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As the countdown to the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship intensifies, only four teams remain in contention for the prestigious title. Following an exhilarating semifinal showcasing, the scheduled competitors for the national championship include No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 4 Utah, No. 5 UCLA, and No. 7 Missouri. This highly anticipated showdown is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, airing live on ABC.
This year’s finale is particularly striking as it features a shocking lineup, with powerhouse teams No. 1 LSU and No. 3 Florida unexpectedly missing from the final four, having been outperformed by emerging squads that are ready to claim their spots on the national stage.
Semifinal Surprises
The Missouri Tigers, ranked No. 7, have made history by qualifying for the NCAA Championship for the first time ever. Their journey to this moment marks a remarkable achievement for Coach Shannon Welker and the team, securing the highest final ranking in the program’s history.
Previously, the Tigers fell just short of a Final Four appearance in 2022 when they finished fifth. In a nail-biting competition, they managed to overcome the favored No. 3 Florida, thanks to a near-flawless routine from senior Helen Hu on the beam. Hu scored an impressive 9.9875, clinching not only the victory for Missouri but also the individual beam title, making her the first athlete from the program to achieve this distinction.
Prior to the semifinals, the Tigers rejected the label of “underdogs,” instead embracing the mantra “undeniable.” Coach Welker emphasized this philosophy during a winner’s press conference: “Well, we’re sitting right here,” he remarked with a chuckle, reinforcing a different motto: “out heart, out work, out team.” He credited this mindset for their success leading up to the Final Four, stating that it can make a considerable difference in the competition.
Missouri’s triumph inevitably led to disappointment for the Florida Gators, who are still in pursuit of their first championship title since 2015. Star athlete Leanne Wong, an Olympic alternate and World Champion, concluded her celebrated NCAA career on this disappointing note.
On the opposite side of the arena, Oklahoma’s squad, holding the No. 2 rank, staged a successful comeback in their session with a meet-winning score of 197.550. This performance marks their return to the Final Four after missing out in 2024 due to a mishap on vault.
Junior Jordan Bowers played a crucial role, delivering a strong performance on the beam after a previous fall by a teammate. Her engaging comments about her pre-beam routine revealed her light-hearted approach to high pressure, as she noted she “leaves the arena before beam.” Bowers’ stellar showing also earned her the NCAA all-around title, and a victory on Saturday would secure Oklahoma’s seventh championship in just over a decade.
Meanwhile, Coach K.J. Kindler communicated her intent to move past the mistakes of the previous year, emphasizing the significance of learning from past experiences. “It’s been a long 364 days,” she stated, reminiscing about the 2024 semifinal. “That dragon is slayed and we’re past it,” she assured, signifying her team’s determination for redemption.
In the other semifinal featuring powerhouse teams, over 250,000 viewers tuned in for a thrilling competition among No. 1 ranked LSU, No. 4 Utah, No. 5 UCLA, and No. 8 Michigan State. The anticipation was palpable as the teams vied closely for a place in the final, with only two-tenths of a point separating them at one point in the competition.
The Utah Red Rocks exhibited remarkable precision, consistently sticking their landings on bars and closing out the competition strongly, thanks in part to a stellar performance from Olympian Grace McCallum. This qualified Utah for the Final Four for the fifth consecutive season as they seek to capture their first championship in three decades.
Head Coach Carly Dockendorf expressed gratitude for the hard work it took for her team to reach this milestone and emphasized the respect they hold for the championship tradition. “It takes a lot to be part of this program and to compete in front of thousands of fans weekly,” Dockendorf shared, reflecting on their commitment and pride.
While Utah excelled, the Michigan State Spartans maintained their ground, finishing fourth in their session. Despite a shaky rotation in the previous event, they achieved their highest final ranking ever at No. 6.
For the defending champions, LSU, the challenges continued as they wrapped up their rotation on vault — an event they typically dominate. Although freshman Kailin Chio delivered a nearly perfect Yurchenko full, scoring 9.975 and taking home the NCAA vault title, the rest of the team struggled with their landings.
Conversely, the UCLA Bruins energized the audience with a stellar performance on the beam after an initial hiccup. Philippine Olympian Emma Malabuyo secured a critical score of 9.975, propelling her team into the Final Four and bringing tears of joy to her eyes.
UCLA’s final score of 197.737 placed them ahead of LSU, allowing them to advance while also claiming individual titles for Olympians Jordan Chiles and Brooklyn Moors in their respective events. Coach Janelle McDonald shared her belief in the team’s potential to contend for the national championship, and despite the excitement over the individual accolades, the focus remains on team success.
Chiles and Moors discussed the special chemistry within the team, with both attributing it to significant experiences leading up to the season. Chiles recalled her confidence in the team’s potential shortly after a practice in late 2024, which only solidified as the season progressed.
How To Watch
The 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship will take place at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena and will be broadcast live on ABC on Saturday, April 19, at 4 p.m. ET. Further event details can be found here.
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