The world of college gymnastics never truly stops, even in the offseason. One week can bring a whirlwind of news, from seismic shifts in coaching lineups to athletes unveiling jaw-dropping new skills in training. It’s easy to miss a beat, but don’t worry—we have you covered. This is your weekly dose of everything you need to know from the gymternet, delivering the biggest headlines, crucial updates, and stories you might have missed. Let’s dive into the week’s action!
Top Storylines
Current, Former NCAA Stars Announce 2028 Olympics Plans
Multiple current and former NCAA gymnasts are announcing their plans to train for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Stanford sophomore Levi Jung-Ruivivar will seek to qualify for her second Olympics representing the Philippines. UCLA sophomore Tiana Sumanasekera will continue her elite career representing Sri Lanka after being named a non-travelling alternate to the 2024 U.S. team.
Perhaps most surprisingly, former UCLA star Katelyn Ohashi is making an elite comeback, making her debut at the American Classic. Another potential comeback to watch is recent Florida graduate Riley McCusker’s; she’s posted several bars training blogs in the last few weeks. McCusker’s Florida teammates Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong will make elite returns of their own at this weekend’s U.S. Classic, competing alongside Ohashi, Florida freshman Simone Rose, Oklahoma freshmen Evey Lowe and Izzy Stassi, UCLA freshman Zoey Molomo, and former Oregon State gymnast Jade Carey.
Texas State Names Brown as Head Coach
With its first season of competition less than two years away, Texas State announced Penn State’s Sarah Brown as its head coach and inaugural member of the coaching staff. Brown coached at Penn State for nine seasons and was previously the head coach at Eastern Michigan.
Transfer & Eligibility Updates
Incoming Transfers
- BYU senior Alilah Alvarado transferred to UCLA for her final season of eligibility. She competed on bars and beam as a Cougar.
- Illinois sophomore Ava Banks transferred to California. She contributed on floor for the Illini in 2026. Her junior teammate Kennedy Brown transferred to Towson.
- Arizona State junior Tiara Platkin transferred to Pennsylvania. She contributed on bars and floor in her first two seasons in college.
- Former Iowa State gymnast Aubree Guinee transferred to Nebraska after previously announcing her transfer to Minnesota.
- Illinois State junior Jada Beswick transferred to Washington. Beswick redshirted her freshman season with the Redbirds and was a bars specialist in the last two. Joining Beswick in Seattle will be Boise State senior Anna Ferguson, who will compete for a fifth year of eligibility with the Huskies.
- Former Iowa State gymnast Chloe Hammond transferred to Rutgers. Hammond was a junior in 2026.
- Utica junior Emmy Graff transferred to Kent State for her final two seasons of eligibility. Graff qualified for NCGA nationals as an individual in her freshman year.
- San Jose State sophomore Brianna Baechle transferred to Oshkosh. Baechle did not compete in her freshman season.
Coaching & Staff News
- Ohio State assistant coach Makayla Curtis joined Illinois State’s staff in the same role.
- N.C. State assistant coach Emily Gaskins is leaving the coaching staff after three seasons. Replacing her on the staff will be former Rutgers gymnast Avery Balser.
- Former Ohio State gymnast Mallory Gregory joined the Buckeyes’ staff as an assistant coach and director of operations.
- Former Auburn gymnast and club coach Megan Walker Thigpen was named as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s.
- Former Arizona assistant coach Kylie Kratchwell was named associate head coach at New Hampshire, her alma mater.
- Boise State graduate assistant and former gymnast Adrianna Popp was named as an assistant coach for her program.
- Former Illinois assistant coach Abby Mueller is joining Utah State’s staff in the same role.
- Recent Rutgers graduate Gabrielle Dildy will remain with the team as a student assistant coach.
- SEMO assistant coach Keira Boetel is leaving the coaching staff after two seasons.
- Ball State assistant coach Scott Wilson is leaving the coaching staff after 10 seasons.
- Oshkosh volunteer assistant coach Rahdea Jarvis was promoted to assistant coach. Former Titan gymnast Amaya McConkay joined the coaching staff as a “part-time coach.”
- Former Greenville men’s gymnast Ethan Poole is joining Centenary’s staff as an assistant coach.
Training Updates
New Skills Spotted
- UCLA junior Macy McGowan is training a double-twisting Yurchenko vault.
- Auburn junior Bryn Bartman is training a Van Leeuwen on bars. Senior teammate Olivia Greaves is training a double layout dismount on the event.
Fifth Year Returns
Rehab Progress
- Auburn senior Kaylee Bluffstone underwent ankle surgery. Bluffstone competed two vaults for the Tigers in 2026.
- Northern Illinois sophomore Avery Riiff underwent surgery for a broken pelvis.
- Boise State sophomore Nesia Bat Yehudah is training beam after undergoing surgery prior to the 2026 season that kept her out of competition.
- Southern Utah sophomore Emily Countryman medically retired. She did not compete in 2026.
- Taylor McMahon, a freshman at Oregon State who had previously committed there but never appeared on the team’s roster, medically retired.
Recruiting Buzz
College gymnastics recruiting news moves fast! For in-depth coverage of commitments, signings, and all the latest recruiting developments, be sure to check out our weekly Recruiting Roundup.
Other Newsworthy Items
- Former Oklahoma gymnast Faith Torrez was nominated for the ESPY Award for Best College Athlete in the women’s sports category.
- Illinois junior Chloe Cho competed at the KBS Cup National Gymnastics Championships in South Korea.
- Springfield junior Abby Walters, Michigan freshman Lihie Raz, and Former Cortland gymnast Gabrielle Nadler competed at the Maccabiah Games in Israel.
- Southern Utah junior Vinciane Le Pen competed at the French National Team Championships.
- Northern Illinois will compete in the Mountain West conference starting this upcoming season.
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News curated by Katherine Weaver with assistance from the editors of College Gym News
