, but that's what happens when you move away from the SEC.
It was set up to be fun to watch Minnesota and Denver fight for the second spot, until Denver completely fell apart. It was heartbreaking to watch Denver lose it on the last two events, recording sub-par scores on bars and beam. It was fun to watch the emergence of Missouri, who have had a great season. Mizzou is a fun team to watch, and will be on an upswing over the next few year.s
Salt Lake City Regional
Qualifiers
University of Utah
UCLA
This meet was one of the more boring ones out there. Combine it with a clear cut winners from the beginning, the late start time, and lack of excitement, I will have to admit I fell asleep halfway through the meet. However, Utah looked strong, although scoring at the Huntsman Center is always a little suspicious.
UCLA did not look as strong as I expected them to, and I expected it to be a lot closer than it was. UCLA will need to be better and limit the damage when something is not going their way. If they continue on this pace, they will not make the Super Six, which would be devastating for a team of with that much talent. I hope in the next two week, UCLA will clean it up and rise to the occasion at Nationals. If they were at a different regional, they would not have made it to Nationals, and that's just sad.
Tuscaloosa Regional
Qualifiers
University of Alabama
University of California, Berkeley
Tuscaloosa was home to the most exciting regional. What was expected to be cut and dry, was very much not. You got the rare fourth place finisher was not very far off of qualifying a team to Nationals. Boise State had a great meet to finish off a record breaking season. Kentucky had a much better meet than people expected them to, and they finished off the meet with a really strong beam rotation. It was heartbreaking to watch both of these super talented teams come so close, but they both should be back even stronger next year.
Alabama looked very strong, but as they were on their home floor, it is understandable that they competed as well as they did. If they competed any worse it would be a disappointment. Cal, Berkeley on the other hand, competed as well as they have all season, and booked their first trip to Nationals in decades. They are now in a difficult position, as their star Toni-Ann Williams will not compete at Nationals as she will be competing at the Olympic Test Event. However, they have broken a lot of records this year. But even if they have the meet of their lives in the National Semifinal, I don't see them breaking into the Super Six just yet.
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