2014 NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships

Preview: NCAA Vault Final

Preview: NCAA Vault Final

Apr 14, 2014 by Jennifer Teitell
Preview: NCAA Vault Final


For the second consecutive year, the gymnasts involved in the NCAA Individual vault final will perform one vault. Prior to 2013, competitors performed two different vaults with the scores averaged to determine the champion. Last season 23 gymnasts made the vault final and all six judges’ scores were averaged to determine the champion. The field could be just as large this season with the majority of gymnasts competing a full twisting yurchenko.


 Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders on vault:


Bridget Sloan (Florida)
Rank: #1
RQS: 9.95
Sloan is ranked number one in the country on vault with an average score of 9.935. Sloan performed a double twisting yurchenko for many years as an elite gymnast so the yurchenko full is a simple vault for her. The Florida sophomore has gorgeous form on the vault and stuck landing could clinch the title. 


Diandra Milliner (Alabama)
Rank: #2T
RQS: 9.945
Milliner tied for the vault title in 2013 with Rheagan Courville  and should be a challenger again in 2014. Millner stands out because she performs a yurchenko 1.5 that is much more difficult to stick due to the blind landing. The extra difficulty is a huge advantage for Milliner if she can stick the vault.


Kytra Hunter (Florida)
Rank: #2T
RQS: 9.945
Kytra Hunter of Florida set the vault on fire this season scoring two perfect ten’s with her stuck 1.5 twisting yurchenko. Hunter won the 2012 NCAA title on vault and could grab the title again in 2014.  Hunter is tied for second on the event with a season average of 9.916.


Tory Wilson (Utah)
Rank: #2T
RQS: 9.945
Wilson was queen of the vault last season spending six weeks ranked No. 1 in the country on vault became the first gymnast in Utah history to go undefeated on an event during the regular season and spent six weeks at No. 1. Wilson averaged a 9.923 this season and 2014 is one of the favorites for the title.



Rheagan Courville (LSU)
Rank: #7T
RQS:9.940
Last season Courville tied for the NCAA vault title with a stuck yuchenko full that earned her a 9.925. Courville averaged a 9.919 this season on vault and scored a perfect 10 at the 2014 Metroplex Challenge. Courville gets a huge block off the table and has perfect form in the air.


Who do you think will win the 2014 NCAA Vault title?



Vault Rankings

Rank First Name Last Name V RQS Team Region Ave High
1 Bridget Sloan 9.950 Florida SE 9.935 9.950
2 Kytra Hunter 9.945 Florida SE 9.916 10.000
- AUSTIN SHEPPARD 9.945 Michigan NE 9.916 9.975
- Kailah DELANEY 9.945 Utah NC 9.927 9.950
- Diandra Milliner 9.945 Alabama C 9.930 10.000
- Tory WILSON 9.945 Utah NC 9.923 9.975
7 Rheagan Courville 9.940 L.S.U. C 9.919 10.000
- Haley Scaman 9.940 Oklahoma SC 9.925 10.000
9 Jessie DeZiel 9.935 Nebraska SC 9.892 9.975
10 Lauren Beers 9.930 Alabama C 9.886 9.950
11 Georgia DABRITZ 9.925 Utah NC 9.911 9.975
- Katherine Grable 9.925 Arkansas SC 9.911 9.950
- Lindsay Mable 9.925 Minnesota NC 9.844 10.000
- Sarie Morrison 9.925 L.S.U. C 9.906 9.975
15 Olivia Courtney 9.920 UCLA W 9.909 9.975

Gymnastike's coverage from Birmingham will kick off on Thursday, April 17th as the nation's top teams take to the Championship arena for the first time. Sign up for Gymnastike Gold to soak up the excitement and watch the most extensive coverage of the NCAA championships to date.