2014 NCAA Regional - Athens

The Regional Rundown

The Regional Rundown

The Regional Rundown

Apr 4, 2014 by Anne Phillips
The Regional Rundown
Imagine this: Your team is ranked #1 nationally. You're undefeated on the season. You're already hearing rumblings of a national title in your future. 

Now, you walk into NCAA Regionals as the obvious favorite. But, on this particular day, it all goes wrong. The beam rotation results in a meltdown, and the team counts two falls. 

Meanwhile, the underdog teams deliver the performances of their lives. With every stuck landing they inch closer and closer to an upset. 

Your team huddles up, awaiting the final tally. Finally, the results are in: 3rd place by a mere quarter of a tenth. And just like that, your season is over. The hope and expectation of a national title is crushed.

This scenario is what makes the NCAA Regional Championships the most intense, high pressure, exciting competitions of the season. 



The Regional Rundown
The top thirty six ranked teams in the nation have been sorted into six Regional sites around the country. These competitions will happen simultaneously this Saturday with six teams in each Regional. Only the top two finishing teams from each Regional (12 teams total), regardless of ranking or past performances, will advance to the 2014 NCAA Gymnastics Championships held April 18-20 in Birmingham, AL. As history has shown, anything can happen. 

The Toughest Road in 2014
The Gymnastike fans have spoken - the Fayetteville Regional will be the nation's toughest Regional with the #17 ranked University of Arkansas bringing the greatest threat of an upset. 

I have to agree. Arkansas is great at home, and Katherine Grable has been on fire this season.  Plus, Arkansas is rather under ranked at #17, boasting a season-high score of 197.10. They'll put enormous pressure on NCAA Championship regulars #5 Utah and #8 UCLA. 

I also have high hopes for #13 Auburn in the Baton Rouge Regional. They'll have to get past #10 Stanford who always seems to peak just in time for the post season, but this is the best Auburn team we've seen in years. Plus, the LSU arena will be a comfortable environment for the SEC tested team. 

Finally, there are three #3 seeds with an undeniable advantage. In addition to Arkansas, #14 Minnesota and #15 Penn State will be hosting their Regional competitions and plan to use the familiar surroundings and home crowd to guide them to an upset. 



The Matchups
To make it interesting, we've included their 2014 season high scores.

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#6 Georgia - 197.65 / 197.265
#7 Michigan - 197.825 / 197.105
#18 Central Michigan - 196.60 / 196.30
#22 Ohio State - 196.60 / 195.905
#28 NC State - 196.10 / 195.615
#32 Rutgers - 196.225 / 195.340

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#3 LSU - 198.050 / 197.720
#10 Stanford - 197.275 / 196.815
#13 Auburn - 197.10 / 196.560
#21 Arizona - 196.925 / 196.160
#27 Kent State - 196.225 / 195.655
#36 Iowa State - 196.650 / 195.160

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#5 Utah - 198.025 / 197.575
#8 UCLA - 197.50 / 197.005
#17 Arkansas - 197.10 / 196.355
#24 Arizona State - 196.20 / 195.855
#30 Utah State - 196.075 / 195.570
#34 UC Davis - 196.425 / 195.260

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#2 Oklahoma - 198.175 / 197.775
#11 Illinois - 197.10 / 196.650
#14 Minnesota - 197.250 / 196.505
#19 California - 196.725 / 196.270
#26 Southern Utah - 196.125 / 195.665
#31 San Jose State - 195.80 / 195.510

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#4 Alabama - 198.250 / 197.615
#9 Nebraska - 197.225 / 196.895
#16 Boise State - 196.975 / 196.395
#20 Denver - 196.925 / 196.205
#25 BYU - 196.425 / 195.820
#33 Washington - 195.265 / 196.20

Ranking / Team / Season High Score / RQS
#1 Florida - 198.325 / 197.895
#12 Oregon State - 197.10 / 196.615
#15 Penn State - 197.20 / 196.475
#23 New Hampshire - 196.675 / 195.880
#29 Kentucky - 196.275 / 195.585
#35 Maryland - 195.70 / 195.175

You will not want to miss any of the action this weekend. Stick with Gymnastike on Saturday for the lastest results, breaking news, and behind the scenes access to the 2014 Regional Championships. Bookmark our 2014 Regional Central homepage.

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