It’s almost time for the NCAA gymnastics postseason! We know where each of the top 36 teams in the country will travel to compete for a chance at advancing to nationals, and in the days leading up to the championships, we’ll preview and analyze each of the four regionals, discussing which teams have a chance of moving on each day and which individuals could qualify as well.
First up is the Gainesville regional. Thursday will feature No. 30 Clemson and No. 36 Iowa State in round one. Friday we jump into round two action with No. 5 Utah, No. 12 Michigan State, No. 21 Towson, and No. 26 Maryland competing in the afternoon session and No. 4 Florida, No. 13 Missouri, No. 20 Georgia, and the winner of round one in the evening session. Two teams from each of these Friday competitions will advance to the regional final on Sunday where the top two from that meet make it to nationals.
There’s also a handful of individuals that will compete on Friday in both of the round two meets. Simply put, the top all-arounder and event specialists qualify to nationals. To determine those gymnasts, combine Friday’s individual event and all-around results, wait until Sunday’s meet concludes, take out all the gymnasts from the two qualifying teams, and take the top individual on each event and in the all-around.
Easy enough, right?
For a more in-depth explanation, including how the tie-breaking procedure works (it’s complicated), how the whole format is structured, and even how judges are selected, check out our NCAA postseason resource guide.
Round One
Date: April 4th at 2:00
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 30 Clemson vs. No. 36 Iowa State
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 30 Clemson | 196.705 | 196.509 | 197.600 | Vault |
| No. 36 Iowa State | 196.405 | 196.096 | 196.900 | Bars |
Background
Clemson had a strong first season as a program, from eclipsing 196 at the first meet, to breaking the 197 barrier, to placing second at the ACC championship. Iowa State was new in its own way this year with a first-year coaching staff that allowed the Cyclones to exceed expectations and hold on to the last regional spot.
So You’re Saying There’s a Chance
The biggest issue for Clemson this season has been inconsistency and counting falls. When Clemson doesn’t have a miss, it’s capable of a 197, which is a score Iowa State hasn’t shown the ability to reach this season. Who moves on to round two will likely come down to who hits.
Round Two
Session One
Date: April 5th at 2:00
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 5 Utah, No. 12 Michigan State, No. 21 Towson, and No. 26 Maryland
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 5 Utah | 197.895 | 197.704 | 198.300 | Vault |
| No. 12 Michigan State | 197.625 | 197.398 | 198.150 | Floor |
| No. 21 Towson | 196.935 | 196.234 | 197.500 | Beam |
| No. 26 Maryland | 196.790 | 196.327 | 197.300 | Bars |
Background
Utah wasn’t the powerhouse fans have come to expect from the past couple of years, but it was able to put together one of its best outings of the season to claim the final Pac-12 conference title. Michigan State came into the season with high expectations and was able to live up to them by winning Big Tens. Towson also won its conference meet with yet another score over 197. Maryland is the lone team in this session that didn’t win its conference, but that should hardly matter. It’s coming into regionals with its five best scores of the season coming in previous five meets.
So You’re Saying There’s a Chance
If all the teams hit to their potential, Utah and Michigan State will move on to the final. An off day could open the door for either Towson or Maryland, as both teams have eclipsed 197 multiple times.
| All Around | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor |
| Kylie Gorgenyi, New Hampshire (Towson) | Lali Dekanoidze, North Carolina (Michigan State) | Lali Dekanoidze, North Carolina (Michigan State) | Julia Bedell, Brown (Michigan State) | |
| Syd Morris, LIU (Maryland) | Isabelle Schaefer, North Carolina (Utah) |
*Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
**Temple’s Brooke Donabedian was added to the field on floor, but we do not yet know who she is rotating with.
Individuals to Keep an Eye on
This is a very strong group of individuals. While Gorgenyi and Morris won’t likely contend for a spot at nationals because of the strength of the all-arounders on the qualifying teams, Dekanoidze, Schaefer, and Bedell all have a legitimate chance on their signature events. This is one of the strongest bars fields, and earning that spot will be tough. It will likely come down to who can be the most precise on the day—and potentially a little luck from which teams qualify full squads.
Session Two
Date: April 5th at 7:00
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 4 Florida, No. 13 Missouri, No. 20 Georgia, and the winner of round one.
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 4 Florida | 197.905 | 197.670 | 198.225 | Vault |
| No. 13 Missouri | 197.420 | 197.185 | 197.600 | Floor |
| No. 20 Georgia | 197.030 | 196.725 | 197.550 | Beam |
| No. 30 Clemson OR No. 36 Iowa State | 196.705/ 196.405 | 196.509/ 196.096 | 197.600/ 196.900 | Bars |
Background
Florida started its season impressively improving its score week over week. It ran into trouble at the SEC championship and will be glad to be back at home in a comfortable environment as it looks to bounce back. Missouri has been fairly consistent all season and won its session at SECs. Georgia has a very young team, and that has shown with a lack of consistency. However, should the Gymdogs put together a complete meet, they stand a chance against their conference foes.
So You’re Saying There’s a Chance
Florida and Missouri will be heavily favored to make it out of this session, but Florida just came off of a bad meet. Another one like it would open the door for a team like Georgia or Clemson if the Tigers advance out of the play-in round.
| All Around | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor |
| Rebecca Wells, Clemson (Iowa State) | Noelle Adams, Iowa State (Missouri) | Avery Balsar, Rutgers (Georgia) | Kielyn McCright, Clemson (Georgia) | Brie Clark, Clemson (Missouri) |
| Josie Bergstrom, Iowa State (Georgia) | Noelle Adams, Iowa State (Georgia) | Kaia Parker, Iowa State (Missouri) | ||
| Molly Arnold, Clemson (Georgia) | Josie Bergstrom, Iowa State (Florida) | Noelle Adams, Iowa State (Georgia) | ||
| Molly Arnold, Clemson (Georgia) |
*Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
Individuals to Keep an Eye on
The competition on floor will be fierce with a number of standout floor workers on many of the teams. Whichever squads should not make nationals have the chance of sending someone to Fort Worth. That being said, both Adams and Clark will be in the fight. Clark’s teammate, Arnold, also stands a chance on vault, where she has scored as high as 9.975 this season. We’d be remiss not to mention Lily Smith as well. The freshman, fresh off SEC Freshman of the Year honors, has posted a perfect 10 on bars in 2024 and boasts an NQS of 9.950. If she hits her routine, she could punch her ticket to For Worth, no matter what any other gymnast or team does throughout the rest of the meet.
Round Three
Date: April 7th at 5:00
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: Top two teams from each Friday session
| Vault | Team with the third-highest NQS |
| Bars | Team with the second-highest NQS |
| Beam | Team with the highest NQS |
| Floor | Team with the fourth-highest NQS |
The Bottom Line
If the top teams advance to this session there will be a matchup between two conference champions, in Utah and Michigan State, battling for a spot against Missouri and Florida for just two tickets to Texas. Florida being at home will favor the Gators to get one of those sports, and Utah has never missed qualifying a team, so unseating those two will be a challenge. Should there be an upset into the regional final, things could get interesting, especially if any team has an off day. In fact, Towson and Florida both scored matching 197.300 at their respective conference championships.
READ THIS NEXT: The NCAA Postseason Format, Explained
Article by Alyssa Van Auker and Claire Billman
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