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 Alabama regional.
The action kicks off on Thursday with round one, featuring No. 27 Clemson vs. No. 34 Rutgers. Round two follows on Friday with two sessions: No. 6 California, No. 11 Alabama, No. 22 North Carolina, and No. 23 Iowa in the afternoon, and No. 3 Florida, No. 14 Oregon State, No. 19 NC State, plus the round one winner in the evening. The top two teams from each session advance to the regional final on Sunday, where the top two finishers punch their ticket to nationals.
In addition to teams, individual gymnasts will compete on Friday 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
- Despite being a lower seed, Alabama has the potential to pull the upset as the host team and return to nationals for redemption after a less-than-stellar performance in 2024.
- Rutgers is making its first regionals as a team since 2014 with interim head coach Anastasia Candia leading the way after Umme Salim-Beasley was placed on administrative leave earlier this season.
- In-state rivals and ACC foes North Carolina and NC State have the potential to rematch in the regional final should they pull upsets in their second-round meets.
- Balance beam is going to be the key event in Tuscaloosa; most of the teams in this regional are weaker on beam and have had struggles with consistency throughout the season.
- Individuals who hope to qualify will have to get past Oregon State’s Jade Carey; the senior is currently ranked first in the all-around and in the top 15 on all events.
Round 1
Thursday, April 3 at 3 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 80.72% Clemson, 19.28% Rutgers
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 27 Clemson | 196.255 | 195.970 | 196.575 | Vault |
| No. 34 Rutgers | 195.890 | 195.248 | 196.550 | Bars |
The Path to Forward
Clemson
Season Spotlight
In its second competitive season as a team, Clemson has struggled at times with consistency, particularly on the road. Three straight 196s at the end of the season have given the Tigers a boost as they head into the play-in round for the second straight year–despite having a higher ranking.
What It’ll Take
Clemson’s strengths lie on the leg events, especially on floor. It has not dipped below a 49 on that event since January, with Brie Clark leading the team in NQS. Continuing that streak will be a big factor if the Tigers want to advance to day two for the first time.
Rutgers
Season Spotlight
A season full of obstacles has culminated in the Scarlet Knights reaching their first regionals as a team since 2014. Rutgers seems to have adapted to the changes rather well, showing improvement across all four events as the season progresses, making them a dangerous team to face in the first round.
What It’ll Take
Rutgers’ best chance at advancing lies in its beam team. Four Scarlet Knights have NQSs above a 9.800, two of those have gone 9.900 or higher in the regular season. If the back half of the lineup can match or exceed those numbers when it counts, Rutgers might be the surprise team of this regional.
Round 2, Session 1
Friday, April 4 at 2 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 97.94% California, 92.87% Alabama, 6.50% North Carolina, 2.69% Iowa
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 6 California | 197.605 | 197.302 | 197.775 | Floor | Cassie St. Clair, Western Michigan (FX) |
| No. 12 Alabama | 197.205 | 196.935 | 197.650 | Vault | Kiera O’Shea, Northern Illinois (VT), Reese Samuelson, Western Michigan (UB), Anne Challman, New Hampshire (FX) |
| No. 22 North Carolina | 196.470 | 196.119 | 197.225 | Bars | Ashley Syzmanski, Ball State (UB), Aine Reade, New Hampshire (FX), Halle Faulkner, Western Michigan (VT) |
| No. 23 Iowa | 196.430 | 195.856 | 197.025 | Beam | Taylor Ingle, Southeast Missouri (AA) |
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.
The Path to Forward
California
Season Spotlight
Though it is coming in as the defending national runner-up, California has not been as consistent as in years past. It has yet to hit 198 this year, a number it hit five times in 2024. The Golden Bears won the ACC regular-season title but were upset by in-state rival Stanford at the ACC championship, so they will be itching for a deep run in the postseason to make it back to Fort Worth.
What It’ll Take
Vault and beam have been California’s most inconsistent events this year. The Golden Bears have the difficulty to contend on vault, but their landings have been hit or miss. Getting five hit vaults with minimal deductions in the air and getting sticks or minor steps on the landing will be key in helping them advance.
Alabama
Season Spotlight
Alabama had some struggles to start the season and was on the verge of missing a SEC championship hosted in its home state. They managed to sneak in and even win their session, but the Crimson Tide is still showing some signs of inconsistency, particularly on balance beam.
What It’ll Take
Despite being the host team, Alabama is not favored to advance based on seeding. In order for the Crimson Tide to pull the upset, they will need big numbers on vault and floor, their two strongest events. Having an advantage after those events on their home floor will be crucial if Alabama hopes to get back to nationals.
North Carolina
Season Spotlight
The Tar Heels jumped 20 rankings from the end of last season and are back in regionals as a team after missing out last year. Danna Durante’s team hit its stride as the season progressed, culminating with the highest score the Tar Heels have achieved since her arrival at the ACC championship.
What It’ll Take
The Tar Heels are at their best when they have a hit bars rotation, so taking advantage of starting on that event on day two is key. Lali Dekanoidze is ranked fourth overall on bars currently, but having five hits ahead of her–particularly Isabella Schaefer and Claire Stippich–will take the pressure off and allow for a big score to give North Carolina some wiggle room before heading to its weaker events.
Iowa
Season Spotlight
The Hawkeyes are back in the postseason after being the first team out in 2024. Freshman Aurelie Tran shined in her first competitive season and first-year head coach Jen Llewellyn led her team to some impressive victories this year, including a win over in-state rival Iowa State with the team’s first 197 score since 2022.
What It’ll Take
Iowa has been very up and down in terms of consistency, but its best event is beam, a weak spot for many of the teams in this regional. If Iowa hits and some of its competitors struggle, a berth to the regional final – maybe further – isn’t out of the question.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
California’s leading all-arounder, Mya Lauzon, is the favorite for an all-around spot should the Golden Bears not qualify for nationals. Lauzon is ranked No. 7 nationally with a 39.750 season-high. Alabama’s Gabby Gladieux and Lilly Hudson are neck-in-neck in the all-around standings at No. 12 and No. 13 respectively. Should Alabama not advance, either of them could take the spot depending on who has a better competition on the day.
Vault
Lilly Hudson is the highest-ranked vaulter in this session with a season-high of 9.925 with her Yurchenko one-and-half, boasting a 9.905 NQS. Gabby Gladieux also has a strong one-and-a-half, matching Hudson’s 9.925 season-high, but has struggled with landing consistency this season. If she sticks, she’s a strong contender for this vault spot.
Bars
After achieving a long-awaited 10 at the ACC championship, North Carolina’s Lali Dekanoidze is one of the favorites to advance to nationals through bars with a top-5 NQS that exceeds several other competitors in this regional. Iowa’s Aurelie Tran has also put herself into the mix for a bars spot after going 9.925+ in the past three meets, putting her into the top 25.
Beam
Mya Lauzon is tied with Leanne Wong as the highest-ranked non-Jade Carey gymnast on beam. Lauzon has consistently gone as high as 9.975 this season but possesses a career-high 10. Gabby Gladieux is Alabama’s strongest beam worker by NQS rankings. She has shown great beam but has struggled a little with consistency along with the rest of the Crimson Tide this season.
Floor
This session boasts three floor workers ranked within tenths of each other in the top eight. Lilly Hudson and Mya Lauzon both achieved a 10 in the regular season, but Gabby Gladieux is not far behind with a season-high 9.975. Of the three, Lauzon has the highest floor average, boasting a 9.940.
Dark Horses
Keep an eye on Iowa’s Aurelie Tran for a possible all-around spot. Tran has competed in the all-around position for Iowa at every meet this season and is ranked in the top 30 nationally with a season-high of 39.525. Alabama’s Ryan Fuller achieved a career-high 9.95 on bars at SEC championship and could sneak into the top of the rankings if others falter. Abbey Scanlon from California made her career debut on beam this season with a 9.95 and has been a staple in the lineup ever since. North Carolina’s Jojo Valahovic is also very impressive on the event going as high as 9.95 and could upset some of the favorites if she can hit.
Round 2, Session 2
Friday, April 4 at 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 98.26% Florida, 88.36% Oregon State, 9.99% North Carolina State, 3.28% Clemson/0.11% Rutgers
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 3 Florida | 197.935 | 197.573 | 198.625 | Floor | Rachael Riley, Rutgers (BB) |
| No. 14 Oregon State | 197.185 | 196.913 | 197.700 | Vault | Gabrielle Dildy, Rutgers (BB), Brie Clark, Clemson (FX) |
| No. 19 N.C. State | 196.680 | 196.235 | 197.025 | Bars | Delaney Adrian, Rutgers (AA) |
| No. 27 Clemson OR No. 34 Rutgers | 196.255 | 195.970 | 196.575 | Beam | Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Central Michigan (AA) |
| 195.890 | 195.248 | 196.550 |
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.
The Path to Nationals
Florida
Season Spotlight
The Gators are the definition of “down but not out”. Despite injuries to Kayla DiCello, Sloane Blakely, and Ellie Lazzari, Florida has managed to rewrite the record books this season, earning the highest bars score in NCAA history at the SEC championship and tallying the highest team score in the nation this season.
What It’ll Take
Florida is favored to advance, but in order to secure its spot in Fort Worth, it will need another big performance from its all-arounders. Selena Harris-Miranda has only scored below a 9.800 twice all year, while Leanne Wong has been relatively consistent minus a few struggles on beam. When both are hitting on all cylinders, Florida can be unstoppable.
Oregon State
Season Spotlight
As the lone survivor of the Pac-12, Oregon State has been victorious over several top teams in the country, UCLA and Auburn among them. Despite those successes, most of their high scores have come at home, making many question how they will compete outside of Gill Coliseum.
What It’ll Take
The Beavers don’t have the difficulty on vault to challenge against some of the higher-seeded teams in this regional, so it’s important that the deductions are minimal to keep them in the race. Bars has been an event of struggle in the past, so key routines from Jade Carey and Sage Thompson will be most important to keep Oregon State in contention for a spot at nationals.
NC State
Season Spotlight
The Wolfpack are coming into regionals with a chip on their back. Despite a top-20 ranking, their consistency has been very hit-or-miss. A fourth-place finish at ACCs after winning it the season before only adds fuel to their fire heading into the postseason.
What It’ll Take
Similar to other teams in this regional, beam has not been kind to the Wolfpack this season as they regularly turned in scores in the mid-to-high 48s on that event. For NC State to advance, it has to hit beam and not count any low scores. A counting score in the 9.700s could be the end of the road.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
Those looking to qualify to nationals as an all-arounder have to get past Jade Carey. She has been ranked No. 1 in the all-around since week two with a massive 39.775 NQS. Barring a team upset from the Beavers, Carey is likely the one to earn the all-around spot from these regionals. Should Florida not qualify, Leanne Wong and Selena Harris-Miranda are likely contenders to advance. Wong is ranked No. 2 NQS behind Carey with a season-high 39.750. Harris-Miranda trails in the national standings; however, her 39.875 season-high is greater than Wong’s by a little over a tenth. If they both compete to the best of their abilities, Harris-Miranda has shown the ability to outscore Wong.
Vault
If Florida does not advance, Selena Harris-Miranda has a great shot at qualifying to nationals on vault. Harris-Miranda is the No. 1 vaulter in the country with an uncanny ability to find the landing on her Yurchenko one-and-a-half. Leanne Wong has also been impressive on this event, going as high as 9.975 this season. Given the razor-thin margins in vault scoring, a small scoot or hop can be the difference maker. If Leanne Wong can find the stick on her vault, she could surpass Harris-Miranda.
Bars
Ranked No. 2 nationally, Leanne Wong boasts a 9.955 NQS and has gone as high as 10. Should the Gators not advance, Wong should be in contention for this spot. Oregon State’s Sage Thompson has a 9.900 NQS and is ranked in the top 40 nationally. Thompson’s season-high 9.925 is strong, but she will need the performance of her life to challenge the other bar workers in this regional.
Beam
N.C. State’s Chloe Negrete is one of the frontrunners for a beam spot. Negrete has gone as high as 9.975 this season and is ranked No. 9 nationally alongside several of the nation’s top beamers. Florida’s Victoria Nguyen is also a top challenger for the beam spot if Florida does not qualify. While the Gators have struggled with consistency on the event this season, Nguyen has yet to count a fall and takes the No. 29 spot nationally with a 9.900 NQS.
Floor
Should Oregon State not qualify and Jade Carey does not win an all-around spot, floor would be the next most likely path to Nationals. The Tokyo Olympic Champion differentiates herself from the field with her difficulty, opening with a double-twisting double-tuck, the hardest tumbling pass being done in NCAA. Clemson’s Brie Clark made history last month as the first gymnast to ever compete a Biles I, a double layout with a half-turn, in college gymnastics. Clark’s 9.920 NQS should keep her in the conversation for a floor spot to nationals.
Dark Horses
Among the growing number of front handspring vaults in NCAA, NC State’s Ashley Knight has one of the best. Knight has gone as high as 9.925 this season, and if some of the top vaulters fumble, Knight could swoop in and take the vault spot. Oregon State’s Kaitlin Garcia scored a career-high 9.975 on floor at Oregon State’s senior night; if she can replicate that routine, Garcia could easily be in the mix to survive and advance.
Round Three
Sunday, April 6 at 6 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Predictions: 83.85% Florida, 67.15% California, 35.84% Alabama, 12.90% Oregon State, 0.14% North Carolina, 0.09% NC State, 0.03% Iowa
| Vault | NQS 3 |
| Bars | NQS 1 |
| Beam | NQS 4 |
| Floor | NQS 2 |
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Article by Savanna Wellman and Daniel Rothwell
