No. 2 Oklahoma Set for Metroplex Challenge

No. 2 Oklahoma at Metroplex Challenge (No. 3 LSU, No. 17 Arizona, Kentucky) Saturday, Feb. 15 \| 7 p.m. CT
Be There	Fort Worth Convention Center Arena (Fort Worth, Texas) Metroplex Challenge Website \| (972) 727-9095
Watch Live	Gymnastike.org Live Stream ($)
Pre-Meet Info	Game Notes (PDF) \| Meet Preview

IN THE GYM: NOTES AND NUMBERS FOR WEEK SIX

1. BEST MEET FORWARD
It's a rematch weekend for the No. 2 Oklahoma women's gymnastics team as it prepares to face No. 3 LSU and No. 17 Arizona for the second time this season alongside Kentucky at the annual Metroplex Challenge. The Sooners are 1-1 against Metroplex foes this season, with a 197.575-196.925 road win over Arizona in January and a narrow 197.650-197.325 loss to the Tigers last weekend. OU will enter the meet looking to put its best foot forward after posting outstanding efforts on three of four events last Sunday, but coming up uncharacteristically short on beam. Oklahoma earned season-high scores of 49.525 on vault, 49.475 on bars and 49.525 against LSU; the Sooners' season-high of 49.525 on beam came in January against Arizona.

2. EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE BOARD
The Sooners continue to flex their strength on all four events, and their top-to-bottom talent continues to shine in the national rankings. Oklahoma is the only team in the country to own top four rankings as a team on all four events. As of this week, OU is ranked third nationally on vault (49.525), bars (49.425) and beam (49.185) and fourth overall on floor (49.228). Florida, LSU and Utah each own three top four rankings apiece.

3. STELLAR START
OU's outstanding efforts this season have been bolstered by strong outings on vault--the Sooners join Utah as the only two schools in the nation to have posted a 49.400 or better on vault at every meet this season. Following a season-high 49.525 last week against LSU, Oklahoma's vault average of 49.455 is the program's highest average following the first five weeks of the season under head coach K.J. Kindler. OU's 49.455 average through five meets is .265 higher than the squad's average at the same point last season (49.190). The Sooners efforts on the event have been anchored by a trio of super sophomores in Haley Scaman, Keeley Kmieciak and Maile'ana Kanewa. Scaman and Kmieciak have not scored below a 9.9 on the event this year, while Kanewa has not scored below a 9.875.

4. RISING ON FLOOR
After a big start to the season on floor (49.500 vs. Georgia), the Sooners posted an average of 49.217 on the event through their next three meets. Coach Kindler shuffled her lineup to maximize its potential and welcomed Kanewa back to the event from a minor injury. After showing sparks of potential against Florida, OU's lineup shone against LSU last week, putting together a season-high performance of 49.525. Oklahoma recorded three scores of 9.9 or better, led by Scaman's career-high-tying 9.975 and a career-best 9.925 from Lara Albright.

NUMBER TO WATCH
49.455: Oklahoma's vault average through its first five meets (49.455) is the program's highest under head coach K.J. Kindler and .265 higher than last season at the same time (49.150).

Oklahoma Vault Average (through first five meets)
2014: 49.455
2013: 49.190
2012: 49.210
2011: 49.070
2010: 49.100