University of Arkansas Gymnastics Team Falls Short at NCAA Championships Semifinal

The University of Arkansas gymnastics team faced early jitters that ultimately cost them a spot in the NCAA Championships finals. Competing in their first NCAA Championships since 2018, the No. 10 seed Razorbacks struggled to find their rhythm from the start, finishing in last place in their semifinal.

Starting on the balance beam, the most nerve-wracking event in gymnastics, Arkansas had three significant mistakes that set them back. Despite their efforts to recover on the floor exercise, they were unable to make up the ground they had lost. With a final score of 196.475, the Razorbacks fell short of advancing to the finals.

On the other hand, No. 2 seed LSU dominated the semifinal with a score of 198.1125, securing their spot in the finals alongside No. 3 seed California. Unfortunately, Arkansas, along with Stanford, was eliminated from the competition.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Arkansas Coach Jordyn Wieber expressed pride in her team’s accomplishments throughout the season. She emphasized the learning opportunities from the competition and the season as a whole, encouraging her team to continue building on their experiences.

While the Razorbacks had a challenging meet, sophomore Reese Drotar stood out with an impressive performance on the uneven bars, earning All-America status. Drotar’s routine, which included a stuck landing, tied her for first place in the event.

Although the Razorbacks did not have any other podium finishers, junior Kalyxta Gamiao and sophomore Frankie Price delivered solid performances on the balance beam and floor exercise, respectively.

Despite the early setbacks, the University of Arkansas gymnastics team showed resilience and determination throughout the competition. As they reflect on their season and look ahead to the future, the Razorbacks are poised to come back stronger and more determined than ever.