Imagine pouring your heart into every flip, twist, and landing, only to see your team fall short of the ultimate stage. Yet, for gymnasts like Joscelyn Roberson and Jade Carey, the 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, remain within reach despite the Arkansas Razorbacks’ and Oregon State Beavers’ eliminations. But how is this possible? A unique NCAA rule allows standout individuals to shine even when their teams don’t advance, giving these two Olympic-caliber athletes a shot at national glory.
In NCAA women’s gymnastics, the championship structure balances team and individual aspirations. At the regional championships—held across four sites from April 2-6, 2025—the top two teams from each regional final advance to the national semifinals, forming an elite eight. But the NCAA also rewards individual excellence: the top all-around performer and top event specialists (on vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise) from each regional, who aren’t on qualifying teams, earn a ticket to nationals. This rule,
outlined by NCAA championships, ensures athletes like Roberson and Carey can compete for individual titles in Fort Worth from April 17-19, 2025, despite their teams’ fates.
Joscelyn Roberson, a freshman sensation at Arkansas, has quickly become a household name. A 2023 World Championships team gold medalist, she brings international pedigree to the NCAA. At the University Park Regional, Roberson smashed her own freshman all-around record with a 39.600, finishing fourth overall in the semifinal on April 3. Her dynamic floor routines and powerful vault—where she’s trained elite skills like the triple-twisting Yurchenko—make her a threat for event finals and the all-around title. Her qualification reflects not just talent but resilience, despite Arkansas falling to fourth (197.375) in the regional final behind LSU, Michigan State, and Kentucky.
Jade Carey, competing for Oregon State, is no stranger to defying odds. A 2020 Olympic floor exercise gold medalist and 2024 Paris Games vault bronze winner, Carey’s NCAA career has been a masterclass in consistency. At the Fayetteville Regional, she delivered a near-flawless all-around performance, leveraging her season-high 39.925—one of the best in NCAA history—to secure her spot. Despite Oregon State’s elimination behind Florida and California, Carey’s versatility across all four events positions her as a favorite for multiple titles. Her signature “Carey” vault and electrifying floor routines could steal the show in Fort Worth.
Interestingly, this is not the first time when individuals got a second chance!
Other instances when big names in NCAA gymnastics got a second chance
McCallum, an Olympic silver medalist, advanced individually after Utah Gymnastics narrowly missed the national team cut. McCallum’s all-around prowess earned her a podium finish, proving the rule’s value. Similarly, in 2019, UCLA’s Kyla Ross—a 2012 Olympic gold medalist—competed as an individual after UCLA’s regional stumble, clinching the uneven bars title. These cases, like Roberson’s and Carey’s, highlight how the NCAA Championship’s individual qualification rule keeps the sport’s biggest names in contention,
enriching the championships with their talent.
The Arkansas Razorbacks’ elimination at the University Park Regional, despite a strong 197.550 in the semifinal, stung for fans and athletes alike. Oregon State’s second-place semifinal finish (197.050) in Fayetteville wasn’t enough either. Yet, the NCAA’s foresight in rewarding individual excellence ensures that gymnasts like Roberson and Carey aren’t sidelined. As they prepare for Fort Worth, both athletes carry not just their teams’ hopes but the promise of unforgettable performances. Whether it’s Roberson’s explosive vault or Carey’s polished all-around mastery, their presence guarantees a championship worth watching.
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