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  • MBB: Gators fall victim to Cinderella, come three points short of Sweet 16

    MBB: Gators fall victim to Cinderella, come three points short of Sweet 16

    Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images


    Tre Mann forced up a deep three, an Oral Roberts jersey seemingly on top of him, a desperate plea for more Florida basketball in the 2020-21 season. His prayer found rim, then rim again and the Gators were forced to watch the 15-seed Cinderella story turn them into a pumpkin.

    Florida’s season came to an abrupt end Sunday night, as the Gators punted away an 11-point lead in the closing ten minutes to fall to the Golden Eagles, 81-78, and came just one possession short of reaching the second weekend of March Madness.

    Both the Gators and the Golden Eagles were some of the best shooting teams in the country entering Sunday night’s game, and offense controlled the game early. In the opening minutes, Mann, Max Abmas, and Noah Locke made back-to-back-to-back threes in less than a minute, setting the tone for much of the first half.

    Abmas, the NCAA’s leading scorer with 24.4 points per game coming in, buoyed Oral Robert’s offense early. He scored 16 points in the opening half, attacking the Gators again and again from both inside and outside the arc, on his way to 26 points.

    The Gators led most of the opening half, however, behind efforts from Mann and Lewis. The two combined for 21 points, both touching double-digits before they even returned to the locker room with a trio of threes between them. The Gators gave the ball away proficiently, with five turnovers in the opening seven minutes, but their shooting seemed to render the point null.

    After a back-and-forth first half including more than 10 lead changes, the Gators scored eight of the final 10 points of the half to return to the locker room with a 37-42 lead, twenty minutes away from Mike White’s second trip to the Sweet 16.

    In what may be his final game in a Gator uniform, Mann caught fire to start the second half, putting on a cape and scoring eight points in the opening three minutes in a stretch that included two deep threes. His flurry highlighted a 12-7 run to open up Florida’s first double-digit lead of the night.

    Mann didn’t make another basket, a jumper with 17:14 to play serving as the last of his 19 points. He finished 0-5 from the floor.

    As Mann fizzled out, Florida continued to keep the Golden Eagles at arms length. Colin Castleton, who finished with 14 points including 10 in the second half, made three big layups and four free throws to keep the lead. The Gators led by 11 with as little as 9:30 to play.

    The Golden Eagles, desperate for their foot to fit Cinderella’s slipper, refused to go away. They did what they did best, they shot their way back into the game from the three-point line and the penalty stripe. They made ten threes and went 19/23 from the free throw line. They dominated the turnover margin, 20-12, and committed eight less fouls than the Gators, a carbon copy of their recipe to upsetting Ohio State on Friday.

    With 2:54 to play, Kevin Obanor, who led the comeback with a game-high 28 points, netted skyhook made it a 77-76 Golden Eagle lead. In under seven minutes, Florida’s lead completely disappeared, and the Gators’ carriage seemed to be turning back into a pumpkin in front of the country’s eyes.

    Florida shot 55% from the field for the game but went ice cold at the absolute worst time. Noah Locke made a jumper to regain the lead, but a DeShang Weaver three gave Oral Roberts the lead for good. In the final 2:30 of the game, the Gators missed all four of their field goal attempts, including a trio of threes.

    Oral Roberts entered the postseason ranked 330th in offensive rebounds allowed according to KenPom and Florida out-rebounded them 37-24 on Sunday. But in the final minutes, they pulled down boards like the best team in the country. The Golden Eagles came up with a huge defensive rebound with 17 seconds left, then refused to give the Gators a quick look at another open three to tie the game as the clock expired.

    A pro-Oral Roberts arena exploded as the Gators were left to stare up at the scoreboard, in shock they were not the final act of Oral Roberts’ movie, but rather the finale of their own. As the Gators came three points away from the second weekend, they leave Indianapolis knowing redemption may be a long time coming.

  • SB: Hightower Deals Complete-Game Shutout In Florida’s Run-Rule Victory Over Mississippi State

    SB: Hightower Deals Complete-Game Shutout In Florida’s Run-Rule Victory Over Mississippi State

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Following back-to-back wins to open its first SEC road series, No. 5 Florida run-ruled Mississippi State 8-0 Sunday afternoon in Starkville to complete the sweep.

    After blanking the Bulldogs Friday night, Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower hurled her second complete-game shutout of the weekend and earned her 10th win. The junior becomes just the sixth pitcher in the SEC to reach double-digit victories. The Gators’ strikeout leader (62) yielded a lot of unusual contact and struck out only one batter; Hightower forced five groundouts and nine fly outs while allowing just two hits and one walk.

    After hitting her first career home run against her former team Friday, Florida shortstop Kinsey Goelz took Mississippi State right-hander Annie Willis yard again in the top of the second inning. Goelz’s two-run shot gave Florida an early 2-0 advantage.

    In the top of the fourth, the Gators tacked on six more runs, granting them a mercy-rule lead. A trio of base hits loaded the bases before consecutive four-pitch walks put Florida on top 4-0. Designated player Jordan Matthews followed the walks up with a single that allowed two more runs to score.

    Freshman Katie Kistler pinch ran for Matthews and stole second to put runners in scoring position with one out for catcher Julia Cottrill. On a full count, Cottrill drove a two-run single up the middle, which effectively extended Florida’s commanding lead to run-rule territory.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 8 / 9 / 1

    Mississippi State: 0 / 2 / 3

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Hightower (10-0)

    Loss: Willis (7-2)

    Individual Stats (season totals)

    Hightower: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (0.71 ERA, 0.65 WHIP)

    Adams: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B (.425 BA)

    Lindaman: 1-3, 1 BB (.338 BA)

    Echols: 0-1, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB (.418 BA)

    A. Goelz: 0-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB (.279 BA)

    Matthews: 2-3, 1 RBI (.269 BA)

    Cottrill: 2-3, 2 RBI (.250 BA)

    Hoover: 0-2, 1 R, 1 HBP (.291 BA)

    K. Goelz: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (2) (.250 BA)

    Lindsey: 1-3, 1 R (.394 BA)

    Next Up

    The Gators will return the Sunshine State ahead of a non-conference tilt in Orlando Wednesday against UCF. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

  • LAX: Gators beat Owls in AAC opener

    LAX: Gators beat Owls in AAC opener

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com


    The No. 11 Gators won 15-9 against the No. 25 Temple Owls Friday. It was their first conference win this season, breaking their long 692-day streak without playing an AAC team. This victory makes for a 10-0-win streak against the Owls.

    The Gators played a cruel game and recovered from their 11-12 close loss against the Jacksonville Dolphins Mar. 13.

    Maggi hall opened the game with a quick over the shoulder shot two minutes into the period.

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    She snagged an assist shortly after from a goal by freshman midfielder Ashley Gonzalez and followed with another under the hand of senior midfielder Shannon Kavanagh in the second half. The freshman attacker now holds eight goals and 12 points.

    Kavanagh brought her A-game once again with the phenomenal five goals she put up and her fifth hat trick of the season. She’s only seven games short of breaking the record for consecutive games with a goal, currently held at 40 games by Shayna Pirreca.

    Senior Grace Haus broke the 100-goal milestone in a top-shelf free position goal and brought the team 3-1 against the Owls. She became the 13th Gator to reach the milestone. Haus ran it back with a second consecutive free position goal.

    Already up 4-1 twelve minutes into the game, the team sat on a two-minute man-down situation, and strategically planned from there. Florida got possession of the ball, and winded down the penalty clock. With ten seconds left on the shot clock, senior attacker Kassidy Bresnahan scored through traffic to give the Gators a four-point lead. Bresnahan holds six goals this season.

    As the game teetered on its end, the Gators persevered. Down by six goals, the Owls scored with 33 seconds left. The Gators combatted with a goal by Hannah Mardiney with a scant ten seconds left on the clock. It’s the first goal of the season for the junior attacker.

    Redshirt freshman Sarah Reznick strongly defended the net, as the goaltender put up 11 saves and eight just in the first period. Freshman goaltender Julia Hammerschlag replaced Reznick in the game’s final two minutes to get net time and did not disappoint. She let in an Owls goal with 33 seconds left but was stealthy in her attentiveness. The goaltending further rounds out the stacked Gators team.

    Florida rematches Temple on Sunday, Mar. 21 at 12 p.m. in Philadelphia. The game can be watched live on ESPN+

  • Gators Stay Red-Hot on Recruiting Trail, Land 2022 TE CJ Hawkins

    Gators Stay Red-Hot on Recruiting Trail, Land 2022 TE CJ Hawkins

    Photo via 247Sports

    Florida gained some momentum on the recruiting trail on Sunday afternoon. Berkeley Prep tight end, CJ Hawkins announced his commitment to the Gators after receiving an official offer on March 9th. The 6’7″ 220-pound athlete has been turning heads since his first season of high school football, last season, and is quickly climbing the ranks. In his lone season, Hawkins was an effective in-line blocker that could also line up wide, hauling in four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Before his leap to the gridiron, Hawkins was a well known recruit in basketball.

    Florida Tight Ends Coach, Tim Brewster has been the Tampa native’s primary recruiter, beating out 26 other teams in the process. Among that list were 7 SEC programs, including Alabama and Georgia. Brewster’s efforts were probably helped by the fact that Hawkins has family ties to the university, as it is his mother’s alma mater. At this time, 247Sports has not given the multi-sport athlete a ranking. However, that will change as they gain more tape on him.


    With the commitment, Florida earns their second verbal commitment in the last three days and increases their class total to five. For the moment, the Gators are heating up on the recruiting trail.

  • Staff Predictions: Florida vs Oral Roberts

    Staff Predictions: Florida vs Oral Roberts

    Photo by C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images

    Florida survived and advanced in the NCAA Tournament with a 75-70 win over Virginia Tech in the opening round. Meanwhile, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles pulled off the upset of the tournament knocking off No. 2 seed Ohio State.

    The following are our staff predictions for the Florida – Oral Roberts matchup.

    …

    Brian Fox:

    Well, the grumblings for Mike White to be fired were quieted for about 48 hours after the Gators defeated Virginia Tech and it got muted further when Oral Roberts upset Ohio State, guaranteeing that Florida would be the favorite heading into the Round of 32 matchup. Caesar’s Sportsbook has the Gators as an 8.5 point favorite. I’m not a fan of the spread, but Colin Castleton should be the difference maker down low for Florida. I’ll take the Gators (and Mike White) to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, 77-72.

    Ryan Haley:
    Not only was I the only dissenting opinion against the Gators last round, I was 0-2 when I said that whoever won would get bounced by Ohio State. My credibility, like my bracket, busted.
    Florida has to feel good about this matchup. The Golden Eagles are a shorter, poor rebounding team that does most of its damage on the perimeter. They live and die by the three, and they usually live (38.4% as a team), but they can’t exploit Florida’s lack of size inside, especially if Omar Payne remains absent. Both talent-wise and matchup-wise, advantage Gators. Give me the team with Tre Mann. Gators to the Sweet 16, 73-59.

    Jake Hitt:

    Alright, well. This is interesting. A lot of people had Ohio State moving into the Round of 32 to face the Florida-VA Tech and then some. Now the Golden Eagles of Oral Roberts are there. And, honestly, this matchup doesn’t leave me with confidence either. You know why? Because the Buckeyes had advantages too and Oral Roberts pulled it out despite not shooting too well. And sometimes this Gator team has the propensity to underperform after big wins. Not to mention Abmas and Obanor can carry the Golden Eagles (59 combined points against OSU). But the Gators can score too, only allow six threes a game on defense and I think they can do just enough to win. But don’t be surprised if it’s not easy or something worse than a tough game happens. Florida 78, Oral Roberts 70.

    …

    The Gators and Golden Eagles are scheduled for a 7:45 PM tip from Indianapolis and can be viewed live on TruTV.

  • BSB: Gators Sweep Texas A&M with 8-4 Win

    BSB: Gators Sweep Texas A&M with 8-4 Win

    Final: Florida 8, Texas A&M 4

    Photo by Kristen Oliff / ChompTalk.com

    The Florida Gators are 3-0 to open SEC play for the first time since 2016 after an 8-4 win over Texas A&M on Saturday.

    Backed by a powerhouse offense and strong efforts on the mound by Hunter Barco and Franco Aleman, the Gators improved to 16-5 overall on the season.

    How It Happened:

    Florida got on the scoreboard early after back to back singles to lead off the game put runners on first and third. A throwing error by TAMU starter Jonathan Childress allowed Jacob Young to score.

    The Gators added three more in the third on a Kirby McMullen homer to left center that increased the advantage to 4-0. In the fifth, Jud Fabian scored on a fielder’s choice by Jordan Butler.

    A&M got one back in the sixth on a single from Blaum.

    Florida, however, responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame on a Colby Halter double.

    After cruising through six innings, Barco ran out of steam in the seventh. He allowed the bases to be loaded and an RBI single to Bost before being pulled for Aleman. A passed ball allowed another run to score, but the Gators were able to get out of the jam with a 6-3 lead.

    Once again, the Gators proved resilient and struck for two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jud Fabian crushed a solo homer and Mac Guscette roped an RBI single to left center that scored Cory Acton.

    The Aggies scored on a sacrifice fly in the ninth, but it was too little, too late for Texas A&M.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Barco (3-1)
    • L: Childress (2-2)
    • S: Aleman (3)

    Individual Stats:

    • Fabian: 3-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
    • McMullen: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB
    • Hickey: 2-5, R
    • Barco: 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 9 K, 0 BB
    • Aleman: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB

    On Deck:

    The Gators will head to Columbia, SC next weekend for a three game series with the Gamecocks that opens Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.

    The Gamecocks are 11-7 on the season and were swept by Vanderbilt over the weekend. On Sunday, South Carolina was no-hit by Jack Leiter, who recorded 16 strikeouts in the no-no.

  • VB: Gators drop home finale to Kentucky

    VB: Gators drop home finale to Kentucky

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com


    The No.7 Florida Gators women’s volleyball team fell to the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats Saturday afternoon with a final score of 3-0. Florida’s four seniors were honored prior to the start of the match.

    After losing to Florida in a tough five-set battle and losing their 15 game win streak in Friday’s match, Kentucky came into Saturday’s game looking for redemption. The Wildcats did just that by issuing a complete sweep of the Gators and ending their 12 game win streak.

    How it happened

    Set 1: 25-20 Kentucky

    Similar to the previous match, Florida was able to gain an early advantage as they went up 7-4, but Kentucky wasted no time. The Wildcats were able to tie the Gators at 9-9. The two teams proceeded to demonstrate back-and-forth action at this point until Kentucky was able to outedge Florida. Once Kentucky was able to pull ahead of Florida, this forced a Florida timeout at the 17-14 mark. The Gators were able to stay closely behind the Wildcats until the last few points of the set. Once the two teams hit the 21-20 mark, Kentucky took off and never looked back. The Wildcats finished the set with a 4-0 run and cinched their first win of the day.

    Set 2: 25-18 Kentucky

    Kentucky came back into the game fighting. They quickly cinched a significant lead over Florida, going up six points with a score of 11-5. Florida did not let this go unanswered. The Gators put together a 5-0 run to reduce the Wildcat’s advantage to one point. However, Kentucky never let Florida catch all the way up as they began to accumulate a lead once again at this point. The Gators tried to muster up strength to try to keep the Wildcats from achieving a second win, but the distance was too great. It did not help their cause that Kentucky put together an impressive 3-0 run at the 22-18 mark to win the set.

    Set 3: 25-21 Kentucky

    Right off of the bat, Kentucky and Florida began to present toe-to-toe action to start the final set. However, Kentucky prevailed once again. The Wildcats went up 13-9 to put a four point distance between themselves and the Gators. To answer this, Florida began to tick away Kentucky’s lead to tie up the game at 14-14. The two teams were able to trade the next couple of points, but the Wildcats began to edge ahead after a tie at 17-17. Kentucky was able to close out the set and complete the sweep of Florida.

    Leaderboard

    Kills

    Forte, 10

    Hall, 7

    Carlton, 7

    Digs

    McKissock, 11

    Monserez, 9

    Ceasar, 7

    Blocks

    Forte, 5

    Monserez, 3

    Ceasar, 1

    Assists

    Monserez, 24

    McKissock, 2

    Ceasar, 1

    What’s Next?

    The Florida Gators will take on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Texas. The two-part series will take place March 24 and March 25 at 7 p.m. on both days.

  • WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session Two: No. 1 Florida v. No. 4 LSU, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 Arkansas

    WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session Two: No. 1 Florida v. No. 4 LSU, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 Arkansas

    It’s the Gators’ turn to take on the SEC as we roll into session two of the conference championship meet. If you missed session one, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Click here to catch up on all the action from my session one liveblog – if you don’t have time, though, let me give you the TL;DR:

    FINAL SCORES AFTER SESSION ONE: UK 196.825, AUB 196.275, MIZ 196.125

    Leaders for each event after this first session are as follows:

    VT: Patterson, UK: 9.9

    UB: Worley, UK: 9.9

    BB: Schreiber, Miz: 9.925

    FX: Haigis, UK: 9.925

    AA: Worley, UK: 39.5

    Georgia is out of the competition due to COVID-19 cases within the program, per a release earlier this week.

    This session is more competitive in terms of titles – Florida is certainly the favorite, but LSU and Alabama have both come close to beating the Gators this season, and Arkansas has been on a consistent rise throughout the season. On the individual side, if Thomas is out of the all-around, it’s really anyone’s game. Four athletes – Alabama’s Luisa Blanco, Arkansas’s Kennedy Hambrick, LSU’s Haleigh Bryant, and Florida’s Megan Skaggs – all rank in the top ten, between No. 1 Thomas and No. 12 Worley, who leads after session one. Florida’s Payton Richards and Arkansas’s Sarah Shaffer also both rank in the top 50 nationally.

    On individual events, we know Florida’s contenders by now – Thomas, Skaggs, Nya Reed, Savannah Schoenherr, Ellie Lazzari, Alyssa Baumann, and Leah Clapper are all capable of 9.95s or better on at least one event each. As far as their competitors, Bryant, Hambrick, and LSU’s Kiya Johnson are also all strong contenders on vault and floor, while Arkansas’s Maggie O’Hara, LSU’s Alyona Shchennikova and Sami Durante, and Alabama’s Blanco and Makarri Doggette all rank in the top 20 nationally on bars. Blanco and Hambrick also have a shot on beam, though Florida may have a lock on that title, considering they’re the No. 1 beam team in the nation, and floor might also see Alabama’s Lexi Graber or Arkansas’s Sophia Carter have a shot at the title.

    All this to say – it’s going to be a fight to the finish. Every single routine will matter. And the slate from the season is wiped clean – only this meet counts for the trophy tonight, nothing else. The Gators are going to have to be at their absolute best if they want to win this.

    8:00pm: We are switching to gymnastics here in just a moment, according to the softball commentators. In other NCAA gym news, the Big 10 Championships race is extremely tight, with only .55 between the top 3 teams and Michigan going on a stick streak on vault to try and take back the lead from Minnesota, and Iowa is under major pressure as it’s in second after three rotations, but the leadoff beam performer had a fall. I’ll keep up with that drama via Twitter as we get underway in Huntsville once more.

    And we’re replaying Thomas’s injury from two weeks ago. Commentator Kathy Johnson Clarke confirms we’ll see Thomas in bars, at the very least, so that’s an encouraging progression.

    We’re continuing the trend from the first session as each team is honoring someone in their history for Women’s History Month. Florida chooses Ann Woods Smith, their first national champion back in the AIAW days!

    8:06pm: Here we goooo!

    Foberg, VT: FTY, one of the cleanest she’s done this season, little hop on the landing.

    Johnson hits bars for LSU with a gorgeous DLO dismount that looked stuck to me.

    Gianfagna, BB: Cat leap to front toss, solid. Beat to straddle 1/2, maybe a little shy of 180? Roundoff 1.5 shuffle forward.

    8:08pm: Lazzari, VT: FTY, clean in the air, a little underrotated, went too hard for the stick and had to hop forward.

    Brock, UB: Great first handstand. Tkachev had some flexed feet but good air. Flexed feet in the bail too. Great last handstand. Full out, hop forward.

    Skaggs, VT: FTY, just the teeniest hop back. Just gorgeous dynamics and clean in the air.

    8:10pm: Lovett, BB: Switch to split, a little feet on the split jump. Front aerial to loso, break at the hips but saves it. Side aerial back full, way off to the side and a hop forward. Not the greatest showing.

    Schoenherr, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward! One of her great ones.

    Dunne, UB: Great first handstand. Tkachev straight to pak, lovely. DLO, stuck! Last handstand was maybe a little shy though.

    Reed, VT: Y1.5, SOOO far, just a little hop forward. One of her best! Tonight’s the night to do it, girl, way to go!

    Bryant, UB: Great release. Bail is excellent. Shy on the last handstand. Double front, big lunge forward.

    Gaskins going on floor for Bama but we’re not seeing it.

    8:14pm: Richards, VT: Y1.5 and she sits it. Switching back and forth between the full and the 1.5 is not working for her, they need to pick one and stick with it so she knows how hard to block and has it in her muscle memory.

    Shchennikova, UB: Tkachev to pak, gorgeous. Holds her handstand half on the low bar, almost went over the wrong way. DLO is sooo high tonight, that’s gotten so much better, and she sticks!

    Shaffer, BB: Switch to split 1/4, gorgeous. Bhs loso, steady. Front aerial, break at the hips. There’s that headcase I know. Full turn, getting it back. Cat leap to side aerial to back full, stuck.

    Durante, UB: Jaeger just FLIES, a little leg sep on the pak but she plays it off. Great last handstand. Full in stuck! Good for her, what a fight.

    Blanco, FX: Finally seeing some Bama here. Double pike to open, great control there. Double tuck second pass, greats great height but keeps the landing under control. Front full to front lay, dances right into an arabesque. She looked like she was almost reserved in some of the dance but she’s so hype afterward – I would love to see more of that energy!

    8:19pm: Carter, BB: Series is lovely. Beat to ring stag, gorgeous. Front aerial to sissone, great. Full turn, solid. College stick on the dismount, I don’t buy it but we’ll see if the judges do.

    Graber, FX: Full in to open is BIG and well-landed. A little crooked in her wolf jump maybe? But her straddle and her chasses were just lovely. Double pike, chest a little low but finesses it.

    8:22pm: Hambrick, BB: Bhs loso, and she’s off. Well, that kinda ruins Arkansas’s chances at an upset, barring disaster. Got it back for the rest of the routine, but that’ll take her out of the AA conversation and Ark will have to count the 9.7, 9.725, 9.775 that came before.

    AFTER ONE: BAMA 49.45, UF 49.35, LSU 49.35, ARK 48.875

    https://twitter.com/vanessasteck/status/1373428318859575298?s=20

    LSU of course honors D-D Breaux for its Women’s History Month tribute, the longest-standing coach in the SEC when she retired and so many, many accolades it’s impossible to list them all here.

    8:32pm: Rotation 2!

    Ruchards, UB: Maloney to bail are fine, maybe a little legs, hard to see in the quad box feed. DLO stuck! A great start!

    Desiderio, BB: Series, little check but brings it back. Leap series solid. Cat leap gainer full stuck!

    Johnston, FX: Whip half to front full, that was lovely. Good leap positions. Double pike, two foot stick! Wow! Great start for Arkansas too.

    8:34pm: Olsen, Bama VT: DTY, the best she’s done that all season! Little slide back.

    Lazzari, UB: A long wait for Richards’s score. Here she goes. Great first handstand. Tkachev is lovely. Great handstand work after. Pak just floats, caught close but covers well. Full in, shuffle.

    Durante, BB: Bhs loso, super steady, locks those arms in. Front aerial is solid. Leap series, great. Aerial to back full stuck!

    Blanco, VT: Y1.5, a little crooked in the air, some knees, but she STICKS COLD. Wow.

    8:37pm: Skaggs, UB: Tkachev to immediate pak, just excellent. Great last handstand. DLO STUCK!

    Graber, VT: Y1.5, little step forward but great amplitude.

    Carter, FX: 1.5 front full, gorgeous. Great splits in her dance series. Double pike to close is excellent!

    Quinn, VT: Y1.5, super floaty, little hop on the landing. A little off to the side too.

    Schoenherr, UB: Great first handstands. Jaeger is gorgeous. Overcooks a handstand and goes over the wrong way! No! Doesn’t come off, though, swings herself back up. Bail is good. Double front dismount, doesn’t do the half out. Oof. That’s gonna hurt.

    8:41pm: Dean, BB: Side aerial bhs, lifts the front foot and has a bobble. Switch to split, nice. Front aerial to beat, solid. Side aerial back full is stuck!

    Baumann, UB: Gallentine out, Baumann in. Interesting. Great first handstands. Jaeger, just a beauty… and can’t cast out of it. Bail is good. DLO, hop forward. I can’t.

    Johnson, BB: Bhs loso, excellent. Switch to switch half, little arm swing but she’s patient with it. Front toss is solid. Roundoff double full, maybe a lil hop in place

    Lovett, FX: Gorgeous DLO! Middle pass solid. Lovely splits in those dance elements! Double back to close, a little overcooked, but masks well.

    8:45pm: Thomas, UB: Maloney to uprise. Pak is gorgeous. Great low bar handstands. Van Leeuwen, so clean. DLO, just a step forward, babying her ankles.

    Campbell, BB: Bhs loso, steady. Front aerial to sissone, lovely. Switch to switch half, maybe a little shy on the half. Roundoff double full, little hop.

    Hambrick, FX: Double back to open, solid. Rudi to layout stag, a little bouncy. Really selling the choreo. Double pike to finish, nice.

    AFTER TWO: BAMA 99.0, LSU 98.575, ARK 98.15, UF 98.075

    Alabama honoring Sarah Patterson for WHM, its dynasty-building coach that won countless SEC and national titles.

    Unless LSU and Alabama also have major mistakes, Florida is out of this. Counting a 9.325.

    8:56pm: Pennese with a short FTY to start off for Ark on VT.

    Richards, BB: Aaaaand she’s off on her series. We’re toast.

    Desiderio, FX: DLO, one of her best this season. 1.5 to front lay, somehow pulls it around but has to stutter step back. Gorgeous positions on her dance series. Double back to close. A great start for the Tigers.

    Johnston, VT: FTY, little momentum backwards there.

    Graber, UB: Great first handstand, Gienger has some leg sep at the end but body position is nice. Short last handstand. Hop on her full in dismount.

    8:59pm: Skaggs, BB: Please hit the reset button, Skaggs. Stop the bleeding. Switch to split, nice. Bhs loso, stays steady. Front aerial, little arm swing but keeps it small. Cat leap switch side, a little tight. Stuck dismount! Thank you.

    Shchennikova, FX: Front double full, big lunge out but arabesques out. 1.5 to front full, better control there. Rudi to close, another great one for LSU.

    Gaskins, UB: Maloney to pak, big leg sep and caught close. Short last handstand. DLO biiiig squat but stands it up.

    9:01pm: Lazzari, BB: Bhs loso loso, sooo steady. Switch to split, locks it in. Side aerial back full stuck! They needed that.

    Elswick, VT: FTY, big distance, stutter step back.

    Ballard, FX: DLO goes big but might have stepped out? Can’t see the line judge from this angle. Middle choreo is a little boring for me? Double pike to finish is solid.

    Hambrick, VT: Y1.5, little step. A great one for her!

    Doggette, UB: Hits releases and STICKS that DLO. Alabama still doing well.

    Baumann, BB: Bhs loso, solid. Switch to split, lovely as always. Full turn is good. Switch half, one of her better ones. Roundoff 1.5, stuck! That’s the way you recover.

    9:07pm: Edwards, FX: Front double full, great control there. Combo pass in the middle is good. Little bouncy coming out of her dance elements but makes it look intentional. Double tuck, a little short there.

    Blanco, UB: Just DROPS that dismount in and sticks.

    Clapper, BB: Bhs loso loso, got reallll mushy in the knees but kept going and stayed steady somehow. Side aerial back full, stuck! Keeping that stick train going.

    Bryant, FX: Double front, just fantastic, one step forward. Front lay to Rudi, very good control there, she twists sooo fast. Dance series is clean. Front double full to finish, the two E elements is just insane. One of her best.

    9:11pm: Schoenherr, BB: Okay, I’m kinda worried. I hope she can do this. Front aerial is solid. Series is good, stays square. Full turn. Split to split 3/4, leans forward but doesn’t swing around a lot, stays on. Roundoff 1.5… was that a stick? Maybe?

    Johnson, FX: Good to see her healthy for this. Full in is HUGE and so open, just a work of art. 1.5 to front lay, takes almost a slow mo step out to show how controlled she was. Dance series is good. Really enjoying herself now, I see that performance layer kicking in now. Double pike to close, front foot slid a little but barely, lunge was well controlled. That’ll be a huge one for LSU. YUP she gets the 10.0!!

    AFTER THREE: BAMA 148.425, LSU 148.15, UF 147.6, ARK 147.425

    That’s the definition of all-weather fans, Julia. Gator Nation to the core.

    https://twitter.com/chikkadee/status/1373444046878822400?s=20

    I said the same thing, and so did my parents watching with me, ha.

    Arkansas is honoring Dana McQuillin, the first Gymback to be inducted into Arkansas’s Hall of Fame and led them to their first nationals appearance.

    9:24pm: Last one here we go.

    Durante, VT: FTY stuck! That’s the way to start.

    Clapper, FX: OOB on her double tuck, it looked like.

    Klopfer, BB: I was watching Leah but Kathy said something about a possible missed connection here? Cat leap side aerial, that’s solid. Roundoff 1.5 stuck.

    Shchennikova, VT: Y1.5, stepped out and then turned with another step to salute. She could’ve waited for the stick I think, but she didn’t.

    9:26pm: Gianfagna, UB: Ray, and she eats mat. That stings.

    Waligora, BB: Full turn, good. Got that out of the way. Bhs loso, slow but steady. Side aerial, little check. Step forward on her dismount.

    Skaggs, FX: Double wolf turn is good. Rudi to split, a little wild in the air but not on the landing. Selling this choreography, this is easily my favorite of Florida’s routines this year, maybe tied with Reed. 1.5 to front lay, whippy and had to pulllll it around. Stayed on her feet though.

    Johnson, VT: DTY, a little short and has to step forward.

    Adams, BB: How this is the first time we’re seeing her tonight is beyond me. Front aerial is good. Bhs loso, solid. Double wolf turn, very steady, wow. Switch to split, back leg maybe a little low on the split jump. Bhs 1.5 twist, just a step back on that dismount.

    9:31pm: Bryant, VT: FHS pike half, STICKS IT! LSU might actually pull this off for a four-peat.

    Graber, BB: Full turn to start, good. Bhs layout 2ft (or back pike? Idk if she’s getting credit for the layout) is okay, little check. Switch to straddle 3/4, that’s the nicest I’ve seen that 3/4 leap from her. Cat leap to front aerial to scale, to gainer full stuck.

    Lazzari going on floor now, but we can’t see it. Love that.

    I believe Alabama needs two 9.9s to count in order to tie LSU with the Tigers’ lights out vault rotation.

    9:35pm: Lazzari had a 9.9!! I wanted to see that, boo.

    Richards, FX: DLO is a little short. I wonder if she’s having issues with her elbow tonight. 1.5 to front lay, handles that well. Double tuck, to her hands. Someone please check on her, she is not okay.

    Doggette, BB: By my calculations, 9.85 from her or Blanco will tie. 9.875 will win. Full turn is good. Bhs loso, steady. Beat to switch half to another beat, switch half did NOT reach 180. And flexed feet. Side aerial back full, off to the side and short on the landing, has to step forward pretty big.

    9:38pm: Reed, FX: DLO, it’s a good one. Aaaaand we’ve switched away. This is rude.

    Blanco, BB: Going simultaneously, oh boy. Front aerial, solid. Bhs loso loso, stays steady. Needle scale, just lovely. Switch to beat, good. Roundoff double full is stuck. That’s game, Bama wins.

    Baumann, FX: She’s going right now but we’re just staring at Alabama waiting for their score. This is annoying. Finally, we get to see her closing pass. Double pike is excellent. She’s still fighting, but clearly upset as she walks off.

    FINAL: BAMA 197.875, LSU 197.775, UF 196.975, UK 196.825, AUB 196.275, MIZ 196.125, ARK 195.6

    Final event results:

    VT: Blanco (Bama), Arenas, Bryant (LSU): 9.95

    UB: Adams, Doggette, Blanco (Bama): 9.95

    BB: Lazzari, Baumann (UF), Graber, Blanco (Bama): 9.95

    FX: Johnson (LSU): 10.0

    AA: Blanco (Bama): 39.8

    Welp. I’m afraid that’s it for me tonight, y’all. Definitely not what anyone had hoped for. I’ll have a recap later this week to dissect exactly what happened. Have some questions to ask once they’re ready for media availability. Until then, thanks for hanging out. See you at regionals in two weeks!

  • SB: Seventh-Inning Hit Parade Lifts Gators to Shutout Victory in Starkville

    SB: Seventh-Inning Hit Parade Lifts Gators to Shutout Victory in Starkville

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Following a series opening 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs Friday, No. 5 Florida clinched the series in Starkville, Mississippi, with a 10-0 shutout win.

    Right fielder Avery Goelz hit an RBI-single in the top of the first to give the Gators an early lead, but the box score saw goose eggs through the next six frames. Carrying a 1-0 lead into the top of the seventh, Florida batted around its lineup while tacking on nine insurance runs.

    First baseman Kendyl Lindaman led off with a single before the two batters reached base on errors. Goelz drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0 before left fielder Jamie Hoover laid down a squeeze bunt. Two batters later, center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey knocked a two-run single into right field to extend the lead to seven before back-to-back home runs capped off the explosive inning.

    In Florida’s ninth at-bat of the seventh inning, second baseman Hannah Adams hopped on the hit train as she hit a two-run bomb — tied for team-high five home runs this season — over the right-field wall. Lindaman followed that up with a solo shot — her fourth home run this season — to extend the lead to double digits.

    Florida right-hander Natalie Lugo started in the circle and hurled five shutout innings while allowing just three hits and one walk. Junior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower pitched the final two frames and earned her third save this season.

    Final (R/H/E)

    No. 5 Florida: 10 / 12 / 0

    Mississippi State: 0 / 4 / 6

    Pitching Decision

    Win: Lugo (5-1)

    Loss: Loza (1-3)

    Save: Hightower (3)

    Individual Stats

    Lugo: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

    Hightower: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

    Adams: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (5)

    Lindaman: 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (4), 1 BB

    Echols: 2-5, 1 R

    A. Goelz: 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB

    Hoover: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HBP

    Lindsey: 1-2, 1 R, 2 RBI

    SEC Road Series

    The Gators will look to complete the series sweep Sunday at noon.

  • WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships, Session One – No. 14 Kentucky, No. 15 Auburn, and No. 23 Missouri

    WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships, Session One – No. 14 Kentucky, No. 15 Auburn, and No. 23 Missouri

    Good afternoon gymnastics fans! Despite the fact that the Gators are not in this session, I will still be liveblogging session one of SEC Championships today so that we can all have a baseline understanding for what to expect this evening, what marks the Gators have to beat, and anything newsworthy from this first session.

    The first newsworthy item already happened earlier this week – the Georgia Gymdogs have had to withdraw from the conference championship, due to COVID protocols and positive tests within the program, according to a release from the program.

    Without the Gymdogs in play, this session is not likely to have many major upset possibilities. The few exceptions are Auburn’s Derrian Gobourne, who can absolutely contend for the AA title, particularly if Florida’s Trinity Thomas is out of the picture due to recovering from her injury a few weeks ago. She could also set a high mark to beat for both vault and floor. Kentucky has a few high-scoring individuals – Josie Angeny and Raena Worley are both likely to compete all-around and can go 9.9+ on any event – and Missouri has Sienna Schreiber as their best hope for an individual title.

    All that said, it is SEC Championships, and anything can happen, so tune in to SEC Network or keep this liveblog open in one of your many tabs throughout the afternoon, and we’ll have every routine play by play for you. For this session, I’ll just be watching the broadcast, but I hope tonight to have the event feeds up on my computer as well to make sure we get all the Gator routines to you.

    It all starts at 3:30pm ET, don’t miss it! We’ll be here with you every minute.

    For your pre-meet enjoyment, I present: Megan Skaggs, mic’d up.

    Adding yet another honor to the team’s long list this year, Leah Clapper was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Florida’s first since McMurtry in 2018.

    In other NCAA gymnastics news, Oklahoma is having to count a 9.65 on floor, opening the door WIDE for Denver to win their first Big 12 championship title. Rutgers also won Session One of the Big 10 Championships, what an enormous win for that up and coming program!

    3:31pm: Former LSU head coach and absolute legend D-D Breaux voiceover to kick off the broadcast. Love it. Reminding us that this is the 40th anniversary of the SEC Championship meet. It’s been 728 days since the last championship meet though – let’s freaking go.

    Each team is honoring a gymnast in their program’s history in celebration of Women’s History Month! That’s awesome. Auburn chooses Caitlin Atkinson, their most decorated gymnast of all time and 2016 SEC Gymnast of the Year.

    3:36pm: Bunn, UK VT: solid FTY

    Leadoff for Auburn bars hits, some loose handstands

    Schriber, Miz FX: Front full to front lay to stag, very nice. Rudi to back tuck to front tuck? Kathy says it was supposed to be a layout, so that may be a start value issue for her.

    3:38pm: Magnelli, VT: handspring pike half, biiig hop back and off kilter as well.

    P Smith, UB: Maloney to pak are both lovely, legs nice and together. Good last handstands. DLO is a little slow, a little deep in the knee bend and hop forward on the landing.

    Worley, VT: Y1.5! Little slide back.

    Marshall, FX: Front tuck through to double pike, good control there. Lovely shape throughout her choreo and dance elements, her calypso turn is gorgeous. Teammate screaming at her from the sideline isn’t wearing a mask?? Oof. Double tuck to finish, solid as well. Good start continues for them.

    3:42pm: Angeny, VT: FTY, lovely stretched position, just a little slide on the landing. Very nice.

    Nixon, VT: FTY, BIG height and gorgeous body position, just too much power and takes a bounce back. 5 feet at the hips over the table, which is already nearly four feet high – just crazy height.

    Gottula, FX: Double pike to open. Great splits in those dance elements. Front half to Rudi, second element went even higher, always appreciate that. Double tuck to finish, good control if a little underrotated?

    Patterson, VT: handspring pike half, little scoot back. Great amplitude though.

    3:46pm: Stevens, UB: Ray is nice, maybe not as aggressive as she can be. Next handstand a little shy, bail is fine. Last handstand also short. DLO stuck! Great way to end that routine.

    Brusch, UB: Great first handstands. Maloney to bail is solid, good leg form. Last handstand maybe a little shy? DLO goes so hiiiigh, little slide back.

    Sheremeta, FX: Front double full I think, steps OOB. Rudi to loso, not as much amplitude as I’d like out of her. Sheep jump to prone? That’s cool. Fun back spin in the choreo there, very cool. Back 1.5 to front layout stepout, what a unique skillset! I love watching her compete, I’m glad she’s found a new home here.

    3:49pm: Gobourne, UB: Tkachev great, saved that pak somehow?? Wow. Half in half out is STUCK! What a warrior! So impressive to be able to save that.

    McCrary, FX: Front lay to Rudi, very nice. Double pike, good control there as well. Lots of jumps to prone in this lineup. Great straddles in her dance series.

    3:53pm: Either Missouri scratched their sixth floor routine or my broadcast just glitched?? Okay, yes, they’ve scratched Schaeffer. She’s crying on the sideline? I am concerned.

    AFTER ONE: UK 49.2, MIZ 49.0, AUB 48.975

    4:02pm: Kentucky bars leadoff hits, missed who it was. Miz vault too, was Schaeffer so she’s not injured…

    Oldham, BB: Just lovely work here from her, sorry was dealing with some Missouri drama on Twitter. Roundoff 1.5 twist, hop and off to the side.

    Miz VT: FTY, hop on the landing.

    Bunn, UB: A little funky legs in some of her work, including the dismount, but another decent hit for the Cats.

    McCrary, VT: FTY, a little pike in the landing and a small hop.

    4:0pm: Gobourne, BB: Glad she’s doing AA tonight, thanks Graba. Series has a little bobble but she keeps it small. Leap series is great, gorgeous position in the switch side. Stuck dismount!!

    Nixon, UB: Only showed her dismount but it was a good one!

    Marshall, VT: FTY, great amplitude, little tiny hop back.

    4:08pm: Luksik, UB: Good first handstand. Ray is lovely. Almost goes over on the next handstand but saves it, whew. Bail is good. DLO almost in place and sticks! Nice!

    Watson, BB: Bhs loso, so steady. Cat leap side aerial, very nice. Switch to split 1/4, slooow on the connection, we’ll see if they give that to her. Roundoff 1.5 stuck? Good for her!

    Schreiber goes 9.85 on vault.

    Angeny, UB: Jaeger is nice, a little toes. Bail is good. FTDLO dismount! The most difficult dismount being performed in NCAA right now, wow. You love to see it.

    4:13pm: Sylvia, BB: Auburn’s honoree for the SEC Community Service Team – fostered over 20 animals during the pandemic! Precious!!

    Gorgeous opening choreo showing that flexibility. Full turn is gorgeous. Front aerial bhs bhs, still unclear as to how that’s a real series but that’s just me. Switch to sheep, not really a great sheep but not the worst? Korbut, landed a little hard from what I could tell. Cartwheel gainer full is stuck!

    4:15pm: Worley, UB: Gorgeous handstand work. Release is good. Stuck full out dismount! Wow! Kentucky should keep their lead with that.

    McLaughlin, BB: Lovely series. Switch to straddle 1/4, good positions in the air there. Full turn is steady. Side aerial, leg comes up and misses the connection to the split jump. Gainer pike is stuck! A good recovery.

    4:19pm: Stevens, BB: Bhs loso, mushy knees but judges won’t take it. Beat to switch ring, back leg does not make that ring position legitimate. Gainer front toss to knee, named after her in the JO code. Roundoff 1.5 stuck! A good finish to the rotation for Auburn.

    AFTER TWO: UK 98.4, AUB 98.025, MIZ 97.875

    Halfway through this first rotation, Kentucky’s Ariana Patterson’s 9.9 leads vault, teammate Raena Worley leads bars with the same score, Auburn’s Cassie Stevens leads beam with a 9.9 of her own, and Missouri’s Gottula and McCrary lead floor with a pair of 9.825s.

    For their Women’s History Month tributes, Georgia honored Courtney Kupets Carter, record holding gymnast and current coach of the program, and Kentucky honored Leah Little, the team’s first coach and program founder.

    Re: those other NCAA championship stories – Denver won its first ever Big 12 title! And star athlete Lynnzee Brown earned a 10.0 on bars!

    4:31pm: Can’t see who it is for Kentucky on beam, but nailed her series on front aerial. Felt a little shy on the straddle 1/2 in her leap series, but she nails her side aerial back full! Oh, it was Albores.

    Oldham, FX: Love seeing her make this lineup! First pass was a hit. Double tuck and she crashes it, oof. She looks like her ankles sting a little as she walks off. Ouch.

    First Miz bars athlete hit it looked like, but there’s a scoring delay for some reason…

    4:34pm: Magnelli, BB: Straddle was maybe a little shy on the switch side. Hit series. Roundoff 1.5 little slide back.

    Sabados, FX: Front double full is gorgeous! Love how expressive her choreo is in here. Shushunova, lovely. 1.5 to front lay, takes it all the way to the line but keeps it in and under control. Very nice.

    Sheremeta, UB: Great opening handstands. Jaeger is SO high, gorgeous. Bail had a little leg sep but she snapped it back before moving on. Little short on the last handstand. “Old school” dismount as Bart calls it, a Rudi off the bars, excellent.

    4:38pm: DeGuzman, BB: Good to finally see her! Bhs loso is so floaty, little break at the hips but brings it back. Front aerial is great. Switch to sheep, much better than anyone else’s I’ve seen this season, actually keeps her toe point. Roundoff 1.5, little scoot back. A great debut!

    Brusch, FX: Front through to double tuck, solid. Good to see her back after a shoulder subluxation earlier this season. Double tuck to finish, front foot moves a little but overall a hit for her as well. Auburn needs to hit the rest of these to drop Oldman’s score.

    Patrick, UB: Jaeger is gorgeous. Bail a little shy. A little short on the last handstand. DLO is stuck!

    4:41pm: Bunn, BB: Bhs loso loso, yes! Leap series is lovely. Roundoff double full, little slide back. Good for her!

    Marshall, UB: Great opening handstands. Gorgeous amplitude on the Jaeger direct to overshoot. HUGE full in dismount, stuck! Wow.

    Steven, FX: Opening pass is solid. Switch ring is better here, to switch half, good. Double tuck to finish, nice! She is having herself a night.

    Worley, BB: Cat leap to switch side, solid. Front aerial to bhs loso, gorgeous. Roundoff 1.5, little hop forward.

    Schreiber, UB: Release is good, bail fine. DLO little hop back.

    4:45pm: Watson, FX: Sticking to the double pike for now, it’s a good one. Leap series is good. Combo pass is solid, good control out. Double tuck to close, control is steady there too! Love seeing her nail that.

    Hufendiek, UB: A little slow rotation on the Jaeger but catches fine. Bail is good. Last handstand is solid. Stuck her dismount I think? Nice!

    Angeny, BB: Bhs loso loso, uses the ENTIRE length of the beam and it’s so solid. Front aerial, little hesitation but barely shows it. Beat to straddle 1/4, good. Chin stand, that’s fun. Full turn is steady. Side aerial back tuck full stuck! That was a great rotation for them. They cut to her dad who’s wearing a shirt COVERED in her face, he’s so thrilled.

    4:50pm: Gobourne, FX: Here we go! Just the double tuck this week, a little slide but it’s sooo high I almost don’t care. Really playing it up in this choreo section, love it. Front full front lay, poses right out of it. Hold that crown high! She’s such a star. Double pike to finish, she was a little underrotated but she just popped it into the lunge and masked it super well. That should be a great score, wow.

    AFTER THREE: UK 147.575, AUB 147.375, MIZ 146.85

    Some background on this – former Kentucky gymnast Mollie Korth’s dad always wore her face on his clothes at every meet he went to and was famous for ending up on SECN broadcasts to embarrass his daughter!

    Missouri honors Sarah Shire (now Brown) as its Women’s History Month honoree – led Mizzou to a nationals appearance in her time, where she was individual runner-up on floor exercise. She still holds several records for the program, and is now the head coach at Penn State!

    Also, for those watching the all-around race, Worley leads right now with two 9.85s and a 9.9. Teammate Bunn and Auburn’s Stevens aren’t far behind.

    5:00pm: Gottula with a balance break early on BB for Miz.

    Kentucky’s Albores hits first pass, a little short on her front lay in her second pass but pulls it out. Pretty positions in her dance series. Double pike was a little overcooked and maybe OOB? Hard to see on the 8incher.

    P Smith, Aub VT: FTY, not a lot of distance but she kinda stuck it?? Get it!

    5:02pm: Sabados, VT: FTY, a little knees in the air, hop back.

    DeGuzman, FX: Another debut for her! Front double full to open, looked a little crooked in the air but pulled it out. Lovely switch ring to switch full, wow. 1.5 to front lay, big open mouth smile when she lands, she’s so thrilled. Rudi is a little low but she pulls it around. That’s going to be a great routine soon.

    Watson, VT: Y1.5, little slide forward!

    Schaffer, BB: She’s the one they scratched from floor, glad to see she’s okay. Bhs loso loso, very nice. Switch to split, nice positions there. Roundoff 1.5, little hop in place.

    Gobourne, VT: Y1.5, overdid it a little and had to lunge forward.

    5:06pm: Bunn, FX: Double pike – two foot stick!! Wow! Switch half to wolf full it looked like, both positions good. Back 1.5 to front pike, very nice. Rudi to finish, very well controlled. This should be a great score, good for her!

    Commentator Kathy Johnson Clarke reiterating that other things besides landings should matter! Yes!

    Stevens, VT: Just the FTY, big hop back with another step or two… never did really come to a stop when she saluted? Might be the score they drop.

    5:09pm: Haigis, FX: Rudi to loso, great dynamics there. Straddle positions in her dance series are great. Double pike, great control there. She’s so thrilled with herself, you love to see that pure joy.

    Marshall, BB: Front toss, basically finishes it standing straight up, love it. Front aerial bhs bhs, hate that series but she performs it fine. Full turn is good. Split to split 1/4, a little off angle there but hit 180 fine. Little stutter step on the dismount.

    5:12pm: Angeny, FX: Double pike to open, a little short but pops it into the lunge quickly. Dance series is good. 1.5 to front lay, a little whippy but lands it fine. Double tuck to finish, cowboys it and it’s also short, more noticeably so this time.

    Sheremeta, BB: Bhs loso, lovely. Split to ring, solid positions on those. Front aerial, super steady. Front toss, also good – wonder why she does both of those? Full turn, nice. Gainer pike, little step back to steady herself.

    5:15pm: Worley, FX: Full in, chest a little low, just brings her feet together. Dance series positions were fine. Front full front lay, gorgeous body positions in those elements and good control. Double tuck to close, much better there. A great finish for Kentucky!

    Schreiber, BB: Full turn, good start. Bhs loso loso, so solid. Switch half to split to beat, maybe a little shy on the back leg in the split jump. Straight to a gainer full! Stuck!

    FINAL AFTER SESSION ONE: UK 196.825, AUB 196.275, MIZ 196.125

    Leaders for each event after this first session are as follows:

    VT: Patterson, UK: 9.9

    UB: Worley, UK: 9.9

    BB: Schreiber, Miz: 9.925

    FX: Haigis, UK: 9.925

    AA: Worley, UK: 39.5

    https://twitter.com/whiptotriple/status/1373383645201899521?s=20

    Overall, I’m really excited to see what tonight holds. I think scoring is much more in control, at least for now, than regular season was, and I think in general it was pretty accurate in terms of rankings. I expect the battle to stay between Florida and LSU, but it is SECs – anything can happen.

    My liveblog for session two will be a separate article, so head here to keep up with all that action. Hope to see y’all then!