2024 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Regionals Recap: Oklahoma headlines final 8 teams in quest for three-peat

By Gymnastics Now | April 7, 2024
2024 NCAA Women's Gymnastics trophy

The 2024 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Tournament began April 3-7, with the first three rounds happening at four predetermined regional sites (Michigan, Florida, Arkansas, and California).

Ultimately, two-time defending champion Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Alabama, LSU, California, Arkansas, and Stanford advanced to the national semifinals, with an additional 19 athletes qualifying as individuals.

Read on for our recap all three rounds of competition.

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NCAA semifinals set for Thursday, April 18

The final eight teams in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships are set for the national semifinals on Thursday, April 18 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, with the top two teams from each semifinal advancing to the Four on the Floor final on Saturday, April 20.

Session 1 will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET with second seed LSU, third seed California, 10th seed Arkansas, and unseeded Stanford facing off.

Session 2 will follow at 9:00 p.m. ET with first seed Oklahoma, fourth seed Florida, fifth seed Utah, and eighth seed Alabama battling for the final two spots.

The national championship will follow two days later that Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Individual national champions for all four events and the all-around will be decided during semifinal competition on Thursday, with competing athletes on all eight teams eligible for titles, as well as the below list of individual qualifiers from all four regionals.

California Regional

  • AA: Skylar Killough-Wilhelm (Washington)
  • VT: Anaya Smith (Arizona State)
  • UB: Jada Mangahas (Arizona State)
  • BB: Selena Harris (UCLA)
  • FX: Chae Campbell (UCLA)

Florida Regional

  • AA: Lily Smith (Georgia)
  • VT: Emma Silberman (Maryland)
  • UB: Mara Titarsolej (Missouri)
  • BB: Nikki Smith (Michigan State)
  • FX: Skyla Schulte (Michigan State)

Arkansas Regional

  • AA: Jade Carey (Oregon State)
  • VT: Mya Hooten (Minnesota)
  • UB: Courtney Blackson (Boise State)
  • BB: Isabella Magnelli (Kentucky)
  • FX: Raena Worley (Kentucky)

Michigan Regional

  • AA: Gabby Wilson (Michigan)
  • VT: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)
  • UB: Carly Bauman (Michigan)
  • BB: Amani Herring (Penn State)
  • FX: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

California Regional Final: Stanford upsets Denver after a 10 from Chloe Widner to advance with California

Stanford started the season with 193.625 against Michigan. Today, they went 197.600 to finish second at. the California regional final – 0.125 ahead of Denver (197.450) – to advance to the national semifinals for the first time since 2016.

It was Chloe Widner earning a perfect 10 on floor in the anchor spot of the fourth and final rotation that sealed the upset for unseeded Stanford over sixth seed Denver. The flawless mark is her first one floor and only the second 10 of her career on any event (her first came on beam earlier this season).

California won the meet with a 198.275 after Mya Lauzon put up a perfect mark of her own on vault, which was her first career 10 on the event and Cal’s first perfect score on any event ever in the postseason.

The Pioneers and Arizona State (196.750) were eliminated. Denver rebounded from falls on three events, thanks in large part to senior Jessica Hutchinson, who anchored the last two events with 9.95s, but it wasn’t enough.

California and Stanford will face LSU and Arkansas in the afternoon session of the national semifinals on Thursday, April 18.

With the Bears and Cardinal advancing, here are the individual athletes not on those teams who will compete in Fort Worth:

  • AA: Skylar Killough-Wilhelm (Washington)
  • VT: Anaya Smith (Arizona State)
  • UB: Jada Mangahas (Arizona State)
  • BB: Selena Harris (UCLA)
  • FX: Chae Campbell (UCLA)

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Florida Regional Final: Florida wins with 198.325, Utah edges Missouri after rough start on bars

It will be Florida (198.325) and Utah (197.575) advancing to face Oklahoma and Alabama in the national semifinals at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, in two week’s time.

The Gators were dominant at home, putting up 49.5+ scores on all four events. Meanwhile, Utah struggled on bars in the first rotation with just a 48.975 – their first 48 on any event all season – but they rebounded over the next three rotations to edge Missouri (197.325) by two-and-a-half tenths.

The Tigers and Michigan State (196.625) were eliminated, with the Spartans collapsing on beam to score just a 48.675.

With the Gators and Utes advancing, here are the individual athletes not on those teams who will compete in Fort Worth:

  • AA: Lily Smith (Georgia)
  • VT: Emma Silberman (Maryland)
  • UB: Mara Titarsolej (Missouri)
  • BB: Nikki Smith (Michigan State)
  • FX: Skyla Schulte (Michigan State)

Arkansas Regional Final: LSU goes 198.250 to easily advance as Arkansas upsets Kentucky

It will be LSU (198.250) and Arkansas advancing to the national semifinals out of the Fayetteville regional after the Razorbacks upset Kentucky in front of their home crowd, 197.825-197.475.

This will be Arkansas’ first nationals appearance as a team since making it to the semifinals in 2018.

The Wildcats and Minnesota (197.400) were eliminated.

Haleigh Bryant was outstanding in the regional final, putting up two perfect 10s on vault and bars to win the all-around with a 39.850.

With the Tigers and Razorbacks advancing, here are the individual athletes not on those teams who will compete in Fort Worth:

  • AA: Jade Carey (Oregon State)
  • VT: Mya Hooten (Minnesota)
  • UB: Courtney Blackson (Boise State)
  • BB: Isabella Magnelli (Kentucky)
  • FX: Raena Worley (Kentucky)

Michigan Regional Final: Oklahoma, Alabama easily advance to nationals

The Michigan regional final gave every team not named Oklahoma something to worry about when the back-to-back defending champs won with a 198.400 – nearly a point ahead of second place finisher Alabama (197.575).

Both teams will advance to nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, where they’ll compete in the national semifinals on Thursday, April 18, vying for a spot in the Four on the Floor team final on Saturday, April 20.

Ohio State (197.200) and Penn State (197.050) put up valiant efforts but were ultimately eliminated.

With the Sooners and Tide advancing, here are the individual athletes not on those teams who will compete in Fort Worth:

  • AA: Gabby Wilson (Michigan)
  • VT: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)
  • UB: Carly Bauman (Michigan)
  • BB: Amani Herring (Penn State)
  • FX: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

Reminder that individual qualifiers are based on Round 2 scores.

California Regional Round 2 Session 2: Cal, Stanford advance as Auburn falters

The steady No. 2/No. 3 team in the country all season long, Cal was expected to advance to the regional final, and the Bears easily did so with a 197.800.

What wasn’t expected was 14th seed Auburn faltering (196.800) and unseeded Stanford (197.600) instead running away in the second spot.

The Tigers and Southern Utah (196.475) were eliminated.

Auburn’s loss was particularly heartbreaking when graduate student Aria Brusch had a scary fall on bars (7.025). The score was ultimately dropped, but Brusch left the field of play briefly and returned with what appeared to be an injured hand/wrist.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The second session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: TIE Mya Lauzon (Cal), Anapaula Gutierrez (Stanford), Ellie Cacciola (Southern Utah) – 9.900
  • UB: TIE Andi Li (Cal), Chloe Widner (Stanford) – 9.950
  • BB: TIE Chloe Widner (Stanford), Mya Lauzon (Cal) – 9.950
  • FX: TIE Anna Roberts (Stanford), Chloe Widner (Stanford), eMjae Frazier (Cal) – 9.950
  • AA: Chloe Widner (Stanford) – 39.700

Florida Regional Round 2 Session 2: Florida dominates, Missouri edges Georgia

Florida advanced to the Gainesville regional final Friday night with a 197.925. Missouri (197.525) will join the Gators after edging Georgia by a tenth to advance.

The Bulldogs (197.425) and Iowa State (196.575) were eliminated.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

One Bulldog will definitely advance to nationals though; Lily Smith won the all-around in Session 2 with a 39.675. She ties Michigan State’s Nikki Smith for the regional title, but she will win the tie-breaker (best event score) to advance to nationals.

The second session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Victoria Nguyen (Florida) – 9.950
  • UB: TIE Anya Pilgrim (Florida), Lily Smith (Georgia) – 9.975
  • BB: Lily Smith (Georgia) – 9.950
  • FX: Victoria Nguyen (Florida) – 9.925
  • AA: Lily Smith (Georgia) 39.675

California Regional Round 2 Session 1: Arizona State knocks out UCLA, advances with Denver

After narrowly missing out on the Four on the Floor a season ago, UCLA will not advance out of the regional semifinals.

Denver (197.275) and Arizona State (197.150) edged the Bruins (197.050) to knockout the 11th seed. Washington was also eliminated with a 196.650.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The first session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Anaya Smith (Arizona State) – 9.900
  • UB: TIE Rylie Mundell (Denver), Emma Malabuyo (UCLA), Brianna Brooks (Utah State), Cienna Samiley (Arizona State), Jada Mangahas (Arizona State) – 9.900
  • BB: TIE Bella Mabanta (Denver), Jessica Hutchinson (Denver), Selena Harris (UCLA) – 9.950
  • FX: Brooklyn Moors (UCLA), Nya Reed (UCLA), Chae Campbell (UCLA), Skylar Killough-Wilhelm (Washington), Emily Innes (Washington), Jessica Hutchinson (Denver) – 9.950
  • AA: Skylar Killough-Wilhelm (Washington) – 39.550

Florida Regional Round 2 Session 1: Utah, Michigan State advance

Utah qualified first out of Florida Regional Round 2 Session 1 with a 197.825, followed by Michigan State with a 197.475. Both teams cruised through this regional semifinal, beating the other two teams by more than a point.

Maryland (196.350) and Towson (195.050) were eliminated.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The first session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Emma Silberman (Maryland) – 9.950
  • UB: Amelie Morgan (Utah) – 9.950
  • BB: Abby Paulson (Utah) – 9.975
  • FX: Jaylene Gilstrap (Utah) – 9.950
  • AA: Nikki Smith (Michigan State) – 39.675

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How individual qualifying is shaping up

Here’s where individual qualifying currently stands after Round 2 concluded in Arkansas and Michigan.

Reminder that qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after each regional final this weekend. We have to wait to see which teams are advancing before the advancing individuals are determined.

As it stands, here’s how things could hypothetically play out:

*Indicates athlete is guaranteed to advance no matter the regional final result.

Advancing from Arkansas Regional

If the highest ranked seeds, LSU and Kentucky, advance from the Arkansas regional, here’s who will qualify individually:

  • AA: Jade Carey (Oregon State) – 39.675*
  • VT: Mya Hooten (Minnesota) – 9.975
  • UB: Courtney Blackson (Boise State) – 9.950*
  • BB: Cally Swaney (Arkansas) – 9.925
  • FX: Mya Hooten (Minnesota) – 9.975

Advancing from Michigan Regional

If the highest ranked seeds, Oklahoma and Alabama, advance from the Michigan regional, here’s who will qualify individually:

  • AA: Gabby Wilson (Michigan) – 39.575
  • VT: Sierra Brooks (Michigan) – 9.925
  • UB: Carly Bauman (Michigan) – 9.950
  • BB: Amani Herring (Penn State) – 9.900
  • FX: Sierra Brooks (Michigan) – 9.925

Arkansas Regional Round 2 Session 2: LSU, Minnesota advance, Jade Carey wins all-around

LSU won Arkansas Round 2 Session 2 with a 197.800, advancing to the regional final alongside Minnesota, who finished second with a 196.950.

BYU (196.500) and Oregon State (196.450) were eliminated.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

That being said, Oregon State’s Jade Carey is guaranteed to qualify as an individual after winning the all-around (39.675), beam (9.950), and floor (10.000). Carey will qualify via the all-around, leaving the other four event spots to the top individuals on a non-advancing team, according to Round 2 scores, after Saturday’s regional final.

The second session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Mya Hooten (Minnesota) – 9.975
  • UB: Courtney Blackson (Boise State) – 9.950
  • BB: Jade Carey (Oregon State) – 9.950
  • FX: TIE Jade Carey (Oregon State), Aleah Finnegan (LSU) – 10.000

Michigan Regional Round 2 Session 2: Oklahoma dominates by more than a point, Ohio State advances over Illinois

Ohio State will join defending champ Oklahoma in the Michigan regional final after beating out Illinois by 0.225 to advance, 196.975-196.750.

The Sooners won Michigan Round 2 Session 2 with a 198.050 – more than a point ahead of the Buckeyes.

Illinois and NC State (195.950) were eliminated.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The second session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Kat LeVasseur (Oklahoma) – 9.950
  • UB: Jordan Bowers (Oklahoma) – 9.950
  • BB: Ragan Smith (Oklahoma) – 10.000
  • FX: Jordan Bowers (Oklahoma) – 9.950
  • AA: Jordan Bowers (Oklahoma) – 39.675

Rotation 4 notes:

  • NC State got back to the 49s with a 49.050 on beam, but it was too little, too late, as Ohio State and Illinois fought for the second spot into the regional final.
  • Ohio State had an excellent bars rotation to go 49.275 and advance.
  • Oklahoma recorded its third straight 49.5+ with a 49.525 on floor.

Rotation 3 notes:

  • Oklahoma’s Ragan Smith earns the first perfect 10 of regionals after another flawless score on beam. This is her second straight 10 on beam and millionth this season (jk, it’s her sixth in 2024 and 11th career).
  • The main battle of the final rotation is Ohio State vs. Illinois with the two separated by just 0.025 after the third. Illinois head to vault. Ohio State to bars.
  • NC State posted its second 48 of the night with a 48.925 and is seemingly out of contention for the regional final.

Rotation 2 notes:

  • NC State struggled compared to the rest of the field on vault, scoring a 48.825. They had to drop a 9.550 from Chloe Negrete.
  • OU had an excellent bars rotation, going 49.525 with three 9.9s: 9.9 from Kat LeVasseur, 9.925 from Audrey Davis, and 9.975 from Jordan Bowers.
  • Illinois is holding off Ohio State at the halfway point after a 49.250 on beam.
  • Ohio State made ground on the Illini with a 49.325 on floor, including 9.900s from Sidney Washington and Ella Hodges.

Rotation 1 notes:

  • 9.9s so far: Oklahoma’s Kat LeVasseur (9.950) and Hannah Scheible (9.900) on vault, Mia Takekawa (9.950) on bars
  • Every team had a fall in the first rotation except Ohio State (OU’s Ava Siegfeldt on vault, Illinois’ Lyden Saltness on bars, NC State’s Maddie Hall on floor). None counted.

California Regional Round 1: Southern Utah advances over San Jose State by 0.025 after Spartan beam catastrophe

After three rotations in Berkeley, San Jose State seemed to have the Round 1 play-in win over Southern Utah in the bag, but then beam came.

The Spartans gave up a nearly 1 point lead (0.9) when they had to count a fall on beam in the final rotation. The last two athletes in San Jose’s lineup fell, resulting in a 48.125 total. Meanwhile, Southern Utah put up its best apparatus total of the day with a 49.050 on floor.

Southern Utah will now face host and No. 3 seed California, No. 14 Auburn, and Stanford in Round 2 on Friday.

Since San Jose State failed to advance, the following athletes from the team will compete as individuals in Round 2 after qualifying via NQS:

  • Lauren Macpherson (all-around)
  • Jada Mazury (bars & floor)
  • Katherine Weyhmiller (beam)

Arkansas Regional Round 2 Session 1: Razorbacks, Wildcats cruise to regional final

Arkansas capitalized on the home field advantage and won the Fayetteville Round 2 Session 1 meet with a 197.325 – a new regional record for the team.

Kentucky will join the Razorbacks in the regional final after putting up a 197.100. They’ll face the top two from this evening’s meet between LSU, Minnesota, Oregon State, and BYU.

Nebraska (196.600) and Arizona (195.600) were eliminated.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The first session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Lauren Williams (Arkansas) – 9.950
  • UB: Kinsey Davis (Nebraska) – 9.925
  • BB: Cally Swaney (Arkansas) – 9.925
  • FX: Raena Worley (Kentucky) – 9.950
  • AA: Raena Worley (Kentucky) – 39.450

Florida Regional Round 1: Iowa State edges Clemson to advance

Iowa State beat new program Clemson in the Florida regional Round 1 play-in meet on Thursday, 195.875-195.625.

The Cyclones, led by first-year coach Ashley Miles Greig, had only one sub-49 score (48.600 on bars) while the Tigers went 48.375 on bars, having to count a 9.275, and 48.975 on beam.

Iowa State will now face No. 4 Florida, No. 13 Missouri, and Georgia on Friday in Round 2.

Since Clemson failed to advance, the following athletes from the team will compete as individuals in Round 2 after qualifying via NQS:

  • Rebecca Wells (all-around)
  • Molly Arnold (vault & floor)
  • Kielyn McCright (beam)
  • Brie Clark (floor)

Michigan Regional Round 2 Session 1: Penn State advances as Wolverines eliminated

2021 national champion and ninth-seeded Michigan was shockingly eliminated in the Ann Arbor regional semifinal on Thursday.

Eighth-seeded Alabama won Round 2 Session 1 in Ann Arbor with a 197.450, and Penn State finished second with a 196.925, besting Michigan (196.725) by two-tenths. Kent State was fourth in the quad meet with a 195.650.

Alabama and Penn State will now advance to the regional final against the top two from this evening’s meet between Oklahoma, NC State, Ohio State, and Illinois.

The top individual finishers on eliminated teams will now wait to see if they will advance to nationals. Qualifiers will be determined from Round 2 scores after the regional final this weekend.

The first session’s individual winners from all teams were:

  • VT: Gabby Wilson (Michigan) – 9.950
  • UB: Luisa Blanco (Alabama) – 9.950
  • BB: Ella Burgess (Alabama) – 9.925
  • FX: Sierra Brooks (Michigan) – 9.925
  • AA: Gabby Wilson (Michigan) – 39.575

Arkansas Regional Round 1: Chaos begins as BYU wins tie-breaker over Boise State

You read that right – BYU and Boise State tied with matching 195.750s on Wednesday during the Round 1 play-in meet at the Arkansas regional.

BYU won the tie-breaker, which is simply adding back in dropped scores. The Cougars’ dropped scores added up to a 37.900 to the Broncos’ 37.650.

BYU advances to the second round and will face No. 2 LSU, No. 15 Minnesota, and Oregon State on Thursday in Fayetteville.

Since Boise State failed to advance, the following athletes from the team will compete as individuals in Round 2 after qualifying via NQS:

  • Courtney Blackson (bars & floor)
  • Emily Lopez (bars & beam)
  • Emma Loyim (beam & floor)
  • Adriana Popp (beam)

Michigan Regional Round 1: Illinois bests Ball State by half a tenth to advance to the second round

Illinois beat Ball State, 195.825-195.775, on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the Michigan regional.

The teams were separated by just 0.025 after the second and third rotations, but Illinois was able to increase the lead to 0.050 thanks to a 49.000 on floor.

The Illini will now face No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 16 NC State, and Ohio State on Thursday in Ann Arbor.

Since Ball State failed to advance, the following athletes from the team will compete as individuals in Round 2 after qualifying via NQS:

  • Zoe Middleton (all-around)
  • Victoria Henry (vault)
  • Suki Pfister (vault & floor)
  • Ashley Szymanski (bars)
  • Megan Teter (bars)

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