What We’re Talking About
We’re extremely excited about the 2026 NCAA season, but before we dive in… we need to talk.
What the hell is wrong with the gymnastics community? There are 1,001 reasons to leave Twitter/X but the gymnastics community is stubbornly sticking around. There are viable alternatives where the community can just as easily share pictures, videos and have back-and-forth conversations if teams and individuals would just take the step. If the allowed amplification of verified pro-Nazi accounts on X doesn’t dissuade you; or the fact that the owner has personally attacked independent journalists (one of a million things to despise); or the fact that he has dismantled the human rights, accessibility, and AI ethics teams on the platform; or that he then dissolved its Trust and Safety Council; then perhaps the fact that just this week it’s AI system, Grok, was generating sexualized images of minors on request might shock the gymnastics community into action. When Grok was asked about this, it responded, “…This violated ethical standards and potentially U.S. laws on CSAM. It was a failure in safeguards…” Imagine that… a company that removes all guardrails and safeguards created a product that has no guardrails or safeguards, but it is smart enough to admit that it probably broke U.S. laws. The company, on the other hand, has remained silent and has taken no responsibility. Just like the gymnastics community.
Here’s hoping for better habits in 2026.
Feelings
- Turns out Jordan Chiles isn’t just a great dancer, she’s pretty good at gymnastics too
- Canada understands the assignment, honors Ellie Black
- Missouri is officially a perennial contender
- January 2 is an early start, but the teams looked up to the challenge
- Rutgers gymnasts with broadswords is the first step to taking crowns
- We’re worried about Iowa State
- Cal’s going to be all right
- Paulina Vargas does leaps the right way
- Nina Ballou can dance
- Jordan Lyden is the example of amplitude on an uneven bars dismount
- Bonus: You should definitely get your Live Show Season Pass and/or your Cecile Landi Live Show Replay Ticket
Facts
- 39.725: The top score in the nation, posted by Jordan Chiles
- The last time an Olympian won the All-Around title was 10 years ago: Bridget Sloan
- There were no 10s in week 1
- No team broke 197
- 196.975: The top score in the nation by UCLA
- 1,010: Days since JerQuavia Henderson last competed
- UCLA posted 3 of the top 4 highest scoring beam routines in week 1
- 8,403: Fans in attendance in Washington. It’s the first time they’ve sold out their arena
- Emily Leese posted a 9.9 vault after missing the 2025 season
- 49.450: Mizzou started the season with a top-10 bars score in program history
- Bonus: Get – The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles for under $5!
Award(s)
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- Baller Skill Award: Avery Neff
- 7th year Award – JerQuarvia Henderson
What’s On the Socials?
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Quotes
“I never take it for granted. I always take a moment to look around and just find a lot gratitude for the people that continue to show up and support this program and to cheer us on.”
~ Carly Dockendorf, Seasoned Ute
The head coach of Utah expressing gratitude as she enters her ninth season walking into the Huntsman Center.
♦
“The gymnastics we see on a day-to-day basis, I think this team can compete with anyone in the country.”
~ Justin Howell , Tiger
New co-head coach of the Clemson Tigers, Coach Howell provides an assessment of the team after their first program.
♦
“This was a really quick turnaround after Christmas and we didn’t have as many days of training leading up to this meet that we would have liked.”
~ Jenny Hansen, Golden Gopher
The Minnesota head coach frames the challenges of competing so soon after the holidays.
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What? You want even more? Join Club Gym Nerd and you get a bonus episode, College & Cocktails, every weekend after our meet of the week. Once the NCAA season is over you continue to get a weekly bonus episode every Friday afternoon. Plus you get access to all of our archives, exclusive content and more. Then we give the sober analysis on Monday (or Tuesday) after we’ve allowed the data to penetrate our feelings.
This column was composed and compiled by Steve Cooper, Editor at GymCastic and co-author of the upcoming book “The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles“; some thoughts culled from hosts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes.
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