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Arizona GymCats Add Purple and Gold Podium Challenge to Schedule
The quad meet will replace the cancelled Iowa State meet and give the GymCats another road score opportunity.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The Arizona GymCats gymnastics team has added the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge to their schedule after the cancellation of their meet against Iowa State. The quad meet, which will take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 1, will feature the GymCats competing against top-ranked teams LSU, Alabama, and North Carolina. This additional road meet will be crucial for the GymCats as they look to improve their National Qualifying Score (NQS) ahead of the Big 12 Championships and NCAA Regionals.
Why it matters
The Purple and Gold Podium Challenge provides the GymCats with a valuable opportunity to compete against elite competition and earn a crucial road score. With the NCAA's recent changes to the NQS calculation, road scores have become even more important for teams hoping to qualify for the NCAA postseason. This meet will help the GymCats bolster their NQS and improve their chances of advancing to the NCAA Regionals.
The details
The quad meet will take place at the Raising Cane's River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. MST. In addition to the GymCats, the meet will feature the No. 2 LSU Tigers, the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide, and the No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels. This will be the second matchup between LSU and Alabama over the weekend, as the two SEC rivals will also face off on Friday, February 27.
- The Purple and Gold Podium Challenge will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 2 p.m. MST.
- The GymCats previously performed on a podium at the Metroplex Challenge, but did not have another podium meet scheduled during the regular season this year.
The players
John Court
The head coach of the Arizona GymCats gymnastics team.
LSU Tigers
The No. 2 ranked women's gymnastics team in the country, who will be hosting the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The No. 3 ranked women's gymnastics team in the country, who will be competing in the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The No. 17 ranked women's gymnastics team in the country, who will be competing in the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge.
What they’re saying
“Originally, when the NQS passed, I wasn't in favor of our schedule. We weren't able to change it. But actually it could be very beneficial to us, because [after Baton Rouge], the next three or four meets are at home, and we tend to do pretty well here. Little more comfortable, and the gymnastics are bigger.”
— John Court, Head Coach, Arizona GymCats (azdesertswarm.com)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This additional road meet against top-ranked opponents will be crucial for the Arizona GymCats as they look to improve their National Qualifying Score and secure a spot in the NCAA postseason. The team's ability to perform well in Baton Rouge could have a significant impact on their chances of advancing to the NCAA Regionals.
