College gymnastics season is upon us, with meets beginning today

The GIST: We are totally flipping out because the NCAA gymnastics season officially starts today. There’s a whole lot of floor routines, gravity defying tricks, and balance beaming to come between now and the national championship in April — here’s what you need to know about this year’s top contenders.

🐯 Can the defending champs do it again?: After a narrow title victory in 2024, No. 2 LSU is looking to roar to the repeat. And with last season’s all-around champion and reigning SEC Gymnast of the Year Haleigh Bryant back for a fifth year, the Tigers could certainly stand at the top once again.

🐻 Cal looking to avenge last year’s title loss: The preseason No. 4 Golden Bears, who were just a half a point away from defeating LSU in the championship last season, return most of their roster and are adding star freshman Ondine Achampong, a member of the British Senior National Team. So stacked.

🔴 Don’t forget about Oklahoma: You can’t talk gymnastics without mentioning the dynastic Sooners, who have six titles since 2014. Is it time for a seventh? This squad sure thinks so as they start the season ranked No. 1 overall with the return of two individual national champions, graduate student Audrey Davis and junior Faith Torrez.

🥇 Olympians return to the collegiate mat: Fan favorites and Team USA stars Jordan Chiles (UCLA) and Jade Carey (Oregon State University) will also be in action this season.