Championship Showdown: Who Will Claim NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Title?

FORT WORTH, Texas — The NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships are set to take center stage this weekend, with four teams vying for the coveted title. Oklahoma, UCLA, Utah, and Missouri will compete starting Saturday, each hoping to add their name to the history books as champions of the sport.

This year’s competition is particularly noteworthy as No. 1 seed LSU, the defending champion, was unexpectedly eliminated in the semifinals on Thursday. In their absence, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders, with Oklahoma and UCLA having established themselves as heavyweights in collegiate gymnastics.

Oklahoma, ranked No. 2, is pursuing its sixth women’s gymnastics team championship since 2014, while UCLA seeks its first title since 2018. Utah, historically dominant in the sport with nine national titles, last claimed the championship in 1995. Missouri reaches the final for the first time, adding an exciting twist to the competition.

According to the semifinal results, Utah outperformed the field, securing a total score of 197.7625, closely followed by UCLA at 197.7375. Meanwhile, Oklahoma recorded a score of 197.5500, placing them in a strong position entering the finals. Missouri logged a 197.3000.

The team standings after the first rotation were as follows: Oklahoma and UCLA tied for first place with scores of 49.6125, Utah in third with 49.4500, and Missouri in fourth at 49.2000.

“The atmosphere is electric,” said D’Arcy Maine, a reporter on-site. “With families and friends filling the stands, the gymnasts are responding to the excitement, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.”

As fans flood into the arena, the anticipation grows. Pre-competition warm-ups allowed each team to practice in the order of their events. Missouri opened on vault, while Utah, Oklahoma, and UCLA rotated through bars, beam, and floor, respectively. Utah head coach Carly Dockendorf was observed offering her team words of encouragement, which seemed to settle nerves among the gymnasts.

“It’s time to shine,” Dockendorf stated, reflecting the hopeful spirit of her athletes.

The hallmark of this year’s championship is the high caliber of routines expected from competitors. Jordan Chiles from UCLA caught attention during warm-ups with an impressive Prince-themed floor routine. Chiles, an Olympic gold medalist, showcases the potential for standout performances in the finals.

Anticipation is heightened not just for team performances, but also for individual accolades. Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers, who excelled during the semifinals, won the all-around title with a score of 39.7125. Other standout gymnasts include Grace McCallum from Utah and Faith Torrez from Oklahoma, adding to the excitement of the finals.

As fans prepare for the competition, viewing options include a live broadcast on ABC, along with streaming services featuring different commentator teams focusing on each respective school. With the championships just hours away, the gymnastics world eagerly awaits a showdown that promises to be historic.

The final results of the individual events were also announced: Kailin Chio from UCLA excelled on vault, securing a score of 9.9750. Chiles took the top score on uneven bars with 9.9750, and Helen Hu from Missouri led on balance beam with a score of 9.9875. The floor exercise saw Brooklyn Moors of UCLA achieving a score of 9.9625.

Only time will tell which school will emerge victorious on Saturday, but one thing is certain: this year’s NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships will not disappoint.