NCAA gymnastics championships – Dwell updates as Olympians Jade Carey, Grace McCallum compete within the first of two semifinals

4 U.S. Olympians you will bear in mind from Tokyo. Eight ultratalented groups. And a ridiculously tight battle for the staff and particular person titles. The NCAA gymnastics championships begin Thursday, with semifinal I beginning at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2), and semifinal II at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Need the lowdown? We’ll have dwell updates all through this whirlwind day:

---

Right here we go: Who to observe in semifinal I

No. 1-ranked Oklahoma, No. four Utah, No. 5 Alabama and No. 7 Minnesota will every compete in semifinal I with the identical purpose: To put first or second and advance to the ultimate on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ABC).

Additionally on the beginning checklist? Particular person qualifiers, together with a blockbuster one. Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey, who completed the common season ranked first within the all-around, second on bars and third on ground, has been nothing wanting spectacular competing for Oregon State. This sums up why we should always all be in on the Jade Carey hype:

https://twitter.com/BeaverGym/status/1514287308350107649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

She’ll have an opportunity to win the all-around and a person occasion title Thursday — nevertheless it will not be simple. There are maybe a dozen different gymnasts who may additionally win the all-around, awarded to the best finisher on all 4 occasions after each semifinals are full. More on the all-around battle here.

Excessive on that checklist could be Carey’s Olympic teammate (and good friend) Grace McCallum, who’s ranked sixth within the all-around and second on bars. McCallum is competing with the storied Utah staff, and has had herself some type of season as nicely, together with two excellent 10.0s on bars.

https://twitter.com/UtahGymnastics/status/1489799671434276869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On the staff entrance, Oklahoma and Utah are the favorites to advance, simply as their rankings point out. Utah’s roster additionally contains Olympic alternate Kara Eaker and two-time NCAA occasion champ Maile O’Keefe. The pair clinched the staff’s nationals bid in essentially the most dramatic approach two gymnasts can, by scoring consecutive 10.0s on beam at regionals. Due to course you will wish to see that, here it is.

Oklahoma has its personal stars in 2016 Olympic alternate Ragan Smith, in addition to freshman Jordan Bowers and sophomore Audrey Davis. Every of those gymnasts may win a person occasion title. Do not miss Oklahoma on bars, particularly — the staff is ranked No. 1 on that occasion.

However, actually, nothing is assured Thursday. Alabama’s regional finals rating was 198.175, to Utah’s 198.200 and Oklahoma’s 198.250. These margins are as miniscule as they appear. And Minnesota just isn’t be counted out. The squad has additionally hit the 198 mark this season, and in the event that they hit, may upset any of the opposite staff. That is going to be an epic battle, and something may occur. — Amy Van Deusen

Get more predictions, from Kathy Johnson Clarke, Bart Conner, Alicia Sacramone Quinn and many more, here.