That’s a wrap on the 2025 Division III season, and even if Miss Cleo was consulted at the very start of the year, we don’t think that psychic queen could’ve predicted how the chalk would fall at nationals. The UW-La Crosse Eagles showed up in a big way, while the beam judges couldn’t quite decide who the best of the best beamer was today. Let’s take a look a closer look at how nationals went, and what eluded both Miss Cleo and our crystal ball.
La Crosse Goes Home Golden
The UW-Oshkosh Titans found themselves in an unusual third-place finish at nationals this year. On the hunt for a fourth consecutive title, La Crosse crossed that finish line with a whopping 194.925, toppling the previous program record of 193.650. And just how big was that score for the Eagles on Saturday? Enough for them to count a fall and still have enough breathing room ahead of UW-Whitewater, who went 9.500 or better for their team score the entire meet. La Crosse was the best team on every single event, going the entire meet without counting a single score below a 9.600. Alright, Eagles, we see you! This title is the 18th for La Crosse in program history, with its last visit to the top of the podium coming in 2016. Cortland was the best of the East, coming in fourth with a 191.975 as the second-best vaulting squad of the day.
Individual Hardware
In addition to the team banner, La Crosse took home an individual first-place finish on vault with a 9.850 for Grace Kehr’s tucked Yurchenko full. Greenville’s Ashlie Leage and Stout’s Jamie Beatty both took home a share of the bar title, a remarkable feat for Greenville, which hasn’t been swinging around in college gymnastics for very long at all. La Crosse’s Jessica Taylor took home floor honors with a 9.900, and Stout’s Beatty triumphed in the all-around with a 38.800 – as a freshman! Keep an eye on her!
With the exception of floor and a handful on beam, individual titles went to those we can expect to see next season and beyond.
First Place Goes to … Everyone
We didn’t forget beam, although perhaps the judges forgot that six people can’t quite squeeze onto the top of a podium. The 2025 NCGA nationals beam title was split across six routines, all with a 9.850. Lienna Kay (Brockport), Raina Christenson (La Crosse), Claire Robbins (La Crosse), Kyla Dickson (La Crosse), Paige Magel (Whitewater), and Tegan Haberstock (Whitewater) all have the honor of being beam champ. Kay, Christenson, Robbins, Magel, and Haberstock will all have a chance to defend their title next year.
The East Put On a Fashion Show
Brockport, Cortland, and Rhode Island all brought their newest, shiniest leotards to NCGA nationals. Brockport dazzled in a white leotard with a bright yellow flair, with the torso covered in rhinestones. Leaning into their fiery red, the Cortland Red Dragons flaunted a strappy, open-back leo, complete with rhinestones and the Cortland C prominently on the front. And last, but certainly not least, Rhode Island debuted a sleek black leo generously covered in rhinestones that faded from red to silver, with an anchor on the hip in stones as well.
For the History Books
As the NCGA nationals came to a close, several teams added some new lines to their history book. Greenville can add an individual title to its program at just three years old. The sparkling Rhode Island Anchorwomen tied the program beam team record with a 48.625, and nearly notched a new floor team score too. Olivia Keyes added her name once more into the RIC archives with the second highest all-around score. Champions La Crosse set a team score record and did so on beam as well, the Whitewater Warhawks set a new beam team record during its final rotation of the meet. Beatty went ahead and carved her name into Stout’s files with the best program all-around score.
Coach of the Year
The 2025 NCGA Coach of the Year went to Jennifer Regan, a fitting and very appropriate honor given all that she helped guide and lead the team through this season after losing stand-out athlete and vivacious individual, Kara Welsh. The chant of “Do it for her!” was heard from the Whitewater section throughout nationals. When the team took their second-place finish, they fittingly brought a photo of Welsh with them.
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Article by Allison Freeman
