For the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, gymnastics was nothing short of electric in the 2026 season, showcasing a wave of athletes who didn’t just compete, but captivated. From record-breaking routines to clutch performances under pressure, several gymnasts rose above the rest and became must-watch stars week after week. Whether it was dazzling floor performances, near-perfect vaults, or consistency that anchored their teams, these standout athletes did more than just contribute to their programs — they defined the season.
Niya Randolph, Southern Utah – All-Around
Randolph had an outstanding season, being named MPSF Gymnast of the Year and leading the conference in the all-around with an NQS of 39.400 and ranked No. 19 nationally. Randolph’s strongest event this season was bars, where she finished number one in the MPSF with a season high of 9.925. She also earned the highest score in the MPSF this season on floor, reaching the 9.975 mark. Adding to her dominance on bars, floor, and the all-around, Randolph finished the season ranked second on vault and floor and fourth on beam in the conference, placing her on first team for the MPSF on all events. To top it off, she was also named to the CGN Early Favorites for the 2027 All-Around Crown list for her senior season.
Amelia Moneymaker, UC Davis – All-Around
Moneymaker was a leader for UC Davis this season, winning the MPSF all-around crown and ranking 29th nationally with an NQS of 39.305. Her standout event this season was beam, finishing as the number one performer for the MPSF, and boasting a season-high 9.900. She also posted the second-highest floor score in the conference this season with a 9.950, showing that she is versatile in the all-around. Moneymaker, along with her first-place finish on beam, closed out her senior season ranked fourth on vault and third on bars and floor. She was also named to the first team MPSF on every event, winning the conference championship on beam.
Sarah Lutrel, Sacramento State – All-Around
Lutrel closed out her senior season with being named to the MPSF first team in the all-around for the first time in her career. She was also named to the MPSF second team on vault and beam, and led Sacramento State on vault with the highest NQS. Lutrel finished the season ranked third in the all-around, eighth on vault, 18th on bars, seventh on beam, and 11th on floor in the conference.
Mia Hampton, Southern Utah – Bars, Beam, Floor
Hampton, who always delivers for Southern Utah, had another strong showing this season on bars, beam, and floor. She finished the season ranked fifth on bars, second on beam, and fifth on floor, boasting an MPSF season-high 9.925 on the balance beam. Hampton won the MPSF floor championship alongside her teammates Sage Paladino, Rylee Miller, and Berlin Hall with a score of 9.875. Her stability across three events helped lead the Thunderbirds to a three-peat MPSF team championship.
Rylee Miller, Southern Utah – Bars, Beam, Floor
Miller was another Thunderbird that stood out on three events. She won the MPSF floor championship alongside Hampton, Paladino, and Hall. This season, Miller earned career highs of 9.900 on beam and floor and 9.875 on uneven bars after not competing the event until the sixth meet of the season. She finished the season ranked 10th on bars, third on beam, and eighth on floor in the MPSF. Along with Randolph, Hampton, and Hall, she will be an integral part of Southern Utah’s lineups next season.
Kara Houghton, Sacramento State – Bars, Beam, Floor
Houghton was named the 2026 Specialist of the Year by the MPSF conference for her performances on bars, beam, and floor. She played a key part in Sacramento State’s lineups this season, competing on those three events in all 12 meets, and was named to the MPSF first team on bars and second team on floor. In the MPSF, Houghton finished her senior season ranked 10th on beam, seventh on floor, and fifth on bars, eclipsing the 9.900 mark on the latter two events.
Berlin Hall, Southern Utah – Vault, Floor
After being named to CGN’s most anticipated debut list for the 2026 season, Hall was named the MPSF 2026 Freshman of the Year. In just her first season, Hall led the MPSF on floor with a season high of 9.925 and an NQS of 9.895, winning the MPSF floor title alongside teammates Hampton, Paladino, and Miller. She also competed in the vault lineup eight times this season before focusing on floor after a knee injury. Hall is overall a dominant force on floor, and will be a huge factor for the Thunderbirds the next three years.
Avah Reichow, UC Davis – Vault, Floor
Reichow competed on three events for UC Davis this season – vault, beam, and floor, but where she stood out was on vault and floor especially, competing on both events in every meet. In her sophomore season, she had career highs of 9.800 on vault and 9.875 on floor, and finished 10th and fifth respectively in the MPSF. Reichow found consistency in her floor routine this season, scoring 9.725 or above in every meet, 9.800 or above in eight meets, and finishing on a hot streak with scores of 9.8+ in the last six meets.
Kayla Pardue, Southern Utah – Vault
Pardue led Southern Utah and the MPSF conference on vault. She was an integral part of SUU’s vault rotation, eclipsing the 9.925 mark, which was the highest vault score in the MPSF this season. After missing last season, Pardue had a remarkable return to the competition floor as a vault specialist, and has left her mark on the MPSF conference.
Claudia Lessig, Alaska – Balance Beam
Lessig was an important piece of the lineups for Alaska, competing in the all-around in six meets this season, but where she stood out most was on the balance beam. She earned a career-high 9.900 on the event, which allowed her to reach her highest all-around score this season. Lessig finished her season ranked eight on beam in the MPSF.
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Article by Penny McNees
