Regionals brings the drama and the heartache — Utah gymnasts talk about their legacy

By the time you read this, we’ll know the sixteen teams who will compete in the NCAA regional finals. This is a good link to keep tabs on who will advance, who won’t and who won events and the all-around at each meet. 

At press time, the biggest upset was unseeded Denver edging out No. 13 Stanford at the Utah regional, but the even bigger news for Denver there may be that they tied Utah for the win. This is a team that has had the potential all year but did not fully put it together until it mattered the most. Stanford, which sneaked into the Four on the Floor last year, should be congratulated on a season very well done. 

Maryland made it out of the play-in against West Virginia to put up a strong fight at the Pennsylvania regional. They looked great all night, much better than their ranking would have suggested. 

The balance beam, that cruel mistress of our sport, killed Rutgers’ run at the Cinderella story of these regionals. Rutgers, which had not made regionals as a team in over a decade, secured a spot in the play-in round versus Clemson at the Tuscaloosa regional. Clemson was heavily favored but Rutgers led them for three rotations — and then, beam happened. As I’ve written before, I attend Rutgers and I’ve followed their story closely here all season. These women have been through a lot, and I’m so proud that they got to shine in Alabama. 

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We saw some amazing performances by a few individuals in the regionals matchups thus far. Maggie Slife for Air Force set a new school record in the all-around at the Utah regional, was part of a six-way tie for the bars title and narrowly missed securing a spot to advance. Skyelar Kerico also set an AA record for Penn at the Pennsylvania regional. 

We’ve seen a couple of 10s so far, and there are sure to be a few more. But I do believe that both Gabi Stephen of Michigan State and Utah’s Grace McCallum were deserving of theirs! 

Excited to see where we are by the time this column comes out!

Other gym news

Spencer Barnes at The Balance Beam Situation is liveblogging regionals for you. He’s also got the master schedule and links. And, of course, last week’s GIFs from the regionals selection draw. 

College Gym News, too, will hook you up with liveblogs and theirs are split out into the individual meets (Spencer’s cover the full day at once). 

The Gymternet has the top women’s elite scores so far in 2025. 

Shilese Jones had shoulder surgery this week. 

Pauline Schaefer-Betz of Germany needs hip surgery and will miss competing at Euros. 

USAG will stream this weekend’s elite selection camp on FlipNow. 

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Five at The IX: Utah’s Post-Regionals Interviews

Utah senior Grace McCallum and freshmen Avery Neff and Zoe Johnson met the press after tying Denver for the win at their home regional Thursday. McCallum competed for the last time in the Huntsman this week and scored a perfect 10 on bars; Neff and Johnson, just starting their journey there, talk about the hurdles they have faced this season. Utah head coach Carly Dockendorf also answers a few questions after her athletes.