As the preseason begins and gymnasts start to create their new floor routines for 2026, we’re taking a look back at our favorite sets from 2025. From intricate choreography to memorable music selections, 2025 delivered a wide array of performances that stood out for different reasons. Our editors reflect on the floor routines that stuck with them—and what they’re excited to see this season.
What was your favorite floor routine of the 2025 season?
Julianna: I am a Brooklyn Moors fan through and through, so she would have to be one of my favorites of the past year. I also really loved Jaylene Gilstrap’s routine from this past season; Utah has really leveled up its choreography over the past couple of seasons, and this routine is evident of attention to detail and artistry that became much more highlighted in the past year.
Alyssa: I am determined to make this roundtable a Meika Lee feature. While the landings were not always there to bring in the big scores, Lee had such a captivating performance quality with the way she timed her movements to the music and had subtle nuances in her choreography to help portray the creepy routine that she was going for. I could watch that routine on repeat.
Sophie: It’s a pretty basic answer, but I have to say Brooklyn Moors. It managed to be even better than her previous excellent routines and was the perfect way to cap off her career. She has a style that is often imitated, but rarely pulled off as well as it is by her. I’ll miss her performances next season!
Peri: I fear I’d have to move to a new province if I pick anyone not named Brooklyn Moors. Luckily that’s an easy decision to make, and it’s one I’ve stood by since she made the jump into junior elite – long before NCAA was on the table.
Sara: Jordan Chiles. I think it’s now more iconic given she’s going on the next season of DWTS. I just loved her energy, skills, and of course her 10 that I got to see in-person at this past season’s Big Ten Championships.
Which gymnast surprised you most with their performance or choreography?
Julianna: I personally enjoyed Oklahoma’s Elle Mueller’s floor this season. Coming in as a first year and making the Sooners’ floor lineup, that is a big spot to fill. Mueller exceeded these expectations!
Alyssa: I covered the ACC last season and was expecting Meika Lee to be a contributor for the Panthers, but I was not expecting her to be such a performer so that is my top one.
Sophie: I wasn’t expecting Aurélie Tran to become one of my favorite floor workers, but her freshman routine really stood out to me. I often feel that when an athlete uses a big, dramatic piece of music, the choreography gets lost and feels too small in comparison – but that was not the case with Tran, who absolutely did her music justice. Her beautiful dance elements helped, too.
Peri: I watched my share of Brown meets this past season, and was impressed week in and week out with Maya Davis’ performance quality. Every muscle is working the whole time, whether or not it’s during a counting element.
Sara: Claire Dean’s choreography is so pretty and she absolutely nailed her routine during the ACC Championship meet with her infectious personality and energy. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for her senior season.
Which team consistently brought the strongest floor routines?
Julianna: I personally really enjoy Oklahoma’s floor routines and I have for the past couple of years. I know they might be an acquired taste, but you really can’t help but watch! KJ does such a great job of never repeating choreography and as a choreographer, that is incredibly difficult. The Sooners are consistently strong on this event and have a plethora of athletes ready to go all with great, standout routines.
Alyssa: I think it’s hard to talk about a team that consistently brings it on floor without saying UCLA, especially looking at last season when there were such strong dancers on the team including Chae Campbell, Brooklyn Moors, and Jordan Chiles. BJ Das does a great job of putting together routines that let those dancers dance.
Sophie: I know this is a controversial opinion, but I’ve really come to enjoy Oklahoma on floor. Sure, KJ Kindler has choreographed her fair share of weird or out-there routines, but I thought the 2025 rotation was unique, bold, and made an effort to cater to each athlete’s strengths. Jordan Bowers and Elle Mueller’s routines particularly stood out to me as some of my favorites of the season. I hope Oklahoma keeps bringing funky music choices and fresh choreography to the floor in 2026.
Sara: Kentucky is honestly a strong and underrated floor squad. The choreography and skills were amazing and gymnasts like Creslyn Brose and Delaynee Rodriguez should be able to bring more experience and opportunity as upperclassmen within the floor lineup.
Which routine flew under the radar and deserves more love?
Julianna: Maya Davis, now a Brown alum, had the most beautiful routine last season that definitely should have gotten more love! I was able to see Davis compete in person at GECs last season on floor and it was actually breathtaking. Her artistry, lines, and elegance that she brought to the routine stood out to me as one of the best last season.
Alyssa: Florida is usually associated with bad choreography and bad floor routines, but being in person and feeling the crowd always makes a difference. The combination of tumbling and performance from Taylor Clark last season was a highlight of every home meet.
Peri: Zoë Zimmerman brought serious heat to the start of the Chippewas’ floor rotation as a freshman this past season. She was dialed in on her choreography and put up some serious front tumbling. Central Michigan had a wealth of depth on floor, and Zimmerman was in the lineup each week setting up the one two punch of Luciana Alvarado-Reid and Hannah Appleget.
Sara: Paige Zancan of Auburn really stood out this season but I didn’t see as many highlights or recognition compared to other SEC floor competitors. Her energy always brought the crowd (including the student section) and her teammates in, so it’ll be interesting to see what she brings for next year.
What gymnast’s 2026 routine are you most excited to see?
Julianna: Both Nola Matthews and Tiana Sumanasekera are going to do amazing with UCLA choreography and seeing each hopefully secure a floor routine this season is going to be super exciting.
Alyssa: I am obviously excited to see what routine Meika Lee has for her sophomore season, and I am hoping it is another creepy routine. I’m also looking forward to seeing her teammate Makenzie Grant’s routine; she was one of the incoming freshmen that I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw when rating her. I’m looking forward to her being in that floor lineup.
Sophie: Nola Matthews’ presence with BJ Das choreography is going to be a match made in heaven. Throughout her elite career, Matthews has been known for her signature “creepy” style and varied use of facial expressions in her floor routines. If she was able to bring that level of performance to elite, I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in college–especially in a UCLA floor lineup.
Peri: A post-Dancing with the Stars Jordan Chiles floor routine has every ingredient for a must-watch routine. I’m confident it’ll have something in it for everyone, from the most intense to the extremely casual gymnastics fan.
Sara: Joscelyn Roberson had a standout freshman year and her floor routine did not disappoint. The level of difficulty in her tumbling to her fantastic dance moves, is going to be exciting as she heads into her sophomore season.
Is there a song or genre you’d love to see used in NCAA floor choreography?
Juliana: I love the classic hype music because those routines tend to really engage the crowd, but I also really love seeing a handful of classic pieces in the lineups. I also enjoy the “character” pieces, especially when a gymnast can really perform it and connect to the piece.
Alyssa: I have always liked creepy and intense floor routines and have loved seeing that more often in elite this season. There are some that already do that in the NCAA, but I am always interested in watching more of them.
Peri: It’s getting its fair share of love already – the more Paint it Black, the better.
Sara: More pop and hip hop songs! They always get the crowd pumped up and are relatable to all involved.
What are your thoughts on tribute routines or reusing iconic music?
Julianna: Tribute routines are so sweet! I think it’s great to pay homage to former athletes who have made an impact in the NCAA and to honor them in that way. I think if it is done, however, it should be only once in a while so the sentiment can be maintained.
Alyssa: I am a sucker for some good nostalgia so I am ok with tribute routines or reusing iconic music as long as it is done well and gives the original routine justice.
Sophie: When it’s done sparingly and is well-executed, I’m a fan. A truly iconic routine deserves a thoughtful, quality tribute.
Peri: The stakes are raised awfully high for a tribute routine to be a fan favorite, so if that pressure is understood then I’d welcome it. I can also appreciate connections between owners of the routine, and enjoy when it’s made public so fans can have the sentimentality that the team does around the given routine.
Sara: Tribute routines are awesome when done well; I’m thinking back to UCLA and this video the school made that brings back that legacy. I also like iconic music but when both come together and it’s done well, that’s perfection.
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
How about Frankie Price? I loved watching that show stopper every dang meet.
🙂