The big dance is HERE. We have our eight teams, our four all arounders and our 15 individual event specialists. Yesterday, we broke down all the team prospects for advancing to finals. Today, we tackle the individual event title prospects and who might be crowned national champion.
Four all arounders and 15 individual event specialists qualified to compete in Fort Worth. They will be split up into the two semifinal sessions with national champions determined at the end of the night.
For a more in-depth explanation on the new postseason format, check out our NCAA postseason format explainer. Finally, don’t forget to follow your progress in the 2019 bracket challenge here.
| Session One | ||||
| Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | |
| Rotation One | UCLA
Alex Hyland (UK) |
Michigan
Sabrina Garcia (PSU) |
LSU
Brooke Kelly (Miz) |
Utah
Sienna Crouse (Neb) |
| Rotation Two | Utah
Sienna Crouse (Neb) |
UCLA
Alex Hyland (UK) |
Michigan
Jessie Bastardi (PSU) |
LSU
Sidney Dukes (UK) |
| Rotation Three | LSU
Milan Clausi (Cal) |
Utah
Sienna Crouse (Neb) |
UCLA
Alex Hyland (UK) |
Michigan
Abby Armbrecht (Ala) |
| Rotation Four | Michigan
Taylor Houchin (Neb) |
LSU
Cally Nixon (UK) |
Utah
Sienna Crouse (Neb) |
UCLA
Alex Hyland (UK) |
| Session Two | ||||
| Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | |
| Rotation One | Oklahoma
Derrian Gobourne (Aub) |
Georgia
Trinity Thomas (UF) |
Denver
Lexy Ramler (Minn) |
Oregon State
Alicia Boren (UF) |
| Rotation Two | Oregon State
Alicia Boren (UF) |
Oklahoma
Cairo Leonard-Baker (ASU) |
Georgia
Alyssa Baumann (UF) |
Denver
Lexy Ramler (Minn) |
| Rotation Three | Denver
Lexy Ramler (Minn) |
Oregon State
Alicia Boren (UF) |
Oklahoma
Hailey Garner (Ark) |
Georgia
Trinity Thomas (UF) |
| Rotation Four | Georgia
Savannah Schoenherr (UF) |
Denver
Lexy Ramler (Minn) |
Oregon State
Alicia Boren (UF) |
Oklahoma
Sophia Carter (Ark) |
All Around
| Rank | Gymnast (School) | NQS | Average | High Score |
| 1 | Kyla Ross (UCLA) | 39.780 | 39.628 | 39.850 |
| 2 | Sarah Finnegan (LSU) | 39.710 | 39.637 | 39.800 |
| 3 | MyKayla Skinner (Utah) | 39.690 | 39.661 | 39.750 |
| 4 | Maddie Karr (Denver) | 39.665 | 39.480 | 39.725 |
| 5 | Trinity Thomas (Florida)* | 39.650 | 39.623 | 39.750 |
| 6 | Natalie Wojcik (Michigan) | 39.630 | 39.527 | 39.750 |
| 7 | Lynnzee Brown (Denver) | 39.615 | 39.548 | 39.775 |
| 8 | Brenna Dowell (Oklahoma) | 39.610 | 39.511 | 39.725 |
| 9 | Lexy Ramler (Minnesota) | 39.600 | 30.533 | 39.725 |
| 10 | Anastasia Webb (Oklahoma) | 39.590 | 39.470 | 39.650 |
*Did not qualify to nationals in the all around.
The Contenders
Look at that clump of 39.750-plus scores. This is going to be a close one. Kyla Ross stands out as the most likely winner, especially given her long streak of meets with at least one 10.0. This is her title to lose. That said, if she so much as misses a handstand or has a toe out of place, the likes of Sarah Finnegan, MyKayla Skinner and Natalie Wojcik are waiting in the wings. Keep an eye on Lynnzee Brown too. Her NQS is a touch behind the field, but her high score is a 39.775, which puts her just behind Finnegan.
The Dark Horses
No one thought Brenna Dowell would be in this conversation in January (although I’d like to toot my own horn and say she was my preseason pick for all around champ, though that was solely an emotional choice). Beam, the event she added this season, and bars are her weaker events. If she puts up big numbers on those two, and has normal vault and floor performances, she’s dangerous. Lexy Ramler is also a threat, and is the inverse of Dowell. She’s weaker on vault and floor. If she puts up big scores there, keep an eye on her. Don’t overlook Sienna Crouse, Alicia Boren or Alex Hyland either. All three fall just outside the top 10 but are capable of big scores. Mistakes from the top of the field could open the door, especially since those on teams are staring down two days of competition, while individuals have just one focus. Do not overlook that Maggie Nichols, the reigning national champion, has added back vault and shown floor training clips in recent weeks.
What If…
Ramler broke the program record all around total with her 39.725 this year; it is possible she could break this record once again. Denver’s only national champion is Nina Magee on floor; Maddie Karr and Lynnzee Brown are in line to be its first all around title winners. Michigan’s highest-ever score at nationals was Elise Ray’s 39.625 in 2001, and its last all around champion was Kylee Botterman in 2011; Wojcik is very capable of topping Ray’s score. If Ross takes it, she will be UCLA’s first all around title-winner since Samantha Peszek in 2015.
Vault
| Rank | Gymnast (School) | NQS | Average | High Score |
| 1 | Kyla Ross (UCLA) | 9.970 | 9.819 | 10.000 |
| 2 | MyKayla Skinner (Utah) | 9.960 | 9.935 | 9.975 |
| 3 | Natalie Wojcik (Michigan) | 9.955 | 9.863 | 10.000 |
| 4 | Maddie Karr (Denver) | 9.940 | 9.909 | 9.975 |
| 5 | Sydney Snead (Georgia) | 9.935 | 9.917 | 9.950 |
| 6 | Felicia Hano (UCLA) | 9.930 | 9.882 | 9.950 |
| 7 | Kirah Koshinski (West Virginia)* | 9.925 | 9.871 | 9.950 |
| 8 | MaKenna Merrell-Giles (Utah) | 9.920 | 9.898 | 9.950 |
| 8 | Brenna Dowell (Oklahoma) | 9.920 | 9.898 | 9.950 |
| 10 | Lynnzee Brown (Denver) | 9.915 | 9.882 | 9.950 |
| 10 | Jade Degouveia (Oklahoma) | 9.915 | 9.887 | 9.950 |
*Did not qualify to nationals on vault.
The Contenders
Ross has had four 10.000s on vault this year but also two falls. She is certainly in the running, but it is very possible she will leave the door open. If she does, keep an eye on Skinner, whose double full has improved this season; if it is one of her cleaner vaults, she could easily defend her title. Wojcik has an uncanny knack for sticking her one and a half and is also a name to watch, as is Karr, whose vaults have gone 9.975 three times this year.
The Dark Horses
Taylor Houchin stuck her Yurchenko one and a half at regionals for a 9.975; she is certainly a threat. The 9.950-crew here is packed with strong vaulters. Any one of them could have the vault of a lifetime and steal the crown. Watch Georgia’s Sydney Snead and the Oklahoma duo especially. Dowell is the reigning co-champion with Skinner and Alex McMurtry.
What If…
Again, Denver is chasing national titles, and Karr could bring it home on vault. Houchin could become Nebraska’s first individual title winner since 2003, and the first on vault since head coach Heather Brink’s 2000 win.
Bars
| Rank | Gymnast (School) | NQS | Average | High Score |
| 1 | Kyla Ross (UCLA) | 9.995 | 9.912 | 10.000 |
| 2 | Maggie Nichols (Oklahoma) | 9.960 | 9.943 | 9.975 |
| 3 | Sarah Finnegan (LSU) | 9.955 | 9.923 | 10.000 |
| 4 | Trinity Thomas (Florida) | 9.950 | 9.918 | 9.975 |
| 4 | Nicole Lehrmann (Oklahoma) | 9.950 | 9.925 | 10.000 |
| 6 | Lexie Priessman (LSU) | 9.945 | 9.852 | 10.000 |
| 6 | Madison Kocian (UCLA) | 9.945 | 9.902 | 10.000 |
| 6 | MyKayla Skinner (Utah) | 9.945 | 9.917 | 9.950 |
| 9 | Maddie Karr (Denver) | 9.940 | 9.923 | 9.975 |
| 10 | Ivy Lu (Minnesota)* | 9.935 | 9.906 | 9.975 |
*Did not qualify to nationals on bars.
The Contenders
Once again, Ross leads the way with six 10.000s on bars this year, including in her last routine at regionals. She was the 2017 champion on the event with Finnegan. Finnegan, Nicole Lehrmann, Lexie Priessman and Madison Kocian join Ross in the 10.000-club from 2019. This is a crowded field, with a slew of gymnasts having hit 9.975s this year, including many outside of the top 10. Nichols, Trinity Thomas and Karr are certainly threats; Nichols shared the title with Stanford’s Elizabeth Price last year.
The Dark Horses
It is very possible that the event winner will come from outside the top 10, from someone like Cairo Leonard-Baker, Brown or Crouse. All three have notched a 9.975 this year.
What If…
Arizona State hasn’t had an individual champion since 2004, and not on bars since 1984. Yes, 1984. Leonard-Baker could be the icing on the cake for a team that has had a dramatic two-year turnaround.
Beam
| Rank | Gymnast (School) | NQS | Average | High Score |
| 1 | Maggie Nichols (Oklahoma) | 9.975 | 9.933 | 9.975 |
| 2 | Katelyn Ohashi (UCLA) | 9.965 | 9.927 | 9.975 |
| 3 | Kyla Ross (UCLA) | 9.950 | 9.919 | 10.000 |
| 4 | Sarah Finnegan (LSU) | 9.945 | 9.896 | 10.000 |
| 5 | Lexy Ramler (Minnesota) | 9.945 | 9.919 | 9.975 |
| 6 | Alexis Vasquez (Denver) | 9.935 | 9.882 | 9.950 |
| 7 | Natalie Wojcik (Michigan) | 9.930 | 9.917 | 9.950 |
| 8 | Anastasia Webb (Oklahoma) | 9.925 | 9.837 | 9.975 |
| 8 | Sabrina Vega (Georgia) | 9.925 | 9.858 | 9.950 |
| 8 | Kaitlyn Schou (Denver) | 9.925 | 9.858 | 9.950 |
The Contenders
Nichols has been a rock on beam, one of her two consistent events this year. Her most likely competition comes from Ross, Katelyn Ohashi and Finnegan. All four are incredibly clean and consistent. Anastasia Webb is also a clutch performer for Oklahoma and could win it all.
The Dark Horses
None of the remaining names in the top 10 should be overlooked. All are capable of incredible beam performances. Notable performances to watch outside of this group include Alyssa Baumann, Karr and Reagan Campbell.
What If…
If either Finnegan or Campbell comes out on top, it will be LSU’s first beam title since Susan Jackson in 2010. The Tigers have taken titles on every other event since then.
Floor
| Rank | Gymnast (School) | NQS | Average | High Score |
| 1 | Katelyn Ohashi (UCLA) | 10.000 | 9.977 | 10.000 |
| 2 | Trinity Thomas (Florida) | 9.965 | 9.950 | 9.975 |
| 3 | Olivia Trautman (Oklahoma) | 9.965 | 9.952 | 10.000 |
| 4 | Lynnzee Brown (Denver) | 9.960 | 9.923 | 10.000 |
| 5 | Kyla Ross (UCLA) | 9.960 | 9.947 | 10.000 |
| 6 | MyKayla Skinner (Utah) | 9.955 | 9.939 | 10.000 |
| 7 | Sarah Finnegan (LSU) | 9.950 | 9.940 | 10.000 |
| 8 | Brenna Dowell (Oklahoma) | 9.945 | 9.873 | 9.975 |
| 9 | Alicia Boren (Florida) | 9.940 | 9.933 | 9.975 |
| 10 | McKenna Kelley (LSU) | 9.935 | 9.885 | 10.000 |
| 10 | Kaitlyn Yanish (Oregon State) | 9.935 | 9.885 | 9.975 |
| 10 | Sophia Carter (Arkansas) | 9.935 | 9.910 | 9.950 |
The Contenders
Ohashi, the reigning national co-champion, is poised for another title. She has as many 10.0s on floor as scores below that mark this year, and her low score is a 9.925. We’ve seen an astounding number of 10.0s this year; anyone who has notched that score could tie, or even beat, Ohashi, including Kennedi Edney who is outside the top 10.
The Dark Horses
Nichols, who shared the 2018 title with Ohashi, has posted floor training clips in recent weeks. She hasn’t competed the event since week two, when she suffered a bruised heel. If she is healthy and competes, she is a title threat. Individuals abound in this field as well, with Thomas, Boren and Sophia Carter all capable of stealing the crown. Keep an eye on Kaitlyn Yanish too, who boasts a stellar double layout.
What If…
Yanish, if she prevails, would be Oregon State’s first title winner since 1993. Arkansas hasn’t had a national champion since Katherine Grable took titles on vault and floor in 2014. Carter would tie the floor program record with a 9.975, and be the first champion in five years.
READ THIS NEXT: 2019 NCAA Nationals Teams Preview
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Article by Emily Minehart
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