The 2016 NCAA season has officially kicked off with the Cancun Classic, and the Michigan Wolverines came out with a huge 196.975 to earn the win. The Arkansas Razorbacks scored a 195.150 and the Iowa Hawkeyes finished with a 192.350. It was an action-packed and energy-filled meet showcasing phenomenal new freshmen as well as impressive returning veterans on each team.

MichiganÂ’s Nicole Artz totaled a 39.525 to place first all-around. Freshman teammate Olivia Karas came in second with a 39.475 and Amanda Wellick of Arkansas came in third with a 39.3. The top vault score of a 9.925 came from Karas, and Artz won bars with a 9.90. Karas also took the beam title with a 9.90. The floor title went to Artz for her phenomenal 9.95 routine.

Michigan started off strong on vault earning a 49.225. Briley Casanova, Chiarelli, and Karas all competed Yurchenko one and a halves and Karas earned a 9.925 in her first college routine ever.

They continued their momentum in the second rotation and although they had a fall, they were able to finish strong. They tallied a 49.125 lead by Artz's 9.9.

On beam they had another fall but were again able to drop that score. Karas leadoff with a beautiful routine to post a 9.9. Chiarelli anchored finishing with a round-off double tuck dismount to score a 9.875.

The team finished with a bang on floor scoring a 49.4. Karas and Chiarelli both opened their routines with big Arabian double fronts and Artz anchored scoring a 9.95.



Arkansas opened the meet on bars where they nailed six for six routines for a 49.10 event total. Paige Zaziski, 2015 SEC Co-Freshman of the Year, anchored the event with a strong 9.85 routine.

The Razorbacks moved to beam and had a rough start with two falls, but showed great resilience and picked it up in the following routines. The highlight was surely senior Sydnie DillardÂ’s spectacular 9.875 routine which included a front aerial to back handspring layout step out and a stuck dismount to anchor the rotation. The Razorbacks came out with a 48.65 on beam.



The floor rotation featured several expressive and clean routines, including one from freshman Sydnie McGlone who began her career with a smile-filled 9.825 set. Wellick closed out the rotation with a huge double pike and double tuck for a 9.85. The Razorbacks totaled a 48.625 on floor.

The vault rotation was a huge highlight of the night featuring five beautiful Yurchenko fulls to score a 49.20. McGlone showed off a huge vault, flaring it out for a clean landing. Wellick anchored by nailing her vault for a phenomenal 9.90.



Iowa came in with a lot of energy today and showed constant encouragement for each other throughout the night. The Hawkeyes started the meet on beam and unfortunately, had to count two falls in the rotation. They finished the first event with a 47.25 but bounced back on floor and put up a strong 48.725. Melissa Zurawski was the highlight of the rotation with a 9.825. Throughout the rotation, it was evident that artistry is a focus for this team as they made a strong effort to engage the crowd and show off their routines.

Heading over to vault, Iowa posted six strong scores, totaling 48.95. They gained momentum after a solid couple events, but had trouble on bars, again having to count two falls, and finished with a 192.35 total. Amidst mistakes, the Hawkeyes have much to be proud of and will look to build on this meet as the season progresses. 



And with that, 2016 NCAA season has officially begun!


Related:
Michigan Vault Rotation
Michigan Bars Rotation
Michigan Beam Rotation
Michigan Floor Rotation
Arkansas Vault Rotation
Arkansas Bars Rotation
Arkansas Beam Rotation
Arkansas Floor Rotation
Iowa Vault Rotation
Iowa Bar Rotation 
Iowa Beam Rotation
Iowa Floor Rotation