Florida’s Megan Skaggs throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 in Columbia, Mo. Colin E. Braley, Related Press
Oklahoma Sooner gymnast Jordan Bowers performs throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. Tyler Tate, Related Press
Florida’s Leanne Wong competes on the steadiness beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla. Gary McCullough, Related Press
Utah’s Abby Paulson competes on the beam because the Utah Pink Rocks compete in opposition to Minnesota in a gymnastics meet on the Huntsman Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, March 4, 2022. Mengshin Lin, Deseret Information
Auburn gymnast Sunisa Lee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics all-around champion, performs on the steadiness beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to LSU on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La. Matthew Hinton, Related Press
Michigan’s Natalie Wojcik performs on the beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Al Goldis, Related Press
Alabama gymnast Lexi Graber competes on the beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to Kentucky on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt, Related Press
LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant runs for the vault throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to Auburn on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La. Matthew Hinton, Related Press
Minnesota’s Ona Loper competes in ground train throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 in Minneapolis. Andy Clayton-King, Related Press
Since January, ladies’s gymnastics groups throughout the nation — 62 on the Division I degree — have labored for the chance to compete within the postseason and, past that, doubtlessly win the 2022 nationwide championship.
With the common season over, 36 groups superior to postseason competitors, however it will likely be one other month earlier than a nationwide champion is topped.
Successful a nationwide title has confirmed no simple feat. Within the 40 years that girls’s gymnastics has been a sanctioned NCAA sport, solely seven packages have ever gained all of it — Utah, Georgia, UCLA, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and Michigan.
Six of these packages have gained a title within the final 20 years, and 18 of these champions had one thing in widespread — they completed the common season ranked within the high six nationally on each occasion (steadiness beam, ground train, uneven bars and vault), per Highway to Nationals.
The exceptions: Georgia in 2005 and Michigan in 2021.
The Bulldogs ranked No. 9 on steadiness beam on the shut of the common season, whereas the Wolverines have been ranked No. 12 on ground train (final season was not like another, with canceled meets — Michigan had two canceled on account of COVID-19 — a rejiggered method to find out NQS and conference-only schedules).
A very easy statistic that has confirmed the rule extra typically that not, can be nationwide champions have to be elite on each occasion, and have confirmed it over the course of a season, with few exceptions.
With that in thoughts, listed here are the 2022 nationwide title contenders.
Historical past says sure
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner gymnast Jordan Bowers performs throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah.
Tyler Tate, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 1
- Steadiness beam: No. 3
- Ground train: No. 5
- Uneven bars: No. 1
- Vault: No. 4
Nationwide qualifying rating: 198.140
- Season excessive: 198.475
- Season low: 196.650
- Season common: 197.827
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 5
- Jordan Bowers: First staff (vault), second staff (bars).
- Audrey Davis: First staff (bars), second staff (all-around).
- Ragan Smith: First staff (beam), second staff (ground).
- Katherine LeVasseur: First staff (vault).
- Carly Woodard: First staff (beam).
Title contender?
Since 2013, with out exception, Oklahoma has been a nationwide title contender. Throughout a lot of the final 9 years in actual fact, the Sooners have been the championship favourite and gained 4 nationwide titles (the Sooners would have been the favourite to win the 2020 championship, too).
The highest-ranked staff within the nation heading into the postseason, Oklahoma might be co-favorites with Florida at this level, and per Faculty Health club Information’ postseason simulator, the Sooners have the second-best odds of bringing house the title.
Florida Gators
Florida’s Leanne Wong competes on the steadiness beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla.
Gary McCullough, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 2
- Steadiness beam: No. 2
- Ground train: No. 3
- Uneven bars: No. 2
- Vault: No. 2
Nationwide qualifying rating: 198.135
- Season excessive: 198.575
- Season low: 196.975
- Season common: 197.841
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 4
- Trinity Thomas: First staff (bars, beam. ground, and vault).
- Leanne Wong: First staff (bars), second staff (all-around, beam, ground).
- Nya Reed: First staff (ground), second staff (vault).
- Megan Skaggs: First staff (all-around).
Title contender?
Arguably no staff in school gymnastics boasts extra expertise this season than Florida, which has helped make the Gators probably the most balanced staff within the nation. To that time, Florida is the one staff ranked within the high 4 on each occasion.
The Gators began the yr gradual, however have since change into the nationwide title favourite, per Faculty Health club Information.
After all, Florida was the prohibitive favourite to win the 2021 title however struggled mightily on beam in the course of the postseason, notably in the course of the nationwide championship remaining.
If Florida has put these postseason struggles behind it, although, few groups are able to matching the Gators.
Utah Utes
Utah’s Abby Paulson competes on the beam because the Utah Pink Rocks compete in opposition to Minnesota in a gymnastics meet on the Huntsman Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, March 4, 2022.
Mengshin Lin, Deseret Information
Nationwide rating: No. 4
- Steadiness beam: No. 1
- Ground train: No. 4
- Uneven bars: No. 6
- Vault: No. 5
Nationwide qualifying rating: 197.920
- Season excessive: 198.575
- Season low: 196.775
- Season common: 197.679
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 5
- Grace McCallum: First staff (all-around and bars), second staff (ground).
- Cristal Isa: First staff (beam).
- Maile O’Keefe: First staff (beam).
- Sydney Soloski: First staff (ground).
- Abby Paulson: Second staff (beam).
Title contender?
Coming off a third-place end in 2021, whereas additionally bringing in a trio of freshman Olympians (McCallum, Kara Eaker and Amelie Morgan), Utah was a classy nationwide title choose within the preseason.
Whereas the Utes haven’t been fairly as elite as these prognostications instructed, they're the Utah staff finest suited to win a nationwide title in over a decade.
The 2022 Pink Rocks are the primary Utah staff since 2008 to rank within the high six on each occasion, and for the primary time since 2015, Utah has no obtrusive weak point.
The Pink Rocks haven’t hit the 198 benchmark as ceaselessly as a few of the competitors, however with a daily season win over Oklahoma plus a nation-best single meet rating of 198.575 (tied with Florida and Auburn), Utah has confirmed it may possibly beat anybody and has the fourth-best odds to take action, per Faculty Health club Information.
Auburn Tigers
Auburn gymnast Sunisa Lee, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics all-around champion, performs on the steadiness beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to LSU on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La.
Matthew Hinton, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 7
- Steadiness beam: No. 4
- Ground train: No. 6
- Uneven bars: No. 5
- Vault: No. 5
Nationwide qualifying rating: 197.650
- Season excessive: 198.575
- Season low: 196.050
- Season common: 197.444
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 3
- Sunisa Lee: First staff (all-around, bars and beam), second staff (ground).
- Derrian Gobourne: First staff (ground).
- Sophia Groth: First staff (beam).
Title contender?
That is the place issues begin to get attention-grabbing. Much like Florida, Auburn began the season slowly earlier than catching on late, turning into not solely probably the greatest groups within the SEC but additionally within the nation.
The Tigers are one among solely 4 faculties, together with Oklahoma, Florida and Utah, to rank within the high six on each single occasion, that means they haven't any obtrusive weaknesses that might undo them.
With Lee on the forefront, Auburn has confirmed it may possibly compete with the perfect after beating Alabama and tying Florida in the course of the common season after which ending third on the SEC championships.
Nonetheless, Auburn isn’t near a favourite to win the title, with even decrease odds than LSU, per Faculty Health club Information.
Historical past says no, however ...
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan’s Natalie Wojcik performs on the beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Al Goldis, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 3
- Steadiness beam: No. 11
- Ground train: No. 1
- Uneven bars: No. 4
- Vault: No. 1
Nationwide qualifying rating: 198.015
- Season excessive: 198.525
- Season low: 196.475
- Season common: 197.841
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 5
- Sierra Brooks: First staff (all-around, ground and vault).
- Natalie Wojcik: First staff (bars and beam), second staff (all-around and vault).
- Abby Heiskell: Second staff (all-around and vault).
- Gabby Wilson: First staff (ground), second staff (vault).
- Naomi Morrison: First staff (vault).
Title contender?
Michigan’s placement on this tier appears loopy at first look. The Wolverines are the defending NCAA champions, introduced everybody again from final yr’s title staff and have been the top-ranked staff within the nation the vast majority of the season.
Furthermore, Michigan has the third-best title odds, per Faculty Health club Information.
And but, of the top-ranked groups within the county, Michigan has the bottom ground, as evidenced by its season-low rating recorded in a win over Nebraska.
Then there's the actual fact the Wolverines have a weak occasion — beam — and the identical can't be mentioned for Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Auburn.
Michigan is, in fact, one of many two groups within the final 20 years that has disregarded historic precedent and gone on to win a nationwide title.
The Wolverines are additionally the top-ranked staff within the nation on a number of occasions. If issues go proper, Michigan can beat any staff, however the Wolverines additionally is perhaps the title contender most prone to issues going unsuitable.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama gymnast Lexi Graber competes on the beam throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to Kentucky on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Vasha Hunt, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 5
- Steadiness beam: No. 5
- Ground train: No. 7
- Uneven bars: No. 3
- Vault: No. 5
Nationwide qualifying rating: 197.790
- Season excessive: 198.075
- Season low: 195.875
- Season common: 197.448
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 3
- Luisa Blanco: First staff (bars), second staff (beam)
- Lexi Graber: Second staff (ground).
- Makarri Doggette: Second staff (bars).
Title contender?
Like Michigan, Alabama’s placement feels odd on this tier. Ranked No. 5 within the nation, the Crimson Tide haven't any obtrusive weaknesses, rank within the high seven on each occasion and are among the many deepest groups you’ll discover.
Not solely that, however Alabama has overwhelmed Auburn, completed second behind Florida on the SEC Championships and so long as Blanco is wholesome, boasts one of many high gymnasts within the nation.
Sadly for Alabama, it hasn’t confirmed persistently able to competing on the identical degree because the nation’s finest groups, as evidenced by losses to Oklahoma, Florida and LSU.
Alabama seemingly gained’t beat itself in postseason competitors, however will want different title contenders to make errors, which is why the Crimson Tide have decrease title odds than even Auburn and LSU.
Who cares about historical past?
LSU Tigers
LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant runs for the vault throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet in opposition to Auburn on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Baton Rouge, La.
Matthew Hinton, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 6
- Steadiness beam: No. 5
- Ground train: No. 8
- Uneven bars: No. 10
- Vault: No. 3
Season common rating: 197.735
- Season excessive: 198.125
- Season low: 196.725
- Season common: 197.478
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 2
- Haleigh Bryant: First staff (vault), second staff (bars).
- Sami Durante: Second staff (bars).
Title contender?
When on, LSU has confirmed greater than succesful this season. The Tigers have overwhelmed Utah, Alabama and Auburn head-to-head.
When off, although, LSU has confirmed fairly susceptible, as illustrated in common season losses to Missouri and Kentucky, in addition to a fifth place end on the SEC championships.
LSU has the perfect title odds of any staff not named Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan or Utah, per Faculty Health club Information, however the Tigers haven’t confirmed themselves persistently able to competing at that degree.
LSU may peak on the proper time within the postseason and report and upset or two, however it's simply as seemingly that the Tigers’ weaknesses on bars and ground show their undoing and knock them out within the regional spherical or within the nationwide semifinals.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota’s Ona Loper competes in ground train throughout an NCAA gymnastics meet on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 in Minneapolis.
Andy Clayton-King, Related Press
Nationwide rating: No. 8
- Steadiness beam: No. 22
- Ground train: No. 2
- Uneven bars: No. 7
- Vault: No. 8
Nationwide qualifying rating: 197.440
- Season excessive: 198.025
- Season low: 196.225
- Season common: 197.243
2022 WCGA All-American gymnasts: 3
- Lexy Ramler: First staff (all-around and beam), second staff (bars).
- Ona Loper: First staff (all-around and vault).
- Mya Hooten: First staff (ground), second staff (vault).
Title contender?
Minnesota is the one remaining staff to have a top-6 unit on an occasion. The Golden Gophers are one of many nation’s finest on ground, and rank within the high 10 on each bars and vault.
Just like the groups earlier than it, Minnesota has damaged 198 barrier — a prerequisite for any nationwide title contender — and has a trio of gymnasts who can compete with the perfect within the nation in Ramler, Loper and Hooten.
Minnesota’s weak point, and the rationale it seemingly gained’t make it to the nationwide remaining, not to mention win the title, is beam.
The Golden Gophers merely haven’t confirmed elite on the occasion, and historical past has proven again and again that nationwide champions are elite on all 4 occasions.
If Minnesota hits its season-high on beam (49.475) in the course of the postseason, it may possibly take care of any staff.
That may be a massive ask, although.