NCAA Gymnastics is riding the momentum of a record-breaking season. In 2024 Oklahoma recorded four of the top ten highest NCAA team scores of all time, including an astronomical 198.950. The program also recorded the highest NQS ever recorded in NCAA gymnastics history (198.500). Individual records also shone brightly with Haleigh Bryant (LSU) and Jordan Bowers (Oklahoma) tying for the fourth-highest all-around scores ever (39.925).
With excitement from the Paris Olympics carrying over into the 2025 NCAA season, anticipation is strong for the arrival of many post-Olympic collegiate stars like Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Jade Carey (Oregon St.), Aleah Finnegan (LSU) and others. With such talent on display, this season could easily see more historic moments.
We reached out to every program who finished in the top 25 last season for their outlook on the 2025 season. We’ve included a brief interview from the programs that responded.
1. LSU
Conference: SEC
Coach: Jay Clark
Years as Head Coach: 6
2024 Season Finish: 1
2024 NQS: 198.215
Coming off a historic national title in 2024, the million-dollar question is whether the Tigers can repeat their success in 2025. A major vault flub by Oklahoma provided the perfect opportunity for the Tigers to sneak through the door and claim the National title. This season LSU will need to prove last year’s success was not just a fluke. The WCGA Coaches Poll lists Oklahoma as the overwhelming favorite to win the National title, so the Tigers will need to prove themselves as an underdog that is capable of outperforming their new conference rival. Although LSU will lose key routines from Kiya Johnson and Savannah Schoenherr, the addition of highly anticipated freshmen like Kailin Chio and Kaliya Lincoln is expected to bring high-scoring routines to strengthen lineups.
LSU’s Gym 101 highlighted great moments, particularly from Chio, while Konnor McClain also showed great progress on bars and beam where she can contribute to those lineups after recovering from an Achilles tear in May. However, Gym 101 also opened the door for a few new questions, most notably regarding KJ Johnson and Alexis Jeffrey’s absence. News out of Baton Rouge that Haleigh Bryant will likely miss the start of the season due to an elbow injury could signal a slow start for the Tigers this season.
Gymnasts Lost:
Elena Arenas
Annie Beard
Cammy Hall
Jillian Hoffman
Kiya Johnson
Kai Rivers
Savannah Schoenherr
Gymnasts Gained:
Kailin Chio
Kaliya Lincoln
Zoe Miller
Victoria Roberts
Kathryn Weilbacher
Lexi Zeiss
Quick Q&A from head coach Jay Clark:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
Success will be this team reaching THIS team’s potential and maintaining a level of health to put our best foot forward.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
Getting it started!
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
We learned that no single moment will define us, whether it’s positive or discouraging, and that the entire body of work is what matters. Doing it for the right reasons consistently is what matters.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
Our biggest strength is that we have a group of young women who care deeply for one another and are all on the same page, striving toward the same goals.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
Yes, it is “Protect the Crown. Everyday”
2. California
Conference ACC
Coach: Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, Justin Howell
Years as Head Coach: Elisabeth Crandall-Howell (7), Justin Howell (13)
2024 Season Finish: 2
2024 NQS: 198.180
The 2024 season was a dream year for the Golden Bears. From finishing second at Nationals to winning the PAC-12 regular-season title and earning three of the highest team scores in program history, the Bears solidified their status as one of the top teams in the country. Riding this momentum into 2025, California achieved a program-record fourth-place ranking in the WCGA Preseason Coaches Poll. The team’s switch to the ACC positions them as the clear favorite to win the conference.
eMjae Frazier and Mya Lauzon will continue to anchor the team, but the Bears face key losses with the departure of Andi Li, an all-around standout; and Gabby Perea, a bars and beam specialist. However, incoming British elite Ondine Achampong is expected to strengthen California’s bars and beam lineup as she makes her gymnastics comeback following an ACL tear in April. After a historic 2024 season, how will the Bears build on their success in 2025?
Gymnasts Lost:
Elise Byun
Andi Li
Gabby Perea
Gymnasts Gained:
Ondine Achampong
CJ Keuneke
Sage Melkonian
Brianna Taurek
Mya Wiley
Quick Q&A from head coaches Elisabeth Crandall-Howell:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
The success of 2024, which culminated in a runner up finish at the National championships, began with a desire to explore what is possible, and to do the work necessary to compete with anyone in the country on the final night of the season. We started this preseason wanting to pick up where we left off in 2024. We are so excited to have a new group of Freshman. They have great energy, and are eager to learn and help this team get better. It’s excited to see the confidence grow within the team. There is an atmosphere in the gym that encourages progress through trying to new things, and a healthy competition that helps the athletes push each other.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
We are excited to see our Freshman grow and begin to make an impact in line ups. We are very excited for the time when Ondine Achampong will be able to make her college debut. She has worked so hard to come back from her unfortunate injury that kept her out of the Paris Olympics. Our returners have continued to get better and more confident each year, and we can’t wait to see where that journey continues for them.
The first year of competition in the ACC is going to be incredible. It’s quite a wonderful time to be part of a conference that is young in regard to gymnastics. There’s so much about our sport to fall in love with, and we hope that the growth of our conference will bring many more ncaa gymnastics fans.
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
The obvious boost that this team will have is EXPERIENCE. The strong senior class has been through so much during their time at Cal. It’s such a benefit to have them as leaders and cheerleaders for our Freshman and less experienced team members. Mya Lauzon and eMjae Frazier are an incredible duo, and they will continue to excel in 2025.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
One of this team’s biggest strengths is their commitment to bringing joy to everything they do. At the end of the day, this is a sport that we get to play. They work so hard everyday in the gym, and they are at their best when they are living in the moments and allowing themselves to enjoy them.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
Our team motto this year is a constant…One Day Better. Continue to show up for yourself and others by winning the day, whatever that looks like for you on any given day…. And stay present, because “All of the good stuff is in the now.” ~ (Dr. Graig Chow )
3. Utah
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Carly Dockendorf
Years as Head Coach: 2
2024 Season Finish: 5
2024 NQS: 197.895
After a tumultuous year of coaching changes in 2024, head coach Carly Dockendorf managed to keep the team steady, leading Utah to a third-place finish in her first year at the helm. While the 2024 season featured shining moments of greatness– such as winning conference championships–it was also marred by moments of inconsistency.
With the departure of high-scoring veterans like Maile O’Keefe and Abby Paulson, coupled with news of Jaedyn Rucker’s Achilles tear, Utah will need to rely on fresh talent. Fortunately, they boast one of the top recruits in the country, Avery Neff. The seven-time national champion showcased an impressive stuck Yurchenko one-and-a-half at the Red Rocks Preview and is expected to make a significant contribution in the all-around.
With Utah now in the Big 12, the Utes are expected to fare well against its new conference foes. Utah is the highest ranked team in the Big 12 according to the pre-season coaches poll, with a cushy lead over Denver. Could a successful first run in the Big 12 conference be enough to overcome a 30-year long National title dry spell?
Gymnasts Lost:
Maile O’Keefe
Abby Paulson
Alani Sabado
Gymnasts Gained:
Zoe Johnson
Avery Neff
Clara Raposo
Poppy-Grace Stickler
4. Florida
Conference SEC
Coach: Jenny Rowland
Years as Head Coach: 10
2024 Season Finish: 4
2024 NQS: 197.905
Florida’s fourth-place finish at Nationals was fine, but the Gators are done settling for “fine” finishes. With a roster brimming with talented elites and ninja level 10s, the Gators are after a Championship title.
The Gators will be eager to welcome several crucial routines back into their lineups for the 2025 season. With several gymnasts on the brink of recovering from Achilles injuries, Florida’s bars and beam lineups will be significantly strengthened by athletes like Riley McCusker and Skye Blakely, who showed nearly complete routines at the Gator’s Hype Night.
An exciting new development this season will be the addition of UCLA transfer Selena Harris, who can bring in big scores and add depth to lineups. While the core trio of Leanne Wong, Anya Pilgrim, and Victoria Nguyen will continue to anchor the team, incoming freshmen Lily Bruce, Taylor Clark, and surprise addition Ly Bui are poised to make an impact.
Gymnasts Lost:
Chloi Clark
Michala Magee
Morgan Hurd
Payton Richards
Gymnasts Gained:
Skye Blakely
Ly Bui
Lily Bruce
Taylor Clark
Quick Q&A from head coach Jenny Rowland:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
No regrets, have the best time making the most of every opportunity presented to us, would do it all over again!!
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
Looking forward to all of the challenges, the growth, the excitement, the highs, the lows, everything that a season encompasses in working with a team. Want to see them continue to thrive, persevere and really just have a lot of fun doing something that they love doing.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
Depth will be a strength. Balancing lineups is something that we have the fortunate opportunity to do – putting the athletes’ health first, making sure that we have the ability to rest when they need to be rested. A lot of times they don’t like a lot of rest. We know we need them, and they want to be the best they can be by the end of the season. It is important to just collaborate with everybody and making sure they’re good to go on a daily basis.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
We don’t have a rally cry. “All For The Gators” is a consistent theme mindful of putting the team first over the “me”.
5. Stanford
Conference ACC
Coach: Tabitha Yim
Years as Head Coach: 8
2024 Season Finish: 5
2024 NQS: 197.045
Stanford surprised everyone in the early weeks of the 2024 season. After opening with a 193.625 at their first meet, the Cardinals were pushed to the back of the national rankings throughout the regular season, only to smash expectations in the postseason by qualifying for Nationals for the first time since 2016.
While excitement is up in Palo Alto, the Cardinals face a significant challenge in filling a Chloe Widner-sized gap in their lineups. Fortunately, Filipina Olympian Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Japanese elite Ui Soma are expected to make immediate impacts.
Despite postseason success, Stanford was ranked down in fifteenth in the WCGA Preseason Coaches Poll. The question now is whether the Cardinals can prove that their 2024 season success was not a fluke and that they deserve to be in contention with the top teams. How will Stanford fare against its Bay-area rival, Cal, in their first season in the ACC? Can the Cardinals repeat their National Championship escapade? Or will the departures left by Alexeeva, Widner, and Zeng leave holes too large to overcome?
Gymnasts Lost:
Ira Alexeeva
Sandra Jessen
Chloe Widner
Amanda Zeng
Gymnasts Gained:
Kendra Chang
Jamie Dugan
Levi Jung-Ruivivar
Ui Soma
Alana Walker
Quick Q&A from head coach Tabitha Yim:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
Success for our staff in 2025 is keeping every athlete healthy and fully supported in every area of their lives, so they can reach their full potential – both individually and as a team – when it matters most at the end of the year.
Success for our team looks like knowing, embracing, and living our program’s core values while committing to “hold the line” together. By focusing on what we can control, we will trust in our preparation, build on last season’s success, and position ourselves to compete at our best – fighting for the opportunity to be one of the final programs on the floor at the end of the year.
Q: What are you most excited for / about in 2025?
We are most excited about starting our first chapter in the ACC and building on the momentum and lessons from last year. This season brings new opportunities for our team, with upperclassmen stepping into key leadership roles and underclassmen eager to make an impact on the competition floor.
We are also excited to welcome new staff members who bring fresh perspectives and energy to our program. Thanks to the incredible mentorship and guidance of our veteran coaches and staff, they’ve integrated seamlessly, which has strengthened our team’s overall approach.
On a personal note, I’m especially excited for our team to compete on the newly dedicated Tara VanDerveer Court in Maples Pavilion. This court is a powerful symbol of excellence and tradition, and it’s such a privilege for our staff & team to honor her legacy through our performances at home this season and beyond.
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
Last season’s storybook finish really taught our staff and team the importance of resilience and faith in our team’s values and vision. We were especially proud that every athlete on our team competed and earned a career-high–showing the strength of a team-first approach and the understanding that each person plays a vital role in helping us reach our full potential.
For our staff, it reinforced the belief in our ability to support each athlete’s unique needs while helping them build mental toughness and trust in their preparation. These lessons give us confidence in our process and will be the foundation we build on as we continue to grow the program–this year and beyond.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
The team’s passion for competition and their ability to embrace challenges and hard work, always keeping the bigger picture in mind. Watching the group come together, both in terms of cohesiveness and cultural growth, has been incredibly rewarding for the staff. We believe their dedication, energy, and competitive spirit will play a key role in taking our program to the next level.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
Our team motto this year is “Hold the Line,” focusing on trust, commitment, grace, and joy. It’s been fun to watch the team work together to build their identity, trust, and team dynamic throughout the preseason. As head coach, and a SWG alum, I’m especially proud of how they honor the program’s history by connecting with the women who came before them, all while embracing their role in writing this next chapter.
6. Oklahoma
Conference SEC
Coach: K.J. Kindler
Years as Head Coach: 19
2024 Season Finish: 6
2024 NQS: 198.500
If any team is looking to make 2025 its revenge tour, it’s Oklahoma. The Sooners were nearly untouchable for the entirety of the 2024 season, staying undefeated for most of the year and achieving a program-record 198.950 at the Big-12 Championships–the highest team score in NCAA gymnastics history. The national title seemed well within their reach until that vault rotation during the NCAA semifinals, and the Sooners shockingly failed to qualify for the NCAA finals.
In 2025, the Sooners will be focused on reclaiming the championship title that they were oh-so-close to last year. Joining the Sooners this year is a talented group of freshmen, including former elites Addison Fatta and Elle Mueller, as well as ninja-level 10 Lily Pederson, who will make an immediate impact in replacing Ragan Smith and Katherine LeVasseur.
Gymnasts Lost:
Soraya Hawthorne
Bell Johnson
Katherine LeVasseur
Sheridan Ramsey
Ragan Smith
Meilin Sullivan
Amy Wier
Madison Snook
Caitin Kirkpatrick
Gymnasts Gained:
Elizabeth Blessey
Addison Fatta
Elle Mueller
Lily Pederson
Kelsey Slade
Hurley Snow
7. Arkansas
Conference SEC
Coach: Jordyn Wieber
Years as Head Coach: 6
2024 Season Finish: 7
2024 NQS: 197.445
The Razorbacks are coming off one of their best finishes in program history. Their seventh-place finish at Nationals is the highest since 2012 and the best under head coach Jordyn Wieber. The Razorbacks posted four of their top five highest scores in program history, including a program record 198.100. If that was not impressive enough, they also posted their program record totals on vault, beam, and floor. Curiously, no gymnast from Arkansas has ever posted a perfect 10.0, but with a talented incoming class of gymnasts, perfection might not be too far out reach for Arkansas.
While the Razorbacks will lose a few routines with the departure of Sirena Linton and Jensen Scalzo, they have a strong freshman class, headlined by 2024 Olympic alternate, Joscelyn Roberson, who will notably contribute to the vault, beam, and floor lineups. Additionally, Arkansas picked up Kaitlyn Ewald and Mati Waligora from the transfer portal, both of whom are expected to bring in crucial scores, particularly on bars and beam. Could a trip back to Fort Worth be within scope for the Razorbacks?
Gymnasts Lost:
Emma Kelley
Sirena Linton
Jaime Pratt
Jensen Scalzo
Makenzie Sedlacek
Gymnasts Gained:
Grace Drexler
Kaitlyn Ewald
Ja’Leight Lang
Joscelyn Roberson
Sadie Smith
Mati Waligora
Julianna Weeks
8. Alabama
Conference SEC
Coach: Ashley Johnston
Years as Head Coach: 3
2024 Season Finish: 8
2024 NQS: 197.805
Alabama’s eighth-place finish marks the program’s 38th top-eight finish. Despite a sour finish at NCAAs thanks to a beam meltdown, the Crimson Tide had an overall good season, posting the program’s third highest team score, a program record floor score, and improving from their tenth-place finish in 2023. Additionally Luisa Blanco also posted a 39.850, tying Jeana Rice and Andreé Pickens for Alabama’s highest program all-around score. However, for a team that finished second at the SEC Conference Championships, eighth place feels underwhelming. The Crimson Tide knows they can contend for a higher placement, but that could be a challenge without lineup staples Luisa Blanco, Ella Burgess, Makarri Doggette, and Mati Waligora.
A talented freshman class will help fill in scoring gaps left by the departing seniors, but the question remains: will it be enough?
Gymnasts Lost:
Luisa Blanco
Makarri Doggette
Ella Burgess
Mati Waligora
Gymnasts Gained:
Love Birt
Brooke Dennis
Ryan Fuller
Kylee Kvamme
Faye Rodio
Paityn Walker
9. Kentucky
Conference SEC
Coach: Tim Garrison
Years as Head Coach: 13
2024 Season Finish: 9
2024 NQS: 197.810
Kentucky is another team basking in the high of a historic 2024 season. The Wildcats posted a program-record 198.100 last March, along with two other high 197s to occupy their top three highest scores in program history. Kentucky also ended a 29 year 10.0 drought, with seven tens between Makenzie Wilson and Raena Worley. Tim Garrison and NCAA gymnastics fans are dreading the 2025 season for one reason: a Raena Worley-less gymnastics world. While Kentucky’s seniors like Worley and Ariana Patterson were crucial in helping Kentucky Gymnastics become a top team, the Wildcats can still rely on lineup staples like Isabella Magnelli, Delaynee Rodriguez, and Mackenzie Wilson and to bring in big scores.
The big development for the Wildcats is the addition of former Washington gymnast Skylar Killough-Wilhelm to the roster, who has a NQS of 9.9+ on bars, beam, and floor. She also showcased a Yurchenko one-and-a-half at Kentucky’s Blue and White opener.
Gymnasts Lost:
Bridget Borque
Bailey Bunn
Carissa Clay
Samantha Forman
Arianna Patterson
Claire Stippich
Raena Worley
Gymnasts Gained:
Abigail Bednar
Chesney Bennett
Carly Busch
Anna Cashion Flynn
Skylar Kilough-Wilhelm
Ryan Noonan
Alyssa Orgen
Isabella Rivelli
Quick Q&A from head coach Tim Garrison:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
Every season is different and there is no way to determine what would make this specific team’s season a success – at this point. A successful beginning to the season would be showing consistency throughout all four lineups in our first three meets. Competing in a quad format at the Sprouts meet against stiff competition, hosting Alabama in our home opener, and traveling to Columbia to face a very tough Missouri team will all be challenging to begin the season. If we come out of those three weeks healthy and showing consistency, we will have a better idea of what we can expect moving forward.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
So many things!
- We have a large senior class that has given so much to this team and I look forward to watching them lead and inspire their teammates as they bring their careers to a close. Isabella Magnelli, Jillian Procasky, Hailey Davis, Makenzie Wilson and Annie Riegert are all positioned to make lineups at this point, so they should have the opportunity to compete–if they can hold off their surging teammates.
- Introducing Skylar Killough-Wilhelm to the SEC. She looks amazing this preseason.
- Watching the Sophomore seasons of our standout Freshman from last year – Delaynee Rodriguez and Creslyn Brose. Delaynee is consistently in three lineups at this point and potentially an AAer if we need her to vault. Creslyn is picking up where she left off on beam and floor. She is also making a strong case for an opportunity in the bar lineup. We’ll have to see what happens there…
- Introducing college gymnastics to our freshmen and introducing the SEC to them. There is a big transition that happens from club to college. Most of this freshman class appear to be ready for the stage as they are challenging for lineup spots on each event. Intrasquads and our Blue/White meet did not, in any way, intimidate them. I’m very curious to see what they do in an actual competitive environment.
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
I was happy with the volume of training we did throughout the season last year. I felt we were prepared, rested and competitive each time we took the floor. Our goal is to replicate that this season.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
- Depth on each event. There is still a drop-off from our top six to our 8-9, but we are closing that gap.
- Those challenging to get into lineups are pushing those in front of them and improving at a solid rate.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
- Our motto is always to “Start the Fight” at the beginning of each meet and then to “Keep Fighting” until the end. In meet team morale is important to establish and maintain. Mistakes, scoring inconsistencies, cold arenas, and 100 other things can affect how a team performs. Our goal is to keep all of those things from creating a morale problem. Teams have energy on the competition floor–keeping it positive is critical to a productive outcome.
10. Denver
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
Years as Head Coach: 27
2024 Season Finish: 10
2024 NQS: 197.825
Finishing with the sixth-highest NQS in the country, Denver was predicted to be a favorite to qualify for the 2024 Championships until an upset by Stanford held the Pioneers back. Nonetheless, Denver had a great season, highlighted by cracking into the 198s once and winning the second round of NCAA regionals against UCLA, Arizona State, and Washington.
While the Pioneers will no longer have Jessica Hutchinson, the rest of the 2024 senior class opted to take a fifth year, which should help keep things on track. The biggest questions for Denver this season are whether there will be any new faces in lineups and how they will rank in a newly realigned conference without Oklahoma, but now with Utah. Could a conference championship win be within their reach?
Gymnasts Lost:
Jessica Hutchinson
Gymnasts Gained:
Sophia Hampp
Quick Q&A from head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
Yeah, I think it looks like staying intentionally and deliberately in the moment. We’re gonna be really thoughtful about taking one meet at a time, and we’ve always talked about that to an extent, but I haven’t emphasized it to the extent I am emphasizing it right now. It’s one person at a time, one event at a time, one meet at a time and I think that that’s gonna be really important not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but to be in the moment.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
I’m just excited for the opportunity for them to show off the hard work that they put in preseason.
They’ve trained with such confidence and consistency. You always feel a sense of energy and excitement and adrenaline before season starts, and you just can’t wait to get started. I’m excited about the opportunity that our schedule provides home and away with the strength of schedule and the ability to continue to challenge ourselves each and every meet.
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
Well, I think there’s always lessons to be learned. You want to always continue to grow and improve. You want to always look at your systems and processes and see if there is an area you can continue to tweak. I think one of the best things we did this year coming off of last year was to keep more short-term goals in mind. So instead of looking all the way at postseason and trying to predict where we might finish or what we might accomplish, kind of being in this first four or five meets and being more strategic about specific goals that we set in the short-term goal planning piece.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
Pre-season training to me has been one of the biggest strengths. Since we have started official practice all the way up until now, I can probably only count a handful of days that I didn’t think we were the best we could possibly be.They have been incredibly dedicated, deliberate, intentional, passionate, and hardworking. They’ve had a fantastic attitude, they have a growth mindset, they try to work on the small details, and they are completely on board and invested and committed to what we want to do and accomplish.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
So we have two things. We always have our core philosophy of surrounding character, teamwork, and excellence, those are always going to be our three pillars that are involved in this program, in terms of character, growth mindset, words and actions matching, all the things that you can think: grit, resiliency, perseverance, persistence, discipline, dedication, determination.
As far as teamwork, that’s one of the biggest strengths of our team, and not only does it lead to great team chemistry, but it also leads to high performance. How are we allowing each of our athletes to keep their own individuality but also embrace together a common goal. As far as excellence, it’s always academic and athletic excellence and maximizing your potential.
So teamwork, character, and excellence will always be the three pillars, but this year in particular, we’re super excited to be embracing what we call the adventure. And so what does that adventure look like to us, and we’re just really excited to go on and being in the moment of adventure, being OK with unpredictability and being flexible and adaptable and taking one exciting moment at a time. I think our fun team motto for the year will be adventure.
11. Missouri
Conference: SEC
Coach: Shannon Welker
Years as Head Coach: 12
2024 Season Finish: 11
2024 NQS: 197.420
Missouri enters this season as one of the most exciting teams in the country. Following a successful 2024 season where the Tigers achieved their second-highest ranking in program history, the team will be thrilled to welcome back fifth-year Helen Hu for her final year of eligibility. Hu’s original beam work, which has scored as high as 9.975, is a lock in Missouri’s lineups and should be on anyone’s radar for a 10.0 watch.
The Tigers will also benefit from a wave of incoming transfers, poised to fill in some gaps from last season. Additionally, Missouri is welcoming a promising group of freshmen, headlined by Kaia Tanskanen and Olivia Kelly, both of whom have international elite experience.
Gymnasts Lost:
Jalene Jachna
Alonna Kratzer
Amaya Marshall
Kalise Newson
Makenzie Patricell
Hollyn Patrick
Sydney Schaffer
Sienna Schreiber
Gymnasts Gained:
Ayla Acevedo
Railey Jackson
Olivia Kelly
Lisa Szeibert
Kaia Tanskanen
Quick Q&A from head coach Shannon Welker:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
1. Continued development and improvement in the details.
2. Stick 50% or more of our dismounts each meet.
3. Return trip for the team to Dallas/Ft. Worth.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
Seeing this group of women display the heart and hard work they have invested in preparations for a fun 2025 season.
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
It really comes down to the details to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. Our program has a high skill level, dynamic gymnastics and consistently hits routine, but we must key in on the small things to help us compete with the best teams in the country.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
We have so many strengths, but some of the more important ones are the willingness to consistently do the hard things. The other is the uniqueness of each person on our team and how we embrace each person to mold it into success.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
We don’t necessarily have a motto, but we are committed to our core values:
Gratitude – We are grateful to have these opportunities and the people that help us.
Unity – We will stay solution focused and supportive of each person as a team even when it gets challenging.
Adaptability – We will respond positively when things don’t go as planned, that is a sign of great team.
Communication – We are partnering together for the best performance and we have to respectfully and effectively talk to each other in order for that to happen.
12. Minnesota
Conference: Big 10
Coach: Jenny Hansen
Years as Head Coach: 10
2024 Season Finish: 12
2024 NQS: 197.310
Minnesota had standout moments during the 2024 season, highlighted by a second-place finish at Big Ten Championships with a 197.500, the team’s second-highest score at conference championships in program history. However, the Gophers struggled with moments of inconsistency throughout the season, dropping from sixth nationally in week one to seventeenth just a few weeks later.
Returning for her fifth year, Mya Hooten will be a lock in Minnesota’s lineups, particularly on vault and floor, where she should be on 10.0 watch. This season also brings an exciting influx of new talent, including six freshmen headlined by Canadian Olympian Ava Stewart. Stewart, who played a pivotal role in Canada’s fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, is expected to make an impact across all lineups, with her strongest contributions likely on bars and beam.
Gymnasts Lost:
Gianna Gerdes
Katie Horak
Ella Sirjord
Gymnasts Gained:
Teryn Crump
McCauley Harrington
Jayda Lewter
Samantha Schneider
Ava Stewart
Morgan Walsh
13. Ohio State
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Meredith Paulicivic
Years as Head Coach: 8
2024 Season Finish: 13
2024 NQS: 197.110
The Ohio State Buckeyes enjoyed a record-breaking 2024 season, highlighted by a 197.200, one of the top 10 scores in program history. The team also achieved nine scores above 197 throughout the season, setting a new program record.
Heading into 2025, the Buckeyes face the challenge of filling key gaps left by the graduating senior class. On bars, the departure of Emma Pritchard and Nicole Riccardi will test the team’s lineup depth. Similarly, the beam and floor lineups sans-Ella Hodges will also be a test, but fortunately for the Buckeyes a strong group of incoming freshmen, including Riley Guevara, JJ Coleman, and Karleigh Reutzel will be expected to fill in to those lineups.
Gymnasts Lost:
Savannah Gonzalez
Alexis Hankins
Ella Hodges
Emma Pritchard
Nicole Riccardi
Gymnasts Gained:
Kerrington Baham
JJ Coleman
Rylee Guevara
Karleigh Reutzel
Reagan Sams
Cameron Smith
Ashton Meuret
Kate Parks
14. Michigan State
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Mike Rowe
Years as Head Coach: 8
2024 Season Finish: 14
2024 NQS: 197.625
Michigan State’s meteoric rise to the top has been nothing short of impressive. The Spartans climbed from 56th to ninth between 2021 and 2022. In 2023 the Spartans achieved a team score that dipped into the 198s for the first time in program history and clocked their highest team score ever. By 2024, the Spartans showed no signs of slowing down and nabbed three of the top five highest scores in program history all while also setting program records on vault and beam.
With the Skyla Schulte and Gabrielle Stephen power duo, Michigan State shows no sign of slowing down. At the teams’ pre-season Green and White exhibition meet, new faces like Cady Duplissis impressed, showing a lineup-ready beam routine and a clean Yurchenko one-and-a-half, signaling a promising season ahead for the Spartans.
Gymnasts Lost:
Baleigh Garcia
Naomi German
Sydney Hayashi
Jori Jackard
Nyah Smith
Tara Walsh
Gymnasts Gained:
Amy Doyle
Cady Duplissis
15. Penn State
Conference Big 10
Coach: Sarah Brown
Years as Head Coach: 8
2024 Season Finish: 15
2024 NQS: 196.825
The last time we saw Penn State was at Regional finals where the Nittany Lions were able to upset Michigan in front of a home crowd and qualify to Regional finals for the first time in a deacade, helping the program finish in 15th, their highest placement since 2014. While the 2025 WCGA pre-season poll has the Nittany Lions down in twenty-first, an army of talented freshmen with seasoned veterans may show the country that Penn State can upset those expectations.
Penn State will face the challenge of replacing key routines lost with the departures of Cassidy Rushlow, Maggie Mace, and Haleigh Gibble for the 2025 season. However, the team’s existing depth should help compensate for those gaps. Adding to their potential, newcomers Allison Kaempfer, Elizabeth Leary, and Ellie Monahan are expected to be valuable assets to each lineup. Additionally, Penn State was also able to recruit Cassi Barbanente, a bars specialist from Arizona State, who could provide another lineup option to help out with depth on that event. A combination of experienced veterans like Ava Piedrahita, with a new army of talented newcomers, position them as a must-watch team this season.
Gymnasts Lost:
Maggie Ayers
Sarah Duhe
Haleigh Gibble
Grace Herrell
Katie Leary
Maggie Mace
Cassidy Rushlow
Gymnasts Gained:
Cassi Barbanente
Allison Kaempfer
Dani Latronica
Elizabeth Leary
Bella Misiura
Ellie Monahan
16. Arizona State
Conference Big 12
Coach: Jay Santos
Years as Head Coach: 9
2024 Season Finish: 16
2024 NQS: 196.920
Arizona State concluded its 2024 season with a triumphant finish: a second consecutive appearance in Regional finals, an upset victory over conference rival UCLA, and two individual berths to NCAA Championships. However, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal test for the Sun Devils. The team will be without all-around star Hannah Scharf, as well as key contributors Gracie Reeves, Anaya Smith, and Cassi Barbanente.
In its inaugural season in the Big 12, head coach Jay Santos will need to delve deeper into the roster to stay competitive against conference heavyweights like Utah, Denver, and Arizona. At Arizona State’s pre-season exhibition meet, only two gymnasts competed in the all-around: freshman Halle Braaflat and graduate student Emily White. The Sun Devils need to find a way to incorporate freshmen into their lineups to bolster depth. Additionally, the Sun Devils will benefit from the experience of senior transfer Jenna Blair, joining from Northern Illinois, who can make an impact.
Gymnasts Lost:
Cassi Barbanente
Skye Harper
Gracie Reeves
Cienna Samiley
Hannah Scharf
Anaya Smith
Gymnasts Gained:
Jenna Blair
Halle Braaflat
Nina Laurito
Tiara Platkin
Jenna Timmons
17. UCLA
Conference Big 10
Coach: Janelle McDonald
Years as Head Coach: 3
2024 Season Finish: 17
2024 NQS: 197.675
UCLA closed out the 2024 season with gritted teeth. Despite having the ninth-highest NQS in the country, the Bruins failed to qualify for Regional finals, resulting in a disappointing 17th place finish, the team’s lowest placement in 18 years. Adding to the team’s woes, their MVP Selena Harris transferred to Florida after being dismissed from the team.
Fortunately, things seem to be on the up for 2025. Olympic Champion Jordan Chiles is set to return, bringing her elite skills to bolster every lineup. Freshmen Macy McGowan and Mika Webster-Longin will bring sturdy Yurchenko one-and-a-halfs, helping UCLA craft a potential vault lineup filled six 10.0 start values. Last season the Bruins struggled with lineup depth on bars, but the addition of Sasha Fujisaka and the return of Sydney Barros from her ACL injury this season will provide UCLA with significantly improved depth on the event compared to last season.
Gymnasts Lost:
Emma Andres
Margzetta Frazier
Selena Harris
Alex Irvine
Chloe Lashbrooke
Katie McNamara
Ana Padurariu
Nya Reed
Camryn Richardson
Sara Ulias
Gymnasts Gained:
Carissa Clay
Sasha Fujisaka
Bronwyn Hoffman
Riley Jenkins
Macy McGowan
Mika Webster-Longin
18. Georgia
Conference SEC
Coach: Cécile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts
Years as Head Coach: 0
2024 Season Finish: 18
2024 NQS: 197.030
With an army of new freshmen, three key incoming transfers, and a new coach who lead the 2024 U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team to gold, the Bulldogs are undergoing a full transformation from the ground up for the 2025 season. Georgia stands as one of the biggest wildcards this season, with many unanswered questions looming. How will the team adapt to new head coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi’s leadership? How will the incoming transfers, particularly Kara Eaker, contribute to Georgia’s lineups? And will Jaydah Battle be back in time for the season? Optimism surrounds the Bulldogs heading into the season, with the WCGA Preseason Coaches poll ranking Georgia at No. 14, an improvement from its No. 18 finish at the end of the 2024 season. Georgia will have its preview meet on Saturday, January 4th, so several of these questions will be answered there.
Gymnasts Lost:
Hayley de Jong
Amanda Cashman
Vanessa Deniz
Katie Finnegan
Ashlyn LaClair
Heather Parker
Gymnasts Gained:
Nyla Aquino
Sadie Jane Berry
Alexis Czarrunchick
Brooke Gliechowski
Emma Mason
Aberdeen O’Driscoll
Harley Tomlin
19. Michigan
Conference Big 10
Coach: Bev Plocki
Years as Head Coach: 35
2024 Season Finish: 19
2024 NQS: 197.545
Heartbreaking is one way you could describe Michigan’s 2024 season finish. Not only did the Wolverines fail to advance to the NCAA Championships at their home regionals, but they missed out on Regional finals entirely. The 2025 season marks a significant shift for the Wolverines as they pivot from relying on the upperclassman trio of Sierra Brooks, Naomi Morrison, and Gabby Wilson to leaning on their underclassmen for lineup depth.
While there may be some growing pains, freshmen Sophia Diaz and Jahzara Ranger impressed at Michigan’s preview meet, each showcasing lineup-ready Yurchenko one-and-a-halfs. Joining them will be six other freshmen with impressive track records. The big question remains: will this army of freshmen be able to propel the Wolverines back up to the top?
Gymnasts Lost:
Sierra Brooks
Ashley Lane
McCaleigh Marr
Kaylen Morgan
Naomi Morrison
Abigael Vides
Gabby Wilson
Gymnasts Gained:
Peyton Davis
Sophia Diaz
Amy Fukami
Lucie Kirchner
Sophie Parenti
Jahzara Ranger
Audrey Sanger
20. Auburn
Conference SEC
Coach: Jeff Graba
Years as Head Coach: 15
2024 Season Finish: 20
2024 NQS: 197.315
The last time we saw Auburn in 2024 was following a disappointing finish at the Berkely semifinals. While the Tigers had some strong moments during the season, they struggled to break out of the high-196 / low-197 team scoring range, keeping them from being competitive with the other top SEC teams. The loss of Aria Brusch and Cassie Stevens will make Auburn’s path back to NCAA finals much harder.
However, the Tigers are welcoming a strong influx of talent this season. Former elites Olivia Ahern, Katelyn Jong, and Marissa Neal will make immediate impacts, particularly on bars. Additionally, Auburn will be excited to add Alex Irvine, a transfer from UCLA, who has a 10.0 start on vault and has gone as high as 9.9 on bars. Sarah Zois, a transfer from George Washington, will also be a key addition, capable of providing a 9.9+ score on vault and beam.
Gymnasts Lost:
Ananda Brown
Aria Brusch
Madelynn Crow
Hailey John
Lila Smith
Cassie Stevens
Gymnasts Gained:
Olivia Ahern
Sophia Bell
Alex Irvine
Katelyn Jong
Marissa Neal
Sarah Zois
Quick Q&A from head coach Jeff Graba:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
We have to improve on last year, obviously. I think a better finish would be a good place to view a successful season. In the end, we really take each year by itself. As far as this year, I think we have a lot of potential, and a successful year would be living up to this potential.
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
We have a lot of young people on this team and I’m really excited to see what they can do. The future is really bright for our program and starting this year off with so many young people in our lineups is exciting. Just looking forward to watching them grow!
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
I think the last two years we’ve ran out of depth near the end of the year. We have entered both postseasons pretty banged up and very light in the depth department. This year we have done a really good job of adding quality athletes and cross training everybody in order to alleviate the depth issue.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
Right now, I believe our biggest strength is our culture. This team is really a small family. They are very excited to be with each other and have done a fantastic job of mentoring and learning and growing.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
We don’t have a motto, so to speak. We do have a mission, and we have a lot of objectives on the way to that mission. Our mission is to make the Final Four this year, and to be at our best in that meet. However, along the way we have a ton of things to get done. We want to start strong in January and that is where our focus is right now.
21. Oregon State
Conference PAC-12
Coach: Tanya Chaplin
Years as Head Coach: 28
2024 Season Finish: 21
2024 NQS: 197.085
The Beavers will be led by two-time Olympic Champion Jade Carey, who returns to full strength as an all-arounder after taking a conservative approach during the 2024 season in preparation for the Paris Olympics. With Carey nearly guaranteed to bring in 9.95+ scores on each event, Oregon State has its sights set on securing a team berth to Fort Worth this season.
The only routines the Beavers will lose this season are from Ariana Young, while Sydney Gonzalez might still not be at full strength after a mid-season Achilles tear. Sophomore Sophia Esposito demonstrated last season that she can consistently deliver steady 9.85+ scores on each event, with a career-high 9.95 on floor.
Incoming freshmen Giulianna Fiorillo, is a regional champion on bars, and Sophia Kaloudis a New York state champion in the all-around, beam, and floor, will also make significant contributions to the Beavers’ lineups.
Gymnasts Lost:
Phoebe Jakubczyk
Ariana Young
Gymnasts Gained:
Guilianna Fiorillo
Sophia Kaloudis
Reina Marchal
Paulina Vargas
22. Illinois
Conference: Big 10
Coach: Nadalie Walsh
Years as Head Coach: 8
2024 Season Finish: 22
2024 NQS: 196.690
Abby Mueller and Mia Takekawa’s absence will certainly be felt for Illinois this year. While the Illini are capable of putting up a 197-score on a strong day, they have largely been confined into the 195-196 range throughout most of the season. Unless there is a significant shift, it is likely that Illinois will remain in this scoring territory as they head into the 2025 season. However, the addition of Chloe Cho, a U.S. elite, to the roster will be very exciting for this team and could bring some fresh energy to their lineups, particularly on bars.
Gymnasts Lost:
Kaitlyn Ewald
Kadyn Fitzgibbon
Allie Morgan
Abby Mueller
Mia Takekawa
Mia Townes
Gymnasts Gained:
Kennedy Brown
Chloe Cho
Ashlyn Doyle
Marly Esteves
Mya Gordon
Eden King
Sydney Wilke
23. Washington
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Jessa Hansen Parker
Years as Head Coach: 0
2024 Season Finish: 23
2024 NQS: 196.735
Washington should brace for some growing pains this season. 2025 marks the first season under Jessa Hansen Parker’s leadership after her tenure as an assistant coach at Iowa. What will hit the Huskies especially hard this season is the departure of Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, who transferred to Kentucky. To make matters more challenging, a few familiar faces were missing at Washington’s Purple and Gold preview meet, and word on the street is there may be a few small injuries affecting the team. On a positive note, Kira Bolden made her return to competition and will add valuable depth on vault and floor.
Gymnasts Gained:
Lex Mouyenga
Jessica Reith
Gymnasts Lost:
Gabi Wickman
Skylar Killough-Wilhelm
McKenna Carnesi
24. Nebraska
Conference Big Ten
Coach: Heather Brink
Years as Head Coach: 7
2024 Season Finish: 24
2024 NQS: 196.780
The Huskers are in a rebuilding phase, working to climb back up the rankings after not even qualifying to regionals back in 2021, to nabbing several program scoring records in 2024, including a top-10 highest away meet score against Illinois.
While the trajectory for the program is up, Nebraska still struggled to break out of the 195-196 scoring-range, primarily due to a lack of lineup depth that could consistently produce scores above the 9.7-9.8 range, particularly on beam. While bars remained a great event for the Huskers, the departure of Kinsey Davis, Clara Colombo, and Csenge Bácskay means that Nebraska will need to dig deeper into its lineups to recover these scores.
While Emma Spence is poised to lead the way, the team will need to look to new faces to bolster their lineups. With Washington and UCLA joining a growing Big 10 Conference, Nebraska needs to show they can stay ahead of the pack.
Gymnasts Lost:
Csenge Bácskay
Clara Colombo
Martina Comin
Kinsey Davis
Savannah Warren
Annie Worley
Gymnasts Gained:
Reese Baechle
Reese Baker
Lauren Hollifield
Nya Kraus
Molly Peterson
Quick Q&A from head coach Heather Brink:
Q: What would success in the 2025 season look like for your team?
There are a few things we would consider a successful season:
- Maxing out our potential. We have more depth in a few events than we have had in the past, and look to utilize the opportunities to be consistent and authentically Nebraska.
- Every competition is an opportunity to hit 24 for 24 routines. We look to continue to build off of last year’s success and build momentum throughout season. We have our sights on getting to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
- Leaving no regrets on the floor.
- Having fun!
Q: What are you most excited for/about in 2025?
Right now, I am most excited to see this team fully embrace their hard work and each other. I love being able to let them shine in the spotlight and celebrating them along the way. We are excited about the schedule: competing in the Devaney Center with a home crowd, new Big Ten Conference members & who doesn’t love postseason?
Q: Every season is different, what did you learn from last season that will make this team better?
I think we learned to be confident in who we are. We were within reach of making it to the Sweet 16 and look to capitalize on our depth on certain events to get us there. We had growth and improvement last year, we look to continue to build on that. As noted above, we want to start strong and continue to grow throughout the season.
Q: What do you believe is your biggest strength heading into this season?
I believe our team has worked really hard this preseason to build our depth of lineups, confidence and our connection as a team! We look to draw off of those strengths.
Q: Does your team have a motto this year?
We do not have a straight up “motto” for this year. However, this is the 50th year of our program at Nebraska. We are looking to celebrate this throughout the year….celebrating the past, living in the present and building the future as Nebraska Gymnastics.
25. BYU
Conference Big 12
Coach: Guard Young
Years as Head Coach: 9
2024 Season Finish: 25
2024 NQS: 196.665
BYU capped of its 2024 season with an exciting finish, defeating Boise State in the play-in round at NCAA regionals. While the Cougars did not advance beyond semifinals, they show lots of promise heading into the 2025 season. Despite losing key routines from Lindsey Hunter-Kempler and Allix Mason, BYU will welcome a talented group of freshmen who are poised to make a significant impact. Those freshmen include Taeva Freenberg, a 2023 National qualifier who may contribute on bars this season after suffering an ACL tear in April; Chiara Andew, a Philippine National team member who won gold at the 2021 SEA Games and can make a big impact on floor; and Deborah Silva, a bars standout who can pick up an open spot in the lineup.
Gymnasts Lost:
Anyssa Alvarado
Linsey Hunter-Kempler
Rebecca Leach
Jayda Lealaogata
Allix Mason
Lauren Ono
Madison Raesly-Patton
Gymnasts Gained:
Chiara Andrew
Addilyn Glazer
Taeva Greenberg
Deb Silva
Daisy Stephenson
Kaetlyn Tenesch
