Georgia Gymnastics Heads to Norman for Top-Five Showdown with Oklahoma
Don’t let the early start time fool you - Friday’s meet between No. 5 Georgia and No.
2 Oklahoma is shaping up to be a heavyweight clash between two of the nation’s elite programs. Originally slated for a primetime 7 p.m. start, the meet was bumped up to 3 p.m. due to a winter storm expected to roll through the Athens area Saturday morning.
But regardless of the clock, the stakes remain sky-high.
Georgia’s Hot Start Sets the Stage
The GymDogs are off to a blazing 2-0 start and riding a wave of momentum after knocking off then-No. 2 LSU in their home opener.
That win wasn’t just a statement - it was a performance that elevated Georgia into the top five nationally. And they did it with style, posting a score even higher than their season-opening 197.000 at Ohio State, a meet that already had fans buzzing.
One of the most uplifting stories for Georgia this season has been the return of junior Holly Snyder. After battling through two major surgeries, Snyder is not only back in the beam rotation - she’s thriving. She’s posted 9.9+ scores in both of the season’s first two meets, anchoring a beam squad that’s showing real depth.
And then there’s Lily Smith. The junior continues to turn heads, both in competition and beyond.
Smith recently took her talents to new heights - literally - performing a full 90-second beam routine atop Manhattan’s Solow Building. It was a unique moment that captured the imagination of fans and showcased the artistry and athleticism that make this sport so compelling.
Oklahoma: A Powerhouse at Home
On the other side of the mat, Oklahoma enters Friday’s meet with a 3-0-1 record and a resume that’s every bit as impressive. The Sooners opened the season in a stacked quad meet, tying LSU with a 197.500 and edging them out via the six-score tiebreaker, while also defeating perennial contenders UCLA and Utah. Most recently, Oklahoma posted a 197.425 against Missouri - a score that would win most meets around the country.
The Sooners are known for their consistency and polish, especially at home in the Lloyd Noble Center. Georgia will need to be sharp from the first vault to the final dismount to keep pace with a team that rarely gives away tenths, let alone entire routines.
Series History and What’s at Stake
Oklahoma leads the all-time series 4-2, with Georgia’s last win coming back in 2003. The most recent meeting saw the Sooners take a 198.475-197.975 victory in March of last year - a high-scoring affair that showed just how tight this matchup can be when both teams are firing.
For Georgia, this is more than just a midseason road test. It’s a chance to measure themselves against one of the sport’s gold standards and continue building momentum heading into a loaded February schedule. For Oklahoma, it’s an opportunity to defend their home floor and reinforce their standing as a national title contender.
How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Jan. 23
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Okla.
- Watch: SEC Network via ESPN
What’s Next for Georgia
The GymDogs return home next week to host Temple, Fisk, and Central Michigan in a quad meet on Jan. 30, followed by a key SEC showdown with Auburn on Feb. 1. With the schedule only getting tougher from here, Friday’s meet in Norman is a crucial checkpoint for a Georgia team that’s starting to look like a real contender again.
So set your alarms early and clear your afternoon - this top-five clash is one you won’t want to miss.