The Final Showdown: Sooners Back on Top
366 days ago the Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team was at the lowest point of their career, and now they are National Champions once again.
Champions. (Imagn Images)
Fort Worth, Texas, was the site of the final showdown between the country's top gymnastics teams—UCLA, Utah, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In a tight race between Oklahoma and UCLA, the Sooners ultimately came out on top, winning their seventh program championship. Taking charge of the meet right from the beginning, let’s break down each rotation from this powerful team.
Balance Beam
Jordan Bowers during the semi-finals (Imagn Images)
The Sports: Ask any gymnast in the world, the balance beam is terrifying. At just four inches wide and four feet in the air, the beam can be a very intimidating feat. But when these Sooners stepped foot onto the beam, they looked like they were just walking on the floor. Oklahoma started off strong in stunning ruby red leotards, and their momentum never stopped. Producing multiple 9.900 and higher scores and sticking five of their six landings, this team had little to no faults on this apparatus.
The “ish”: Senior and All-Around champion Jordan Bowers performed a solid 9.9375 scoring routine in what she likes to call her “lion mode.” Competing with such intensity, Jordan reminds us of that scene in High School Musical 3… you know, the one where Zac Efron is climbing on the walls? Both gave us major chills.
Floor
Go Sooners, go! (Getty Images)
The Sports: Moving over to the floor, this is the place where the athlete gets to show the most personality. Combining tumbling passes and dance moves, each gymnast selects music that fits them best. Oklahoma and UCLA were tied after the first rotation, but Oklahoma once again stunned with phenomenal routines and took it away from there. With intricately choreographed and dynamic floor routines, the Sooners showed up and showed out, proving why they are No. 1 in the nation in this event.
The “ish”: Freshman Elle Mueller stepped onto the floor and killed it…literally. Performing to a “Suicide Squad” mashup, Elle produced a routine that Harley Quinn would be proud of. Scoring 9.900 even, Elle continued the Sooners' climb to the top, and we cannot wait to see another killer routine next year.
Vault
Boom goes the Sooner. (Instagram/@ncaagymnastics_)
The Sports: The 2024 nemesis of this team, the vault, was the Sooner's biggest obstacle on their way to the title. Oklahoma’s coach KJ Kindler said the 2024 dragon "has been slain," and this team proved just that. Putting up incredible scores again, it is safe to say the Sooners no longer shy away from the vault.
The “ish”: Remember the first time you watched Princess Diaries and heard Anne Hathaway deliver the iconic line, “Me? A princess? Shut up!” Well, that’s basically how we reacted after seeing junior Faith Torrez and freshman Addison Fatta absolutely nail their vaults. As the only near sticks for the team at this event, Faith and Addison delivered, and all we could do was watch in awe.
Uneven Bars
Natty Champs (Getty Images)
The Sports: It goes without saying that Jordan Bowers is one of the best collegiate gymnasts in the country right now, and when she began her swing on the uneven bars, she proved just that. Finishing out the meet in this final rotation, the Sooners had just a three-tenths lead, and it was their title to lose. Senior Danielle Sievers stuck her landing on a full-twisting double tuck, and Audrey Davis, the 2024 NCAA bars champion, showed up and gave the team their first 9.925 and secured the title for the Sooners.
The “ish”: After confirming their win, the Sooner team began their celebration. Complete with the National Championship trophy and Mr. T-like chains, this team did not hide away from their excitement. The only song we could put over this celebration would be “ I’m So Excited” by The Pointer Sisters because this team of powerful women just couldn’t hide it.
In a meet filled with Olympians and champions, the Sooners put themselves back at the top. UCLA finished second, Missouri third, and Utah fourth. All teams put up incredible performances, and we cannot wait for next season!