Sunday, March 16, 2008

NCAA Update



Courtney McCool scored her first-ever 10.000 on floor exercise last night. The above video is from earlier this season. McCool's first tumbling run is a 2 1/2 twist+front layout full and she closes with a front double full.

Georgia defeated UCLA 197.900-196.875

Grace Taylor almost reached perfection as well with her 9.975 on balance beam. Taylor was fourth on beam at NCAAs last season and a front-runner to win the title in April.

Katie Heenan tied her all-around career high (39.725).

UCLA appears to be improving steadily. There were glimpses of the old UCLA again. Tasha Schwikert, Anna Li, Kristina Comforte, Ashley Jenkins and Shavahn Church perform as well as any Bruins of years past. The loss of McCullough is costing the team a few tenths. Jordan Schwikert suffered a rare mistake on uneven bars (over on a handstand), but was solid on her other events.

Florida demonstrated a strong performance on Friday. The battle for the SEC Championship will be a tight battle between Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Intensity at the conference championships will serve these teams well as they prepare for NCAAs. Win or lose, these teams will be motivated by the outcome. UCLA and Stanford are also set for a showdown at the Pac 10 Championship.

Utah is at a disadvantage by not having a conference championship, but they have won without one in the past. The team did not appear quite as sharp on Friday. Ashley Postell has suffered several mistakes since becoming the odds-on favorite to win the NCAA All-Around title. Postell faces an uphill battle if she is to win in Stegmen Colosseum.

The post season begins on March 29th.

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