Whoa. Did that really just happen? Ragan Smith, the face of Oklahoma gymnastics and a seasoned Olympic medalist, is headed to Iowa. And it’s not an exaggeration to call this one of the biggest shakeups college gymnastics has seen in years. This isn’t your average transfer. This is a game-changing, headline-grabbing power move that instantly elevates Iowa’s status on the NCAA map. Smith, a master of the beam with an ice-cool presence and a résumé to make any coach swoon, was a cornerstone for the Sooners. But now, in a jaw-dropping twist, she’s bringing all that elite experience, poise, and leadership to a Hawkeye squad hungry to rise. Iowa fans? You just hit the jackpot.
And if you’re wondering why this move has the gymnastics world buzzing, just take a minute to appreciate who Ragan Smith really is. We’re not just talking about a strong college gymnast. We’re talking about a certified phenom who’s been dominating since her early teens. Her most recent feat? Snagging silver in the 100m backstroke at the Olympics with a blistering 57.66, just a hair behind Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, who broke the Olympic record.
That podium finish marked her fourth Olympic medal. And she’s only 22. Smith’s journey from teenage sensation to Olympic mainstay has been nothing short of extraordinary. Inside Gymnastics broke the news with a bang: “Coaching Alert!! Former Oklahoma Gymnast, Ragan Smith, is set to join Iowa State Gymnastics as an assistant coach!” And just like that, the gymnastics world did a double take.
This wasn’t just another coaching hire. It was the arrival of one of NCAA gymnastics’ most decorated and beloved stars in a bold new chapter. Just months earlier, Smith had dazzled fans one final time as a competitor, scoring her fourth straight perfect 10 on beam and leading Oklahoma to a flawless 23-0 season finish. But Smith’s brilliance didn’t stop at the beam.
The Sooners’ March 4 meet was a full-out clinic in precision and poise, with Smith anchoring not only the beam squad but also posting strong 9.90s on bars and lifting the bar lineup alongside stars like Audrey Davis. The team was a juggernaut, and Ragan Smith was its steady soul. Now, as she transitions to the sidelines, the same drive and mastery she brought to the mat will fuel her role in shaping Iowa State’s next generation.
She shattered the Sooners’ program record with her ninth 10.0 on beam, eclipsing the legendary Maggie Nichols, and helped power OU to a jaw-dropping 198.250 meet total. Ragan Smith’s gymnastics résumé is the stuff of legends. Over five stellar seasons at Oklahoma (2020–2024), she earned five NCAA All-American honors, six WCGA All-American selections, eight All-Big 12 recognitions, and three Academic All-Big 12 First Team nods.
She clinched four Big 12 individual titles, was twice named Regional Beam Champion, and became a walking highlight reel on beam with 11 career perfect 10s. Add to that her student coaching role during Oklahoma’s 2025 national title run, and it’s clear. Ragan Smith isn’t done making magic. She’s just getting started in Iowa.
Oklahoma Star’s surprise move to Iowa sparks buzz across the community
When the news was dropped, it didn’t just raise eyebrows. It lit up timelines. For gymnastics fans across the country, this move was nothing short of a game-changer. Smith, known for her elite pedigree and rock-solid consistency, had spent years dazzling in crimson. And now, she was headed to Ames to help build something new in cardinal and gold. The reactions came in fast.
“Omg, as a central Iowa resident, I love this!!!! ,” one fan wrote, echoing the excitement of a state that suddenly finds itself in the national gymnastics spotlight. Another posted, “Go Clones!! Ames is a special place. ” A rallying cry from those who know just how much Iowa State is ready to rise, especially with a coach like Smith joining the charge.
Her presence brings championship DNA to a program looking to vault into its legacy moment. Not everyone is ready to let go so easily. “They’re so lucky to have her! Will miss seeing her with our Sooners,” another fan shared, a heartfelt nod to what Ragan meant to the Oklahoma faithful. And how could they not feel the loss?
This is an athlete who racked up 11 perfect 10s on beam, became a five-time NCAA All-American, and helped deliver back-to-back national titles in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, she will also serve as a student coach in 2025. Her résumé reads like a champion’s journal: Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, multiple WCGA All-American nods, regional beam titles, and season after season of meet-defining moments.
And the respect didn’t stop at nostalgia. “Big move for Ragan! Great news ” and “Congratulations!!!! So excited for you and your team!” were the kind of messages flooding every post. Gymnastics fans know what this move means. It’s not just a career shift. It’s a seismic transfer of experience. As a former U.S. National Champion and member of the 2018 World Championship gold-winning team, Smith’s roots run deep in the sport.
And her work ethic? Unmatched. Even when injuries sidelined her from vault competition, she kept training. “She works on the vault every week like she is going into the lineup the next week,” K.J. Kindler once said. That mindset, the attention to detail, the daily grind, the leadership through example. This is now what she brings to Iowa State. Fans aren’t just reacting to a name. They’re celebrating the arrival of a legacy.
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