Whether it’s based on a training video, a previously performed skill, or pure wishful thinking, it’s fun to imagine the crazy upgrades gymnasts could add to their college routines. Although most of these are unlikely to be performed in collegiate competition due to risk, potential deductions, and high difficulty, we can still dream. And you never know – anything can happen in this sport.
Faith Torrez – back tuck full on beam
During her elite career, Torrez gained attention for her clean and consistent standing full on beam. It’s rare to see this skill performed so consistently with such an upright chest position on landing. Although it would likely be deemed too risky for an Oklahoma beam lineup, Torrez’s execution of the skill is absolutely NCAA-worthy. It wouldn’t be the first time we saw it in a college routine either – UCLA’s Sam Peszek famously performed one in the NCAA event finals in 2012!
Sage Kellerman – handspring Rudi vault
Michigan State’s star vaulter is known for her mastery of the handspring front pike half – but how fun would it be to see her up the difficulty? It’s easy to imagine how her handspring Rudi would look: sky-high with tight form and an easily-stuck landing. It wouldn’t make sense as a collegiate upgrade, with Kellerman’s current vault already having a 10.0 start value, but it would be an unforgettable way to anchor the Spartans’ vault lineup.
Addison Fatta – roundoff 2.5 stepout, roundoff back handspring double back
The Oklahoma sophomore performed a fan-favorite 2.5 stepout through to double tuck tumbling pass in the 2023 elite season, something rarely seen in international or collegiate competition. Fatta’s affinity for combination tumbling could be seen in her 2025 floor routine at Oklahoma, where she did a front tuck through to 2.5 twist as her second pass. Using a 2.5 twist as the first element in a combination pass would stand out in NCAA and make for a unique floor routine.
Chloe LaCoursiere – layout Jaeger
Before committing to Alabama, Chloe LaCoursiere garnered a lot of attention on social media with her training videos. She’s always been known for her uneven bars routine, but these skills would be the envy of the top bar workers in the world. The full twisting Jaeger was only successfully performed in elite competition for the first time in 2025 by Chinese gymnast Yang Fanyuwei, and the full twisting Nabieva has never been competed. These skills are insane, and the kind of thing most gymnastics fans only dream of seeing in a routine. It would be more reasonable to imagine LaCoursiere including her beautiful layout Jaeger in an NCAA routine – it’s clean, high, and still supremely difficult.
Brie Clark – the Biles II
Clark had a viral moment in the 2025 season when she became the first collegiate gymnast to successfully compete the Biles I on floor – a double layout half out. Simone Biles herself commented on the feat, and fans around the world tuned in to Clemson meets to watch Clark’s tumbling prowess. It would be incredible to see Clark try another of Biles’ eponymous skills, like the Biles II (a triple twisting double tuck). Yes, it’s the most difficult skill in women’s gymnastics. No, it wouldn’t make any sense in an NCAA floor routine. But wouldn’t it be a thrilling way to cap off a Clemson home meet?
Jordan Chiles – Lopez vault
Chiles has competed a variety of vaults for UCLA: a full twisting Tsukahara as a freshman, a double twisting Yurchenko in her sophomore season, and most recently a Yurchenko half-on front tuck half that caused a lot of buzz in 2025. She lands this vault well, but many fans noticed the early knee bend on the table that should lead to a significant deduction. Chiles has plenty of vaults in her arsenal, and it would be a treat to see her bring out something different this season that allows her to show off her strong block and excellent form. The Lopez she competed in the 2022 elite season would translate beautifully to NCAA – it’s a laid-out version of her most recently competed vault, and definitely 10.0-worthy!
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Article by Sophie Poirier
