It was one of those weeks (or couple of weeks…) where the college gymnastics landscape seemed to shift by the hour. From headline-making coaching changes at Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, and Nebraska to a growing list of notable names entering the transfer portal, the ripple effects will be felt well beyond this offseason. Add in major individual news like the Honda Award finalists, and there’s no shortage of storylines to unpack. Our contributors dive into the biggest moves, hidden implications, and lingering questions from a whirlwind week across the sport.
Which single piece of news from the past couple of weeks will have the biggest impact on the 2026 season—and which will matter more long-term?
Elizabeth: The obvious answer is Auburn, but I also have my eye on Georgia. How much of a role did Ryan Roberts play on that staff? My gut says a big one. And how will Georgia do now that he (and the rest of the assistant coaches) are gone? Even if Georgia doesn’t lose a single gymnast, turning over nearly your entire staff is a lot to deal with after an incredibly successful season for the GymDogs.
Katherine: I think wherever Joscelyn Roberson goes will be hugely impactful, and in spite of its talent, Arkansas will be pretty largely impacted by not having her there. Roberson’s career thus far has been impressive, but she has so much potential that has yet to be fully reached in the NCAA. The right coaches could make her a true beast in the all-around.
Julianna: The most immediate impact on the upcoming season is going to be Auburn’s new hires. After the season Auburn had, all eyes are going to be on the Tigers to see how a new staff can rebuild a formerly dominant SEC program that was ranked in the top four just a few seasons ago. As for the long term, Georgia hiring the right assistant coaches alongside now-sole head coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi is going to be very telling as to where the problems the GymDogs faced just a few seasons ago stemmed from.
Sara: I agree with Auburn, but I have to go with Nebraska. I think Nicole Jones was a great pick for the head coach of a team that finished last at the Big Ten championship this year, especially since Michigan State won that title in 2024. Nebraska recently finished as high as No. 6 in 2018, and with Jones’ guidance, I can see Nebraska climbing back to the top in recruiting and in the national rankings.
Peri: Is it possible for me to pick Georgia or Auburn without having to mention both? It feels like a chicken-and-egg situation that I’m sure will continue to develop as both teams shuffle accordingly.
Chloi: Auburn and Georgia will be looking forward to the upcoming season with their coaching changes, but another SEC team with a lot of changes as well is Arkansas. The Razorbacks have Olympic alternate Jocelyn Roberson in the portal and Jordyn Wieber stepping down. Not to mention, they are losing a big senior class that contributed greatly. Additionally, Arkansas is coming off an appearance at the national championships, and it is going to want to get back to nationals again next year. Nebraska has also put itself in a good position by hiring Nicole Jones. Nebraska is a school that values women’s sports and their success.
Frances: I was so excited for Georgia after such a great season. It’s hard to hide the fact that I’m worried now about how another major coaching change will affect the athletes. This storied program has been trying to find its footing for years—I hope this doesn’t set it back further.
Sarah: Nicole Jones’ hiring at Nebraska was already major news for the Cornhuskers—Devin Wright following her from Michigan State makes it even more massive. Jones and Wright have a proven track record of success at Michigan State, and their combined experience could be tremendous in helping a talented Nebraska roster reach its potential. I am very excited to see what happens in Lincoln, Nebraska, this season!
Tara: With Devin Wright following Nicole Jones to Nebraska, I’m going with the Huskers. It’s a huge loss for Michigan State, though, which now has to replace two very good assistants.
What’s one storyline from this week that you think people are overreacting to, and one they’re underrating?
Elizabeth: It’ll be a popular answer, but I have to say people are overreacting about Jordyn Wieber. I see where folks are coming from both from the hiring Chris Brooks standpoint and the “woman leaving coaching but man staying” standpoint, but isn’t feminism’s and gender equality’s goal to allow women the ability to make these choices? At the end of the day, though, it is literally none of my business why Wieber made the decision she did—or what she plans to do with her time now. In terms of underreacting, Georgia being down to a single coach (despite the fact that that coach is Cécile Canqueteau-Landi), before the Megan Haught hiring, after a best-result-since-2019 end to the 2026 season is pretty wild stuff, and I’m still not over it.
Katherine: As impactful on the program as they were, I think fans are overreacting to Nicole Jones and Devin Wright leaving Michigan State. Last year was somewhat disappointing for the Spartans, but with injuries hopefully subsiding and a talented freshman class coming in, I think they’ll be just fine and recover the momentum. I think fans are underrating Mya Hooten’s departure from Minnesota. While I have seen a lot of sentimental reactions to her leaving, given her status as one of the most legendary Gophers ever, her impact on the team will definitely be missed in other ways. She was the Gophers’ beam coach, and that event was essential to Minnesota’s Final Four run.
Julianna: Overreacting: Jordyn Wieber stepping down and Chris Brooks being named head coach. The Arkansas coaching staff has been together for quite some time and has definitely made great progress in the seven seasons with Wieber at the helm. And, with this change, naming Brooks as the new head coach didn’t come as a truly big shock; it really just seemed like the natural next step after Wieber’s decision. Arkansas has done phenomenally with recruiting recently, and I can see how the athletic director would want to do whatever he could to change as little as possible. Underreacting: BYU still doesn’t have a head coach after Guard Young was let go. BYU has been a top-25 team for quite a while, and with Young at the head of the program for a large part of its success and no real movement on next steps (that we can see at least), what does this mean for BYU this season?
Sara: I agree with Julianna and Elizabeth on Arkansas. Many people seem to be overreacting to the news that Jordyn Wieber is stepping down, especially since Chris Brooks is taking over. It seems like the best fit given his experience with the team. For an underreaction, I would go with Simpson’s $3.1 Million training facility. I don’t think enough people understand how difficult it is to build a facility, especially when it is entirely from donor support. DIII gymnastics is truly a hidden gem, and it’s awesome to see this development for a program that is still relatively new.
Peri: Underreacting: Arizona losing two coaches. The Wildcats were touted for their coaching staff just a couple of seasons ago, and now rebuilding with the only returner being head coach John Court… Overreacting: Auburn bringing back Sophia Davila (née Groth), given the mix of big shoes she has to fill, and it being her first taste of college coaching.
Chloi: Overreacting: The overall carousel of coaching changes. Every year, we see coaching changes, and every year, there are always questions and concerns. This is just the landscape of collegiate athletics. Underreacting: I don’t think we are talking enough about Florida heading to Singapore to help coach a camp at the newly opened, largest gymnastics facility in the country. I can imagine lots of time, effort, and money are going into this trip, and this is an incredible opportunity not only for the Gators but for gymnasts in Singapore.
Frances: There’s always a big reaction when a top gymnast transfers because it carries potential implications, so I’m not surprised that Joscelyn Roberson’s announcement got a lot of attention. Yes, Roberson has been key for the Razorbacks, and tied with Wieber’s departure, it makes for a significant shuffle. But these days, people transfer all the time, even the big names. To agree with Julianna, flying under the radar, perhaps because it’s been drowned out by all the other news, is BYU’s lack of a head coach now weeks after the departure of Guard Young. BYU cannot be overlooked as a Power Four school and has a lot of stacked potential waiting for the right person to take the lead.
Sarah: There may be some overreactions about the situation at Georgia. A program with Cécile Canqueteau-Landi at the helm is most likely not going to have a problem finding competent coaches, and the lack of athlete movement out of Athens following the announcement indicates that the coaching transition may be smoother than expected for the GymDogs. While most are focused on the Joscelyn Roberson- and coaching-related aspects of Arkansas’ post-season news, the Razorbacks have two other athletes confirmed to be in the portal and a tremendously impactful senior class leaving as well. That’s a lot of transitions for any team to deal with at once, and while the Razorbacks have an impressive incoming class, the team will look quite different in 2027—and not necessarily for the reasons most people are discussing right now.
Tara: Overreacting: Arkansas as a whole. Roberson’s transfer makes more sense given the next day’s news of Wieber stepping down, but the program is in a good place due to the foundation she built. Retaining trusted assistants should help with any fallout. People may not agree with Brooks’ promotion for their own personal reasons, but the reaction to the news by the gymnasts has largely been positive, which is ultimately what matters. Underreacting: Arizona’s coaching staff turnover. That’s now three assistants that have left Arizona over the past two seasons, including Taylor Spears after 2024. The results certainly weren’t as good this season, but it does give me pause. Is there something else going on?
Of the new head coaching hires—or teams that have had significant changes due to departures–who inherited the best situation and who has the toughest rebuild?
Elizabeth: Austyn Fobes’ hiring has gone under the radar, but I think she’s set up for success at Kent State. Sure, the team only finished No. 43 this year, but that part of the rankings is often kind of volatile. I think having a smooth transition from such a long-time head coach is a good thing for the Golden Flashes. Michigan State may have the hardest road. Mike Rowe is a fantastic coach, and the recruiting he’s done over the years has also been great. That team has a lot of very talented gymnasts on it and incoming. However, losing two very impactful assistant coaches will hurt, no matter the team. I’m interested to see who Rowe now hires, and how they do with the transition.
Katherine: I think Nicole Jones is inheriting an underratedly good situation at Nebraska. Does the team have a ton of work ahead to improve? Definitely. But there are few better places to improve and implement a plan than Nebraska, with all the resources it has at the athletes’ disposal. Look at how many new leos the Huskers get each season, as well as their new practice gym. As we’ve seen at Clemson lately, buy-in from the university is definitely half the battle, and with Jones having done more with a lot less at Michigan State, I think she’s set up for success at Nebraska in the long run.
Julianna: The best situation would be Chris Brooks stepping into this new head coaching role, succeeding his wife. As of right now, the remainder of the staff doesn’t seem to be changing, so the transition should be pretty seamless.
Sara: I think the best situation would be Chris Brooks taking over for Jordyn Wieber since he already knows the athletes, campus, and overall program. The toughest rebuild would be for anyone who gets hired at BYU. The longer that takes, the less time they will have to get to know athletes and the program in general, which could hinder some first-year success.
Peri: Chris Brooks has a solid foundation laid out at Arkansas, with the only major hurdle being routine replacement without both Price sisters and now Jocelyn Roberson. On the staffing side, I think Nicole Jones has a big first task ahead of her in hiring her remaining two assistant coaches to start off her tenure at Nebraska.
Chloi: I think it goes without saying that Chris Brooks has inherited a great foundation and program that will provide an easy transition for the athletes. At the same time, Arkansas is going to be rebuilding with transfers leaving and a large senior class graduating.
Frances: In terms of upward movement, I think Austyn Fobes could bring a fresh perspective to Kent State. She was elevated from assistant and is already familiar with the team, but replaces a long-time head coach. A new voice at the helm could shake things up positively for the Golden Flashes. Looking ahead, I think Ryan Roberts has a tough rebuild at Auburn. Though there are some really talented athletes on the roster, as well as strong future commits, the Tigers have struggled to stay healthy and consistent in recent years. That kind of confidence can take some time to build back.
Sarah: Austyn Fobes at Kent State had the 2026 season to gain insight from former head coach Brice Biggin prior to his known retirement and will hopefully be able to smoothly transition the Golden Flashes into this new era. Ryan Roberts is inheriting an extremely talented roster at Auburn and should be relatively comfortable with filling out lineups in his first year. However, he will immediately have to contend with refilling the spots of at least two recruits who switched their commitments following the coaching transition. He’ll have to redefine what Auburn’s future roster will look like right out of the gate—a tall order, considering the Tigers lost two top recruits in five-star Ella Fine and four-star Brooke Reingold.
Tara: Like I mentioned above, Wieber leaves the team in a strong position with an excellent roster and even more recruits coming in. The obvious rebuild candidate is Auburn, but I’m going to go with Nebraska. Jones can certainly turn the program around, but much like Michigan State’s build, it could take time. Luckily, Jones has seen the long game play out with the Spartans and will be able to apply that experience at Nebraska.
What’s one under-the-radar ripple effect from the coaching changes that we might not see play out immediately?
Elizabeth: Maybe not from the changes specifically, but I think the college sports landscape as it is now is why we are seeing more coaches leaving coaching completely or heading back to club. Mya Hooten seemed like a very promising up-and-coming college coach to me, so her decision to head home was a bit of a surprise.
Katherine: Have you noticed that a lot of the coaches who have dropped off rosters haven’t been announced as firings or retirements elsewhere? They’ve just quietly gone away. To date, we haven’t gotten explanations for the departures of Amanda Wellick, James Williams, and Don Houlton, to name a few. I don’t recall that so much in recent seasons, so I think we may start to see it more often, for whatever reason that may be.
Sara: Instead of coaches just being shuffled around teams after coaching for a long time, the athlete-turned-coach pipeline will definitely become more prominent in the years to come. We’ve seen gymnasts be hired by their former teams, like with Anna Pagliaro, Emma Strom, Mya Hooten, and Haleigh Bryant. The benefit is that it allows teams to feel more comfortable when a new coach comes in since that person already understands the college gymnastics landscape and the program.
Chloi: I agree with Sara about the athlete-turned-coach pipeline. I have noticed a lot of former gymnasts getting hired over the past few years right after their graduation. It’s exciting to see new faces join coaching staffs and start what is only the beginning of their coaching careers. These young talents will be future head coaches someday.
Frances: To preface, I am fully in support of the transfer portal and think that athletes and coaches should always put their own needs above the job. This era pulls back the curtain more on the NCAA as a business, and I feel like it has affected coaching, too. There’s an element of long-term commitment that’s been devalued as the sport leans more into profit. We’ve seen how NCAA football operates with people in and out all the time, and I’m not sure that’s the right way to approach gymnastics, even at the collegiate level. This is definitely a symptom of the greater shift in the NCAA, not the root cause, though.
Sarah: Seconding—or tripling?—recent athletes who are transitioning into coaching. There’s no shortage of recent graduates who may be looking to move from graduate assistant, student, or volunteer positions into a formal role. Stars like Grace McCallum, Audrey Davis, and Emma Malabuyo all spent the 2026 season assisting their former teams in some capacity. It will be interesting to see if a program offers any one of them a formal coaching spot in the future, as they all move toward wrapping up the graduate programs that kept them with their original schools.
Tara: I’m also thinking about athletes transitioning into coaching, which has certainly become more prevalent with teams being able to have four assistants in addition to student coaches. I’m taking it from another lens, though, with the amount of young coaches doing so for a short period before returning to other jobs or the club world. I don’t blame them for dabbling—isn’t that what your early 20s are for?—but I’m curious how the coaching landscape will play out in the future.
If you’re an Arkansas gymnast or fan right now, what’s your biggest question about the future?
Elizabeth: How much of the great recruiting we’ve seen was due to Jordyn Wieber specifically, and how much of the success we’ve seen the Razorbacks have was due to Jordyn Wieber specifically? Yes, basically nothing else has changed, but she was head coach for a reason.
Katherine: What are we about to do in the transfer portal? Sure, Arkansas just nabbed Noelle Adams, but I think another big addition would be helpful to show good morale following the coaching change and Roberson’s departure. It’s been such a big tool for Arkansas the past few seasons, and it should still be in play.
Julianna: With a big group of seniors, the Price sisters, Leah Smith, Cally Swaney, Cami Weaver, and three athletes announcing their intent to transfer already, including Jocelyn Roberson just this week, the Razorback roster and lineups are going to look very different in 2027. My biggest question would be who is going to step into these spots that have been held for so long? Who is going to have a breakout year to replace those high scores? Are there going to be recruits coming in that make waves for the program?
Sara: With Arkansas going into its 25th season in 2027, a real question will be what the event Wieber primarily coached will look like. She focused mainly on floor, and while the Gymbacks were ranked consistently in the top 20 over her tenure, including being as high as No. 3 in 2021, it will be interesting to see who will take over and how successful they will be in the future.
Chloi: Who will Arkansas add to the coaching staff to take Wieber’s place? Are they going to be looking for an additional coach to bring in to help with floor, or are they going to look to Kyla Ross and Catelyn Branson to help more with this event?
Frances: Coming off the tails of a great season but facing the graduation of an impactful class and a coaching shift—in addition to Roberson’s transfer—is there a gymnast who is ready to take the baton and keep Arkansas on a steady pace?
Sarah: Similarly to what others have said, I am wondering who next season’s leader will be for the Razorbacks. Top performers like Lauren Williams and Allison Cucci could presumably be the face of Arkansas now, while Noelle Adams could be even more tremendous for the program than initially expected.
Tara: It’s definitely the recruiting. Wieber’s accolades speak for themselves, and she did a great job at selling Arkansas to the recruits. How much of the appeal was her, and how much was it Arkansas itself? The rest of the staff is intact, but the “be coached by an Olympic gold medalist” factor is no longer there.
What does Georgia need most right now that can’t be solved by a single hire?
Elizabeth: So far, it seems like Georgia is the team benefiting from coaching volatility elsewhere, so I’m not sure it needs to do much. However, with its final two assistant hirings, it does need to be strategic. Is *just* bringing in Laurent Landi “enough?” We know he’s a good elite coach, but for some reason, I really can’t picture him coaching in college. Can you imagine him doing over-the-top celebrations and giving enthusiastic motivational speeches? It’s actually sort of funny to try.
Katherine: To keep Lily Smith on the roster. I’ve seen the topic thrown around a few times since Smith followed Roberts from Alabama to Georgia during the recruitment process, and while time has since passed for her to become firmly cemented at Georgia, such that I think it’s unlikely, the possibility can’t be ruled out. Similar to what I said about Arkansas, after the turbulence, the departure of a key athlete would be an indictment on Cécile Canqueteau-Landi’s first offseason as the sole head coach.
Sara: Focusing on consistency. Although there’s still a bit up in the air about coaches and transfers, it is very important that Georgia is able to stay grounded with what it did this year and continue that into 2027, no matter what else happens.
Peri: Finding the balance between recruiting from elite and level 10 goes unnoticed on the top teams, and it’s something Georgia has recently been figuring out again. Big-name elites from around the world have spent time at Georgia, but many also brought lingering injuries or had to redshirt a season.
Chloi: With Roberts gone, Georgia is going to need to keep up with its recruiting. Roberts has always been a top recruiter, and as we saw with Lily Smith switching her commitment in high school, Roberts has an impact wherever he goes. For Georgia to continue with the momentum it built from this season, it will need to hire someone with great recruiting experience.
Frances: Georgia has seen several shifts in recent years, and I think some long-term consistency on the coaching staff would be beneficial.
Sarah: Georgia needs to keep the 2026 season’s success story in mind. Even amongst major changes, Georgia absolutely has what it takes to keep its hot streak running. The GymDogs are retaining a significant portion of their nationals-qualifying core, and if these athletes remain consistent, Georgia should be able to remain comfortable, even in a time of transition.
Tara: It’s still puzzling to me just how much coaching turnover actually happened. Hopefully, the new hires will be able to establish themselves because turnover can be tough when it happens as much as it has with Georgia recently. In that regard, the biggest ripple effect could be recruiting.
Which of the “quieter” hires do you think could end up being the most successful—and why?
Elizabeth: Aja Sims-Fletcher, not just to Auburn but as an associate head coach, surprises me, but Ryan Roberts has earned my trust that he knows what he’s doing. That could be a sneakily good decision down the road.
Katherine: I think Julie Ballard Clark could be a really solid addition to Arizona. It’s been a few years since the Wildcats have had more experienced coaches, and with a precipitous dip in the rankings this year, I think the Taylor Spears-shaped hole in the coaching roster definitely needed filling with one.
Julianna: Although a head coaching hire, Austyn Fobes being named the new head coach for Kent State has stayed pretty quiet. Fobes has been on the staff for the past two seasons for the Golden Flashes, and although taking over for Brice Biggin, who has been at the head of the program for 35 seasons, is going to be a tall order, this change could be great for the program to be under new leadership.
Sara: Sophia Davila as an Auburn assistant coach. She’s an All-American at her alma mater and has career highs over 9.900 on bars, beam, and floor. It’s clear she can handle experience with any of the events she coaches and will have another strong impact on the future of Auburn gymnastics from the coaching side.
Chloi: I am interested to see what Megan Haught will bring to Athens. Although she might be newer to collegiate coaching, she has plenty of experience at the club level and as a gymnast herself, being part of four straight NCAA titles and three SEC titles with Georgia. She will be able to shine as a coach in Athens and knows what it takes to win it all.
Frances: I’m looking forward to seeing the dynamic at Arizona with new assistant coaching pair Julie Ballard Clark and Emma Strom. Ballard Clark brings years of experience, and Strom, a recent graduate of Arizona, will just be beginning her coaching career.
Sarah: I am extremely excited for Julie Ballard Clark as well. While we haven’t seen her in action as a college coach in a while, she has been on some of the biggest stages in NCAA gymnastics throughout her career thus far. She could be exactly what Arizona needs to right the ship toward the direction of its Sweet 16 run in 2025, rather than the play-in round elimination the Wildcats experienced this year.
Tara: Emma Strom is coming off a successful gymnastics career, and I can see her energy translating to coaching well. Aja Sims-Fletcher is quietly a good hire for Auburn as well; she’s got experience behind her and could balance Roberts.
Which transfer (or potential transfer situation) are you most intrigued by—not necessarily the biggest name, but the most interesting fit?
Elizabeth: We already know where she’s headed, but I really like Haylee Hardin at Clemson. The Tigers are losing a lot of routines, and she’ll bring some much-needed relief as the team continues to transition fully into the Liz Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell era. Additionally, I’m excited to see where Molly Brinkman decides to go. LSU rarely sees transfers out, but she’s a name I want to actually see compete, so I hope she heads to a team that will allow her to do so.
Katherine: I’m excited to see which team nabs Anna Flynn Cashion. Her career has been somewhat turbulent, having originally been committed to Auburn and then been part of a Kentucky team that had a largely rough 2026 season. But Cashion’s front pike half vault has been consistent throughout, going 9.950 twice this season, and she has other strong gymnastics that have yet to be seen in competition. She will be an instant asset to her future team.
Julianna: Where Rylee Guevara, out of Ohio State, goes is going to be a big get for any team. Guevara has been a consistent staple on beam and floor for the Buckeyes the past two seasons, and having her routines in any lineup will be great for the team that picks her up. Also, the Skyelar Kerico, Penn to LSU, is going to be big; Kerico was out all last season with an injury, and transferring to LSU was definitely not an expected move. If Kerico comes back at full strength, her final season could be one of the biggest, most unexpected storylines.
Sara: Joscelyn Roberson. It’s easy to speculate where she’ll end up, but wherever she goes, she will have an immediate impact in the lineups.
Peri: Ariel Posen’s recruitment by LSU adds a handful of question marks to an already elite-heavy and large incoming group. After years out of the sport, then quietly training and exploring a collegiate return, she was a big wildcard to watch. Additionally, Mya Wiley’s transfer options are also fun to watch, with her black and white leo teaser Instagram stories.
Chloi: Jordyn Lyden is coming off a historic Final Four appearance with Minnesota, is the reigning Big Ten uneven bars champion, and has contributed immensely to the Gophers with consistent high scores over the past three years on bars, beam, and floor. She is certainly going to be someone to watch wherever she ends up, and has proved that she can contribute right away on her three events.
Frances: I’m so excited to see what Lola Montevago does at Maryland. She was a flashy all-arounder at George Washington and has the bars prowess the Terps really need. Also, Frederique Sgarbossa going from Iowa State to Minnesota is quite a storyline, and I hope she is able to find a home with the Gophers.
Sarah: I am waiting eagerly to see where Ava Piedrahita lands. Piedrahita was a powerful all-arounder prior to her injury in 2025, and while she was restricted to just vault and bars last season (on which she was quite successful), the team lucky enough to secure her could be inheriting a formidable competitor on all four events. I am also excited to see where Mya Wiley ends up. A cleaned-up vault from her could be a tremendous asset for any program—including the Stanford Cardinal, which is presumably where her first visit was, per some eagle-eyed leotard database checkers.
Tara: I think Cecilia Cooley will fit well at North Carolina, both in the fact that it is a top school for her career path, as well as gymnastically, where she should make an impact on bars, beam, and floor. I can also see Ella Schell thriving at Iowa; if any Cyclone were to transfer to their in-state rival, she fits the bill best.
Which Honda Award finalist has the strongest case that people aren’t talking about enough?
Elizabeth: I have to mention Faith Torrez. She’s at a disadvantage, having not competed in the all-around for the majority of the season—and I don’t think she would have been nominated if she didn’t earn one of the automatic bids from winning the title at nationals—but she’s still Faith Torrez. Her reputation precedes her.
Katherine: I’d say Kailin Chio. She’s the only non-senior, and Chiles and Torrez in particular have dominated the NCAA all four years they’ve competed. But it’s Chio’s season that stands out to me as the most impressive, having earned 12 perfect scores, three of which were in a single meet. To me, she’s been the most consistent and incredible on all four events.
Julianna: I would agree with Kailin Chio, especially being a sophomore among the three other seniors in contention for the award, but I would also say Chiles has a really strong shot. Having won the AAI Award, winning this award would be just another accolade to add to her storied career in the NCAA.
Sara: Anna Roberts. To think that she had never gotten a 10.0 before her senior year and got two on senior night is something that’s just a remarkable way to end her career. While Stanford gets quality coverage, it’s not the same as the rest of the teams the finalists represent. Roberts was also a big reason why Stanford advanced out of the regional final just ahead of Clemson.
Peri: Anna Roberts, given that Stanford this season hasn’t had the media attention of a traditional powerhouse. She’s been the image of consistency through the regular season with an NQS over 9.900 on every event, and has been instrumental to the Cardinal proving its 2024 run wasn’t a fluke.
Chloi: Faith Torrez is the 2026 NCAA all-around champion and the SEC beam champion in 2026 with a perfect 10. She was also able to help bring the Sooners to three team national championships during her time in Norman. She might not have been in the all-around all season or have the amount of 10s like Chiles and Chio, but she has proved her consistency and toughness by persevering through injuries to shine in the final moments of her career.
Frances: To me, Roberts is the classic underdog in the running. She has been a consistent all-around presence for Stanford the majority of her career, but this year she really came into her own and scored three 10s. Her leadership and skill propelled Stanford to a top-10 finish, fitting her right in to be a perfect candidate for the award.
Sarah: Kailin Chio, despite her grip on the top all-around spot from March onward, could be seen as an underdog here based solely on the fact that she’s the only non-senior; the Honda Award hasn’t gone to a non-graduating athlete since 2019. She would, however, be more than deserving, considering her historic season.
Tara: Faith Torrez, simply because her injury limited her for most of the season. She’s so good that she could win the national all-around title in her first time competing all four events this season, and she certainly has an excellent track record of success.
If you could add one “wild card” finalist, who would it be and why?
Elizabeth: Morgan Price just has the best story. While we all knew Jordan Chiles was probably going to win the AAI Award, I thought Price stood an outside chance at the trophy. She was not only a star at Fisk but also elevated Arkansas when arriving in Fayetteville as well. Plus, she’s one of very few to score a perfect 10—the first for the program at that—for two different schools.
Katherine: I would have loved to see Nikki Smith get the nod, especially after qualifying as an all-arounder to nationals in her senior year. Michigan State didn’t have the season it hoped for in some ways, but Smith’s brilliance wasn’t one of them.
Julianna: I would have loved to see Riley McCusker or Maggie Slife be in contention for the award. McCusker ended her career as a national champion after overcoming so many challenges in her club and collegiate career, and winning this award or being a finalist would be such a beautiful ending. Additionally, Slife has really done so much for Air Force, and still has another season left to make more history for the program.
Sara: I would have loved to see CaMarah Williams from Georgia. To come in a year early as a freshman, get two 9.975 career highs on both beam and floor, and finish ranked No. 2 nationally on floor just shows how much success she’s had in a short period of time. Although she didn’t compete in the all-around this year, I think it’s safe to say she’ll add bars soon and break more records for Georgia.
Chloi: Sage Kellerman or Selena Harris-Miranda. Kellerman’s impact on the Spartans’ lineups over the past four years did not go unnoticed. She helped bring MSU back to the national championship as a team and qualified this year on vault and bars individually. Harris-Miranda scored numerous 10s over the course of her career and came in clutch on bars this season with a perfect 10 to help Florida edge out OU for the SEC championship.
Frances: I have to mention Maggie Slife because her gymnastics has been a real treat to watch this year. Slife made history as an individual for Air Force while leading the team through multiple record-breaking moments.
Sarah: I also would have loved for Maggie Slife to get a nod. While I firmly expect her to be in contention for a nomination in her senior campaign, Slife was tremendous this season, both as an individual competitor and as a leader within the Air Force program.
Give one bold prediction that stems directly from any of the recent news.
Elizabeth: My bold prediction is that the breaking news isn’t going to slow down, which would not be good for my performance at my day job (kidding, mostly).
Katherine: I agree with Elizabeth; we are not done with the big news! My prediction is that within 24 hours of this roundtable’s publication, either another big gymnast announces her entry into the transfer portal or another top coach announces they are stepping down or leaving the program in some way.
Julianna: Laurent Landi will join the Georgia staff. There’s now a spot for him if he wants to start his NCAA coaching career.
Sara: New or revived rivalries between coaches who have left their prior team to coach another school. Examples being Nebraska and Michigan State, or Georgia and Auburn. With coaching changes, this could become the new normal within college gymnastics.
Chloi: The right coach at BYU can help bring them to the Sweet 16 next season.
Frances: There are still a lot of transfers up in the air. With all of these coaching shuffles, especially in the SEC, we might see some surprising transfer announcements pop up.
Sarah: The transfer portal drama is not over yet. While the focus has switched over to coaching changes for the time being, there are still major names on the board looking for their new homes—and there is still a week and change for gymnasts to enter into the portal, should they choose to do so.
Tara: We are far from finished. At this rate, we’re going to have to do another one of these roundtables within the next week or two…
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