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NCAA gym prayers were answered this week, as we learned that Texas will finally have its very own Division I women’s gymnastics team.
Texas State University will become the first D-I school with women’s gym in early 2028. The uni will join Oregon State University in the Pac-12 conference. Jordyn Wieber and Carly Patterson will serve on the steering committee.
If you’re excited about this, by all means, skip this next part. Don’t let me yuck your yum, or whatever. It makes sense that we would clamor for a Texas gymnastics program, considering how many elites train there. But remember that Texas is a massive state. WOGA and Texas Dreams are both a four-hour drive away from TSU; WCC is three hours away.
And it’s not like the best gymnasts in the world necessarily think of proximity to their home gyms when considering schools; in many cases, even their elite gyms are nowhere near their actual homes. Top gymnastics recruits choose a school based on a variety of factors, including academics, culture, facilities, and their chances of being successful in the program.
Still, TXST’s press release relies heavily on the fame of elite athletes who have come from Texas, which is an odd flex for a university that just happens to be in the same state as Plano and Spring. They even posted an image of Simone Biles as part of the announcement:
A lot depends on who’s hired as the head coach. But I don’t see all the elites in Texas flocking to a new program and creating some sort of super group as we’ve all envisioned.
In any case, it’s great to see a new program create more opportunities to gymnasts, and I’ll be rooting for the Bobcats (great mascot, by the way) come 2028.
In other NCAA news, Kyla Ross was promoted to associate head coach at Arkansas, along with Catelyn Branson. Here is the transfer log courtesy of College Gym News, which is also tracking things here. Follow Greg Marsden on Bluesky for coaching updates.
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Elite news
The French Championships will be held June 5-7. Notably, Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos will return to competition for the first time since 2024, with new floor choreography.
Elena Colas — the first-year senior who’s had a breakout year on the international stage — is expected to attend, but I’m just going from the event poster, because the French federation’s website is especially bad. Live scores will be posted here, and you can follow along on the federation’s Instagram.
The Koper World Challenge Cup concluded last weekend (results). Zsofia Kovacs was the highlight for me. She won bars with a 13.600, besting Sanna Veerman, who earned a 14.333 in qualifications but faltered in finals. Kovacs mostly hit, with some leg sep on her pak and a missed handstand before her dis — hang on, she didn’t do a dismount, did she:
Teja Belak took gold on vault with a 13.533. Her handspring full and Yurchenko 1.5 were messy in the air, but had nice landings:
Alexia Blanaru of Romania won beam with a 13.300. Her routine was lovely, but I don’t think she was deducted for putting her hand down on the wolf turn:
Lihie Raz of Israel took the floor title with a 13.200.
Canadian Championships results are in. Lia Monica Fontaine ran away with this one, winning the all-around, plus vault and floor.
American Classic registration is here, though this is bound to change in the leadup to the competition on the 27th. While we’re here, check out the qualification pathway for U.S. elites.
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Other shenanigans
- Alice Kinsella got married, and some of her teammates attended. Congratulations, Alice!
- Simone Biles played ‘stick it’ on a trampoline, fueling vague and lofty rumors of a comeback for LA 2028.
Five at the IX: Charleigh Bullock
Charleigh Bullock spoke with Inside Gymnastics about upgrades, working with USA Gymnastics coaches, and the heat.
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