Oklahoma Overcomes the Past and Captures Seventh NCAA Gymnastics Title in Joyful Comeback

The Oklahoma Sooners entered the 2025 NCAA gymnastics championships with a lingering sting from their early exit in 2024. That unexpected stumble denied them a shot at a three-peat and fueled a season of determination. Coach K.J. Kindler revealed that the team endured a year of constant reminders of their failure, receiving criticism and reliving their mistakes.

But on championship day, Oklahoma silenced the doubters by clinching the NCAA women’s team title with a score of 198.0125 — edging out UCLA by 0.4 points — marking their third national title in four years and seventh since 2014.

Despite the prevailing narrative of redemption, Kindler emphasized that the team’s focus was never about righting past wrongs. She shared that their internal theme wasn’t redemption, even though last year’s failure continued to follow them.

Kindler acknowledged the pain of their previous loss but framed it as part of the journey — a failure that tested their resilience. She highlighted the strength in rising after a fall, a sentiment that defined the Sooners’ path to their 2025 triumph.

Strong Start on Beam Set the Pace for Dominant, Joyful Championship Performance

Oklahoma opened their championship run on balance beam, traditionally one of the most nerve-wracking events, and delivered under pressure. Freshman Lily Pederson rebounded from a semifinal fall to score a 9.9375, leading the way for a near-flawless team performance.

Their beam total of 49.6125 tied them with UCLA early, but the Sooners pulled ahead in the second rotation and never relinquished the lead. Senior Audrey Davis credited their success to consistency and composure, saying the team stayed grounded in its daily routines and avoided unnecessary pressure.

By the time Oklahoma reached their final event — uneven bars — they were already enjoying the moment, dancing between rotations and clearly sensing victory. Although UCLA mounted a late push with standout performances on beam, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sooners’ commanding lead.

The Bruins still celebrated their best finish since 2019, with Jordan Chiles earning the top all-around score. Meanwhile, Missouri edged out Utah for third place, leaving the Red Rocks visibly emotional after the score revision bumped them to fourth.

Fueled by Past Pain, the Sooners Eye an Even Brighter Future Ahead

The Sooners admitted that last year’s collapse was a driving force throughout the 2025 season. Despite holding the top rank for much of the year, the team saw themselves as underdogs.

They were haunted by the previous year’s vault errors that led to their semifinal exit, and Kindler expressed relief when they advanced to the final without incident. The elimination of defending champion LSU also removed a major obstacle, allowing Oklahoma to focus purely on their performance in the final round.

Oklahoma’s seventh title ties them with UCLA for third-most in NCAA history, behind only Georgia and Utah. While the team will say goodbye to key seniors like Davis and Bowers, they retain a core group of talented underclassmen, including Faith Torrez and Lily Pederson.

In a heartening announcement, Danae Fletcher, sidelined most of the season with ACL injuries, confirmed she’ll return for a fifth year. With their depth and momentum, the Sooners look poised to remain national contenders in 2026 and beyond.