Thrilling Upsets and Historic Firsts: NCAA Gymnastics Semifinals Recap
FORT WORTH, Texas — The NCAA gymnastics semifinals at Dickies Arena on Thursday were nothing short of a spectacle, with eight teams vying for a coveted spot in Saturday’s final. The day was filled with drama, surprises, and standout performances, culminating in a stunning upset of the defending champion LSU. As the dust settled, four teams emerged victorious: Oklahoma, Utah, UCLA, and Missouri, setting the stage for an electrifying conclusion to the 2025 season.
LSU, the reigning 2024 champions, entered the semifinals with high expectations, having finished the regular season ranked No. 1 and clinching the SEC conference title last month. However, the Tigers were left reeling after a narrow defeat by UCLA, who edged them out by just .2125 of a point. The final scores flashed on the arena’s screens, sealing LSU’s fate and leaving the team visibly devastated. Utah claimed the session victory, finishing .2375 of a point ahead of LSU.
UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald summed up the intensity of the competition, saying, “Tonight’s competition was absolutely everything you can hope for in a national championship. It was so neck and neck and just such a fight for every single event and every single routine. It was an incredible meet to be a part of.”
Florida, ranked No. 3 in the regular season, also faced disappointment as they finished third in the first session, ending their championship hopes prematurely.
Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers shone brightly, capturing the all-around title with a score of 39.7125, narrowly defeating Utah’s Grace McCallum, fellow Sooner Faith Torrez, and Oregon State’s Jade Carey.
For those who missed the action, here’s a breakdown of the standout moments and event champions from Thursday’s semifinals.
Return of the Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners entered Thursday’s first semifinal with a sense of determination, knowing all eyes were on them. Last year’s semifinals saw the team aiming for a third consecutive NCAA team title, only to be thwarted by three significant landing errors on vault. The memory of that upset lingered, with head coach K.J. Kindler reflecting on the 364 days since, filled with reminders of the competition.
In a twist of fate, the Sooners had to conclude Thursday’s meet on vault. However, Torrez and Bowers, the team’s two all-arounders who struggled on the event last year, remained unfazed. Their resilience paid off, as Oklahoma recorded a session-best 49.2750 on vault, clinching the first semifinal with a score of 197.5500. Bowers, a senior and the anchor on the event, achieved a team-high 9.8875, the second-highest score in the first semifinal.
Bowers and Torrez also dazzled on the floor, each scoring 9.95s, propelling the team forward in their quest for a seventh national championship.
Kindler addressed last year’s disappointment in her opening comments to the media, stating, “I don’t ever want to see TV footage of Oklahoma falling over again on vault. That dragon is slayed and we’re past it.” She acknowledged the team’s performance wasn’t their best, emphasizing the need to compete with more freedom and faith.
History for Missouri
Missouri made history on Thursday, advancing to the final for the first time. Their previous best result at NCAA championships was a fifth-place finish. The Tigers’ success was fueled by standout performances and the meet-clinching heroics of Helen Hu.
In the final rotation, Missouri faced a tense battle with Florida, closing out the day on beam. Hu, a beam specialist who returned to the team for a fifth year after taking 2024 off, delivered a nearly flawless routine, earning a 9.9875. Her performance secured Missouri’s second-place finish and their first-ever ticket to the final. Hu also claimed the NCAA beam title.
The team erupted in celebration as Hu’s score appeared on the jumbotron, and again when Florida’s final score was revealed. Missouri edged Florida with a score of 197.3000 to 197.200.
Hu later shared her mindset, saying, “I just go in, this is my beam routine, whether we need it or we don’t, I’m going to go up and do what I always do.” She expressed shock and joy at the outcome, acknowledging the team’s collective effort.
Head coach Shannon Welker, joking about renegotiating his contract, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “I really felt like this was a special team this year, and we had an opportunity to be the best team in the University of Missouri gymnastics history.”
Battle for the Night
The night session was a nail-biter, with Utah, UCLA, LSU, and Michigan State all within .1875 of a point entering the final rotation. Utah, UCLA, and LSU were separated by just .0750 of a point, creating an electric atmosphere in the arena.
Utah and UCLA emerged victorious, thanks to Utah’s strong performance on bars and UCLA’s impressive showing on beam. McCallum closed it out for Utah with a 9.9625, while Emma Malabuyo delivered a 9.975 for UCLA.
Utah’s Amelie Morgan emphasized the team’s confidence, saying, “I think it is always a thing in gymnastics, ‘Keep your eyes on your own team and don’t care about anyone else,’ but at a certain point, you realize it’s pretty close.”
Both Utah and UCLA, with nine and seven NCAA championships respectively, are back in familiar territory, eager to claim the ultimate prize on Saturday. Utah’s last title was in 1995, while UCLA’s was in 2018.
Event Champions
In addition to Bowers’ all-around victory and Hu’s beam triumph, three other gymnasts claimed individual NCAA titles on Thursday.
- LSU’s Kailin Chio, despite the team’s overall disappointment, secured the top spot on vault with a 9.975 for her Yurchenko 1.5.
- UCLA’s Jordan Chiles, a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist, took home the uneven bars title with a near-perfect 9.975.
- Brooklyn Moors, Chiles’ teammate and fellow Olympian, earned her first national championship with a sensational floor routine, scoring 9.9625.
Moors described the individual honor as a “cherry on top,” emphasizing the team’s focus on Saturday’s final.
Originally Written by: D’Arcy Maine
