NCAA Women's Gymnastics: Four On The Floor!
NCAA Gymnastics Final: Oklahoma, Utah, UCLA, and Missouri Clash for Championship Title
The stage is set for the nail-biting final chapter of NCAA women's gymnastics as only four teams remain in the running for the crown. The 'Four on the Floor' NCAA National Championship promises a thrilling showdown on April 19 at 4 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC. Here's a lowdown on the teams gunning for glory:
Shocking Prospects
Dark horses Missouri Tigers are making history with their first-ever NCAA Championship appearance. Head Coach Shannon Welker's squad is set for the strongest final ranking in program history, having previously ranked fifth overall in 2022, just one rung shy of the Final Four.
Their unprecedented title run came down to the final routine, where senior standout Helen Hu scored an astounding 9.9875, clinching the win and becoming the first individual champion in Missouri's history[2].
Initially dismissing the "underdog" tag, the Tigers confidently claim, "out heart, out work, out team." And why not? After all, they're now sitting in the Final Four[4].
Odds Favored for the Sooners?
Oklahoma Sooners, seeded second, are eyeing redemption after missing the final due to a fluke vault rotation in 2024[5]. Boasting a meet-winning score of 197.550, the Sooners are 7-time champions over a decade and Jordan Bowers, their team leader, is on a hot streak winning her first NCAA all-around crown[4].
Title-favorites Utah Red Rocks and Bruins Square Off
Defending champions LSU and Florida are conspicuously absent from the Final Four, leaving Utah Red Rocks and UCLA Bruins to battle it out for the prestigious title.
Utah, a powerhouse program, is aiming for their first title in 30 years[5]. Carly Dockendorf, their coach, is justifiably proud, calling the team's qualification "a testament to their hard work." Meanwhile, UCLA Bruins are determined to clinch their first title since 2018, just a month after clinching their first Big Ten title[5].
Tune in to Find Out!
Don't miss the thrilling 2025 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship, airing live on ABC on April 19 at 4 p.m. ET. For more details, click here.
Sources:
- NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship
- "Missouri's Helen Hu makes history with beam title at NCAA Gymnastics Championships"
- "Hu wins beam title, Missouri first in program history at NCAA Gymnastics Championships"
- "Missouri Gymnastics Rejects Underdog Title, Sets Sights on Being 'Undeniable'"
- "NCAA Women's Gymnastics: Four Teams Remain After Semifinal Drama"
- The Oklahoma Sooners, who have a strong chance for redemption after a missed finish in the 2024 championship due to a vault routine glitch, have been favored by many for this year's NCAA gymnastics title, with their team leader, Jordan Bowers, fresh from winning the NCAA all-around crown.
- Jordan Chiles, a key figure on the UCLA Bruins team, will be tumbling in her routine as the Bruins and Utah Red Rocks prepare for a riveting showdown at the NCAA gymnastics championship, vying for the coveted title and looking to make history.
- Missouri gymnastics coach Carly Dockendorf expressed enduring pride as the Missouri Tigers prepared for the NCAA gymnastics championship, citing their qualification as a testament to their hard work and a historic moment for the program that clinched its first-ever appearance in the big event.
