The early-season schedule held no favors for Minnesota, as it took on three opponents — two of which are ranked — in eight days.
“We try to not think about the opponent and really just focus on our own performance,” junior Lindsay Mable said.
But the hectic week caught up to the Gophers, as No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners edged them on Saturday 196.5 to 194.475, just two days after they lost to unranked Maryland.
“We looked really, really good after our first three events, but we lost our gas [during the fourth event], but that’s what happens when you have three meets in eight days,” interim head coach Jenny Hansen said.
Oklahoma came out swinging, finishing with a score of 49.35 on the bars while the Gophers finished with a 48.95 on the vault. Senior Jenny Covers finished with the top team score on the vault — the Gophers’ top event.
The Sooners’ lead grew after two events, despite senior Cierra Tomson carrying the Gophers with a score of 9.875 on the uneven bars.
Mable followed with the top overall score on the beam at 9.9. She received her third consecutive all-around crown this year with a total score of 39.425.
“Lindsay did a great job … The whole team is coming together,” Hansen said. “We know we have work to do, but we are all fired up to make that happen.”
Mable’s efforts weren’t enough to push Minnesota over the top, despite Oklahoma’s struggles on the beam.
Minnesota didn’t make any ground during their floor routine, as they had three deductions.
“We’re looking to get better each and every meet,” Hansen said. “We are getting players back and getting in better shape every week [and] working on the little things.”
Gophers finish fifth
The men’s team began its season seventh in the country, but fifth in the conference.
The Big Ten’s dominance was on display Saturday, as Minnesota finished behind four conference opponents in its season-opening Windy City Classic.
The team finished fifth out of six teams with a final score of 410.45. The Gophers only scored higher than Illinois-Chicago. Illinois took first place with a 428.100 followed by Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa.
The Gophers showed their best efforts on the vault, but some poor showings on the pommel horse and parallel bars hurt their overall scores.
Senior Ellis Mannon scored a team-high 13.7 on the pommel horse with a total team score of 65.9, while freshman Joel Gagnon came through on the floor with a 14.55 — good for top five overall.
Mannon received the all-around for the Gophers with a score of 83.05 and finished fourth in the overall all-around results.
The Gophers will compete against the Air Force next weekend.
