As the excitement of the Summer Olympics fades, gymnastics enthusiasts can find solace in the thrilling world of NCAA women’s gymnastics. The 2025 season promises to be a spectacle of artistry and athleticism, featuring numerous Olympians who bring their exceptional skills to the collegiate stage.
This blog post will guide you through the essentials of the season, highlight key gymnasts to watch, and provide a roadmap for following the action-packed competitions.
For an in-depth preview, you can read the full article here.
Understanding NCAA Women’s Gymnastics
The NCAA women’s gymnastics season kicks off this month, showcasing a series of dual meets where two teams compete head-to-head.
The home team begins on vault, while the visiting team starts on the uneven bars. After each gymnast performs, the teams switch apparatuses.
The third rotation features the host on balance beam and the visitor on floor exercise, with the final rotation seeing the teams swap events once more.
Scoring System
Unlike the Olympic scoring system, NCAA women’s gymnastics still uses the 10.0 system, emphasizing clean execution.
Each routine starts with a perfect 10, and deductions are made for errors such as bent knees, flexed feet, or steps on landings. For instance:
- A fall off the balance beam results in a 0.5-point deduction
- A small wobble incurs a 0.1-point deduction
Last season, judges awarded a perfect score 80 times, demonstrating the high level of competition. Only one athlete in NCAA history, Georgia’s Karin Lichey, has achieved a perfect 10 on all four events in a single meet.
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Key Gymnasts to Watch
This season features an impressive lineup of current and former Olympians, making it one of the most anticipated in recent history. Here are some gymnasts to keep an eye on:
Jade Carey, Oregon State
Carey, a senior, is a three-time Olympic medalist with golds from Tokyo and Paris. She tied for second place in the all-around and on floor at last year’s NCAA championships.
Jordan Chiles, UCLA
Chiles, a junior, won gold in the team final in Paris and has multiple NCAA titles. She took 2024 off to train for the Olympics but is back with a vengeance this season.
Grace McCallum, Utah
McCallum, a senior, was part of the 2021 silver medal-winning team in Tokyo. She is an eight-time All-American and a strong contender this season.
Leanne Wong, Florida
Wong, a senior and two-time Olympic alternate, tied for first on uneven bars and second in the all-around at last year’s NCAA championships.
Joscelyn Roberson, Arkansas
Roberson, a 2024 Olympic alternate, is making her NCAA debut this season under the guidance of 2012 Olympian Jordyn Wieber.
Kaliya Lincoln, LSU
Lincoln, a non-traveling alternate for the 2024 Olympics, is also debuting this year and has already made a strong impression with a 9.825 on her first collegiate routine.
International Talent
The 2025 season also features international Olympians and alternates competing in the NCAA, adding a global flair to the competition. Notable gymnasts include:
- Csenge Bácskay, Hungary, University of Georgia
- Aleah Finnegan, Philippines, LSU
- Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Philippines, Stanford
- Cassie Lee, Canada, University of Iowa
- Emma Malabuyo, Philippines, UCLA
- Aurélie Tran, Canada, University of Iowa
- Sydney Turner, Canada, University of Iowa
- Emma Spence, Canada, University of Nebraska
- Ava Stewart, Canada, University of Minnesota
Teams to Watch
Last season, LSU won its first national championship, with Cal, Utah, and Florida rounding out the top four. These teams are expected to be strong contenders again this year.
However, don’t count out Oklahoma, which has won seven national championships in the past decade. Despite a disappointing sixth-place finish last season, they remain a powerhouse in the sport.
Up-and-Coming Teams
Several teams are on the rise and could make a significant impact this season:
- Stanford: Surprised many by finishing fifth last season
- Arkansas: Continues to improve under Jordyn Wieber’s coaching
- Alabama: Consistently strong and aiming for a top finish
- Kentucky: Aiming to break into the top tier
- Denver: Known for their strong performances
Must-Watch Events
The 2025 season is packed with exciting meets that fans won’t want to miss. Here are some key dates:
January 11: LSU, Cal, Utah, and Oklahoma
This nearly complete rematch of last year’s championship final four will set the tone for the season and could forecast a title favorite.
January 17: Florida at LSU
A championship rematch featuring teams full of Olympic alternates, former elites, and NCAA stars.
January 31: Alabama at Georgia
Georgia’s new coach, Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, will be tested against last year’s No. 8 team, Alabama.
February 14: Oklahoma at LSU
Two of the top programs in the country go head-to-head, promising a lot of perfect 10s.
April 2-6: NCAA Regionals
Held in Salt Lake City, Seattle, Tuscaloosa, and University Park, these meets will determine who advances to the semifinals.
April 17-19: NCAA Semifinals and Championship
The top eight teams will compete in the semifinals. The top four will advance to the championship in Fort Worth, Texas.
The 2025 NCAA women’s gymnastics season promises to be unforgettable. For more detailed information, check out the full season preview here.
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