The 2024 gymnastics season has officially started! Sixteen teams traveled to Las Vegas last weekend for the “Mean Girls” Super 16 Gymnastics Championships. This is the second annual Super 16 season opener in Las Vegas and the first time DU was in attendance. It was a great way to start the season, competing on the podium at the Orleans Arena. Most of the top teams were there, and they looked ready for the season. The teams were divided into four sessions of four schools each. DU competed in the first session on January 5th, going head to head with Washington, Illinois, and San Jose State. The meet was live-streamed on YouTube @super16gym.
Denver won Session 1, and tied Minnesota and Cal for the 3rd highest score across all four sessions with a 196.85. The top teams were Oklahoma (197.85) and Alabama (197.125). After all meet scores were tallied around the NCAA, DU sits tied in 6th place with Cal and Minnesota. However, many teams did not compete in the opening weekend. Although this 6th place rank is higher than preseason polls predicted, it’s not a true ranking until everyone competes. Expect DU’s national ranking to drop next week. Future DU rankings will depend on staying healthy, consistent and sticking the landings. DU can be a top 10 contender only if all of those things go well.
DU debuted new all-crimson leotards in the season opener that included the interlocking DU logo in rhinestones on the back. These are not the maroon-looking reddish interpretation, but a true crimson. They looked great. I hope to see these uniforms in Magness this year.
The best surprise in the season opener was a strong all around from freshman, Madison Ulrich. Although the livestream didn’t highlight Denver much, Ulrich’s scores speak for themselves. In her collegiate debut, she scored 9.9 on vault, 9.85 on bars, 9.775 on beam, and 9.8 on floor, making her all-around score a 39.325. Look for some big gymnastics to come for this athlete. Of note is Ulrich’s 10.0 start value vault, a handspring front pike with a half. This is not a common NCAA vault because it’s much harder than the more popular Yurchenko entry vaults. If she sticks this vault, she’s going to score some 10s this season.
Another wonderful surprise was senior Rosie Casali joining the beam lineup and competing in the all-around for the first time in her NCAA career. Rosie has always been a fan favorite and has hit some huge scores in the past. I hope to see her continue making the all-around lineup.
Denver’s floor performances are also of note. Although the scores weren’t spectacular, the team has stepped up their game in choreography and music cuts. Many Denver fans traveled to Las Vegas and on the live stream, you could hear them all yell when prompted by each gymnast’s music. There are key spots in choreography after every athlete’s first tumbling pass where the music has a whistle on the two and four counts, and the fans yell “Let’s Go DU!” in time with the music. It’s going to sound awesome in Magness! Super 16 commentator (and retired long-time LSU head coach) D-D Breaux commented on the fans in attendance and the great choreography of Denver’s lineup. Look for this floor team to increase their scores as they settle into the season.
DU’s next meet will be at home, in Magness Arena, on Sunday, January 14, 2024 versus future Big 12 addition, Arizona State University. ASU is coming off a win at home versus Central Michigan on Monday. DU is predicted to win Sunday’s matchup by three points.
Photos courtesy of Super 16 Gymnastics Championships https://www.instagram.com/super16gym