The 2025 season for the Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics team was a tough one, to say the least. But 2026 can be bright. Between injuries to key teammates and some serious setbacks, things didn’t exactly go according to plan in 2025. But then came freshman Joscelyn Roberson, once Simone Biles’ teammate, who stepped up and proved she was the backbone the team needed. With so many of her teammates sidelined, Roberson carried the Razorbacks through the season and made sure they stayed competitive, even when it seemed like the odds were stacked against them. So, what’s the backstory?
Despite facing injuries throughout the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks made it to the NCAA Regionals, finishing second in both the Regional Semifinal and Final, just behind LSU. They then went on to the NCAA Championships, where they landed fourth in their semifinal with a score of 196.475, wrapping up seventh overall. It wasn’t quite the Super Six, but given everything they were up against, they gave it their all.
Now, let’s talk about those injuries. Cami Weaver, Frankie Price, Leah Smith, and Lauren Williams all came back for the 2025 season after dealing with some pretty tough setbacks. Weaver made a strong comeback after a rough start to her college career, and Price took a hard hit during the regional semifinal, injuring herself on her floor routine and finishing with a 6.300.
Price, who has battled knee injuries before, was especially crushed by this. Smith was on fire before her injury, and Williams, who had an amazing 2024 season, had to have season-ending surgery in January. It wasn’t easy for them, but they kept pushing forward. Through it all, Simone Biles’ ex-teammate, Roberson, was the one who stepped up and carried the team.
As she puts up with Inside gymnastics, “It was tough on the team, but I feel like it made us so much stronger and closer as a team, and we really gave it everything we had,” she said. “We really gave it everything we had.” The leader, Roberson, displayed at Nationals underlined her path to the event after her remaining teammates dropped out. “Having the team aspect was amazing, and I really didn’t like not having them there at Nationals,” she said.
“I’m so excited for next year. I’m so excited for next year. I know we’re going to get in the gym and work really hard, and I believe we’ll be there next year as a team, and I just can’t wait!” The Arkansas Razorbacks anticipate a successful 2026 recovery after the fifth-year return of Cami Weaver, alongside Frankie Price, Leah Smith, and Lauren Williams.
The tough 2025 season has made Joscelyn Roberson confident that her team now displays increased strength through the adversity they experienced. She remarked about how many players suffered unexpected injuries during the season before most of them got better. This radiant future shines not only for the team but most notably for former US team member Roberson, who has teamed with Simone Biles.
During her time on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, Simone Biles inspired her former teammate Roberson, who subsequently became a traveling alternate with Leanne Wong for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Roberson’s leadership and determination drove the Razorbacks through their hard moments this season, and her story now becomes a positive sign for the team’s upcoming success.
Simone Biles’ ex-teammate Joscelyn Roberson shines amid adversity
Soon after joining the Arkansas Razorbacks, Roberson proved herself as Simone Biles’ former teammate by winning the first competition. The first competition of the season brought Roberson a tie for the all-around championship, as she achieved 39.475 points with another stellar debut for Arkansas’ history books. Every event at the competition showcased Roberson’s exceptional skills, with scores reaching 9.875 on vault, 9.825 on bars, and 9.950 on floor.
After her successful performance, the team encountered problematic situations. During the regional semifinal competition, Frankie Price suffered an injury that forced the team to adapt quickly. The injuries and challenges did not break Roberson, who continued delivering peak performances during competition as the team’s captain. Aware of the additional hurdles, Roberson persevered.
She exceeded her freshman all-around record at the Regional Finals when scoring 39.625 points for Arkansas. She demonstrated her true talent by achieving new personal best scores of 9.925 on bars and 9.950 on beam, which proved she was more than a onetime performer. Roberson’s competition achievements kept the Arkansas gymnastics team motivated despite their missing the Nationals qualification.
During the Nationals, Roberson represented the Razorbacks as their single gymnast. She earned the status of individual all-around gymnast among four selected participants while remaining the youngest freshman gymnast. All the tough dedication Roberson invested throughout her season finally brought a win because she now stands ready to make an even larger impact.
The post Simone Biles’ Ex-Teammate Reveals Real Reason Behind NCAA Gymnastics Team’s Nationals Snub: “Gave It Everything” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
