Gopher gymnastics team advances to Nationals, beating out Utah & Alabama

The Gophers pulled off an upset over the weekend, earning their first trip to Nationals since 2022.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a gymnastics competition, with overlapping planes of maroon and gold representing the University of Minnesota Gophers.The Gophers' upset victory over gymnastics powerhouse Utah showcases the team's determination and skill as they advance to the NCAA championships.Minneapolis Today

The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team is heading to the NCAA championships after advancing from the Corvallis, Oregon regional by the slimmest of margins, edging out Utah by one-tenth of a point. The Gophers will compete with the best teams in the country next week, marking their first trip to Nationals since 2022.

Why it matters

The Gophers' breakthrough moment is an upset over gymnastics powerhouse Utah, which has made Nationals nearly 50 years in a row. The result is expected to encourage younger gymnasts in Minnesota to stay in state and compete for the Gophers.

The details

The Gophers secured the final qualifying spot by edging Utah by one-tenth of a point in the Corvallis, Oregon regional. Minnesota athletes say the demanding routine includes daily practices, weight training, and weekend competitions, balancing competition, training, and academics.

  • The Gophers advanced from the Corvallis, Oregon regional on April 6, 2026.
  • The Gophers will compete at the NCAA championships next week.

The players

University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team

The University of Minnesota's women's gymnastics team, which pulled off an upset over the weekend to advance to the NCAA championships for the first time since 2022.

Utah

A gymnastics powerhouse that has made the NCAA championships nearly 50 years in a row, but was edged out by the Gophers in the Corvallis regional.

Brooklyn Rowray

A senior on the Minnesota gymnastics team who said the team remained focused despite entering the meet as the lowest seed in its regional.

Jordan Lyden

A Minnesota gymnast who is a Stillwater, Minnesota native and committed to the Gophers at age 12, hoping the team's success will encourage younger gymnasts to stay in state.

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What they’re saying

“We practice every day of the week. Wednesday we do yoga instead of actually gymnastics.”

— Brooklyn Rowray, Minnesota gymnast

“I know we were coming from behind, and we fought all the way through.”

— Jordan Lyden, Minnesota gymnast

“Knowing that our mission was Nationals, we weren't going to waver in our belief that we could do it.”

— Brooklyn Rowray, Minnesota gymnast

“Then the score flashed and we were like, 'We did it. We just made Nationals.'”

— Jordan Lyden, Minnesota gymnast

“You can make an impact on where you're from.”

— Jordan Lyden, Minnesota gymnast

What’s next

The Gophers will compete at the NCAA championships next week, facing off against the best teams in the country.

The takeaway

The Gophers' upset victory over gymnastics powerhouse Utah is a major breakthrough for the program, and is expected to inspire younger gymnasts in Minnesota to stay in state and compete for the Gophers, showing that they can make a national impact.