NCAA Pre-Season 2025-2026

[rlayt]

Can we chat about what we hope to see, how to watch, who to watch?

I haven’t seen much but I’ve been off of social media a lot. I wonder how Tiana looks at UCLA?

Can we talk now and here about how to watch college gymnastics? https://collegegymnews.com/2025/01/01/how-to-watch-college-gymnastics-in-2025/

 

[blake]

Way early, but I predict top 5 at the end of regular season to be LSU, UF, OU, UCLA, and Utah in some order. I don't think any other teams can match their scoring potentials barring upsets, but I think there's been an upset in every regionals since the new format started in 2019, so never say never. I think Bama, MSU, and Arkansas have strong potential to advance to nationals.

I would love to see Stanford make it to Nationals again. And then Cal is a completely different team this year, so I'm curious to see how they fare. I'll also be watching to see how Iowa does in their second season with Jen Llewellyn - they have a strong freshman class coming in.

 

[cuuf]

The host sites for regionals are LSU, Kentucky, Arizona State and Oregon State. So obviously LSU will go through, Kentucky I could see being a "surprise" as a result of them hosting. I dont see Arizona state or oregon state with the firepower to pull a surprise. So OU, LSU, Florida, Utah.

My stretch predictions: UCLA will have a dissapointing season, not a bad one mind you, just not where the general expectations are given last year. They lost A LOT of scoring from that senior class, and while the freshman are talented and they get perhaps a slightly distracted Chiles back, I just dont see it that many freshman scoring at that level to match the those top 4.

I also think Alabama is going to surprise and make evening SEC session.

 

[irichluck21]

Auburn is going to be a sleeper in the SEC.

It will be interesting to see who qualifies to regionals in those last few spots based on the new formula for NQS.

 

[RedBirdie]

Spencer has his annual rosters and depth charts up

NCAA Rosters and Depth Charts — 2026

Visit the post for more.

balancebeamsituation.com

 

[david]

The host sites for regionals are LSU, Kentucky, Arizona State and Oregon State. So obviously LSU will go through, Kentucky I could see being a "surprise" as a result of them hosting. I dont see Arizona state or oregon state with the firepower to pull a surprise. So OU, LSU, Florida, Utah.

My stretch predictions: UCLA will have a dissapointing season, not a bad one mind you, just not where the general expectations are given last year. They lost A LOT of scoring from that senior class, and while the freshman are talented and they get perhaps a slightly distracted Chiles back, I just dont see it that many freshman scoring at that level to match the those top 4.

I also think Alabama is going to surprise and make evening SEC session.

I agree that if UCLA ends up exclusively relying on their freshman to fill in the blanks from last year's graduates, they could struggle. I think they're going to need help from folks in other classes to fill some of those holes. What I've seen from preseason videos that's looking encouraging is improvements from Rosen (Y1.5 is back and looking good), Barros (looking strong and upgraded on bars, beam and floor), Alipio (adding bars - only seen the dismount but its a beautiful giant full connected to toe on front tuck half), and Hoffman (nice Y1.5). Also, if Fujisaka is healthy and back to where she was pre-injury, she could add to the slate of new routines across multiple events. Even if they just get her back on UB that would be a big boost to that lineup.

 

[irichluck21]

UCLA's freshman class is ridiculously talented and will fill in many holes.
Sullivan in the AA. Sumanasekera on VT/BB/FX, Matthews on UB/BB/FX, Eichman on UB.

I think they will be just fine, but definitely not top 2 like last year.
I think they will make Nationals and have an outside chance at Final Four.
Certainly in the same boat as Utah.

If I had to guess my top 4 it would be Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, and Michigan State.

 

[BB12]

I really like Bama's roster this year. I have them as the 4th team in the SEC evening session.

 

[Beamer]

I am still just gutted for Cal. Losing their fantastic head coaches is devastating.

On top of that, they lost top AAers Mya Lauzon, Maddie Williams, and Ella Cesario to graduation. Plus specialist Jordan Kane.

And they lost eMjae Frazier to Florida.

Lauzon and Frazier were Cal's best gymnasts. Williams and Cesario were their 3rd and 4th most important scoring contributors last year.

They have a relatively small freshman class and a small roster. Basically, they will be relying mostly on gymnasts who haven't competed much or at all in the past. Asking gymnasts who competed one event in the past to now compete three or four events.

On the bright side:

Hopefully fully healed from her injury, Ondine Achampong can be Cal's new star. I'm also really excited that Mya Lauzon was just hired as an Assistant Coach. Her energy, positivity, and ability to relax and have fun are all amazing. I think she has a lot of potential as a coach.

 

[Beamer]

I thought it would be helpful to see exactly who UCLA gained and lost.

From last year, UCLA lost:

Chae Campbell
Emma Malabuyo
Brooklyn Moors
Emily Lee
Frida Esparza
Paige Anastasi
Clara Wren

And this year they gained:

Tiana Sumanasekera
Ashley Sullivan
Nola Matthews
Jordis Eichman
Kai Mattei
Ava Callahan

I'd say those groups are roughly equivalent. But freshmen often have to grow into NCAA gymnastics while seniors are often at their best.