With countless incredible performances, underdog victories, and inspiring comeback stories, the 2026 season was nothing short of exciting—and along with those countless memorable moments are countless photos to remember them by. We’re taking the opportunity to highlight 10 of our favorite never-before-used images of 2026. Capturing the determination, resilience, and joy of this season, these photos prove that a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
Bynlee Andersen-Broekman’s 9.975 on beam to upset Clemson
With just a half-tenth lead, BYU upset Clemson at home in Littlejohn—and owes part of its victory to junior Andersen-Broekman’s near-perfect 9.975 beam routine. The scores were close after three rotations, with BYU heading to beam, a make-or-break event. With the Tigers matching the pace, it all came down to the last routine, and the Cougars knew how to hit when it counted. Among the five career highs the BYU beam lineup scored that day was Andersen-Broekman’s huge 9.975, which included a 10.0 from one judge. With full control over her series and a stuck gainer full, Andersen-Broekman’s stellar routine won her the event title and set up teammate Chloee Hoke to anchor the rotation for a narrow but well-deserved win.
Stick celebrations steal the show
Move over stick objects—there’s a new way to celebrate the stick. The 2026 season popularized the stick celebration, or stick celly, a silly dance or acrobatic move that allows a gymnast to end their stuck routine with an extra flourish. A consistent member of UCLA’s beam lineup, Katelyn Rosen performed multiple stick cellies, most notably her skating-inspired waltz jump, a tribute to the recent 2026 Winter Olympics. Other stick celebrations include Nikki Smith’s headstand, inspired by football player Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sophie Schriever’s back dive to pose, and Lauren Macpherson’s switch half to split. Stick celebrations bring the fun to a sport known for its intensity and rigor, and have made an already-unforgettable 2026 season all the more memorable.
Georgia commemorates 30th anniversary of Karen Lichey’s perfect 40
Georgia’s meet versus Florida on Feb. 20 marked not just an exciting top-10 matchup, but also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the only perfect 40 ever achieved in NCAA gymnastics, earned by Georgia alum Karen Lichey, who made an appearance that night. Lichey scored the elusive perfect 40 on Feb. 23, 1996, as just a freshman competing in the eighth meet of her career. Although her presence at Stegeman Coliseum did not inspire any perfect 40s or perfect 10.0s from either Georgia or Florida, the meet still resulted in record-setting performances from the GymDogs, with seniors Ja’ Free Scott and Csenge Bácskay starting the meet off with career-highs on vault.
Kiley Rorich’s season floor debut with music malfunction
At the Utah at Denver meet, Rorich’s music suddenly cut out shortly after the opening pass of her season floor debut. Unfazed, she kept going as normal, with the crowd, her team, and even some of the Utah gymnasts clapping and cheering her on. Despite the music mishap, Rorich was still able to compete at her best, tying her career high of a 9.900 and certainly making this meet a senior night to remember. She was later named the Big 12 Conference Event Specialist of the Week for that performance, her first event specialist honor.
Iowa State’s final meet
One of the biggest pieces of breaking news this season was the discontinuation of Iowa State’s gymnastics program shortly after the abrupt cancellation of the remainder of its season. However, the announcement did not halt the team’s determination, and it closed its final chapter with a solid performance it should be proud of.
Iowa State’s last meet was on Feb. 1 at Denver and began with an injury from Frederique Sgarbossa on bars, leaving the Cyclones with no all-arounders and testing their ability to adapt. Although the first rotation saw four falls, the team was able to turn the meet around for the remaining three rotations and did not have to count any more falls. Freshman Finley Weldon, featured in the image, was able to get the momentum back on beam after a fall with a hit routine, capturing the essence of the Cyclones’ grit and helping to solidify the program as one that will be remembered for its strong fight to the finish.
EMU’s Jacquelyn Patterson earns career-high in first routine back
After redshirting the 2025 season, Patterson was able to make a successful comeback this year and re-establish herself as an asset to EMU’s lineups. In her first meet since 2024, she tied her career-best 9.875 on beam with poise, well-paced skills, and a floaty gainer pike to help the Eagles get their 192.925-191.900 season-opening victory over Bowling Green. Competing vault and beam in 2024, Patterson added bars this season, making her comeback even more impressive. EMU’s athletic department named Patterson the Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year at its annual awards ceremony, describing her return as one “built on resilience, hard work, and impact.”
Clemson’s historic first ACC title
In just its third year as a program, Clemson gymnastics has proven itself to be a team that is on the up-and-up and not slowing down anytime soon. With coaches Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell in their first year at the helm, the Tigers earned their first-ever ACC championship title with a monumental effort that came down to the very last routine. With the title on the line, junior Quinn Kuhl delivered, nailing her bar routine with a 9.900 that was enough to upset Stanford, the strong favorite for the title. This image shows that this achievement belongs just as much to the coaches as the athletes, and with strong team dynamics and momentum on their side, the Tigers are set to continue their rise.
Minnesota’s record-breaking nationals run
No list of memorable moments from the 2026 season would be complete without mention of Minnesota’s incredible journey to its first national final. Ranked No. 8 heading into nationals and having just a 9.19% chance of advancing past the semifinals, the Gophers were certainly underdogs but defied the odds to prove they are not to be underestimated. After a solid performance on the first three events, Minnesota ended semifinal two with a stellar bars rotation that pushed it ahead of UCLA and into the second qualifying spot. Leadoff Gianna Gerdes’ face says it all as she started off the final rotation with a stuck dismount, setting her team up for its first Four on the Floor berth.
Kylie Eaquinto’s baseball-themed floor routine
A themed floor routine is always enjoyable to watch, but it’s the family connection that makes BYU senior Eaquinto’s baseball-themed routine so special. Inspired by her five brothers and their love for baseball, Eaquinto’s baseball routine is a fan favorite and includes her imitating throwing a ball and swinging a bat as part of her choreography. The routine also features baseball-themed music, such as the song “Centerfield” and music from the baseball movie “The Sandlot.” Even her celebratory object—a baseball mitt—is on-theme. Full of personality and dynamic performance, Eaquinto on floor is a home run every time.
Abbey Scanlon’s final beam routine
Cal’s Scanlon is a true testament to the power of determination and hard work when it comes to making a comeback. After not competing her first three years of college because of injuries, Scanlon finally made her debut during her senior year, immediately making an impact by winning the beam title with a 9.950 and earning her place in Cal’s beam lineup. A fifth-year this season, she contributed on beam at 13 out of 15 meets, scoring a season high of 9.900. Scanlon’s admirable comeback has been an emotional one, proving that it’s never too late to make a return to the sport you love.
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Article by Lilly Chan
