The 2016 NCAA season continues with week three of collegiate gymnastics. The LSU Tigers and Michigan Wolverines share the top spot in the rankings on the women’s side. Florida sits in third with a 196.825, while preseason No.1 Oklahoma (196.725) is fourth. UCLA rounds out the top 5 with a 196.550.

Checking in on No. 1

  • No. 1 LSU and No. 23 NC State (Lady Luck Invitational)
    Thursday, Jan. 14 at 10, pm ET
    The Tigers jumped to the top of the standings after upsetting the preseason No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners last weekend in Baton Rouge 196.950-196.725. The meet featured the NCAA debut of elite stars Sarah Finnegan and Lexie Priessman. Finnegan’s performance in the season opener included a clutch beam routine (9.925) that earned her SEC Freshman of the Week honors. This week the Tigers head to Las Vegas for the Lady Luck Invitational to face No. 23 NC State.
  • No. 1 Michigan hosts No. 22 Ohio State
    Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. ET
    The Wolverines have two meets under their belts scoring a 196.975 at the Cancun Classic Jan. 2 and defeating Georgia with a 196.925. Nationally, junior Nicole Artz ranks third in the all-around after wins in the first two meets of the season. This week the Wolverines host No. 22 Ohio State. The Buckeyes opened their season with a victory over Washington posting a 194.275.

Let’s take a look at some top matchups you should keep your eye on this weekend.

WOMEN

  • No. 5 UCLA at No. 3 Florida
    Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET
    Regular Season Series Record (all-time): UCLA leads 7-2. Last meeting, Florida tied for first in 2015 NCAA Semifinal 1 (197.475) and UCLA was sixth (196.40) on April 17, 2015.

    • No. 5 UCLA /Previous Week’s Score: 196.550
      The Bruins made their 31st NCAA appearance in 2015 and return four All-Americans in 2016. UCLA enter this week’s competition on a high note after upsetting No. 3 Alabama 196.550 – 196.300 last weekend at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins’ performance was highlighted by a stellar beam rotation where UCLA scored 49.4, including a pair of 9.95s from Danusia Francis and Peng-Peng Lee. A thumb injury forced Lee to perform hands-free beam routine, nicknamed the “Bluetooth” routine by coach Valorie-Kondos Field. The victory against Alabama also featured the NCAA debut of elite star Katelyn Ohashi, who competed all-around and scored a 9.850 on floor exercise.
    • No. 3 Florida/Previous week score: 196.825.
      The three-time national champion Florida Gators opened their season on the road at Texas Women’s University and cruised to victory with a 196.825, their fourth-highest season opener in program history. The Gators went one-two in the all-around with top notch performances from Bridget Sloan and Kennedy Baker and swept the individual event titles. Senior sensation Bridget Sloan won her 19th all-around title (39.50) in addition to victories on bars and floor bringing her career total of event wins to 71. Gator freshman Alicia Boren made a statement in her NCAA debut winning a share of the balance beam title with a 9.9 tying her teammate sophomore Ericha Fassbender.
  • This week’s matchup with UCLA is the home debut for first-year Gator head coach Jenny Rowland

MEN

  • No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 10 Nebraska, No. 16 Arizona State, No. 10 Washington at No. 11 Air Force
    Saturday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m. ET
    The defending National Champions and preseason No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners will begin their 2016 season on the road at No. 11 Air Force for the Rocky Mountain Open where they will also face No. 10 Nebraska, No. 16 Arizona State, and No. 20 Washington. This is the first meet of the season for all of the teams and Oklahoma has won the last 16 RMO titles.
  • No. 2 Ohio State, No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 Illinois, No. 8 Minnesota, No. 9 Iowa at No. 15 UIC (Windy City Invitational)
    Saturday, Jan. 17, 4 p.m. ET

    • No. 2 Ohio State
      The Windy City Invitational is the season opener for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has 10 returning athletes including three All-Americans. Keep your eye on Freshman Alec Yoder, who won the all-around at the Buckeyes’ annual Scarlet & Gray Instrasquad. Ohio State will host this year’s NCAA Championships in Columbus, where the Buckeyes hope to win their fourth NCAA title.
    • No. 5 Michigan
      Michigan enters its first competition of the season after a fourth place finish in team finals at the 2015 NCAA Championships. The Wolverines bring a young team to the Windy City with 15 freshmen. Michigan return seven of 25 routines from the 2015 NCAA Team Finals lineup. Athletes to watch include All-American sophomores Dmitri Belanovski and Nolan Novak.
    • No. 6 Illinois/Previous Week Score 432.500
      No. 6 Illinois returns to UIC for the second consecutive week after topping the Flames (432.500-374.250) in the season opener. The Illini have 15 returning athletes including two-time All-American sophomore Bobby Baker who was the 2015 Big Ten Gymnast of the year.
    • No. 9 Iowa
      The Hawkeyes entered the 2016 season ninth in the coaches poll returning 16 gymnasts. Iowa concluded 2015 with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Key athlete to watch includes junior All-American Jack Boyle, who was a high bar finalist at last years NCAA Championships.
    • No. 15 University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) / Previous Week Score: 374.250
      The Flames opened the season ranked 15th in the coaches poll and have an experienced 2016 roster that includes 14 returning athletes. UIC enters the meet after dropping its season opener to Illinois, 347.250-432.500

Fans can follow all the action with our weekly meet schedule linked to live webcasts and results!