The 2025 NCAA gymnastics season is poised to feature a stunning lineup of Olympians, many of whom will be representing top college programs for the first time after showcasing their talents on the international stage. From Team USA’s golden moment in Paris to new faces like Ava Stewart and Levi Jung-Ruivivar making their collegiate debuts, there’s no shortage of stories to watch. Take a closer look at each Olympian competing in college, as well as their potential heading into the season. We’ve also given any alternates an honorable mention.
USA
The USA captured the team gold medal in Paris with Chiles achieving the fourth-highest all-around score in qualification, losing out on a chance to compete for a medal in the final due to the two-per-country rule. Both Carey and Chiles are two-time Olympians and bring that veteran leadership experience to their respective college programs.
Jade Carey
Team: Oregon State
Class: Senior
After postponing her college enrollment to focus on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Olympic champion Jade Carey joined Oregon State for the 2022 season and quickly became a star for the Beavers. One of the rare gymnasts to achieve a Gym Slam with perfect 10s on all four events, Carey consistently delivers scores of 9.9 or higher, cementing her status as a vital all-around competitor. Although she initially delayed competing in the all-around until February last season to manage the balance of elite training and college, this two-time Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year (2022, 2023) and three-time Honda Award finalist is set to be a key all-around contributor for the Beavers again this season.
Jordan Chiles
Team: UCLA
Class: Junior
Jordan Chiles has made a significant mark on collegiate gymnastics since joining UCLA for the 2022 season following her silver team medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Renowned for her dynamic floor routines and consistency across all events, she quickly became one of the Bruins’ most valuable contributors. After sitting out the 2024 season to focus on her Olympic journey, Chiles is set to return as a key all-around competitor. Her leadership will be crucial this season, especially following the departure of the team’s top gymnast from last year, Selena Harris-Miranda, who is now at Florida.
Honorable Mentions: Leanne Wong (Florida), Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas), Kaliya Lincoln (LSU)
Canada
Canada placed fifth in the team final in Paris behind Great Britain, with Ava Stewart placing 19th in the all-around final. Three of the gymnasts on the five-person team make their NCAA debuts this season.
Cassie Lee
Team: Iowa
Class: Freshman
Lee contributed on beam and floor during the team final at the Olympics, and she is expected to compete on these events for the Hawkeyes this season as well. She has expressive floor routines, clean leaps, and precise tumbling, making her poised to score well in NCAA competition. Don’t be surprised if she also earns a spot in the bar lineup, showcasing her versatility and skill.
Ava Stewart
Team: Minnesota
Class: Freshman
Fresh off a top-20 finish in the Olympic all-around final, Stewart will be a welcome addition to the Gophers, as she joins a talented freshman class that includes three former five-star recruits. Stewart was called upon to contribute on vault, bar, and beam in the team final for Canada and has the potential to be an all-around competitor for the Gophers from the outset.
Aurélie Tran
Team: Iowa
Class: Freshman
Tran competed on bars and floor during the Olympic team final, but her exceptionally clean Yurchenko full is likely to secure her a spot on vault for Iowa this season. Like her Olympic and Iowa teammate Lee, Tran brings beautifully expressive performance quality to her floor routines. Combined with her precise split positions, expect her to be a mainstay in the floor lineup. Additionally, her fluid and confident work on beam makes her a strong contender as an all-around option for the Hawkeyes.
Honorable mention: Emma Spence (Nebraska), Sydney Turner (Iowa)
Philippines
Aleah Finnegan
Team: LSU
Class: Senior
Finnegan has been a cornerstone of the LSU gymnastics team, with her most recent performance being her national-title-clinching beam routine to give the Tigers their first crown in program history. She followed this milestone season with her Olympic debut, finishing 47th in the all-around qualifying round and inspiring the next generation of Filipino gymnasts. As LSU welcomes back star performer Haleigh Bryant for a fifth year—though an elbow injury may impact her early season availability—Finnegan is set to shine as one of the team’s MVPs. She looks to be a consistent contributor on vault, beam, and floor, with bars also a possibility depending on the status of a lingering wrist issue.
Emma Malabuyo
Team: UCLA
Class: Senior
Malabuyo secured her spot in the 2024 Olympics for the Philippines with a third-place all-around finish at the Asian Championships. In Paris, she hit all four of her routines, finishing 41st in all-around qualifications. At UCLA, Malabuyo has cemented her legacy as a two-time All-American on beam, where she has scored a perfect 10. Fans can look forward to seeing her in the beam lineup, with appearances on floor and potentially bars, depending on how the dynamic new freshman class shakes up the roster.
Levi Jung-Ruivivar
Team: Stanford
Year: Freshman
Jung-Ruivivar secured her place in the Games through the competitive individual Apparatus World Cup route and competed in the all-around during qualifications in Paris, finishing No. 40. Stanford welcomes five highly talented freshmen in the class—ranked fourth nationally—while also graduating eight routines. Despite the Cardinal’s tendency to gradually incorporate new talent, Jung-Ruivivar is well-positioned to make an immediate impact on at least one event.
Hungary
Csenge Bácskay
Team: Georgia (previously Nebraska)
Bácskay qualified for the Paris Olympics at the 2023 World Championships as an individual apparatus athlete on vault. In Paris, she competed in the vault qualifications, earning a reserve spot for the final. After two seasons at Nebraska, where an injury limited her freshman year before she became a key all-around competitor as a sophomore, Bácskay announced her transfer to Georgia. While she’s unlikely to compete in the all-around for the Gymogs, she’s expected to be a staple in the lineup on vault and contribute on bars and floor.
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Article by KT Couldrey
