Gymnastics: 'Unfavorable' draw has its advantages
I'm sure there was some groaning going on around the country when the sessions for the NCAA Gymnastics Championships were finalized late Saturday.
They were:
Group A: Georgia, Stanford, Utah, Michigan, UCLA, Denver
Group B: Florida, LSU, Alabama, Oregon State, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Group A will compete in the evening session Thursday because Georgia is the host teams and host teams are automatically awarded the evening session.
On paper, that group seems more difficult than the earlier session, especially since it includes Georgia and Utah, the top two ranked teams.
The afternoon session in general is also considered favorable by many teams because the teams that advance to the Super Six out of that group will have more time to rest.
Altogether it doesn't sound good for the Utes, does it?
I say, for once at least, it does. I think it'll be an advantage for the Utes to compete with Georgia and get a glimpse of what the atmosphere is going to be like on Friday, assuming both teams will advance.
Last year, the Utes admitted they were intimidated by Georgia's loud crowd when they traveled there for a regular season meet. With a sellout crowd, the place is going to be even nuttier at the NCAAs. It will be good for the Utes to see what it's like, and I think it would be a big boost to their confidence if they won the session.
Competing in the evening could also be good for Ashley Postell, who is one of the leading candidates for the NCAA All-Around title.
Scores tend to get a bit higher in the evening, and that can only help her cause, not that she needs any help.
She has had a remarkable season and with Saturday's all-around win is just one short of tying the school record for most all-around wins in a season. Suzanne Metz won 11 in 1995.
All in all I'd say the draw has plenty of advantages for the Utes, no reason to think the way the sessions shook out was unlucky at all.
They were:
Group A: Georgia, Stanford, Utah, Michigan, UCLA, Denver
Group B: Florida, LSU, Alabama, Oregon State, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Group A will compete in the evening session Thursday because Georgia is the host teams and host teams are automatically awarded the evening session.
On paper, that group seems more difficult than the earlier session, especially since it includes Georgia and Utah, the top two ranked teams.
The afternoon session in general is also considered favorable by many teams because the teams that advance to the Super Six out of that group will have more time to rest.
Altogether it doesn't sound good for the Utes, does it?
I say, for once at least, it does. I think it'll be an advantage for the Utes to compete with Georgia and get a glimpse of what the atmosphere is going to be like on Friday, assuming both teams will advance.
Last year, the Utes admitted they were intimidated by Georgia's loud crowd when they traveled there for a regular season meet. With a sellout crowd, the place is going to be even nuttier at the NCAAs. It will be good for the Utes to see what it's like, and I think it would be a big boost to their confidence if they won the session.
Competing in the evening could also be good for Ashley Postell, who is one of the leading candidates for the NCAA All-Around title.
Scores tend to get a bit higher in the evening, and that can only help her cause, not that she needs any help.
She has had a remarkable season and with Saturday's all-around win is just one short of tying the school record for most all-around wins in a season. Suzanne Metz won 11 in 1995.
All in all I'd say the draw has plenty of advantages for the Utes, no reason to think the way the sessions shook out was unlucky at all.
12:43 AM
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