The NCAA Gymnastics Championships brought the fireworks on Sunday, but not all of them were celebratory. As Oklahoma and Missouri punched their tickets to Fort Worth, a wave of reaction surged online. But if you thought it was because of the gymnast’s talent, then you are mistaken. Why? Well, that’s because the judges’ scoring raised some serious questions. As one journalist points out, “None of my criticism is directed towards these amazing athletes.” But while the fans and critics have made their thoughts clear, what really made them so mad?
Well, for that, we need to rewind to last night. Elle Mueller, Oklahoma’s rising star and a former Nastia Liukin Cup champion, brought the polish and poise expected from an elite. On the other side, Mizzou’s Hannah Horton delivered one of the cleanest vaults of the night. Powerful, precise, and nearly untouchable. Both routines drew big reactions. But when the scores flashed, the numbers told a different story, and that’s where the real debate began.
Caroline Price didn’t mince words. In a sharp post on X that quickly gained traction among gymnastics fans, the journalist wrote, “One judge gave the same score to these two vaults. Reform is needed… yesterday.” The two vaults in question? Elle Mueller of Oklahoma and Hannah Horton of Missouri. Both gymnasts delivered high-level routines. There’s no denying that.
One judge gave the same score to these two vaults. Reform is needed…yesterday.
Note: none of my criticism is directed towards these amazing athletes, they both did fantastic jobs tonight and I’m thrilled to see OU and Mizzou in Fort Worth! pic.twitter.com/ni2aII1y1m
— Caroline Price (@carolineoprice) April 7, 2025
But the side-by-side comparison, especially when slowed down and scrutinized by fans online, has raised a firestorm of questions about scoring consistency, transparency, and whether powerhouse programs like OU are getting an unconscious edge. Mueller posted a 9.900 for her vault, a score that reaffirmed her elite status and solidified her as one of the most exciting new faces in NCAA gymnastics.
Her form was clean, her landing solid. But even among OU supporters, there was a quiet acknowledgment. Was it really on a par with Horton’s? The optics mattered, especially when paired with Oklahoma’s reputation for high scoring and the fact that they were competing as the No. 1 seed in the nation. Horton’s vault, meanwhile, earned a 9.950. Tied for the highest vault score of the night and a career-best that helped push No. 7 Missouri into the NCAA semifinals.
Her routine, marked by explosive power and laser-sharp execution, was part of a late-meet surge that saw Mizzou edge out Auburn and Arizona to claim the second ticket to Fort Worth. For many fans, the contrast was clear. While both athletes were outstanding, the similarity in scoring didn’t match the difference in delivery. And that’s where the controversy lies. Not in the athletes’ performances, but in the numbers that followed.
Fans raise eyebrows over scoring gaps and gymnastics politics
It didn’t take long after the scores were posted for fans to start sounding off. “Everything about Hannah’s vault is better… distance, height, and landing,” one user wrote, echoing what many had seen with their own eyes. Horton’s vault wasn’t just solid. It was spectacular. Tying her career best, she delivered a routine bursting with amplitude and control. While Elle Mueller of Oklahoma also had a strong showing, the side-by-side comparison left fans confused and, in some cases, frustrated by the apparent parity in the scores.
That frustration deepened as social media lit up with more pointed observations. “Someone said Jordan’s fake 10 was okay because she had the best vault of the comp… I was like, HELLO, Hannah Horton’s is right there,” another post read. The emphasis wasn’t on tearing down Oklahoma’s athletes but on holding judges accountable for consistency. Horton’s vault, delivered under massive pressure, had fans and commentators alike stunned by its quality.
Yet somehow, it didn’t seem to carry the same weight on the scoresheet. That’s where the disconnect and the discontent started to take root in the fans. The concerns weren’t isolated to one meeting. “OUerscored—all season long,” a fan declared, encapsulating a broader sentiment following the Sooners throughout 2024-25. It’s a narrative that’s difficult to ignore when Oklahoma consistently posts meet-high scores, even in tightly contested matchups. To be fair, OU has the credentials.
A near-impossible 153-4 record and 11 straight undefeated home seasons under coach K.J. Kindler. But the optics of routinely edging out opponents with seemingly equivalent or even superior routines have sparked unease. One fan wrote, “I think what score they get somewhat depends on what team is on the leotard. And that’s unacceptable.” The idea that scoring might be swayed by name recognition or rankings rather than pure execution is what’s driving much of the online uproar.
Oklahoma, the No. 1-ranked powerhouse, often starts meets with high scores, setting the tone early, like their 49.325 vault opening against Michigan or the 9.975 by freshman Lily Pederson. But to fans watching closely, the margins of scoring seem to benefit the Sooners just a little too often. “OK has been getting higher scores than opponents because they are #1. So evident,” another user added. It’s a sentiment that speaks volumes and signals that this controversy isn’t fading anytime soon. So what do you guys think? Just how long will this divide continue because of the judges? Let us know.
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