Welcome to the NCAA gymnastics postseason! After months of dual meets, invitationals, and rankings shuffles, the top 36 teams are officially set for regional competition—the final stop before nationals. Over five days, gymnasts and teams will fight through three rounds in four different locations, all vying for one of the coveted eight team spots at nationals—and a handful of individual berths.
In these previews, we’ll break down each regional in detail; which teams have the clearest path, where upsets could happen, and which individuals could sneak their way into nationals. Let’s dive into the Washington regional.
The action kicks off on Thursday with round one, featuring No. 29 Illinois vs. No. 35 UC Davis. Round two follows on Friday with two sessions: No. 7 Missouri, No. 10 Georgia, No. 21 Arizona, and No. 26 Arizona State in the afternoon, and No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 15 Auburn, No. 20 Nebraska, plus the round one winner in the evening. The top two teams from each session advance to the regional final on Sunday, where the top two finishers punch their ticket to nationals.
In addition to teams, individual gymnasts will compete on Friday for spots at nationals. After combining the results from both round two sessions, and removing athletes from the two qualifying teams, the top all-arounder and top scorer on each event will advance.
Want all the nitty-gritty details, including tie-breakers, format breakdown, and even how judges are assigned? Check out our NCAA postseason resource guide.
Regional Storylines to Watch
- Oklahoma’s fall to No. 2 after LSU upset the Sooners to win the SEC title puts it in a much more comfortable regional.
- In-state and conference rivals Arizona and Arizona State will rematch after the Wildcats came out ahead of the Sun Devils at the Big 12 meet to finish second.
- Individual nationals qualification is sure to get messy, especially on bars: If their teams do not advance, watch for Mara Titarsolej, Lily Smith, Amari Celestine, and Emma Spence.
- Celestine, Chloe Cho, and Spence are all in the individual all-around conversation, assuming Oklahoma qualifies to nationals.
Round 1
Thursday, April 3 at 5 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 62.38% Illinois, 37.62% UC Davis
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event |
| No. 29 Illinois | 196.205 | 195.606 | 196.675 | Vault |
| No. 35 UC Davis | 195.870 | 194.865 | 196.400 | Bars |
The Path to Forward
Illinois
Season Spotlight
Illinois has had a hot and cold season, with midseason scores ranging from the 194s to the mid-196s. Last week’s 196.500 at the Big Ten championship proves the Illini have the ability to hit under pressure, although consistency remains a lingering question.
What It’ll Take
Big Ten Freshman of the Year Chloe Cho has been a difference-maker for this Illinois team—her success often signals success for the team as a whole. Facing a surging UC Davis squad, the Illini have very little room for error. Sticking vaults could be the difference maker, including Arielle Ward’s inconsistent but high-potential Yurchenko one and a half.
UC Davis
Season Spotlight
After a slower start to the season, UC Davis is peaking at the right time. A big 196.400 at the MPSF championship clinched the Aggies their first regionals berth since 2014 and marked the end of a month with no scores below 195.800.
What It’ll Take
While UC Davis enters this session as the underdog, it has proven its ability to hit big when it matters. Floor is often the statement piece for the Aggies, and if they can maximize their scores there and match that on one other event (beam is a likely candidate), they are in with a chance of continuing their regionals journey.
Round 2, Session 1
Friday, April 4 at 4 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 99.37% Missouri, 93.89% Georgia, 4.56% Arizona, 2.18% Arizona State
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 7 Missouri | 197.510 | 197.229 | 198.100 | Floor | Emily Innes, UW (BB, FX) |
| No. 10 Georgia | 197.210 | 196.961 | 197.975 | Vault | Alana Laster, Ill St (VT, FX), Sara Wabi, Ill St (UB), Chelsea Hallinan, UW (BB) |
| No. 21 Arizona | 196.525 | 196.131 | 196.775 | Bars | Jaye Mack, Ill St (VT, FX), Taylor Russon, UW (UB, BB) |
| No. 26 Arizona State | 196.310 | 196.000 | 196.800 | Beam | Mary McDonough, UW (AA) |
Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
The Path to Forward
Missouri
Season Spotlight
Missouri has proven it belongs in the top half of the highly competitive SEC this season. The Tigers have had a year for the record books, including the program’s first 198 against Auburn and their first appearance in the night session of SECs. With this being the last season for a star-studded senior class, Missouri will be hungry to add another nationals run to its list of accolades.
What It’ll Take
This Missouri roster is full of stars, including gymnasts with 10.0s to their names on all four events. The high scoring potential is there, but it’s critical for the first half of each lineup to hit well and set up the back half for massive numbers. Missouri should easily advance to the final if it competes its normal gymnastics. However, with Oklahoma nearly guaranteed for one of the two nationals spots, Missouri will need to fend off the likes of Georgia and Auburn, which are capable of surpassing it.
Georgia
Season Spotlight
After several years at the bottom of the SEC, Georgia has had a renaissance season under new head coaches Cécile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts, ending the regular season ranked No. 10 and earning a regionals seed. However, a shaky performance at SECs suggests the GymDogs could be vulnerable to an upset if they are not careful.
What It’ll Take
Beam is critical for Georgia. If the GymDogs hit that event—particularly if Lily Smith and Kara Eaker can reach the high scores they’re capable of—their chances of advancing are much higher. Facing a likely three-way battle with Missouri and Auburn for the second nationals berth, Georgia will not be able to afford anything less than its very best gymnastics.
Arizona
Season Spotlight
Arizona has been quietly cruising this season, with a statement road win over in-state rival Arizona State and a second-place finish at the Big 12 championship behind Utah. If it can continue March’s high-scoring streak, Arizona can prove itself to be a contender.
What It’ll Take
Arizona has a lower scoring ceiling on vault, but it can contend on the other three events. Breaking 49 on vault and posting a high floor mark are typically key to the Wildcats’ success. Arizona is led by a trio of all-arounders—Alysen Fears, Abigayle Martin, and Emily Mueller—and if all three of them are at their best, Arizona has a chance to upset Georgia.
Arizona State
Season Spotlight
Arizona State has had a patchy season, with highs like a 196.800 at California and lows like its first dual-meet loss to Arizona since 2016. This loss, combined with a sub-196 score at the Big 12 championship, means Arizona State is yet to prove it can hit its best gymnastics in high-pressure meets, although the talent of its roster cannot be denied.
What It’ll Take
Arizona State will probably need some help from its competitors if it wants to qualify to the regional final, but it can make its job easier by sticking vaults and going five for five on beam. If the fifth-year trio of Sarah Clark, Jada Mangahas, and Emily White can deliver the big scores they’re capable of, Arizona State could have a chance.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
If Missouri does not go to the big dance, Amari Celestine is a strong contender for heading to Fort Worth as an individual. She’s far and away the top all-arounder in this session and the top non-Sooner at the regional. Arizona State’s Emily White also has a chance with a strong performance in this session; on her best day, she’s competitive with the likes of Celestine.
Vault
Missouri’s Jocelyn Moore has the only 9.975 vault this year from anyone in this session; if the Tigers don’t advance, she has a good shot. Likewise, her teammate Hannah Horton topped out at a 9.950 and had a very strong stretch of vaults from early February to mid-March. GymDog Nyla Aquino also has a strong chance, although she has been more inconsistent at the pinnacle of scoring; it’ll take her best day.
Bars
Mara Titarsolej is the best bar worker in this session and has a strong chance to advance if Missouri does not. Lily Smith is right on her heels and should put up a good case for herself as well. It might take a 9.975 or 10.0 to move out of this regional on bars.
Beam
Tiger Helen Hu is the beam queen of the session and is the most likely contender to advance if Missouri misses (by a sliver, even if Oklahoma stays home); she has the only 10.0 on beam at this regional site. Lily Smith is a contender here, too, though she hasn’t been at her best in March. Smith’s teammate Anya Turner is also in the mix; her NQS is lower than Hu’s and Smith’s, but she nabbed a 9.975—at Missouri no less—in February.
Floor
If Missouri doesn’t advance, half of its lineup will be vying for the individual floor spot: Kennedy Griffin has a 10.0 to her name, Amari Celestine is right behind her with a 9.975, and Jocelyn Moore has a 9.950 high but a stronger average and NQS than her teammates. For the GymDogs, both Lily Smith and Nyla Aquino have been near-perfect and will put up strong fights.
Dark Horses
Though the individual path is undoubtedly the most challenging, Redbird teammates Alana Laster and Jaye Mack are not out of the conversation to advance on vault when either is at their best. Both have stickable Yurchenko one and a halves, and both have scored a 9.925 this year. Arizona’s Emily Mueller had a lights-out beam set for a 9.950 in January; if she can replicate that, she could stun the field.
Round 2, Session 2
Friday, April 4 at 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 99.99% Oklahoma, 90.77% Auburn, 8.71% Nebraska, 0.48% Illinois/0.05% UC Davis
By the Numbers
| Team | NQS | Average | High Score | Starting Event | Individuals with Team |
| No. 2 Oklahoma | 198.040 | 197.908 | 198.475 | Floor | |
| No. 15 Auburn | 197.170 | 196.873 | 197.750 | Vault | Megan Ray, UCD (VT) |
| No. 20 Nebraska | 196.535 | 196.108 | 196.750 | Bars | Keanna Abraham, UCD (VT, FX)/Arielle Ward, ILL (VT), Makayla Green, ILL (UB), Olivia Coppola, ILL (BB) |
| No. 29 Illinois OR No. 35 UC Davis | 196.205 | 195.606 | 196.675 | Beam | Chloe Cho, ILL (AA)/Amelia Moneymaker, UCD (AA) |
| 195.870 | 194.865 | 196.400 |
Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.
The Path to Nationals
Oklahoma
Season Spotlight
Oklahoma has been dominant all season, but a shaky (by its standards) performance at the SEC championship means it comes into regionals ranked at No. 2 rather than the No. 1 spot it enjoyed for all of the regular season. Head coach KJ Kindler has relied heavily on a quintet of all-arounders this season, meaning depth is a lingering question going into the postseason.
What It’ll Take
If it performs its “normal” gymnastics, Oklahoma should cruise to nationals. However, as last year’s national semifinals proved, Oklahoma is not immune to postseason slips. A dominant win in this regionals session should help the Sooners put SECs behind them and gear up to contend for another national title.
Auburn
Season Spotlight
Auburn has faced its share of adversity this season, including Achilles tears to star freshman Katelyn Jong and fifth-year all-arounder Olivia Hollingsworth. However, the team proved it can battle through these challenges and stayed consistent even without these key players. However, Auburn comes into regionals needing to rebound from a difficult performance at SECs.
What It’ll Take
If Auburn opens the door even slightly, it will be vulnerable to an upset by Nebraska. Assuming the Tigers make it to the regional final, they will need to be perfect to have a chance at overcoming both Missouri and Georgia to qualifying to nationals. High scores from Paige Zancan on the leg events and Olivia Greaves on bars will be crucial.
Nebraska
Season Spotlight
This year, Nebraska has benefited massively from the leadership of fifth-year Sophia McClelland and senior Emma Spence, with both having shone in the all-around. However, Nebraska’s best scores came in February, leaving it an open question as to whether the Huskers peaked too early.
What It’ll Take
Nebraska can maximize its potential by going lights-out on beam and floor, the two events where it typically has the highest scoring potential. However, Auburn will likely need to stumble for Nebraska to have a chance of qualifying to the regional final.
Individuals Who Could Steal a Spot
All-Around
In the unlikely event Oklahoma misses qualifying, its top all-arounders will be battling for a spot. Jordan Bowers leads her teammates, with Faith Torrez right on her heels. Assuming the Sooners advance, Emma Spence is the top contender in this session, with Chloe Cho just behind her.
Vault
Faith Torrez is the top vaulter at this regional; if the Sooners don’t advance, she has the best shot, followed by Keira Wells and Lily Pederson. The top gymnast not from Oklahoma in session two is Auburn’s Paige Zancan, who scored a 9.975 in March.
Bars
Oklahoma’s top bar worker is also the best in the nation: Audrey Davis. She will likely head to Fort Worth if the Sooners do not. Nearly the entire Oklahoma lineup could contend behind her. Emma Spence’s 9.975 Big Ten title-winning set puts her in the top contenders. Auburn’s Alex Irvine and Olivia Greaves have big scores that put them in the conversation, too.
Beam
Faith Torrez is the top beamer in the Washington regional, followed by her teammate Jordan Bowers. Just about any Sooner could put up the right routine on the day and advance if the team does not, though. Gabby McLaughlin leads the Tigers and has a 9.975 this season; she’s the top non-Oklahoma contender. Her teammate Paige Zancan and Illini Chloe Cho are just a step behind.
Floor
As is the theme in this session, if the Sooners don’t advance, they will likely take the individual spot on floor: Faith Torrez and Jordan Bowers lead Oklahoma here. Sophia McClelland is the top non-Sooner in the session on the heels of an incredible March. Auburn’s Sophia Groth and UC Davis’ Amelia Moneymaker are at the same level, with recent 9.950s.
Dark Horses
Amelia Moneymaker has been less consistent than the other top all-arounders in this session, but at her best, she can be competitive with the top group. Makayla Green has quietly put herself in the mix on bars; she has had a very consistent season and had a 9.925 at Big Tens. Beam is going to be competitive, but Sophia McClelland could take the top spot on her best day; she has two 9.950s this year.
Round Three
Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Prediction: 99.24% Oklahoma, 69.51% Missouri, 18.96% Georgia, 12.26% Auburn, 0.02% Nebraska, 0.01% Arizona
| Vault | NQS 3 |
| Bars | NQS 1 |
| Beam | NQS 4 |
| Floor | NQS 2 |
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Article by Emily Minehart and Naomi Stephenson
