University of Minnesota Athletics: No. 13 ‘U’ Secures First Nationals Spot Since 2022
The Minnesota gymnastics team, ranked No. 13, clinched a spot at the NCAA Championships after finishing second at the regional final in Corvallis, Oregon. The Gophers posted a 197.625 total to advance to nationals for the seventh time in program history.
Regional result and significance
Minnesota trailed only UCLA, which scored 197.725. The Gophers finished ahead of No. 12 Utah (197.500) and No. 5 Alabama (197.175). This marks the program’s return to the NCAA National Championships for the first nationals spot since 2022.
The berth is the fourth under head coach Jenny Hansen and the seventh overall for the program. The result also ended Utah’s streak of 49 consecutive national appearances.
Team and event scores
Minnesota earned high marks across all four rotations. The team posted a 49.450 on floor, 49.375 on vault, 49.275 on bars and 49.525 on beam.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| UCLA | 197.725 |
| Minnesota | 197.625 |
| Utah | 197.500 |
| Alabama | 197.175 |
Rotation progression
After the first rotation, Minnesota led with a 49.450 floor score. UCLA trailed at 49.350, and Alabama and Utah each had 49.325.
Following vault, Minnesota remained on top of the leaderboard at 98.750. After three rotations Utah held a narrow lead at 148.150 over Minnesota and UCLA, which were tied at 148.100.
Individual standouts
Jordyn Lyden delivered key performances. The Stillwater native earned 9.950 on both bars and beam. She also posted a 9.925 on floor.
Arianna Ostrum contributed big scores across multiple events. Ostrum posted 9.950s on both floor and vault. Her 39.550 all-around was the third-best mark of the night.
- Jordan Chiles (UCLA) claimed the all-around title with a 39.750 and posted a perfect 10.000 on floor.
- Avery Neff (Utah) and Jordyn Lyden tied for the bars title at 9.950.
- Teryn Crump tied her career-high with a 9.900 on vault for Minnesota.
Notable achievements and tidbits
Several Gophers matched or exceeded season and career highs. Lacie Saltzmann tied her career-high on floor with a 9.875. Brooklyn Rowray tied her season-best with a 9.925 on beam.
Coach Jenny Hansen praised the team’s preparation and belief. Players expressed excitement about competing at the NCAA Championships and representing the program.
Next steps
Minnesota will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for the NCAA National Championships. The championships run April 16-18.
The field will include top-seeded Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, UCLA, Stanford, Georgia and Arkansas alongside the Gophers.
Coverage of the Gophers’ run will be followed closely by University of Minnesota Athletics fans and national audiences. Filmogaz.com will provide updates leading into nationals.
