The Oklahoma Sooners have proven once again that in gymnastics, where precision and grace matter, their stuck landings are the hallmark of champions. At the NCAA gymnastics championships held in Fort Worth, Texas, they clinched their seventh national title, edging out the UCLA Bruins, who were led by Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles in a nail-biting competition that kept fans at the edge of their seats.
In a dramatic showdown, Oklahoma showcased their skill beginning on the balance beam, a routine that traditionally brings tension, even for the most seasoned athletes. But if there were any nerves floating about, they were expertly hidden as every score the Sooners posted on the beam was an impressive 9.900 or higher. Their confidence and execution laid the groundwork for a strong evening.
UCLA responded in kind, lighting up the floor exercise with powerful performances that had the crowd roaring. Chiles, anchored the Bruins with an exceptional score of 9.975 that tied the teams after the first rotation. These two powerhouses exhibited their talent early, setting the stage for what would be a thrilling night.
Among the competitors were five Olympians, featuring a lineup that highlighted the elite nature of the event. Alongside Chiles, we saw Grace McCallum from Utah, Team Canada’s Brooklyn Moors and Emma Malabuyo from UCLA, and Olympic bronze medalist Amelie Morgan from Utah. The presence of such accomplished gymnasts added an electric atmosphere to the finals.
As the competition progressed through the second and third rotations, Oklahoma began to carve out a margin over their rivals, asserting their dominance. While UCLA mounted a fierce charge during their beam routine, the Sooners sealed the victory with a phenomenal final performance on the uneven bars.
After the victory, Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers shared heartfelt reflections on the ABC broadcast, calling it “a fairy-tale ending.” She acknowledged the bitter memory of last year’s loss, emphasizing their growth and resilience throughout the season. Bowers, who also claimed the individual all-around title earlier in the competition, expressed her long-held dreams of moments like these since committing to Oklahoma at just 13 years old.
On the flip side, a twist of fate turned the night when McCallum fell off the balance beam during the second rotation. This uncharacteristic error proved costly for Utah, dashing their hopes of securing their first national championship since 1995.
In a surprising turn, the defending champions and top seed, LSU, did not advance beyond Thursday’s semifinal, trailing behind both UCLA and Utah. Meanwhile, Missouri made program history by reaching the finals for the first time, thanks in part to an impressive beam routine from fifth-year senior Helen Hu, who also captured the individual national title for that event. LSU’s promising freshman Kailin Chio took home the vault title, while Chiles brought home the uneven bars crown and her teammate Moors excelled on the floor exercise.
Chiles’ victory marked her as the first Bruin to win two national titles on the uneven bars. Jade Carey, Chiles’ Olympic teammate from Oregon State, was close to grabbing a share of the all-around title but ultimately settled for fourth due to an imperfect landing on the vault.
This year’s competition showcased one of the most closely contested finals in recent memory, exemplified by LSU’s narrow miss of the final four by a mere two-tenths of a point—a tight race that came down to just a single stuck landing. As Oklahoma celebrates their triumph, the gymnastics world is left in awe, eagerly anticipating what next season holds.
