Sooners soar back to NCAA Finals with dominant semifinal performance

For the 11th time in the past 12 years, the Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team is headed back to the NCAA Finals, delivering a 197.550 performance in Thursday afternoon’s semifinal session.

With this result, the Sooners have now advanced to the NCAA team finals 13 times in program history. They’ll be joined on Saturday by Missouri, who secured the second qualifying spot with a 197.300. Florida came up just short in third with a 197.200, and Alabama rounded out the group in fourth with a 196.825. The final two spots in the championship round will be determined after Thursday night’s second semifinal, featuring LSU, Michigan State, Utah, and UCLA.

Individual NCAA champions will also be crowned once both sessions are complete and scores are combined. Jordan Bowers currently leads the all-around standings with a 39.7125, closely followed by Faith Torrez at 39.6375. The duo also shares the top spot on floor with matching 9.95s, while Bowers leads the bar standings with a 9.9375.

Bars

Oklahoma opened strong on bars with a 49.400 to take the early lead. Florida followed with a 49.300 on beam, Missouri scored 49.225 on floor, and Alabama posted a 49.125 on vault. Dani Sievers kicked things off for OU with a 9.825, followed by Lily Pederson’s 9.9125 and Addison Fatta’s 9.8375. Torrez added a clean 9.8875, and Audrey Davis followed with a 9.825. Bowers anchored the rotation with a stellar 9.9375.

Beam

The Sooners extended their lead after beam, totaling 98.750 at the halfway mark. Florida held second at 98.650, Missouri stayed close at 98.350, and Alabama trailed at 98.2875. Davis led off with a confident 9.825, while Fatta posted a 9.8625. Bowers rebounded from a teammate’s fall with a crucial 9.9375, followed by Wells’ 9.775. Torrez capped the rotation with a clutch 9.95, sticking her series and dismount.

Floor Exercise

OU lit up the floor exercise for a 49.525 in the third rotation, increasing their lead to 148.275. Missouri remained in second (147.800), with Florida (147.725) and Alabama (147.4875) still within reach. Davis earned a 9.8625 to open, and Sievers added a 9.8875. Mueller delivered a graceful and powerful set for a 9.8625, and Fatta stayed consistent with a 9.875. Bowers and Torrez then both wowed the judges with electrifying 9.95 routines to close the rotation.

The Sooners sealed the deal on vault, scoring a 49.275 to clinch their spot in the finals. Pederson and Torrez led off with matching 9.85s, Wells posted a 9.825, and Fatta and Mueller added scores of 9.8375 and 9.850. Bowers wrapped up the meet with a 9.8875.

Oklahoma now sets its sights on a seventh NCAA title, with the championship meet set for Saturday at 3 p.m. CT on ABC.