Kailin Chio’s three-event score of 30.000. Jordan Chiles’ five-week streak of 10.0s. If anything happened during the 2026 women’s collegiate gymnastics season, it was a whole lot of record-setting.
But what about the teams and athletes that didn’t get as much media attention? Let’s take a walk through a few of the unsung records of 2026.
1. Central Michigan’s 20th MAC championship title
On Saturday, March 21, the Chippewas won their second-straight MAC championship with a strong 196.025. Make no mistake—Central Michigan was already dominant in the MAC—but this season the team hit a milestone of 20 conference titles (eight more than second-ranked Kent State with 12). It’ll be interesting to see how it manages to build on that momentum in the coming seasons.
2. North Carolina’s best season-opening road score (196.675)
North Carolina opened its 2026 season on the road against Florida, Temple, and West Virginia. While the Tar Heels did not win the meet, they scored a 196.675 to far surpass their previous program record for a season-opening score on the road—a 195.175. Highlights of the performance included former five-star recruit Sydney Seabrooks’ collegiate floor debut of 9.950 and senior Gwen Fink’s career-high all-around of 39.475.
3. UW-Oshkosh becoming first Division III team to score 195+
In 2026, Oshkosh won the WIAC championship for the sixth time in a row. The kicker? The Titans hit a team total of 195.175, one-upping their previous record of 194.975 and making them the first DIII team in history to score a 195+. If that wasn’t enough, the team also notched a program high on vault with a total of 48.775 and senior Reanna McGibboney took home the all-around title.
4. Oshkosh’s record-breaking 9.925 on beam
Oshkosh again, you say? That’s right. At the same meet as the team’s 195.175, freshman Ome Ellis edged out the Titans’ previous beam record—Tiffany Barden’s 9.900—by .025. Barden scored her 9.900 back in 1998, making it the program’s longest-lived record, and making Ellis’ achievement all the more significant. Ellis’ score was also enough to clinch her the WIAC championship beam title. It’s hard to believe she just started her collegiate career.
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Article by Logan Driedger
