Welcome to the NCAA gymnastics postseason! After months of dual meets, invitationals, and rankings shuffles, the top 36 teams are officially set for regional competition—the final stop before nationals. Over five days, gymnasts and teams will fight through three rounds in four different locations, all vying for one of the coveted eight team spots at nationals—and a handful of individual berths.
In these previews, we’ll break down each regional in detail; which teams have the clearest path, where upsets could happen, and which individuals could sneak their way into nationals. Let’s dive into the Utah regional.
The action kicks off on Wednesday with round one, featuring No. 32 BYU vs. No. 32 Utah State. Round two follows on Thursday with two sessions: No. 5 UCLA, No. 12 Minnesota, No. 24 Southern Utah, and No. 30 Boise State in the afternoon, and No. 4 Utah, No. 13 Stanford, No. 18 Denver, plus the round one winner in the evening. The top two teams from each session advance to the regional final on Saturday, where the top two finishers punch their ticket to nationals.
In addition to teams, individual gymnasts will compete on Thursday for spots at nationals. After combining the results from both round two sessions, and removing athletes from the two qualifying teams, the top all-arounder and top scorer on each event will advance.
Want all the nitty-gritty details, including tie-breakers, format breakdown, and even how judges are assigned? Check out our NCAA postseason resource guide.
Regional Storylines to Watch
- Rivals and former Pac-12 foes UCLA and Utah set for regional final showdown should seeds hold.
- Salt Lake City is the regional of champions as five teams took home a conference title in 2025—Utah, Stanford, Southern Utah, Utah State, and UCLA.
- Red Rocks look to continue streak of never missing the NCAA championships, aim for record-tying 10th title.
- After run to nationals a year ago and an upset win at ACCs a week ago, Stanford looks to keep its string of recent postseason successes alive.
Round 1
Wednesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 66.34% BYU, 33.66% Utah State
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 32 BYU | 196.025 | 195.496 | 196.775 | Vault |
| No. 32 Utah State | 196.025 | 195.519 | 196.475 | Bars |
The Path to Forward
BYU
Season Spotlight
BYU had a slow start to the season and experienced some friction as it replaced almost half of its lineup routines from last year. Bars and beam experienced the most inconsistency, but the Cougars have gained momentum in the second half of the season and have scored two straight 196s leading up to regionals.
What It’ll Take
BYU has a higher peak score than Utah State, so its path to beating Utah State is hitting cleanly. Getting through bars and beam with hits will be critical for BYU, and scoring a 49.100 on each event would bode well for the Cougars. BYU has scored as high as 49.350 this season on floor, and matching that could help secure its spot in the regional semifinal.
Utah State
Season Spotlight
After winning the Mountain West championship last week, Utah State returns to regionals for the first time since 2022. The Aggies’ strong freshman class has contributed important routines and has led the way this year alongside fifth-year standout Brianna Brooks. The Aggies have been inconsistent at times and have struggled on vault and floor specifically. Unfortunately, Nyla Morabito, their strongest competitor on these events, tore her Achilles a few weeks ago, and Utah State will be without her.
What It’ll Take
The Aggies need to come out swinging on bars, a strength of theirs, to win this meet. From there, surviving floor and vault with high 48s or a low 49 would put the Aggies in a solid position to finish this meet on beam.
Round 2, Session 1
Thursday, April 3 at 3 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 99.33% UCLA, 95.80% Minnesota, 3.81% Southern Utah, 1.06% Boise State
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 5 UCLA | 197.680 | 197.398 | 198.450 | Floor | Noelle Adams, Iowa State (FX) |
| No. 12 Minnesota | 197.210 | 196.740 | 197.425 | Vault | Frederique Sgarbossa, Iowa State (UB),
Madison Gustitus, San Jose State (BB), Haylee Hardin, Iowa State (FX) |
| No. 24 Southern Utah | 196.415 | 195.973 | 196.900 | Bars | Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa, Iowa State (AA) |
| No. 30 Boise State | 196.115 | 195.742 | 196.775 | Beam | Maggie Slife, Air Force (AA) |
Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Wednesday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
The Path to Forward
UCLA
Season Spotlight
UCLA enters regionals as a favorite to make nationals after capping off a successful regular season with a victory at the Big Ten championship. Led by Jordan Chiles, Chae Campbell, and Brooklyn Moors, the Bruins have looked more consistent this year than seasons past, particularly on beam. Floor has remained a strong event, and throughout the season UCLA has been steadily improving on bars. What remains unclear is if UCLA can compete with the very best on vault, which has maxed out at 49.350 this season. If the Bruins could score higher than on vault this weekend, it would make them an even bigger threat at nationals in a few weeks.
What It’ll Take
UCLA can likely survive the semifinal with just an okay day, although last year’s semifinal exit will likely motivate the Bruins to bring their A-game. Throughout the weekend, the Bruins need to continue their strong work on beam and floor, and it’ll be interesting to see how these events score in a regional setting. Sticking landings on vault and bars will be critical to the Bruins advancing, and if UCLA is off its game, there are teams ready to capitalize on that opportunity.
Minnesota
Season Spotlight
After a slow start in January, Minnesota has rounded into form thanks to improvements across the board. Mya Hooten is in her last go-around after serving as the face of the program for the last several seasons, eyeing a few more titles and another 10 on floor before hanging up her grips.
What It’ll Take
Minnesota is favored out of the regional semifinal but must be stronger on vault if it wants to pull off an upset bid to nationals. Beam has also been a lower-scoring event for the Gophers but scored a massive 49.525 at Big Tens. A similar rotation will be essential if Minnesota is going to advance to nationals.
Southern Utah
Season Spotlight
Southern Utah has had a really solid season led by underclassmen and doesn’t have to compete in round one of regionals like last year. Sophomore all-around duo Brinlee Christensen and Niya Randolph have emerged as stalwarts for the team while senior Ellie Cacciola has continued to score consistently well on three events. Unsurprisingly, beam has been a rollercoaster for the Thunderbirds, having to replace four lineup routines from last year. While Southern Utah improved as the season progressed it remains a nerve-wracking rotation.
What It’ll Take
To advance to the regional final, Southern Utah needs to hit beam. The Thunderbirds have not scored higher than 49.100 this year, and it will likely take more than that to advance. Additionally, it will be critical for Southern Utah to have its early lineup routines score 9.8s and not get stuck in the 9.7s as often happens, especially on vault.
Boise State
Season Spotlight
On the right side of the regionals bubble entering the season, the Broncos lived up to the pressure despite key roster turnover from a season ago. Former NCAA championships qualifier Emily Lopez led the way, pushing the Broncos to a top-20 ranking on her signature event—bars—where newcomer Kristina Shchennikova also made her mark in her freshman campaign.
What It’ll Take
Thanks to geography, the Broncos avoid the opening round dual, but, Boise State will need to have stronger than normal vault and beam performances to advance to the regional final. On vault, the Broncos do not have a ton of difficulty, so higher scores will have to come from controlled landings. From there, if Boise State can hit its peak scores on bars and floor around a 49.400, it could make a bid to upset a higher-ranked team.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
If UCLA does not advance, Jordan Chiles and Chae Campbell will contend for an all-around spot, ranking in the top 20 nationally at the end of the regular season. Southern Utah’s Niya Randolph and Brinlee Christensen could also contend for this spot, having both scored as high as 39.450 this year.
Vault
If Minnesota does not advance, two-time vault All-American and former Big Ten vault champion Mya Hooten is a strong contender if she controls her Yurchenko one and a half. Fellow Gopher, Ava Stewart, should also be a factor, sitting in the top 25 on the event. From UCLA, Chae Campbell could qualify if the whole team does not despite starting from just a 9.95.
Bars
Watch for Boise State’s Emily Lopez and Minnesota’s Jordyn Lyden; both have scored 9.9-plus on bars six times this season and Lopez has made the trip to Fort Worth before. They’ll have the opportunity to make a statement against a relatively weaker bars field, as no other individual in the session ranks in the top 75 on the event.
Beam
Minnesota’s Ava Stewart and Boise State’s Emily Lopez lead their teams in NQS and could challenge for a spot. If UCLA does not advance, watch for Ciena Alipio, who is fresh off of her first career 10.000 at Big Tens.
Floor
Mya Hooten is a strong contender for the individual floor spot, with her huge full-in that has helped her to nine perfect 10s on the event in her career. Niya Randolph and her split leg double layout have scored as high as 9.925 this season, making her a threat as well.
Dark Horses
Minnesota’s Brooklyn Rowray has been inconsistent on beam this season, but did score a 9.950 in February. Kristina Shchennikova could add to the family bars legacy, with her bars set a standout amongst Boise State’s lineup and has gotten better as the season’s progressed.
Round 2, Session 2
Thursday, April 3 at 9 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 98.34% Utah, 75.20% Stanford, 26.21% Denver, 0.23% BYU/0.02% Utah State
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 4 Utah | 197.780 | 197.390 | 198.100 | Floor | Lundyn VanderToolen, Utah State (UB) |
| No. 13 Stanford | 197.190 | 196.933 | 197.775 | Vault | Deb Silva, BYU (VT),
Anna Bramblett-Wilde, BYU (UB)/Brianna Brooks, Utah State (UB, BB), Abby Brushwood, Eastern Michigan (FX) |
| No. 18 Denver | 196.735 | 196.398 | 197.525 | Bars | Avery Bibbey, Utah State (UB),
Kylie Eaquinto, BYU (VT, UB), Brynlee Andersen, BYU (BB), Sydney Jelen, Utah State (BB) |
| No 32 BYU OR No. 32 Utah State | 196.025 | 195.496 | 196.775 | Beam | Raisa Boris, Eastern Michigan (AA) |
| 196.025 | 195.519 | 196.475 |
Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Wednesday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
The Path to Nationals
Utah
Season Spotlight
In its first year in the Big 12, Utah has quietly put together a very strong season, maintaining top-five status despite losing some major routines and having a limited Avery Neff for the middle part of the season. Makenna Smith has had a stellar season on vault and in the all-around and Grace McCallum has had a strong season as well. In line with seasons prior, Utah has excelled on beam and struggled on vault.
What It’ll Take
While favored to make nationals, seeing stronger vault performances from the Red Rocks during regionals would cement their status as legit title contenders. Seeing Avery Neff compete all-around twice in one weekend would also be significant for Utah.
No. 13 Stanford
Season Spotlight
Stanford has been building off the momentum from last season’s nationals appearance and has incorporated freshmen well, including Ui Soma. She, breakout all-arounder Anna Roberts, and the Cardinal appear to be peaking at just the right time after upsetting California at the ACC championship with a season-best 197.775.
What It’ll Take
Stanford had some superb beam performances earlier in the season but has been scoring lower lately. A repeat of the 49.625 it scored in February would be very helpful in an upset bid. Beyond that, the Cardinal scored seasons on vault, bars, and floor at ACCs. Maintaining that level or increasing it slightly will put Stanford in the best position to make another run at nationals.
Denver
Season Spotlight
Denver has regressed this season following Jessica Hutchinson’s graduation and has struggled with consistency. While it has shown flashes of excellence throughout the year, the Pioneers have struggled to put it all together, including at Big 12s where they only scored a 196.400
What It’ll Take
In order to make some noise at regionals, Denver needs to hit to its potential, particularly on bars and beam. Both events have scored 49.400-plus this season but have decreased over Denver’s last two meets.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
Stanford’s all-around duo Anna Roberts and Brenna Neault should challenge for this spot if the Cardinal do not qualify as a team. Denver’s Madison Ulrich has scored as high as 39.500 this season. If Utah does not advance, its trio of Grace McCallum, Avery Neff, and Makenna Smith will be in the conversation as well.
Vault
Reigning national champion Anna Roberts can challenge with a stick on her superb Yurchenko one and a half as can her Stanford teammate Taralyn Nguyen who scored a 9.975 at the conference championship. For Utah, Makenna Smith has found a knack for sticking her Omelinachik this year and could vie for this spot if the Red Rocks do not qualify as a team.
Bars
Stanford’s Ui Soma scored her first 10.0 at the ACC championship. If she can hit her handstands and stick her double layout, she could punch her ticket to Fort Worth. Denver’s Riley Mundell should also challenge for a spot, scoring six scores of 9.900+ this season.
Beam
Stanford’s Brenna Neault has been stellar on beam this season, scoring a 9.950 three times. Should the Red Rocks suffer an unimaginable home upset, their entire lineup from Camie Winger to Amelie Morgan will be in the hunt for this spot.
Floor
Iowa State’s Haylee Hardin has been a standout freshman this season, in part due to her signature event, floor, where she’s been as high as 9.95. Jaylene Gilstrap and her signature “Piano Man” routine will be a favorite to head to Texas if the Utes don’t qualify as a full team.
Dark Horses
Stanford’s Sienna Robinson has struggled on beam the last few weeks but has scored as high as 9.950 this year. This is where you can mention one to three dark horse contenders for any of the individual spots. Cougar Brynlee Andersen has reached that mark on beam, too, and could make her way from round one all the way to Fort Worth. Also keep an eye on vault for Maddison Reidenbach, who nearly went perfect on her Yurchenko one and a half in February for a 9.975.
Round Three
Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Predictions: 88.40% Utah, 86.46% UCLA, 12.00% Stanford, 11.91% Minnesota, 1.19% Denver, 0.04% Southern Utah
| Vault | NQS 3 |
| Bars | NQS 1 |
| Beam | NQS 4 |
| Floor | NQS 2 |
READ THIS NEXT: 2025 Washington Regional Preview
Article by Brandis Heffner and Rebecca Williams
