Whether from injury or retirement, coming back from anything is a massive feat in and of itself. But, with program success on the line every week, certain injury returns prove to be incredibly impactful. This week’s power rankings examine which comeback athletes have been the most dynamic in the early 2026 season, and how their performances forecast the futures of their teams. This list does not include true freshmen, only those who have been on an NCAA roster and missed collegiate competition.
1. Lauren Williams, Arkansas
Competing just a single floor routine in 2025 before suffering her season-ending injury, Williams has returned in formidable fashion. With no less than a 9.850 over five appearances between vault and floor, while also hitting at least 9.900 on both, Williams’ return has the Razorbacks sitting in the top six and herself in the top five on vault, where she’s already hit for a near-perfect 9.975 on a stuck Yurchenko one and a half. Williams’ continued success on the leg events will be crucial to Arkansas’ hopes of ending its season in Fort Worth.
2. Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Stanford
Forgoing her freshman debut a season ago to focus on her personal health, Jung-Ruivivar has made a splash to begin 2026, helping put the Cardinal inside the top 10 to begin the season. With her vault debut still to come, Jung-Ruivivar has hit at least 9.825 across the other three events, with a best of 9.900 on bars, and has just a single routine in the 9.7s, showing signs of early consistency. That will be key in keeping Stanford in the hunt for a second trip to nationals in the last three seasons.
3. Hannah Scheible, Oklahoma
Absent throughout 2025, the former vault specialist has returned on bars and beam for the Sooners, with a trio of 9.900 or better scores across five performances so far. That includes a meet of misses, from which Scheible has bounced back, showing she has the grit that head coach KJ Kindler highly values. Knowing Scheible has the ability to also expand her role further with a booming front pike half on vault, she’ll continue to keep Oklahoma as a threat to repeat as national champions.
4. Courtney Blackson, LSU
Ranked in the top seven on bars to open her first season since 2024, Blackson’s return from retirement gives LSU a sturdy centerpiece for its bars lineup. She’s hit for a pair of 9.950s in just three appearances so far, and the former NCAA vault runner-up can still provide more as Blackson can expand upon her opening meet 9.825 on vault. The former Boise State Bronco and sneaky steal from the transfer portal projects to be a significant factor in the Tigers’ title hopes.
5. Kayla DiCello, Florida
One of the most highly anticipated comebacks, DiCello has already seen highs and lows to start 2026—hitting 9.900 already on bars and beam but also suffering from minor miscues. Yet to make her return on floor, DiCello has a career-best of 39.800 in the all-around, so when she is back to full strength, Florida will benefit immensely from her scoring potential and added depth to lineups.
6. Ava Piedrahita, Penn State
Injury sidelined Piedrahita from competition in 2025, but she has gotten 2026 off to a solid start with highs of 9.9s or better on vault and bars to help the Nittany Lions to an early-season No. 13 ranking. The former all-arounder is still working her way back on the other two events, but is showing that her resurgence could help Penn State be a dark-horse contender for a regionals seed.
7. Emily Leese, Rutgers
After missing out on the Scarlet Knights’ return to regionals after a decade’s absence last season due to injury, Leese has come back with a vengeance to help ensure she competes with Rutgers as a team in the postseason before she ends her career. Leese’s Yurchenko one and a half on vault—where she made her comeback with a 9.900—gives the Scarlet Knights much-needed difficulty, with her prowess on floor giving Rutgers depth on the leg events. Beam has been a struggle thus far, but Leese will be a factor in the Scarlet Knights’ postseason projections.
8. JerQuavia Henderson, Iowa
Without a competitive routine under her belt since the 2023 season, Henderson has been huge for the Hawkeyes to begin 2026, competing in the all-around in all four meets to open the year. While her most recent meet was a miss, Henderson opened the year with three four-event totals above 39.100, showcased a Yurchenko one and a half on vault (critical for Iowa’s lineup), and flaunted a full-in on floor, which has been a longtime familiar favorite for the gymternet. Henderson will be key in the Hawkeyes’ postseason prospects this season.
Next Up: Gianna Gerdes (Minnesota), Lauren MacPherson (Missouri), Sydney Barros (UCLA), Katelyn Jong (Auburn)
READ THIS NEXT: Questions, Comments, Concerns: Week 3
Article by Brandis Heffner
Missing Pitt’s Hallie Copperwheat from this list! She had shoulder surgery prior to the 2025 season and competed in about 3 meets before taking a medical redshirt for the remainder of her senior season. She’s back on 3 events this season and looking great!