The world of women's college gymnastics is heating up as several high-profile matchups are set to take place this Sunday, January 26, 2025. From Kentucky's showdown with Missouri to Stanford's contest against Pittsburgh, excitement is palpable among the teams and their dedicated fanbases.
Sixth-ranked Kentucky is hitting its stride this season, sporting a solid record of 3-1. The Wildcats have kicked off their campaign with vigor, showcasing their skills against tough opponents. After securing wins against 16th ranked Ohio State and eighth-ranked Arkansas, Kentucky continued to demonstrate its prowess with an impressive victory over third-ranked Alabama. This strong performance has set the stage for their upcoming road meet against 11th ranked Missouri, which currently boasts a record of 5-2.
The Tigers, who started the season showcasing their talent at the Beauty and the Beast tournament, followed it up with two wins at the Denver Quad Meet. Although they’ve stumbled against top-ranked teams, with losses to both 11th ranked Denver and top-ranked Oklahoma, those challenges have only sharpened their competitive edge for this faceoff. With Isabella Magnelli leading the Wildcats—ranking third nationally on vault and fourth on beam—Kentucky is certainly not to be underestimated.
For Missouri, senior Helen Hu is making waves, recently scoring a perfect 10, which was pivotal in helping the Tigers achieve their highest overall score of the season. The Tigers are ranked ninth on bars and 16th on the floor, which will pose quite the challenge to their rivals from Kentucky.
Fans interested in catching this electrifying matchup can tune in to SEC Network at 6:00 p.m. ET. Regional restrictions may apply.
Meanwhile, the Stanford Cardinal will travel to Pittsburgh to face the 25th ranked Panthers. The Cardinal, currently sitting at 15th place with a season record of 4-0, celebrated their first score of 197.000 or higher this January, marking their best performance in nearly ten years. Stanford aims to remain undefeated, and this meet at Fitzgerald Field House promises to be thrilling as it marks the beginning of what could be an exciting rivalry between the two programs.
Leading the way for the Cardinal is junior Anna Roberts, who recently earned Gymnast of the Week honors in the ACC following her career-best performance. Roberts finished with an all-around score of 39.650, showcasing her excellence particularly on the floor and bars. The Cardinal have also seen commendable contributions from sophomores Sienna Robinson and freshman Alana Walker, both of whom garnered weekly accolades from the ACC for their outstanding performances.
On the home side, Pittsburgh, ranked 25th with a 3-1 record, will rely on standout gymnasts Jah’Liyah Bedminster and Jordyn Ewing. Both played pivotal roles last season, with Bedminster leading the charge on floor exercise, vault, and uneven bars, and Ewing being another force on the floor and bars. Hallie Copperwheat also shines on the balance beam, having secured runner-up honors at last year’s ACC Championships.
Fans can watch Stanford take on Pittsburgh at 4:00 p.m. ET on the ACC Network, with regional restrictions possibly applying.
Finally, West Virginia will face the 16th ranked Denver Pioneers, who are currently holding onto a 5-1 record. Despite their early season loss, the Pioneers have rebounded well, finishing second in their last quad meet and are eager to achieve another victory. They are also aiming to climb the national rankings as the season progresses.
The Mountaineers have found early success this season but have hit some bumps lately, with their last two meets ending unfavorably. This matchup presents both teams with opportunities: Denver can solidify their standing, and West Virginia hopes to pull off a surprising upset to reset their season.
Denver, the second-highest ranked team in the Big 12, is eagerly anticipating this home opener, especially with their loyal following backing them. Senior Anna Leigh, ranked fifth among floor competitors within the Big 12, highlights West Virginia’s roster, along with other talented gymnasts like senior Trinity Macy and freshman Sophia Rice.
The Denver meet will also be available through Altitude Sports Overflow, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. ET. Regional restrictions may apply.
With so much talent on display and various matchups promising to be intense and exciting, it’s clear this Sunday will be another action-packed day for women's college gymnastics.