2024 Big 12 Women’s Gymnastics Preview: BYU joins while OU aims to keep top spot

Big 12 Women’s Gymnastics is growing this season with the addition of BYU. The Cougars join an already deep conference that includes reigning back-to-back national champs Oklahoma, Denver, Iowa State, and West Virginia.

The school transitions from the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference (MRGC), which was dissolved after the 2023 season as conference realignment began.

So how will BYU and the others factor into the Big 12 this season? Let’s take a look.

BYU

BYU made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament last season for its second postseason appearance in a row. Guard Young, who’s led the team since 2015, will see his team join the Big 12 firmly in the middle of the pack – behind consistent national finals contenders Oklahoma and Denver.

The Cougars are led by three fifth-years and four seniors with plenty of experience to impart on the nine incoming freshmen. They only lose two seniors, but that includes the Barbie girl herself: floor standout Rebekah Ripley.

West Virginia and Iowa State should prove to be formidable opponents for BYU, but it’ll be a steep, uphill battle to catch either of the conference leaders.

• Key Contributors: Elease Rollins, Sydney Benson, Anyssa Alvarado
• Key Newcomers: Ava Jorgensen, Alilah Alvarado, Hailey Openshaw
• Key Match-Ups: Best of Utah on January 15; BYU at Denver on February 23

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is the one to beat not just in the Big 12 but across the nation. The reigning back-to-back national champions undoubtedly want to three-peat and, statistically speaking, have an excellent shot with K.J. Kindler piecing together another powerhouse roster. The Sooners have one six of the last nine national titles and only lose three (including Olivia Trautman) while gaining a trio of strong freshmen, including five-star Hannah Scheible.

• Key Contributors: Jordan Bowers, Ragan Smith, Faith Torrez, Audrey Davis
• Key Newcomers: Hannah Scheible, Soraya Hawthorne (Georgia transfer)
• Key Match-Ups: Oklahoma vs. Utah, LSU, UCLA in the Sprouts Farmer’s Market Collegiate Quad on January 13

Denver

While Denver had an impressive run in 2023, making it to the NCAA semifinals, the team lost longtime star Lynnzee Brown in the offseason to graduation (Brown is now an assistant coach at Penn State). Still, the school has plenty of stars contributing to its No. 10 preseason ranking nationally, including senior and back-to-back Big 12 Gymnast of the Year Jessica Hutchinson and junior beam queen Momoko Iwai. The Pioneers gain four freshmen, including five-star Madison Ulrich. and four-star Maddison Reidenbach

• Key Contributors: Jessica Hutchinson, Momoko Iwai, Rylie Mundell
• Key Newcomers: Madison Ulrich, Maddison Reidenbach
• Key Match-Ups: Denver at Oklahoma on January 26; Denver at Michigan on March 15

Iowa State

Iowa State had a 19-year NCAA tournament appearance streak snapped in 2016 and since then has only gone dancing once – in 2022. So this year, it’s out with the hold and in with the new – head coach that is. Enter: Alabama alum, world medalist, and four-time NCAA champion Ashley Miles Greig, who took over the program after last season. The Cyclones lost a large senior class, including reigning Big 12 floor co-champion Maddie Diab, but they gain seven freshmen, including four-star Noelle Adams.

• Key Contributors: Jessica Hutchinson, Momoko Iwai, Rylie Mundell
• Key Newcomers: Noelle Adams, Paige Wills
• Key Match-Ups: Fisk MLK Meet on January 15; Iowa State at Boise State on February 2

West Virginia

West Virginia made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. This season, they lose three seniors but gain six freshmen (two three-stars). More than half of the Mountaineers’ roster is underclassmen, meaning its time to build on that NCAA bid, add depth, and strive to match or improve on the finish from last season.

• Key Contributors: Abbie Pierson, Brooke Alban, Kiana Lewis
• Key Newcomers: Jurnee Lane, Amber Lowe
• Key Match-Ups: West Virginia vs. Iowa State, Denver on February 18; West Virginia at Oklahoma on February 23