Sooners See Perfection, Dominate in Conference Win at No. 9 Denver

Sunday, January 29

Denver, Colo.

3 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

198.425

197.425

Denver

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Sooners See Perfection, Dominate in Conference Win at No. 9 Denver

January 29, 2023 | Women's Gymnastics

Meet Results Competition Photo Gallery Highlights Ragan Smith's Perfect 10 Highlight Leo Reveal Photo Gallery

DENVER – Senior Ragan Smith was perfect on the balance beam and the University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team posted its first score of 198-plus this season in a 198.425-197.425 win at No. 9 Denver on Sunday afternoon inside Magness Arena.

OU's score marked its fifth-highest in program history and highest in the nation this season, surpassing No. 3 Michigan's 198.125 on Jan. 13.

"Our objective was to bring our practices out on the competition floor and I could see a sense of confidence and togetherness out there," said head coach K.J. Kindler.

Smith's 10.0 was the third of her career after earning back-to-back perfect scores on beam last season against Texas Woman's (Feb. 6) and George Washington (Feb. 11). Smith, who became the first Sooner to earn a perfect 10 in 2023, won her first beam title of the season and 13th overall on the event. She also moved up to fifth in program history for career perfect 10s (three) and is tied with NCAA individual champions Nicole Lehrmann and Brenna Dowell.

Smith's event title was one of four on the day for the Sooners, who also notched an all-around crown. Juniors Katherine LeVasseur and Audrey Davis won the vault and bars titles, respectively, with near-perfect 9.975s. LeVasseur's score was a season high while Davis' matched a career best. The vault title was LeVasseur's second of the season and fifth of her career. Davis won her first event this season and posted her 14th career bars title.

"Kat's return to bars and beam was strong," Kindler noted. "It looked like she hadn't missed a beat, and the Vault was spectacular."

Sophomore Jordan Bowers notched a season-high-tying 9.950 to capture her first floor title of the season and sixth overall. Bowers also notched a career-high 39.700 in the all-around to win her first such crown of the season and second of her career. The Lincoln, Neb., native notched her fourth straight meet with 39.500-plus all-around score.

"Jo has taken on a lot of responsibility and I love the way she is embracing her role," said Kindler. "Her confidence is contagious."

The Sooners posted a 49.500 or higher on all four events and captured the team event title on each. OU earned the program's third-highest beam score in program history and the best score in the nation this year with an impressive 49.725. The Sooners also posted season highs on bars (49.625) and floor (49.525), and earned a 49.550 on vault.

OU swung high on bars to start the meet. Sophomore Danielle Sievers opened with a season-high 9.900. Freshman Faith Torrez added a strong routine to earn a 9.875, and was followed by a 9.825 from LeVasseur, who made her season debut on the event. Smith stuck her double-layout dismount for a 9.925. Bowers and Davis notched career highs to wrap up the event with a 9.950 and near-perfect 9.975, respectively. In the exhibition spot, sophomore Danae Fletcher scored a solid 9.800.

OU showcased Yurchenko 1.5s in every spot for a 49.550 on vault. LeVasseur led the Sooners with a stuck landing for a near-perfect 9.975. Bowers was powerful and scored a 9.900, while Davis anchored the event and matched a career high with a 9.950. Sievers started the lineup with a solid 9.875, while Torrez and super-senior Allie Stern earned matching 9.850s.

The Sooners matched a season-high floor score with a 49.525 in the third rotation behind Bowers' season-high 9.950. Junior Bell Johnson scored a season-high-tying 9.875, showcasing incredible tumbling and fun dancing in the leadoff spot. Sievers tallied a season-high 9.900, while Fletcher featured a sky-high triple twist in her jazzy funk routine. Torrez anchored with difficult tumbling for a 9.925 and Davis was back on floor in an exhibition spot to match a career-high 9.900.

A perfect score from Smith in the anchor position highlighted the final rotation as the Sooners tallied the third-highest beam score in program history, a 49.725. OU posted five scores of 9.900-plus, including three straight to begin the rotation. Senior Jenna Dunn showcased a stuck gainer full dismount in the leadoff position for a career-high 9.925. As the leadoff this season, Dunn has yet to earn lower than a 9.875 in four meets. LeVasseur made her beam debut this season in stunning form with a stuck gainer full dismount for a 9.950. Bowers added a 9.900 after a stuck double-twist dismount.

Originally slated in the exhibition spot, super senior Olivia Trautman made her season debut and wowed with a career-high-tying 9.950 in the No. 5 spot. She was preceded by Davis' 9.850. Sophomore Amy Wier made her first appearance this season with a 9.725 in an exhibition routine.

"Olivia has been waiting in the wings and per her usual entrance it was near flawless," noted Kindler. "She has a warrior inside her."

No. 1 Oklahoma continues Big 12 competition at home on Friday at 6:45 p.m. CT against Iowa State inside Lloyd Noble Center. Season tickets start at just $25 and individual meet tickets are as low as $5, and can be purchased at SoonerSports.com/tickets.