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Wait, postseason is here?? Where did the time go?!

Unlike in years past, we are only covering the second session of SEC Championships, so let’s do a quick recap of Session 1 and then talk about what to expect tonight in Session 2.

With 9 teams in the SEC now, the coaches put the format to a vote and decided to simply exclude the ninth-place team from competition – the most bizarre decision possible, in my opinion, but that’s what happened. So Arkansas will be entirely missing from today’s competition. Session 1 featured No. 8 Kentucky, No. 10 Georgia, No. 12 Auburn, and No. 13 Alabama – really puts into perspective the parity in this conference! – but things did not go the way you’d expect with those initial rankings.

Kentucky had overall a pretty middling night, with just a 49.1-something on three of four events. They picked it up at the end on floor, but it was too little too late by that point. Skylar Killough-Wilhelm does sit in second in the all-around at the moment, and Isabella Magnelli and Creslyn Brose are currently tied for the beam and floor titles, respectively. SEC Championships counts both sessions together when considering titles, so that will almost certainly change after the second session, but hopefully their scores will have some staying power.

Sadly, Georgia, after having a pretty great season beam-wise, did Georgia things and melted down on beam in the second rotation, with a 48.825 rotation score. They also only went 49.0 on vault, and even on bars – their best event – they only went 49.2. Sophomore phenom Lily Smith is another currently tied for the floor title, so we’ll see how far she can get with that 9.925 after the Session 2 teams have their say.

Auburn had a passable first half, even notching the second-highest rotation total of any of the 16 rotation scores in the session in their 49.35 on floor, but on vault the wheels started to come off. Both vault and bars were sub-49.0, with a fall from Sara Hubbard and just two scores above 9.8 on vault, and falls from both Sophia Groth and Olivia Greaves on bars – forcing them to count a 9.3.

But Alabama? Somehow pulled out the best score of the night? I’m still reeling a little bit, but the Tide did have the closest thing to home field advantage, since the meet is taking place at a neutral arena in Birmingham, Ala. They didn’t do anything special, but they were consistent and didn’t count any misses. Gabby Gladieux currently leads the AA standings with a 39.5, a mark which should be relatively easy for any of the top AAers from the Session 2 teams to beat, but is certainly still respectable. Lilly Hudson leads the vault standings, Ryan Fuller the bars, and Gabby Ladanyi and Shania Adams are tied for the beam title at the moment.

AFTER SESSION 1: BAMA 197.1, UK 196.775, AUB AND UGA T-195.95

So as we approach Session 2, what does this mean?

Normally, we’d be ready to watch Florida and LSU duke it out for another year of battlin’ swamps. However. Conference consolidation is unfortunately a thing, and Oklahoma has entered the conversation. While not completely indestructible as they have been in the past, the Sooners have still been dominant this year and are ranked No. 1 on almost every event, vault being the only exception. Beam is also a bit of a question mark – the team has had some shaky moments that they’ve barely been able to cover and keep from counting a miss. Will tonight be a steady win for them for their first SEC Championships? Or a fight to the finish? They’ll start on vault, so if they get off to a good start… it might be over pretty quickly.

LSU is Florida’s classic adversary here, with strengths on vault and floor much the same as years past. The Tigers are weaker on beam, ranked No. 5, and like the Gators have had some overall down weeks throughout the season. They’ll start on bars, so a slow start won’t be the end of the world, but if floor doesn’t catapult them in front, they’ll probably fall short.

Missouri is certainly the underdog in this session – the fact that the Tigers are here instead of any of the Session 1 teams is the big accomplishment here for them. While it’s unlikely they’ll defeat any of the top three teams here, it’s not impossible… but beam and vault will be a significant challenge, especially considering the No. 1 teams in the country on both of those events are also in this session. If other teams falter, though, watch for a consistent Mizzou to slide in and take advantage. Crazier things have happened.

And of course, that brings us to dear sweet Florida. It’s been a bumpy ride this season, Gator fans, but we made it. The Gators are No. 2 on every event except floor, where they’re No. 4, and that’s where they’ll start their meet. Bars will also be a worry, but if they can get off to a good start and get through bars cleanly, fighting on beam while Oklahoma is on floor and LSU is on vault could mean it comes down to the wire.

It’s about to start RIGHT NOW on SEC Network, but if you’re busy watching other meets or have different plans tonight, we’ll have everything for you play by play right here! I’ll be prioritizing Florida routines, of course, but will bring you the best complete picture of the meet that I can. Live scores can be found here.

8:07pm: Rotation 1 let’s go!!

Pederson, OU VT: Y1.5, not great distance but pretty floaty. little hop.

Zeiss, LSU UB: Clean transitions from bar to bar. Half in half out dismount, little step on the landing.

Mueller, Mizzou BB: Series is steady to start. Big bobble on her dance sequence but stays on. Roundoff 1.5 dismount, stuck!

Nguyen, UF FX: Front double full to sissone, one of her good ones, maybe some knees in her twist? 1.5 to front lay, great control into the arabesque. Y turn is lovely – a great start for the Gators!!

Torrez, VT: Y1.5, again not much distance but pretty clean in the air, sizable hop forward.

Cowan, UB: Struggled a little with first handstand it looked like? Ray to overshoot, good amplitude, pretty clean legs. DLO is excellent and stuck!

Wier, BB: Dance series is strong. Cartwheel to gainer full is stuck! I didn’t see the acro series but I assume a hit.

Disidore, FX: I like this 2 slot for her a lot better. Rudi to stag, hit the sting mat on an angle and flew kinda wild in the air but found her feet as she landed. Dance series is excellent, gorgeous straddle positions. 1.5 to front lay, much better than last week. Not the best routine but staying consistent and even keeled, we’ll take it.

Wells, VT: Y1.5, MUCH better dynamics than her previous teammates. Little stutter hop forward.

Chio, UB: Some leg sep on the Maloney, bail is fine if a little floppy. Blind change is great. Markelov!! That’s so fun. Sticks her full in dismount cold – that’s a heck of a bar routine.

Celestine, BB: Bhs to side aerial, little check there. Front toss was great. Dance series is quick and clean positions in the air. Sticks her dismount with a big scream of excitement!!

Clark, FX: DLO, controls it much better than I expected, SO glad she figured that out recently. Dance series is fantastic. Front through to double tuck, little lean but does not move that foot. Really strong!

Fatta, VT: Y1.5, great height and distance, single step forward.

Finnegan, UB: Piked Deltchev, INCREDIBLE. Bail is super clean. A little shy on final handstand? Full in dismount is stuck though!

Wong, FX: DLO, chest a little low? Not as good as last week. Straddle positions on her dance series are EXCELLENT. Whip half front full is basically stuck, straight into the arabesque. Should be another good one.

Guess we’re not seeing beam?

Mueller, VT: Y1.5, some leg sep but sticks it!

McClain, UB: Piked Tkachev is HUGE, fingertip catch, pak is super clean. Great final handstand, and holds it nicely. Full in dismount – single step back.

Kelly, BB: Series is clean. Side aerial is a little hesitant but doesn’t melt down. Wolf turn is slow but steady. Roundoff 1.5 twist is stuck!

Harris-Miranda, FX: Really great control on her opening pass. Great dance series, even well-timed with the music. 1.5 to front half to double stag, looked a little wild in there but pulled it out somehow!

Bowers, VT: Y1.5, big step forward, and little off to the right. Uncharacteristic for her.

Hu, BB: Get ready for greatness. Opening scale work is INCREDIBLE. Y turn is gorgeous. Front aerial to front aerial, we love a front tumbling series. Switch to split 3/4, impeccable positions in the air. Fantastic handstand split work toward the end. Gainer pike off the end – not a single flaw. Holy cow.

Bryant, UB: Jaeger is big, great amplitude. Bail is fine. Single step on the full in dismount.

Ferris, FX: Full in to open, little lean but didn’t look like she moved her front foot at all, that’s good. Great straddle positions in her dance series, precise landing positions, she’s really improved there. 1.5 to front lay, saved that – mistimed that punch again, I don’t love that that’s come back again, don’t want it to be a habit. Still should be a good score, but definitely some spots for growth.

AFTER ONE: LSU 49.6, OU 49.425, UF 49.375, MIZ 49.125

I don’t hate this. Feels like the Gators are in a good spot, especially after what has been a pretty inconsistent event for them this season. They need to absolutely NAIL vault and then just be normal the rest of the meet.

8:35pm: Rotation 2 time!

Pilgrim, UF VT: Y1.5 – this is a terrible angle but she maybe stuck?? Burde was standing in the way, ha.

Sievers had to recast it sounds like, so going to be the one OU needs to drop… uh oh.

Ballard, LSU BB: Series is SO steady. Front toss, very upright, straight on. Roundoff double full – stuck!! LSU dialed in tonight.

Tisler, Miz FX: Rudi is really clean to start, well controlled. Dance series is strong, good straddle positions. Nails her last pass – that’s a great start for Mizzou.

Nguyen, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward, very clean leg form.

Pederson, OU UB: Maloney, a little leg sep, pak is cleaner. Handstand on low bar is a little quick? Final one is better. DLO is stuck!

Coen, BB: Front aerial to beat jump, nice quick connection there. Bhs loso, super steady. Roundoff double full – stuck!

Horton, FX: Moonwalk to open, big drama moment, I love. Full in, WOW she gets CRAZY height!! Front through to double tuck – her tumbling is sooooo clean, the finish and the finesse, and her set on her back handspring is absolutely textbook.

Ferris, VT: Y1.5, sizable hop forward.

Fatta, UB: Piked Jaeger, big amplitude! Pak is super clean. DLO, little foot adjustment – a big one for OU.

Chio, BB: Back handspring mount, wow. Bhs loso, very steady. Switch to split, 180 positions are alright. Front aerial to split, very patient with that, good extension. Full turn is fine. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount – little hop forward, couldn’t quite save it. Still, a great routine.

Bui, VT: Y1.5, NICE. Just a little hop forward. Her best so far this season I think!

Torrez, UB: First handstand maybe a little shy? Piked Tkachev is clean. Pak – tries to go too big and barely catches it, has to recast and reset – that’s not what they needed…. DLO, little hop.

8:45pm: McClain, BB: Switch switch half to split, great extension, wow. Front aerial to bhs, perfection. Wolf jump, amazing, so textbook. Stuck gainer full – another great routine.

Celestine, FX: Full in, excellent height and control. She is performing the HECK out of this routine. Double tuck is also well controlled – I’m obsessed with this routine, honestly.

Wong, VT: Yhalf-on, pike half off – just a little slide.

Davis, UB: Gorgeous piked Jaeger, out of a dream. Pak is clean, low bar handstand is fabulous. Double front half out is stuck, that could be perfection.

Bryant, BB: Series is super solid. Some flexed feet in her dance series. Standing front tuck, dead on. Roundoff double full is stuck!

Griffin, FX: Double pike to open, kinda floated that, that was nice. 1.5 through to double tuck, great form on all elements through there. Really working this Beyonce moment. End of her dance series felt a little imprecise?

Harris-Miranda, VT: Y1.5, STUCK COLD! LIKE A DART INTO THE MAT!! IT’S A TEN LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO

Finnegan, BB: Bhs loso loso, like she’s on the floor! Switch to switch half, gorgeous. Sticks her dismount! LSU contingent going wild for her – they are really killing it out here… LSU could be running away with this.

Bowers, UB: Blind change is clean, Jaeger is clean. Pak is patient, good for her. Final handstand is good. Full in dismount – little step on her landing.

Moore, FX: DLO to open, chest maybe a little low? Really playing it up to the crowd, milking these moments in the choreo. Such presence. Front through to double tuck to close – yeah there’s a reason she’s the anchor!

AT THE HALF: LSU 99.05, OU 98.975, UF 98.875, MIZ 98.725

I’m a little annoyed at how loosely Oklahoma was scored that rotation, considering TWO Sooners caught their paks too far and had to recast on the low bar… and yet still somehow they ended up extending their lead ahead of the Gators.

We’re getting some Trinity Thomas commentary at “halftime” – love this!

9:04pm: Rotation 3 starts now!

Griffin, MIZ VT: FTY, little hop on the landing.

Pilgrim, UF UB: Pak is clean, van Leeuwen a little labored? Full in dismount, little adjustment on the landing.

Davis, OU BB: Bhs loso, light and clean. Front aerial to scale choreo, that’s fun. Dance series is gorgeous. Double full dismount is stuck!

Coen, LSU FX: Front double full, a little crossed legs in her twisting form but overall good control. Front full front lay, much cleaner. A little labored on the last element of her triple dance series, but an okay leadoff.

Kelly, VT: FTY, big scoot back. Nice clean form in the air though.

Blakely Jr., UB: Ricna, to pak, gorgeous. Low bar handstand is clean. Over on her high bar handstand work. Double front half out – can’t see her feet because Owen is in the way but it looked like a stick from the reactions??

Fatta, BB: Bhs loso, very steady. Side aerial is clean. Hitchkick to switch side, that’s old school, like that. Sticks her gainer full off the side.

Ballard, FX: DLO is very crunchy, ooh ow. That’s gotta sting. Second pass is much better. Switch ring to switch half is super clean to close it out – not her usual.

Tisler, VT: FTY, a little squatty but didn’t move her feet!!

Wong, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean. Great low bar handstand, very patient with it. van Leeuwen, nice. DLO stuck cold! Such a satisfying noise, that stick.

Pederson, BB: Bhs loso, little lean but keeps her feet on the beam. Hitchkick to switch side, nice. Side somi, very squatty, ugh. Roundoff double full, looked like a small adjustment on the landing.

Chio, FX: Full in, very open body position but chest maybe a little low? Dance series looks pretty clean, although the ring position isn’t the most exaggerated. 1.5 to punch front, very clean. Still don’t really get her ending position but it is what it is.

Horton, VT: Biiiiig Y1.5, but big hop too.

Harris-Miranda, UB: Big Ray! Great handstand work, bail is solid, maybe a little floppy but that’s me being picky. Gorgeous final handstand. DLO stuck!

Bowers, BB: Bhs loso, very clean, super solid. Split leap to switch half, gorgeous extension. Double full dismount, little hop.

Drayton, FX: HUGE DLO, great control. Dance series is crisp and clean, great toe point. Front through to double tuck, just textbook. I want her to get more in the choreo department next year – she can handle it.

Moore, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward but sooo good in the air.

Arana, UB: Maloney to pak, pretty clean. Great final handstand. DLO stuck! Another strong routine for the Gators.

Siegfeldt, BB: Bhs loso – she falls! Oh boy! OU opening the door big time for the Gators.

Finnegan, FX: Double arabian to stag – so tightly tucked, soooo clean. Dance series is lovely, switch ring to switch half. 2.5 to punch front, so much room left on the diagonal, great twisting form. LSU really pushing to close it out here.

Celestine, VT: Y1.5, great dynamics but little hop forward.

McCusker, UB: Love to see her back in the lineup! Maloney to pak, clean. van Leeuwen, hit it this week! Stalder to double tuck, stuck!!! Big hugs for AHC Owen Field afterward, so happy to see her recover.

Torrez, BB: Bhs loso, little lean and check but keeps it small. Switch to straddle, some feet but good 180 positions. Bhs gainer full is stuck!

Bryant, FX: Double front to open, always incredible. Front lay to Rudi, very clean this week. I didn’t see her dance elements, I was too busy looking at RILEY MCUSKER’S 10.0?????

AFTER THREE: UF 148.725, LSU 148.675, OU 148.45, MIZ 147.825

I…. I don’t understand what just happened? 10.0s for Wong AND McCusker??? After bars has been our most inconsistent event all season?? I am thrilled for both of them and to be in the lead but I’m so confused as to how this is where we are now.

Harris-Miranda, Wong, and McCusker individual SEC titles?? I’m already sobbing.

9:32pm: Last one best one, let’s go!

Johnson, LSU VT: FTY, just a little bounce in place, exactly how they want to start.

Draser, UF BB: Deeeeeep breath. Bhs loso, very solid. Switch to switch half, clean. Full turn is fine. Roundoff 1.5 stuck!!! That’s our leadoff!!

Burns, MIZ UB: Jaeger to overshoot, clean. Full in is stuck! A good way to start!

Davis, OU FX: Front double full, a little skiddy on the landing. Dance series looks clean. 1.5 to front full looks better controlled. Can’t stand this choreo she finishes with though, wow.

Zeiss, VT: Y1.5, little step on the landing, I thought she was going to stick, dang.

Pilgrim, BB: Bhs loso, stays patient with it, bobbles small and takes a breath. Front aerial, clean. Switch to split leap, great extension. Bhs gainer full off the side, stuck! Shows it off for an extra moment – finished strong.

Horton, UB: Shaposh to pak, great amplitude on both. Little hop on the dismount.

Sievers, FX: Double pike to open, a little flat but good control. Front through to double tuck, short, has to take a hop forward. Good straddle positions in her dance series. And now another cringey choreography section… I can’t stand what Oklahoma choreography has become. It used to be some of my favorite in the nation.

Finnegan, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward.

Nguyen, BB: Onodi to bhs, super clean, very controlled. Switch leap to split jump, great 180 positions there. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount, little hop.

Moore, UB: Tkachev is HUGE. Overshoot is alright, some leg form. Stuck dismount though!

Drayton, VT: Y1.5, big hop forward, opened really early, maybe too early.

Mueller, FX: Front through to double tuck, has to step forward because she’s short. Front lay to Rudi, very wild and crooked in the air. Dance series is lovely.

Wong, BB: Broke her leap connection?? Bizarre. Front aerial to split jump… did I miss an element here? Bhs loso, fine. Full turn, okay. Switch ring, not a great ring position. Gainer tuck full off the end – think they’ll want to drop this one.

Kelly, UB: Overall clean releases. Stalder to double tuck dismount, has to take a step on the landing.

9:45pm: Chio, VT: Y1.5, just a little hop forward, but WOW her line is so clean in the air.

Fatta, FX: Front double full to stag, a little labored in that jump connection. Front through to… something? Was supposed to be a 2.5 but only did a double and then turned on the landing. Triple element dance series, much cleaner.

Celestine, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean leg form, if a little whippy. van Leeuwen is clean. Toe-on pike half dismount – little stutter steps on the landing.

Harris-Miranda, BB: Need a big one here. Bhs loso bhs, very clean. Switch to straddle 1/4, clean. Bhs 1.5 – little slide back.

Bowers, FX: First pass is a hit. Double pike is strong. Really precise in her dance series, flexed feet on the second two elements but I’m being picky.

Bryant, VT: Handspring pike half, super floaty, small slide on the landing.

Arana, BB: She needs the routine of her LIFE. Bhs loso, keeping that front foot down. Front aerial, little lean. Dance sequence is lovely. Bhs gainer full off the side – little adjustment. It’s out of reach now mathematically though… wow. What a rollercoaster.

Torrez, FX: DLO to open is stellar. Gorgeous leap series. Front tuck through to double tuck, also strong. I think OU may take second.

Titarsolej, UB: Another perfect 10.0!!! Thrilled for her.

And Torrez also gets one… yeah we’ve lost the plot. No reason we should have this many tens, honestly. Commentator Sam Peszek said, “While we’re at it, we should just rejudge the meet!” I agree! Ha. What a mess.

Anyway, glad it wasn’t the Sooners. Congrats to LSU! And well fought to the Gators.

FINAL: LSU 198.2, OU 197.925, UF 197.825, MIZ 197.4

Harris-Miranda will own the vault title solely! Wong, McCusker, and Titarsolej tie for the bars title. Hu, Bryant, Finnegan, and Torrez tie for the beam title at 9.925. And Torrez alone will own the floor title with her own 10.0.

Bryant, after not competing AA for much of the season, wins the individual all-around with a 39.725, with teammate Finnegan and then Harris-Miranda getting second at 39.675.

What a ride, y’all… we’ll find out on Monday where the Gators are headed for Regionals, and then we can talk about their chances at the road to the title.

For now, we’ll sign off and call it a night. Thanks for being here!