The 2025 collegiate gymnastics season is set to kick off in spectacular fashion. The top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners head to Nashville for the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic.
This highly anticipated meet will see the Sooners face off against No. 17 Auburn, No. 23 Nebraska, and BYU in a thrilling podium quad meet. With a rich history of success and an impressive roster, the Sooners are poised to make a strong start to their season.
The Sooners’ Stellar Season Opener
The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to success, especially in season openers. Under the expert guidance of head coach K.J. Kindler, the team boasts a remarkable 25-3 all-time record in season openers.
The Sooners have not lost their first meet of the season since 2016, and they aim to continue this winning streak in Nashville.
Meet Details
The American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic will take place on January 4th at 5:15 p.m. CT. This is the third consecutive year that the Sooners will begin their season with a podium quad meet away from home.
The event promises to be a showcase of top-tier gymnastics talent, featuring:
- No. 17 Auburn
- No. 23 Nebraska
- BYU
Key Players to Watch
The 2025 Oklahoma squad returns 17 routines and welcomes six incredible newcomers. The team is led by head coach K.J. Kindler, who has an impressive track record of guiding teams to the NCAA Finals.
Kindler is the only coach in NCAA history to take two different programs to the finals. She led Iowa State to the Super Six in 2006 and 12 OU teams to the finals during her 19-year tenure in Norman.
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Standout Performers
Several athletes are expected to make significant contributions this season:
- Audrey Davis – Uneven bars national champion
- Faith Torrez – Balance beam national champion
- Jordan Bowers – Big 12 Gymnast of the Year and Regional Athlete of the Year
These athletes, along with their teammates, have set the bar high for the upcoming season.
A Monumental Season Ahead
The 2025 season marks a significant milestone for the Sooners as they transition to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This move comes after a bittersweet end to their time in the Big 12 conference, where they won 15 conference titles, including 14 under Kindler’s leadership.
The Sooners have a strong track record against SEC opponents, with a 136-26-1 record.
Looking Back at 2024
The Sooners enter 2025 after a remarkable 2024 season, which saw them finish sixth at the NCAA Championships. They were undefeated through regional competition and ended the year with a 36-2 overall record.
Highlights from the 2024 season include:
- Audrey Davis and Faith Torrez – Trio of individual national championships
- Jordan Bowers – Four event titles at the Big 12 Championship
- Ragan Smith – Perfect 10.0 on beam
The team also set an NCAA scoring record with a 198.950 at the Big 12 Championships and posted 12 scores of 198-plus, setting a national record for the most scores of 198 in a season.
Scouting the Competition
The Sooners will face stiff competition in Nashville. Here’s a closer look at their opponents:
Auburn Tigers
Auburn opens the season ranked No. 17 in the WCGA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Tigers advanced to the NCAA Championships last season, finishing third in the second round of the Berkeley Regional.
This meet will be the first of two encounters between the Sooners and Tigers, as they will face off again in conference action in February.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska starts the 2025 season at No. 23 in the preseason poll. The Huskers also made it to the NCAA Championships last season, concluding with a third-place finish in the second round.
The team brings back 16 returnees, including First-Team All-Big Ten recipient Emma Spence and Second-Team All-Big Ten member Sophia McClelland.
BYU Cougars
BYU enters the 2025 season ranked No. 27 in the preseason poll. The Cougars have a trio of athletes named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team:
- Brynlee Andersen – Preseason Beam Team
- Anna Bramblett-Wilde – Preseason Bars Team
- Sophie Dudley – Preseason Floor Team
Looking Ahead
After the season opener in Nashville, the Sooners will face a top-five battle against No. 2 LSU, No. 4 California, and No. 5 Utah at the Sprouts Farmer’s Market Collegiate Quad.
This highly anticipated meet will air on ABC on January 11th at 2:45 p.m. from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Sooners are ready to make their mark in the 2025 season, and fans can follow their journey through social media updates on Twitter and Instagram via @OU_WGymnastics or by liking Oklahoma Women’s Gymnastics on Facebook.
For more details on the Sooners’ season opener and to stay updated on their progress, visit the official Sooners website.
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