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Updated: January 18, 2025 @ 11:31 am
Olympian Simone Biles poses with the Georgia gymnastics team during the UGA vs. Boise State gymnastics meet at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Georgia won 196.825-193.600. (Photo/Laney Martin: @LaneyMartinPhotography)
Olympian Simone Biles poses with the Georgia gymnastics team during the UGA vs. Boise State gymnastics meet at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Georgia won 196.825-193.600. (Photo/Laney Martin: @LaneyMartinPhotography)
The Georgia gymnastics team soared to victory over Boise State, posting an impressive 196.825 to 193.600 win on Friday night at Stegeman Coliseum. The home crowd of 10,224 fans marked the first gymnastics sell-out since February 2023, creating an electrifying atmosphere as Georgia improved to 2-2 on the season.
Adding to the excitement of the evening, 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles was in attendance as a special guest of co-head coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi.
Georgia excelled in every event, showcasing the team’s depth and consistency.
“Second meet of the season, and I’m super pleased with the girls, the attitude, and the work. We’re almost a point higher than last week, and I think it’s good for the confidence,” Canqueteau-Landi said. “I just can’t wait to keep going, [I’m] really proud of them.”
After a strong start on vault, Georgia, who is ranked No. 2 on bars, built on their season opener with a 49.375 for the event—their highest mark of the season. Junior Ja’ Free Scott led the charge with a dazzling 9.925 to secure the bars title. Sophomore Lily Smith delivered a stellar performance that earned her a 9.900. After her bar exhibition in Denver, freshman Emma Mason earned a spot in the lineup against Boise State and contributed a 9.850 for the Bulldogs.
On beam, Smith demonstrated her consistency and claimed the title with another score of 9.900. Scott landed a 9.850 with her captivating beam routine, which included the iconic moonwalk, a tradition passed down to her by former gymnast Soraya Hawthorne. Sophomore Anya Turner rounded out the top three with a solid 9.825, which completed Georgia’s sweep of the top three beam spots.
“Both routines felt really good, but I’m still such a perfectionist,” Smith said after the meet. “I’m happy with those scores, so I’ll take them.”
The night concluded on floor, where Georgia posted another 49.375. Smith earned her second event title with a 9.925, supported by sophomore Ady Wahl’s 9.900 and Mason’s 9.875.
With this win, Georgia extended its all-time record against Boise State to 4-0. The last meeting between the two teams occurred in March 2018, when Georgia outscored the Broncos 197.525-196.625.
The team also donned a new tradition similar to Georgia football’s spiked shoulder pads, a leather jacket decorated with spikes and gold, to celebrate Bulldogs who stick their routine or earn a perfect 10.
Now, the team will hit the road next week to face Florida in Gainesville, Florida on Friday. The meet is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will air live on SEC Network from the O’Connell Center.
Scenes during the UGA vs. Boise State gymnastics meet at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Georgia won 196.825-1…
The Georgia gymnastics team competed in the Denver Quad Meet this Sunday against No. 5 Missouri, No. 11 Denver and Long Island. Finishing third behind Denver (196.575) and Missouri (196.125), Georgia notched a 195.975 score during its first meet under co-head coaches Cécile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks tried something unorthodox this spring when he hired Cécile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts as Georgia gymnastics’ co-head coaches.
The Red & Black is a nonprofit, independent news organization that serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities as well as trains college students for careers in the news business.
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