NCAA gymnastics is one of the most thrilling and physically demanding sports in college athletics. Both men’s and women’s gymnastics showcase incredible strength, precision, and artistry in a highly competitive environment.
This guide will break down how NCAA gymnastics works, the structure of the season, and the top teams to watch in the 2024-25 season.
How NCAA Gymnastics Works: Events and Scoring
NCAA gymnastics consists of different apparatuses for men and women, but both are judged on difficulty, execution, and artistry.
Women’s Gymnastics Events (4 Events)
Women’s gymnastics follows the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Code of Points, with four events:
Vault (VT): High-speed flips and twists after launching off a springboard.
Uneven Bars (UB): A routine filled with swings, handstands, and dismounts on two bars.
Balance Beam (BB): A test of balance and poise on a narrow, 4-inch-wide beam.
Floor Exercise (FX): A mix of tumbling, dance, and artistry set to music.
Men’s Gymnastics Events (6 Events)
Men’s gymnastics follows the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Code of Points, with six events:
Floor Exercise (FX): Powerful tumbling passes with strength and acrobatics.
Pommel Horse (PH): A challenging event requiring continuous circular motion and balance.
Still Rings (SR): Strength-based holds and controlled movements on suspended rings.
Vault (VT): Similar to women’s vault, but with more emphasis on power.
Parallel Bars (PB): A routine of swings, balances, and dynamic transitions.
High Bar (HB): High-flying releases and intricate swinging skills.
Scoring System
- Each routine starts with a Difficulty Score (D-score) and an Execution Score (E-score).
- The highest possible score for a routine is 10.0 (women) and varies in men’s gymnastics based on difficulty.
- The team score is calculated by summing up the top scores from multiple gymnasts in each event.
How the NCAA Gymnastics Season Works
The NCAA gymnastics season is divided into regular-season meets, conference championships, regionals, and nationals.
Regular Season (January – March)
- Teams compete in dual, tri, and quad meets.
- Meets are scored in head-to-head formats or as part of larger invitationals.
- Regular-season rankings determine regional qualifying spots.
Conference Championships (Mid-March)
- Teams compete within their respective conferences, such as:
- Women’s Gymnastics: SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, and EAGL.
- Men’s Gymnastics: Big Ten, MPSF, ECAC.
- Performances help determine NCAA Championship seeding.
NCAA Regionals (Late March – Early April)
- Women’s gymnastics has four regional sites where teams and individual gymnasts compete for spots at nationals.
- Men’s gymnastics determines individual and team qualifiers for the national championship.
NCAA Gymnastics Championships (Mid-April)
- Women’s Format: The top eight teams advance to nationals, culminating in the “Final Four”.
- Men’s Format: The top teams and individuals compete for national titles.
- The highest combined team score determines the national champions.
Top NCAA Gymnastics Teams to Watch in 2024-25
Women’s NCAA Gymnastics Powerhouses
Oklahoma Sooners 🏆🔴⚪
- Defending national champions and the most dominant team of the last decade.
- Known for flawless execution and depth across all four events.
- Why Watch? The Sooners are always a championship favorite.
Florida Gators 🐊🔵🟠
- Loaded with elite recruits and Olympians.
- Excels in floor and vault with high-powered tumbling.
- Why Watch? They consistently battle Oklahoma for the top spot.
LSU Tigers 🟣🟡
- Famous for their energetic floor routines and dynamic vaults.
- Always a contender for the “Final Four”.
- Why Watch? The Tigers have a passionate fanbase and electrifying routines.
Utah Utes 🏔️🔴
- One of the most historically successful programs in NCAA gymnastics.
- Balance beam specialists with a reputation for clutch performances.
- Why Watch? Utah is always a serious threat to win nationals.
Michigan Wolverines 🔵🟡
- Won the 2021 national championship with record-breaking performances.
- Consistently one of the best in vault and bars.
- Why Watch? Michigan remains a top-tier program year after year.
Men’s NCAA Gymnastics Powerhouses
Stanford Cardinal 🌲🔴
- Three-time defending national champions (2021-2023).
- Home to Olympic-level gymnasts and dominant in all six events.
- Why Watch? Stanford’s depth makes them nearly unbeatable.
Oklahoma Sooners 🔴⚪
- One of the most decorated programs in history.
- Consistently challenges Stanford for the title.
- Why Watch? The Sooners have a history of rising to the occasion.
Michigan Wolverines 🔵🟡
- A top program with strong pommel horse and vault routines.
- Always in contention for a national title.
- Why Watch? Michigan’s gymnasts are powerful and precise.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 🌽🔴
- A dark horse team that performs well in big meets.
- Known for powerful vaulting and rings performances.
- Why Watch? Nebraska has the talent to challenge top teams.
Illinois Fighting Illini 🔶🔷
- Historically strong on parallel bars and high bar.
- Produces consistent All-American gymnasts.
- Why Watch? Illinois has a strong mix of young and experienced gymnasts.
What Makes NCAA Gymnastics Special?
- Olympic-Level Talent: Many NCAA gymnasts go on to compete in international competitions, including the Olympics.
- Team & Individual Drama: Unlike elite international gymnastics, NCAA gymnastics focuses on team performance, creating high-energy meets and exciting rivalries.
- High-Energy Atmosphere: College gymnastics has electric crowds, high-energy floor routines, and passionate fan bases.
Twists, Flips, and Surprises
NCAA gymnastics is one of the most exciting, athletic, and artistic sports in college athletics. With dominant programs like Oklahoma, Stanford, and Florida battling for national titles, the 2024-25 season promises to be a thrilling one.
Learn more at: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/gymnastics-women
Women’s Gymnastics Primer: A Fusion of Grace, Power, and Artistry
The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day!