College Gymnastics Dominance: Gators and Sooners Rise to Power

The 2010s marked a transformative era for college gymnastics. This period saw increased audience engagement and the ascent of programs that would dominate the sport. Up until 2012, only Alabama, Georgia, UCLA, and Utah had won NCAA team championships. However, by the end of the decade, Florida and Oklahoma had joined this elite group, establishing themselves as powerhouses in college gymnastics. For a detailed exploration of this transformative period, you can refer to the comprehensive article on the history of college gymnastics.

Table of Contents

The Rise of the Florida Gators

After narrowly missing the 2012 team title, the Florida Gators clinched their first championship in 2013 under head coach Rhonda Faehn, a former UCLA gymnast. The team was spearheaded by 2012 NCAA all-around champion Kytra Hunter and 2008 Olympian Marissa King.

The addition of 2009 world all-around champion Bridget Sloan in 2013 further strengthened the squad. Sloan’s stellar freshman season saw her win the NCAA all-around and beam titles, alongside the team championship.

Florida’s Championship Run

Hunter and Sloan formed the backbone of a team that would win consecutive championships in 2014 and 2015. The duo accounted for eight NCAA individual titles between 2012 and 2016.

The 2015 squad, arguably the most talented, featured newcomers Kennedy Baker and Alex McMurtry, who quickly became fan favorites due to their exceptional skills.

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Between 2014 and 2017, Baker, Hunter, McMurtry, and Sloan combined for an impressive 23 perfect 10s.

Oklahoma Sooners’ Dominance

Under the leadership of head coach K.J. Kindler, the Oklahoma Sooners rapidly ascended to national prominence. By 2010, the team had secured a Big 12 Championship and a regional title.

In 2014, Oklahoma shared the NCAA title with Florida, and by 2016, they won their first outright championship. Key contributors included Chayse Capps, Keeley Kmieciak, and AJ Jackson.

A New Era for Oklahoma

The Sooners continued their success with a third title in 2017, bolstered by the addition of 2015 world champions Maggie Nichols and Brenna Dowell. The team’s rise was marked by exceptional performances and viral routines, setting the stage for future stars like Katelyn Ohashi.

Impact of Viral Routines

The 2010s saw a significant intersection of social media and gymnastics, with viral routines captivating audiences worldwide. Lloimincia Hall’s perfect 10 floor routine in 2014 and Nina McGee’s 2016 national title on floor are prime examples.

UCLA’s Sophina DeJesus also gained widespread attention, landing her on *The Ellen Show*. These viral moments contributed to the sport’s growing popularity.

UCLA’s “Floor Party”

Under head coach Valorie Kondos Field, UCLA became known for its “floor party,” a lineup of high-energy routines that delighted crowds. This tradition continues today, further enhanced by the arrival of choreographer-turned-assistant-coach BJ Das in 2020.

Individual Stars and Their Contributions

Several individual gymnasts emerged as stars during this period. Katherine Grable of Arkansas won the vault and floor titles at the 2014 nationals, while Elizabeth “Ebee” Price of Stanford secured the 2015 vault title.

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Georgia’s Kat Ding, Brandie Jay, and Brittany Rogers also made significant contributions, with Rogers balancing elite and college gymnastics simultaneously.

LSU’s Emergence

Under D-D Breaux and Jay Clark, LSU became a national title contender. Gymnasts like Myia Hambrick, Ashleigh Gnat, and Sarah Finnegan played pivotal roles.

LSU excelled on vault, winning individual national titles in 2013, 2014, and 2017. Gnat’s double-twisting Yurchenko was a standout, earning her multiple All-American honors and the 2017 SEC vault title.

The Evolution of Vaulting

The mid-2010s saw a shift in vaulting techniques. Until 2015, the Yurchenko full was the standard for top teams, offering a 10.0 start value.

Ebee Price won the last NCAA vault final with a Yurchenko full in 2015. Today, the Yurchenko 1.5 is more common, though the full still appears in competitions. Elena Arenas’ perfect score of 9.95 on a Yurchenko full in 2021 is a rare exception.

The 2010s were a defining decade for college gymnastics. It was marked by the rise of new dynasties, viral routines, and individual stars. Programs like Florida and Oklahoma set new standards, while social media brought the sport to a broader audience.

For a deeper dive into this transformative period, visit the history of college gymnastics.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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