NORMAN – For the second week in a row, a pair of Oklahoma gymnasts earned Big 12 weekly honors, the conference announced Monday.
Senior
Maggie Nichols and freshman
Ragan Smith repeated as the Gymnast and Newcomer of the Week, respectively. The honor is the 20
th of Nichols' career and the second for Smith.
The duo was instrumental in leading the Sooners to the highest score in the nation with a 197.675 at No. 14 Arizona State. The pair were responsible for seven routines on the night and totaled six scores of 9.9 or higher.
Nichols was named the Big 12 Gymnast of the Week for the 12
th time in her career after posting the best all-around score in the nation with a 39.750. Nichols took home three event titles plus the all-around title as she notched a 9.95 on vault, a 9.975 on beam and a 9.925 on floor. The Little Canada, Minn., native led the Sooners to the top score in the nation and their fourth win over a ranked opponent this season. With a 9.9 on bars, Nichols kept her streak of scoring a 9.9 or higher on bars in her last 26 meets and has scored at least a 9.9 on two events in each of her 32 career meets.
Smith competed on three events for the Sooners, posting at least a 9.875 on all three. The freshman took home the bar title with a 9.925, her second week posting a 9.9 or better on the event. Smith also tallied a career-high 9.9 on floor. On beam, the Lewisville, Texas, native added a 9.875 to finish off a strong night for the Sooners. Smith helped the Sooners to a season-best 49.550 on beam and a season best 49.375 on floor with her scores on the events.
The Sooners are set for a double weekend of competition, beginning with No. 9 Alabama on Friday at 8 p.m. CT. That meet is set to air on ESPN2. OU will then return to Lloyd Noble Center for the first time in 2020 as they host Arkansas on Monday, Jan. 20, at 1:30 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased at soonersports.com or by calling (405) 325-2424.