Jordan Bowers/Women's Gymnastics | University of Oklahoma
Jordan Bowers/Women's Gymnastics | University of Oklahoma
In a tough road environment, the reigning NCAA champion Oklahoma women's gymnastics team edged LSU, 197.600-197.450 on Monday afternoon inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC).
Freshman Jordan Bowers had a strong meet, earning a share of the beam title with a 9.950 and matching a career-high 39.650 in the all-around. In her first career all-around appearance, freshman Faith Torrez posted a 39.325, which ranks third in the Big 12 behind Sooner teammates Bowers and Audrey Davis (39.500). Junior Katherine LeVasseur added her fourth career title on vault and first on the season with a 9.925. Senior Ragan Smith added her fourth career bars title and 28th overall with a career-high 9.950.
"Team energy was great, but landings and sticks were eluding us," OU head coach K.J. Kindler said of the Sooners' road performance. "We were overthinking them."
OU held a 49.400-49.325 edge over the Tigers after the first rotation. On bars, the Sooners got things started with three straight 9.850s from sophomores Danielle Sievers and Danae Fletcher, and Torrez. Smith posted a career-high 9.950 to garner the bars title, while Bowers posted a season-high 9.900. Davis anchored the lineup with a 9.800.
Halfway through the meet, OU had a slight lead, 98.825-98.775, after posting a 49.425 on vault. The Sooners have Yurchenko 1.5s in all six spots in the lineup, which all hold a 10.0 start value. Senior Allie Stern started OU strong with a 9.850. Torrez made her vault debut with a stuck Yurchenko 1.5 for a 9.875 before Sievers added a season-high 9.900. LeVasseur registered a season-high 9.925 to capture her ninth career vault title.
The Sooners widened their lead in the third rotation with a 49.450 on floor to LSU's 49.225 on beam. With a fun and energetic Harry Styles routine, junior Bell Johnson posted a season-high 9.875 to lead off the squad. In her first floor appearance this season, Sievers posted a 9.875 with a routine that features a full-in. Fletcher added a 9.850 for a jazzy funk routine featuring '70s-inspired choreography and music, and a triple twist for her opening pass. Smith answered the call with a season-high 9.925 on her powerful and energetic floor routine. Torrez posted a 9.750 with difficult tumbling, while Bowers anchored the lineup with a season-high 9.925 and a share of the event title.
OU performed under pressure to close the meet with a 49.325 on beam. Senior Jenna Dunn led off with a strong triple series to post a 9.875. Freshman Ava Siegfeldt notched a 9.750, while Bowers wrapped up her all-around night with a career-highs 9.950. Showing off her flexibility with a unique mount, Davis added a 9.800 on the event. Torrez completed her first all-around showing with a 9.850 on beam, featuring a side-aerial-to-layout stepout series and double-back dismount. Smith anchored the lineup with a 9.850 to help the Sooners improve to 4-0 on the year.
OU opens its home slate next Sunday, Jan. 22, at 6:45 p.m. CT against Utah inside Lloyd Noble Center. The meet will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Season tickets start at just $25 and individual meet tickets are as low as $5, and can be purchased at SoonerSports.com/tickets.
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