Here are the first 8 teams in our Capsule Previews of our Top 25, based on the 2026 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Associate (WCGA) Preseason Coaches' Poll.  All recruit ratings are based on our 2025 assessment.    (Last update:  12/26/25)

Official Web Site:    Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Routines Gone:  1 VT, 3 UB, 2 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Associate Head Coaches: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Assistant:  Ashley Kerr
Finish Last Season:  1st
Returning Starters (5):  Addison Fatta (So),  Elle Mueller (So), Lily Pederson (So), Faith Torrez (Sr), Keira Wells (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Elizabeth Blessey (So), Aspen Lenczner (Jr), Hannah Scheible (Jr/I), Ava Siegfeldt (Sr), Kelsey Slade (So), Caitlin Smith (RS Jr), Hurley Snow (So/I)
Graduated (3):  Jordan Bowers, Audrey Davis, Danielle Sievers
Other Losses (1):  Danae Fletcher (Gr/R/I)
Newcomers (5):  Nicole Desmond (Fr), Mackenzie Estep (Fr), Ella Murphy (Fr), Kamilla Pawlak (Fr), Blakely Roten (Fr/I)

Quick Assessment: Oklahoma captured the National Title in 2025, rebounding from an unsteady vault and beam performance in 2024 to win the National Title with a decisive win.  This time, in a turnabout, the win was fueled by team wins on VT and BB, the same events that gave them problems the previuos year.  They lose two critical gymnasts from that squad: 2025 AA champ Jordan Bowers and 2024 UB and BB co-champion Audrey Bowers.  These two stars accounted for 9 routines in 2025, with nearly all being "end of the lineup" sets.  They also lose Danielle Sievers, a second team All-American at Nationals last year, and a four-time All-American.  All three also provided critical leadership and experience for the Sooners.

OU was the overwhelming choice of the Coaches' as the preseason favorite in 2026.  Leading the way in 2026 will be six returners, highlighted by senior Faith Torrez, an eight-time All-American.  She finished 3rd AA in 2025 and was the BB co-champion in 2024.  She'll be slowed in the early season due to an ankle injury but is already working her way back.  Another first team All-American in the AA in 2025, Addison Fatta, will look to make an even bigger impact this season, after her first year of NCAA competition.  Fellow sophs Elle Mueller and Lily Pederson will both look to make bigger contributions in 2025, after earning second-team All-American honors in their rookie campaigns.  Pederson stepped into the AA in 2025 at times and is potentially slated to be a regular in 2026.  Mueller contributed on up to three events last season but has been slowed by a minor injury in the preseason.  Junior Keira Wells was a standout in the preseason exhibition, and looks to take a much bigger role in 2026, potentially on all four events.  OU also looks forward to getting bigger contributions from junior Hannah Scheible, who has returned strongly from her Achilles injury.  

OU also welcomes five strong newcomers, who could be counted upon immediately to contribute.  It is always a challenge and a bit unpredictable to see how standout recruits adapt to their first year of competition.  However, the coaching staff at OU not only excels in developing the maximum from their roster, but they also tend to help frosh quickly adapt.  Leading the way is CollegeGymFans.com 5* star recruit Mackenzie Estep and 4.5* recruits Ella Murphy, Kamila Pawlak and Nicole Desmond.  The fifth, Blakely Roten, is coming back from an Achilles' injury.  Estep, a seven-time Women's Development Program National Champion, was the 2025 Nastia Liukin Cup champion and has been the strongest of the quintet in preseason and also during the past club season.  She's in the mix for 3 or 4 events as a frosh.  Former elite Murphy excels on UB and BB and along with Pawlak and former elite Desmond, all three have been training well.  Pawlak excels on FX with a pike full-in and placed 1st AA(t), 1st on FX, 2nd on VT and 4th(t) on BB and UB at the 2024 Women's Development Program L10 Nationals.  She, however, has been working around a wrist problem.  Desmond entered college a year early and is expected to be strongest on VT/BB/FX, with an array of elite skills at her disposal.      

OU has a very strong core and a coaching staff that is well-known for preparing their rosters for a high level of competition. Combined with a strong set of newcomers, the Sooners look ready to contend once again for the title.  There are some question marks, as is typical, surrounding the frosh and the injury status of various athletes, especially on FX and UB , where the lost routines to replace are the most numerous.   

Official Web Site:  Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 13/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 2 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Associate Head Coach:  Courtney McCool Griffeth, Garrett Griffeth
Assistant:  Haleigh Bryant
Finish Last Season:  5th
Returning Starters (6):  Kailin Chio (So), Kylie Coen (Jr), Ashley Cowan (Sr), Amari Drayton (Jr), Konnor McClain (Jr), Lexi Zeiss (So)
Other/Injured Returners (8):  Chase Brock (Gr), Leah Miller (Jr), Alexis Jeffrey (Gr), Kaliya Lincoln (So), Zoe Miller (RS Fr/I), Victoria Roberts (So), Tori Tatum (Gr), Kathryn Weilbacher (5th Yr)
Graduated (6):   Sierra Ballard, Haleigh Bryant, Olivia Dunne, Aleah Finnegan, KJ Johnson, Alyona Shchennikova
Other Losses (1):  Bryce Wilson (Sr/I/Retired)
Newcomers (7):   Nina Ballou (Fr), Courtney Blackson (Gr/TR/Boise State), Molly Brinkman (Fr), Emily Innes (Sr/TR/Washington), Haley Mustari (Fr), Madison Ulrich (Jr/TR/Denver), Elyse Wenner (Fr)

Quick Assessment:   LSU is looking to rebound from a 5th place finish in 2025 and return to contention for the title in 2026.  They lose 11 routines from 7 departed gymnasts, including former NCAA Champs Haleigh Bryant (2024 AA, 2021 VT) and Aleah Finnegan (2024 FX).  Those two AAers were a critical part of the Tiger program and the 2024 National Team title run.  Also gone are former SEC FX champ KJ Johnson and important leadoff Sierra Ballard. 

Leading the way for the returners is 2025 First Team All-American AAer and 2025 NCAA Vault champ Kailin Chio, a standout in her frosh season who is back to lead the squad.  With so many of the stars now departed, she will be challenging for the top scoring position on every event.  Also key for the squad is junior Konnor McClain, a former US National AA Champion.  She is a potential all-arounder but has struggled in the past with injuries, so pacing and injury management will be key.  Junior Amari Drayton, a former Olympic Trials participant, was a key athlete on the leg events last season (Yurchenko 1 1/2 and Double Layout).  Sophomore Lexi Zeiss is another former elite who could see expanded action this season, as well as junior Kylie Coen, who emerged as contributor in her 2nd season.  The Tigers also welcome back grad student Alexis Jeffrey, who has extensive lineup experience on UB and BB and former National Team member Kaliya Lincoln.  Lincoln showed a double twisting Yurchenko in last intrasquad, indicating she is fully back.  The deep LSU roster offers many opportunities to help replace the missing 11 routines.  

LSU welcomes 7 newcomers, including frosh Nina Ballou (5*), Molly Brinkman (4.5*), Haley Mustari (4.5*) and Elyse Wenner (4*).  Ballou placed 1st AA, 1st on FX, 2nd on BB, 6th(t) on VT and 7th on BB at the 2025 Women's Development Program (WDP) L10 Nationals (Sr F).  She was also 1st on UB and FX and 2nd AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Brinkman had an excellent club season in 2025, winning VT at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals (Sr E), tying for 3rd on FX and 11th AA.  Mustari placed 1st on UB, 1st(t) on BB, 6th(t) on FX at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also placed 1st AA, 1st on UB and 2nd(t) on BB at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.  Unfortunately, she and Wenner are both working their way back from injury, with the later from concussions.  In addition to the frosh, LSU welcomes some high profile transfers in Courtney Blackson, Emily Innes and Madison Ulrich.  Blackson took a year off but has competed a strong 1 1/2 Yurchenko and was an All-American on both VT and UB.  Innes was a Regional champ on FX and lends depth and experience on three events while Ulrich was a 2nd team All-American on UB, BB and in the AA.  The trio's experience will also help give the frosh time to adapt to college competition.         

LSU missed last year's finals and graduated a bevy of stars.  But with a deep roster, some talented frosh and high impact transfers, they could be ready to challenge the Sooner for the title.  Injury avoidance and injury recovery for some of their stars could be a big factor, as it is with any squad, but the team's overall depth will help mitigate that.         

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Routines Gone: 2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 1 FX
Head Coach: Jenny Rowland
Associate Head Coaches: Adrian Burde, Owen Field
Assistant:  Jeremy Miranda
Finish Last Season:  7th
Returning Starters (10):  Alyssa Arana (Jr), Skye Blakely (So), Ly Bui (So), Taylor Clark (So), Gabby Disidore (Jr), Skylar Draser (Jr), Danie Ferris (Jr), Selena Harris-Miranda (Sr), Riley McCusker (Sr), Anya Pilgrim (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):   Lori Brubach (Sr), Lily Bruce (So), Kayla DiCello (Jr)
Graduated (5):  Sloane Blakely, Bri Edwards, Ellie Lazzari, Victoria Nguyen, Leanne Wong
Other Losses (1):  Kaylee Bluffstone (Jr/TR/Auburn)
Newcomers (5):  Jayla Booker (Fr), Amelia Disidore (Fr), Maddy Dorbin (Fr), eMjae Frazier (Sr/TR/Cal), Jocelyn Sasson (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Florida finished 7th last season, which might be considered a disappointment for a team with Championships aspirations.  This is moreso true because they finished just 0.1 behind Missouri in the 1st semifinal at the NCAA finals.  They are back to #3 in the Preseason rankings, based on a strong set of returners and another strong set of newcomers.  They do say goodbye to some key contributors, led by Leanne Wong.  Wong won silver medals in the AA at the 2021 and 2025 World Championships, and was a 12-time championship All-American and the 2024 NCAA UB champion.  The Gators will also miss All-American Sloane Blakely, who missed the post-season in 2025 but was a force for the Gators.  ALso departed is three-time All American Victoria Nguyen and All-American Ellie Lazari. All four competed on up to four events during their careers.

Despite losing 7 routines from 6 gymnasts, the Gators return 10 strong returning starters and three other experienced returners, led by 7 time NCAA Nationals nd 11-time WCGA Regular Season All-American Selena Harris-Miranda as well as sophomore Anya Pilgrim, a two-time NCAA nationals and Regular Season All-American.  They will also look forward to expanded contributions from former Senior US National Team member Skye Blakely, who was limited by injury last season, and the return of Kayla DiCello, another Senior US National Team Member and two-time NCAA National and 3 time Regular Season All-American.  Also back strongly last season was junior Danie Ferris, a 2025 VT All-American who was also a key athlete on FX as well as junior Alyssa Arana, who demonstrates excellent form on BB and on UB, where she earned 1st team All-American honors in 2025.  Also looking strong in the preseason is Ly Bui, a sophomore who joined the team early last season and who has added a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2. Another junior, Gabby Dididore, earned 2nd team All-American honors on FX at the 2025 nationals while classmate Skylar Drasar competed AA as a frosh.          

Florida welcomes four frosh and a high profile transfer for 2026.  Senior eMjae Frazier was a five-time National All-American and five-time WCGA Regular Season All-American for Cal.  She could provide an immediate high level impact across all four events.  Four frosh join the ranks, including elite Amelia Disidore (4*) and three top L10s in Jayla Booker (3.5*), Maddy Dorbin (5*) and Jocelyn Sasson (5*).  Former US Senior National Team member Disidore was 10th AA, 6th on VT and 8th on FX at the 2023 Xfinity US Championships.  Although she worked through an injury-filled 2024, she has been looking strong in preseason training, showing a double layout on FX and big Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Sasson, a three-time WDP L10 National Team member, placed 7th AA and 2nd on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 3rd on VT, 5th(t) on UB, 6th(t) on FX and 8th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also the BB and AA champ in 2022.  Durbon placed 2nd AA, 2nd on UB, 4th(t) VT and 6th on FX at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 3rd on BB, 5th on FX, 6th on VT and 14th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Furthermore, she was the AA champ (and tied for 1st on UB) at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Booker tied for 9th on UB and placed 18th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 29th AA and tied for 9th on FX in 2024. 

Florida enters the 2026 season with some high profile stars, exciting newcomers and potentially the most depth of any of the contending teams.  They showed no less than 11 10.0 start value vaults in their public intrasquad and up to 18 routines per event.  Their biggest challenge with be for the coaches to pace and develop the squad so they can have a peak performance in the National final.          

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 12/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Head Coach: Janelle McDonald
Associate Head Coach:  BJ Das
Assistants:  Lacey Dagen, Mark Freeman
Finish Last Season:  2nd
Returning Starters (5):  Ciena Alipio (Sr), Jordan Chiles (Sr), Riley Jenkins (So), Macy McGowan (So), Katelyn Rosen (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (6):  Maddie Anyimi (Sr), Sydney Barros (Jr), Clarissa Clay (Gr), Sasha Fujisaka (So/I), Bronwyn Hoffman (So), Mika Webster-Longin (So/I)
Graduated (7):  Chae Campbell, Mia Erdoes, Frida Esparza, Emily Lee, Emma Malabuyo, Brooklyn Moors, Clara Wren
Other Losses (1):  Paige Anastasi (Jr/TR/)
Newcomers (7):  Ava Callahan (Fr), Jordis Eichman (Fr), Lauren Little (Jr/TR/Bama), Kai Mattei (Fr), Nola Matthews (Fr), Ashlee Sullivan (Fr), Tiana Sumanasekera (Fr)     

Quick Assessment:  UCLA finished 2nd last season, defying some lower preseason expectations to deliver a standard performance at the National final.  Gone from that squad are 8 athletes and half the lineups, including standouts Chae Campbell, Emma Malabuyo and Broooklyn Moors.  Campbell won 14 All-American honors during her career (National and Regular Season) and was the Big Ten AA Champ in 2025.  Malabuyo was runnerup on BB in 2025 and won four All-American honors on the event during her career.  A 2024 Olympian for the Philippines, she was also a key contributor on FX and UB.  Moors, a former Olympic AA finalist for Canada, captured the 2025 title on FX, and was a two-time All-American on the event.  Emily Lee was also a steadfast competitor, especially on BB, while Frida Esparza was a two-time All-American on the UB.

The Bruins bring back plenty of firepower for 2026, led by two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles.  The 16-time All-American and 2025 NCAA UB champ is a standout leader for the Bruins.  She's complemented by four other returners, including senior Ciena Alipio, sophomore Macy McGowan and junior Katelyn Rosen.  Alipio was a 2025 first team All-American on BB and has scored a 10 on the event.  A former four-time US National Team member, she has the potential to add events this season. McGowan, who has been slowed by injury in preseason, competed on three events in 2025 and earned second team All-Big Ten honors.  Rosen has competed AA in the past and was an All-Pac 12 honoree in the AA in 2024.  UCLA also welcomes back sophomore Mika Webster Longin, who missed the National finals last year but was a key athlete on up to four events last season and who has been looking strong in preseason training.                

The excitement around the Bruins is high, with a highly anticipated class of 7 newcomers that includes three top elite National Team members.  Nola Matthews (5*) is five-time National Team member who is know for her expressive style on FX.  She won UB and FX at the 2025 Varna World Challenge Cup and placed 14th AA at the 2025 XFinity US Championships.  She was also 18th AA in 2024.  Ashlee Sullivan (5*) is coming off a breakthrough elite season, where she placed 4th AA and 3rd on FX at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships.  She also won the AA title at the 2025 Winter Cup, and the silver in the AA at the City of Jesolo Trophy.  Tiana Sumanasekera (5*) is another US National Team fixture who won golds in the AA and BB at the 2023 Pan American Championships.  She was 9th AA at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships and 8th AA at the 2024 Olympic Trials.  Complementing these three elites are elite Jordis Eichman (3.5*) and L10s Ava Callahan and Kai Mattei.  Bama transfer Lauren Little completes the class.  Eichman is coming off a strong elite season where she placed 8th on UB and 18th AA at the 2025 Xfinity US Championships.  She has been slowed by a toe injury this fall but showed UB and BB at the Meet the Bruins event.  

UCLA is back in contention for the Four on the Floor final, led by superstar Jordan Chiles.  The adjustment and development of the three star elite frosh will be critical to the Bruins success, and depth on VT with quality 10.0 Start Values will need to develop over the course of the season.

Official Web Site:    Link     Schedule     Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 2 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach: Carly Dockendorf
Assistants:  Myia Hambrick, Mike Hunger, Jimmy Pratt
Finish Last Season:  4th
Returning Starters (7):  Elizabeth Gantner (Jr), Ashley Glynn (Sr), Zoe Johnson (So), Avery Neff (So), Ana Padurariu (Sr), Makenna Smith (Sr), Ella Zirbes (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Olivia Kennedy (Jr), Sarah Krump (Sr), Clara Raposo (So), Poppy-Grace Sticker (So/I), Camie Winger (Jr) 
Graduated (3):  Jaylene Gilstrap, Grace McCallum, Amelie Morgan
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4):  Norah Christian (Fr/I), Sage Curtis (Fr), Abbi Ryssman (Fr), Bailey Stroud (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Utah made their way to the Four on the Floor in 2025 and will seek to return in 2026.  They lose eight routines from 3 departed athletes, including superstar Grace McCallum, who is now serving as a student assistant.  McCallum had a stellar season in 2025, as the Olympian placed 2nd AA, 2nd on VT, 2nd UB and 2nd on FX at the 2025 NCAA Championships.  She was a 15 time All-American (8x regular season, 7x NCAA Nationals) who will leave a large hole in the lineups.  The Utes also lose the services of Jaylene Gilstrap and Amelie Morgan.  Gilstrap was a two-time NCAA nationals All-American on the FX, but who also contributed on VT and at times, on BB.  Morgan, a British Olympian, was a 2nd team NCAA national All-American on UB in 2025, and held the important lead-off position on BB.

Utah however welcomes back seven starters and 5 other returners, as they seek to return to the Four on the Floor final.  They are led by sophomore Avery Neff and senior Makenna Smith.  Neff overcame an early season injury to win three All-Amercan honors at the NCAA Nationals, along with one regular season honor.  She was also a Regional AA and VT champion and has looked even stronger in preseason training this fall.  Smith is a key AAer and 10-time All American (3 regular season, 7 NCAA National).  A consistent fixture in the Utah lineups, she has posted 34 event wins during her career.  Junior Ella Zirbes seems poised for a breakout season, after a strong showing at the Red Rocks preview.  She is a three-time NCAA national All-American (1x VT, 2x BB).  The Utes also welcome back sophomore Ashley Glynn, Zoe Johnson, Ana Padurariu and Ella Zirbes.  Glynn competed on up to three events last season and brings a strong Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Johnson broke through in the latter part of the season on VT while Padurariu was a Big 12 co-champion on BB and also can contribute on UB.  Sophomore Clara Raposo is also looking strong in preseason, with a Yurcehenko 1 1/2 on VT while junior Camie Winger was a regular season All-American on BB who can compete on all four events.  British elite Poppy-Grace Stickler also returns, and is rapidly working her way back into lineup contention. 

Utah welcomes four frosh for 2026:  Norah Christian (4*), Sage Curtis (3*), Abbi Ryssman (4.5*) and Bailey Stroud (5*).  Stroud tied for 4th(t) AA and placed 3rd on BB, 7th on VT and 10th on UB at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was the AA and BB co-champion in Sr. B at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals, where she also finished 3rd on VT, 4th on UB and tied for 5th on FX.  Her precise, consistent gymnastics should translate well to NCAA competition.  Ryssman had a standout club season in 2025, tying for the UB title in Senior D at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th AA, 6th on BB and placed 7th on VT.  The prior season, she tied for 5th on BB, 7th on VT and placed 25th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Christian was an senior elite gymnast and US Championship qualifier who has a very high level of difficulty at her disposal (Yurchenko double twist, double twisting double on FX).  However, she is coming back from injury and could blossom once she fully recovers and adjusts to NCAA competition.  Curtis is a three-event specialist with tremendous power on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2) and FX (double layout), and clean execution on BB.     

Utah will seek to return to the NCAA Four on the Final by leverage a strong returning core and by focusing on improving their VT totals.  They've been working hard on upgrading VT in the offseason and have recruited some strong vaulters, and have made a lot of progress as a result.  If they can make it back to the finals and handle the pressure, the could pull a surprise.         

Official Web Site:     Link    Schedule      Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Rowe
Associate Head Coach:  Nicole Jones
Assistant:  Devin Wright
Starting Routines Returning: 13/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 3 UB, 3 BB, 3 FX
Finish Last Season:  6th
Returning Starters (8):  Amy Doyle (So/I), Cady Duplissis (So), Sage Kellerman (Sr), Emma Misenheimer (Jr), Gabi Ortiz (Jr), Nikki Smith (Sr), MaKayla Tucker (Jr), Olivia Zsarmani (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Kendall Abney (Jr), Elle Beaufait (Sr), Stephanie Lebster (Sr), Isabella Trostel (Jr)
Graduated (7):  Delanie Harkness, Giana Kalefe, Gabrielle Stephen, Lauren Hsu, Genna Lebster, Katie Sawyer, Skyla Schulte 
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (8):   Abby Bednar (So/TR/Kentucky), Isabel Biro (Fr), Brooke Boggess (Fr), Jazlyn Chism (Fr/), Lilia Cosman (Fr), Retoisha Halsell (RS So/I/TR/Towson), Naya Howard (Sr/TR/UGA), Korynne Marquart (Fr) 

Quick Assessment:  MSU returns ranked #6 in the Coaches' Preseason Poll, matching their finish last season.  They lose 11 routines from 8 departed gymnasts from last season, including key sets from Delanie Harkness, Giana Kalefe, Gabrielle Stephen and Skyla Schulte.  Stephen, along with Schulte, helped lead the Spartans in their rise up the Rankings and their breakthrough to the National scene.  The All-American was the Central Regional Gymnast of the Year, the Regional AA/VT/UB champ and was named the George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year and a Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient.  Similarly, Schulte was a high impact gymnast and a 2025 NCAA first team All-American on the FX and a three-time All-American overall.  With careers highs of 9.925+ on all four events and a 39.675 AA high, she will be sorely missed.  Harkness was another key gymnast and a regular on three events, with career highs of 9.9+ on UB/BB/FX.  She was also a three-time member of the All Big Ten Team (2x 2nd, 1x 1st).  Specialist Kalefe was a key leadoff on BB and hit for 9.9+ career highs on BB and FX.   Replacing the leadership and "end of the lineup" scores will be a challenge.

Leading the Spartan charge in 2026 will be seniors Sage Kellerman, Nikki Smith and Olivia Zsarmani and junior MaKayla Tucker.  Smith is a standout AAer with a 39.775 career high and career highs of 9.95+ on all four events.  The reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, she'll be a critical athlete for MSU.  Kellerman brings an exceptional 10.0 start value vault (front pike half) and perhaps the cleanest execution of the entire squad on UB.  She was a first team All-American in 2025 on VT and a second team honoree on UB.  Tucker is a potential AAer for MSU, having competed on all four events in her career.  She has career highs of 9.9+ on VT/BB/FX and was a 2nd team All Big Ten selection in 2024.  At 5'10", she's one of the tallest gymnasts in the NCAA.  Zsarmani was the Big Ten VT champion last year and is a potential AAer, having hit for a 39.425 career high last season.  A second team NCAA All-American on VT and UB, she is looking strong in preseason.  MSU also welcomes back sophomore Cady Duplissis, who looked strong in preseason training, showing a Yurchenko 1 1/2 and pike full-in at the public intrasquad.  Junior Isabel Trostel, after being slowed by injury during her first two years, is looking strong in the preseason and is training a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT.  Unfortunately, another sophomore, Amy Doyle, a first team All-American on VT in 2025, was spotted in a knee brace and crutches at the recent intrasquad.

Michigan State welcomes no less than 8 newcomers, including three transfers.  They will be pressing the returners for lineup spots immediately.  The frosh include Isabel Biro (4*), Brooke Boggess, Jazlyn Chism (4*), Lilia Cosman (4.5*), and Korynne Marquart (3*).  Cosman is a Romanian Olympian who placed 8th AA with a 52.366 at the 2024 European Championships.  She was also 4th on BB at the 2025 City of Jesolo Trophy.  Before switching to compete for Team Romania, she was a WDP L10 National Team member in 2022, and tied for 4th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  Chism was the WDP L10 National champ on UB and co-champ on BB in 2023.  She also placed 3rd AA and tied for 6th on VT.   She also tied for 4th on UB and placed 10th AA at the 2022 WDP L10 Nationals.  However, she has competed sparingly the last two seasons and did not participate at the most recent intrasquad. Another frosh, Biro tied for 17th AA and placed 6th on UB at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 9th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Powerhouse Marquart tied for 6th on VT, 6th on BB, 8th on FX and 14th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 4th on VT at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  With a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on VT and a full-in on FX, she excels on the leg events.  The Spartans will also welcome three key transfers in Abby Bednar, Retoisha Halsell and Naya Howard.  Howard was an AAer in the past for UGA, with a career high of 39.475 and highs of 9.9+ on each event,  Her experience and leadership will help MSU with some of the key lineup routines, especially on UB.  Halsell was injured last season but was a strong vaulter and floor worker for Towson, with career highs of 9.9 and 9.975, respectively.

MSU seeks to return to the NCAA Nationals in 2026, fueled by some strong core AAers and key multi-event specialists, and some high impact newcomers.  One key question mark in on the UB, where MSU may not have the same quality of depth as on the other events.  Avoiding injuries to the stars will also be critical, as it is for many teams, but is especially true as many of the top teams otherwise have very deep rosters.  

Official Web Site:      Link       Schedule       Roster
Head Coach:  Shannon Welker
Associate Head Coach:  Whitney Snowden
Assistants:   Lacey Rubin, Jackie Terpak
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Routines Gone:  2 VT, 4 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Finish Last Season:  3rd
Returning Starters (9):  Kennedy Griffin (Jr), Hannah Horton (Jr), Railey Jackson (So), Olivia Kelly (So), Addison Lawrence (Sr), Rayna Light (Jr), Kaia Tanskanen (So), Elise Tisler (RS Sr),  Amy Wier (RS Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Ayla Acevedo (So), Grace Anne Davis (Gr/I), Lauren Macpherson (Gr/I), Lisa Szeibert (So)
Graduated (6):  Kyra Burns, Amari Celestine, Helen Hu, Jocelyn Moore, Abby Mueller, Mara Titarsolej
Other Losses (3):  Jessa Conedera (Jr/?), Kylie Minard (Jr/TR/TWU), Courtney Woods (Jr/TR/Illinois State)
Newcomers (7):  Kimarra Echols (Fr), Dakota Essenpries (Jr/TR/Arkansas), Makayla Green (Gr/TR/Illinois), Bryce Kupbens (Fr), Maiya Terry (Fr), Sara Wabi (Gr/TR/Illinois State), Hayli Westerlind (Fr/I)

Quick Assessment:  Missouri had a spectacular finish last season finishing 3rd in the Four on the Floor final.  They return with a #7 preseason ranking, likely reflecting the loss of 10 key routines and 9 departed gymnasts, including stars Amari Celestine, Helen Hu, Jocelyn Moore and Mara Titarsolej.  Celestine was a six-time All-American (3x NCAA national, 2x regular season) with career highs of 9.925+ on all four events, and a career best AA of 39.65.  Now training elite, she was a top scorer for four seasons at Mizzou.  Hu returned to Missouri after a year off, post graduation, and won the 2025 NCAA BB title.  A six-time All-American (2x NCAA national, 4x regular season) her BB excellence will be hard to replace.  Moore was a five-time All-American (1x NCAA national, 4x regular season) with a huge Yurchenko 1 1 /2.  The SEC Event Specialist of the Year in 2024, she was also the SEC VT champion in 2023.  Titarsolj, a former Dutch elite, was the bronze medalist on UB at the 2025 NCAA Nationals.  She was also a four-time regular season All-American on UB.  The loss of these top scoring athletes will be challenging to replace.

Leading the charge for the Tigers in 2026 are junior Kennedy Griffin and Hannah Horton plus sophomores Railey Jackson, Olivia Kelly and Kaia Tanskanen.   Horton has been a key gymnast on up to three events for the Tigers, earning 2nd team NCAA All-American honors on UB in 2025, and winning the Regional title on the event.  She's gone 9.95 on VT (Yurchenko 1 1/2), UB and FX.  Griffin was a regular season All-American (2nd team) on FX in 2025, and an All-SEC Team member in 2024.  She's posted a 10 on the event, and was also the leadoff on VT in the 2nd half of last season.  Kelly came on strong at the end of last season, earning second team NCAA All-American honors on UB and BB at the National meet.  Jackson also appears ready to expand her contributions in 2026, after competing on up to three events in 2025.  She also showed strong sets on all four events at the recent intrasquad.  Tanskanen is coming off an exceptionally strong elite season, placing 15th AA at the 2025 World Championships for Finland.  She will look to expand her impact this season, after competing on VT and FX last season.  Missouri also welcomes back a number of other returnees, including Addison Lawrence, who came back from injury in 2024 to earn 2nd team NCAA All-American honors on BB in 2025.  Missouri also welcomes back the injured Grace Anne Davis and Lauren McPherson, who could provide experience and depth.  Macpherson in particular could figure prominently on BB and especially on UB, where the Tigers have four scores to replace.

Missouri welcomes 7 newcomers, including four frosh:  Kimarra Echols (5*), Bryce Kupbens, Maiya Terry (3*) and Hayli Westerlind (3.5*).  Echols is a potential standout as a frosh.  In 2025, she tied for 3rd on FX, 10th on UB and 5th AA at the WDP L10 Nationals.  She was also 3rd AA, 2nd on FX, 4th on UB and 4th(t) on VT at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Westerlind missed the 2025 club season but has returned ready for this season.  She placed 12th AA and tied for 7th on BB and 9th on VT at the 2024 WDOP L10 Nationals.  She was also 5th AA and tied for 5th on BB, 8th on UB and 9th on FX at the 2023 WDP L10 Nationals.   Former Pitt commit Terry tied for 7th on UB and FX as well as 14th AA at the 2024 WDP L1 Nationals.  She also placed 27th AA at the the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  In addition to the frosh, the Tigers added three transfers.  Dakota Essenpreis brings a solid 1 1/2 twisting Yurchenko, while Makayla Green and Sara Wabi will both help bolster the UB lineup, which was clearly a focus for the coaching staff in the transfer portal.

Missouri will seek to return to the NCAA Nationals, bolstered by key leaders and a large class of newcomers, including potential standout Echols.  Missouri will need to develp their large roster to replace some of the top scores lost to graduation, while working to improve depth, especially on UB where the losses to graduation were the highest.       

Official Web Site:     Link      Schedule      Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Routines Gone:  3 VT, 1 UB, 2 BB, 2 FX
Head Coach:  Ashley Johnston
Associate Head Coach:  Justin Spring
Assistants:  Amelia Hundley, Ross Thompson
Finish Last Season:  8th
Returning Starters (9): Ryan Fuller (So), Karis German (Sr/I), Gabby Gladieux (Sr), Kylee Kvamme (So), Chloe LaCoursiere (Jr), Gabby Ladanyi (Jr), Jordyn Paradise (Gr), Jamison Sears (Jr), Paityn Walker (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Love Birt (So/I), Natalia Pawlak (Sr), Rachel Rybicki (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Shania Adams,  Lilly Hudson, Cam Machado
Other Losses (3):  Corinne Bunagan (Gr/I/R), Brooke Dennis (So/R/I), Faye Rodio (So/TR/Towson)
Newcomers (5):  Jasmine Cawley (Fr), Noella Marshall (Fr), McKenzie Matters (Fr), Azaraya Ra-Akbar (Fr), Derin Tanriyasukur (Fr)

Quick Assessment:  Alabama enters the 2026 season needing to replace 8 of 24 routines from a squad that placed 8th nationally last season.  They lose a total of six gymnasts, including graduates Shania Adams, Lilly Hudson and Cam Machado.  Hudson was a top AAer for the Tide, having scored 10s during her career on VT, BB and FX.  She was a four-time All American (3x NCAA nationals, 1s regular season) and five times hit a 39.575 career best AA.  Adams competed on all four events during her career, and was the SEC uneven bar champion in 2021.  Although Machado missed the 2025 season due to injury, she was a fixure in the UB and FX lineups in 2024.  In addition, Bama lost the services of Corinne Bunagan, after she retired following an ACL injury in the preseason.  She had a standout season in 2025, earning 2nd team All-American honors at the NCAA Nationals in 2025.  

Bama returns nine starters and three other returnes as they work towards returning to the NCAA National meet.  Leading the way is senior AAer Gabby Gladieux.  Gladieux is coming off a terrific 2025 season, where she was named to the All-American AA first team and VT, BB and FX 2nd team at the NCAA nationals.  She was also named to the 2025 All-SEC team.  She'll be complemented by junior Chloe LaCoursiere, who competed on up to four events last season but could become a regular AAer.  She earned All-American second team honors on the UB, her best event, at the 2025 NCAA nationals.  Alabama will also look to expanded contributions from Kylee Kvamme and Jamison Sears in 2026.  Kvamme competed on VT and BB, but could also break through the FX lineup again as well.  Sears, a junior, has competed primarily on VT and FX, but has the potential to be a top scorer on those events.  Jordyn Paradise has come back for her fifth year, after missing 2024.  Last season, she was a regular in the VT lineup and will be counted upon once again.  Unfortunately, the Tide has lost the services of senior Karis German to an Achilles' injury, but she has already signalled an intent to return.  Any number of the other returners could step forward this season as well, expanding their role as specialists.

Bama welcomes four frosh for this season:  Jasmine Cawley (5*), Noella Marshall, McKenzie Matters (4.5*), Azaraya Ra-Akbar (3*) and Derin Tanniyasukar (3*).  Cawley leads the way for the frosh, and this past season she placed 3rd AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Nationals.  She also tied for 2nd on FX, 7th on UB, 10th on VT and placed 5th on BB.  She also tied for the BB title at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals, as well as tying for 3rd AA and placing 7th on VT.  Matters is also another strong L10, having placed 4th AA at the 2025 WDP L10 Natiionals.  She also placed 4th on BB and tied for 6th on VT.  The prior seaon she was 3rd on VT, tied for 7th on BB and placed 12th AA at the 2024 WDP L10 Nationals.  Canadian eltie and former US junior elite Ra-Akbar has struggled the past few years with injuries.  She is training well, however and competed on all four events at both the Halloween and December intrasquads  Tannisyasukar is a Turkish National Team member who placed 39th AA at the European Championships in 2024.  Marshall brings another strong VT to the Tide, with a pike front half that could impact the lineup immediately.              

Bama returns a strong set of returners, led by Gladieux and some talented newcomers like Cawley and Matters, as they seek a return trip to Nationals.  Injuries have made their mark on the squad already, impacting depth on events like VT, but with some stepup performances from either returners or the newcomers, Bama should move themselves back into contention.  

Link:  Teams #9 to #16

Link:  Intro