The Mountaineers were far and away the surprise team of 2025, going from all but out of a regionals spot to qualifying on the last day of the season. An impactful freshman class was a huge part of the success, accounting for nine of 24 routines in the postseason. With a year of experience under their belt and the return of some key routines from injury, the Mountaineers should not be overlooked again this year.
2025 Rewind
No. 33 overall | No. 7 at Big 12 | No. 36 in regular season | Regionals play-in
After scoring a 192 in January and the continued build-up of various injuries, many people wrote off the Mountaineers as a team that could qualify to regionals. However, West Virginia surged at just the right time, scoring three straight 196s to help improve its NQS, and snuck into the play-in round before falling to Maryland.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Seniors: Brooke Irwin, Carlee Nelson, Miranda Smith |
| Juniors: Kaylei Adams, Julia Brown, Jurnee Lane, Amber Lowe, Jayden McDonnell |
| Sophomores: Karleigh DiCello, Riley Maness, Sophia Rice, Kaelyn Skeel, Emerson Smith, Taylor Tuohy, Eden Webster |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Joslyn Bryner, Lauren Eyssen, Haley Mendoza, Auden Pederson, Kayla Smith |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Brooke Alban (VT/UB/FX), Anna Leigh (UB/BB/FX), Trinity Macy (UB) |
| Transferred: Sierra Muns (UC Davis), Emma Wehry (Auburn) |
| Retired: Olivia Pitzer |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| After an ankle injury ended her season five meets in, Jurnee Lane looks to be back training and could be fully available for 2026. Miranda Smith also appears to have returned to training after an undisclosed injury. Julia Brown has been seen in a lower leg cast in the preseason. While her injury is unconfirmed, she could be out long-term. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 35 | NQS: 48.965 | Average: 48.720 | High: 49.225
| Event Overview: The Mountaineers experimented with a few different lineups in the early meets due to injury. Once a consistent six emerged, the scores began to climb, culminating in a 9.975 from freshman Rice. Look for her to lead the way again this year with her Tsuk full alongside freshman Kayla Smith, who just won a bronze medal at DP Nationals with her Yurchenko full. | ||
| Locks: Karleigh DiCello, Jurnee Lane, Sophia Rice | ||
| Contenders: Jayden McDonnell, Carlee Nelson, Emerson Smith, Kayla Smith, Taylor Tuohy | ||
| Wildcards: Lauren Eyssen, Brooke Irwin, Haley Mendoza, Miranda Smith |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 47 | NQS: 48.840 | Average: 48.613 | High: 49.050
| Event Overview: Bars has been a weaker event for West Virginia for the last few years, and the struggles could continue into 2026. Lowe and McDonnell will likely lead the way, and if Lane is healthy, she will be a much-welcome addition to this lineup. Mendoza qualified to the all-star session of DP nationals and could sneak into the lineup early on in her freshman season. | ||
| Locks: Amber Lowe, Jayden McDonnell | ||
| Contenders: Jurnee Lane, Haley Mendoza, Auden Pederson, Kayla Smith, Miranda Smith | ||
| Wildcards: Julia Brown, Joslyn Bryner, Brooke Irwin, Kaelyn Skeel |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 34 | NQS: 49.005 | Average: 48.556 | High: 49.300
| Event Overview: Brown’s injury puts her lineup spot into question, as she was the second-highest returning NQS on this event from 2025. If her injury is not as severe as believed, she is a lock for this lineup. If she is unavailable, look for the coaches to try a few different options before finding their optimal six routines. Adams and Webster proved they were capable of performing at a high level, so it would not be a surprise to see them permanently return to this lineup. | ||
| Locks: Karleigh DiCello, Amber Lowe | ||
| Contenders: Kaylei Adams, Jurnee Lane, Kayla Smith, Eden Webster | ||
| Wildcards: Julia Brown, Joslyn Bryner, Brooke Irwin, Haley Mendoza, Carlee Nelson, Auden Pederson, Emerson Smith, Miranda Smith |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 33 | NQS: 49.155 | Average: 49.018 | High: 49.300
| Event Overview: Floor was a big strength for the Mountaineers and helped to keep them in meets several times during 2025. While the lineup will look different than what we’ve been used to in previous seasons, the difficulty is there. With multiple E-level passes returning and several upgrades in the works, floor should continue to be a big strength for West Virginia in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Riley Maness, Sophia Rice, Emerson Smith | ||
| Contenders: Jurnee Lane, Amber Lowe, Kayla Smith, Taylor Tuohy | ||
| Wildcards: Julia Brown, Carlee Nelson, Auden Pederson, Kaelyn Skeel |
Records Watch
Team: 197.400 | AA: 39.675 (Janae Cox) | VT: 49.525/10.000 (Jessica Bartgis) | UB: 49.450/10.000 (Umme Salim) | BB: 49.550/9.975 (Rebecca Slobig) | FX: 49.700/10.000 (TeShawne Jackson)
Sophomore Rice put West Virginia on 10.0 watch at the end of last season when she stuck her Tsuk full and earned a 10 from one judge. Her form cleaned up as the season progressed, so if she’s on her A game, she could become the first gymnast since Bartgis to score a 10.0 on vault.
The Big Picture
While expectations were low for the Mountaineers in 2025, the same cannot be said for 2026. The rising sophomores have postseason experience under their belt and are ready to continue their journey from last season, while the new arrivals come in with their own accolades to their name. Look for West Virginia to make another push for the postseason in 2026
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Play-In
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Article by Savanna Wellman
