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Takeaways from NCAA gymnastics regionals: Jordan Chiles, Kailin Chio and much more

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Takeaways from NCAA gymnastics regionals: Jordan Chiles, Kailin Chio and much more


And then there were eight.

After an eventful regular season, conference championships and some ever-so-close regionals action, the field for the upcoming NCAA national gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas, has been officially set.

On Saturday, LSU and Stanford advanced out of the Baton Rouge regional, and Florida and Georgia punched their tickets in Tempe. Sunday saw Oklahoma and Arkansas move on in the Lexington regional with UCLA and Minnesota closing out the weekend by clinching the final spots in Corvallis in dramatic fashion. While the specific semifinal sessions have yet to be announced for Fort Worth, the teams advancing from Baton Rouge and Tempe will square off in one semifinal, with the teams from Lexington and Corvallis in the other.

The group of teams remaining — an elite eight, if you will — is filled with perennial contenders, resurgent programs and even a Cinderella-esque squad or two. It also showcases the SEC’s dominance, with five of the eight teams coming from that conference.

So what did we learn from the weekend and who looks poised to hoist the team trophy? Here’s everything you need to know before the semifinal competition gets underway on April 16.

End of an era

Before focusing on the eight teams heading to Texas, it’s worth noting one team that didn’t qualify.

Utah was looking for its astounding 50th consecutive appearance at nationals, but ultimately was edged out by just .125 of a point by second-place Minnesota (197.625) on Sunday in Corvallis. UCLA won the region (197.725).

It had been a challenging season for Utah, but the team arrived at regionals after winning a second straight Big 12 title, hoping it was hitting its stride. Led by a huge night by sophomore Avery Neff, Utah came up just short.

While the streak is over, it’s worth acknowledging just how incredible such a mark was in the sport. And the season isn’t totally over for the Red Rocks. Neff (all-around), Ana Padurariu (beam) and Ella Zirbes (floor) all qualified as individuals.

Start of a new one

While Fort Worth won’t see one of its traditional contenders this year, it will welcome the return of another.

Marking their first NCAA semifinal appearance in seven turbulent years and first for co-head coaches Cecile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts, Georgia finished in second place (197.750) in the Tempe regional — and did so without their star junior Lily Smith, who is out for the rest of the season with a broken foot. The team earned its second-highest score on bars (49.525) of the season to open the meet, led by freshman Autumn Reingold’s 9.975, and three GymDogs — Harley Tomlin, Nyla Aquino and CaMarah Williams — earned 9.95 on floor. Williams, a freshman, has been one of the best in the country throughout the year on the event, and is currently ranked second. Can Fort Worth serve as the site of her official breakout to the college gymnastics world?

Canqueteau-Landi, who previously worked with Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles and other elite gymnasts at World Champions Centre, couldn’t hide her emotions after Saturday’s meet.

“People say I’ve done a lot in club. I have, but today I shed a couple of tears because it’s been a lot. It means a lot,” Canqueteau-Landi said. “I’ve said it before — Georgia is that team, and we are back.”

The winner of a record 10 national titles, Georgia will now look to advance past semifinals for the first time in a decade, and earn its first title since 2009.

The top contenders

The four regional champions — LSU, Florida, Oklahoma and UCLA — have been the strongest teams all season and will be the favorites to advance to Saturday’s championship meet, as well as win the trophy.

Top-ranked Oklahoma is the reigning national champion and rolled through the regular season undefeated, notching impressive victories over conference rivals LSU and Florida, and even UCLA at a season-opening quad meet. The Sooners earned the highest score in regional competition (198.350) and rank in the top four in every event. Led by senior Faith Torrez, who earned a perfect 10.0 on beam on Sunday, and sophomores Addison Fatta and Lily Pederson, Oklahoma will look to capture its eighth title in 12 seasons in Fort Worth — and further cement its dynasty status.

No. 3 seed Florida, however, has other plans, and seems to be peaking at exactly the right time. The Gators won the SEC championship title last month, behind a lights-out final rotation on bars and a razor-thin final 0.025 edge over Oklahoma. Florida furthered that momentum over the weekend with a 198.05 — becoming the first program in the country to achieve a score of 198 or better for five straight meets this season. With unparalleled depth, including Selena Harris-Miranda, Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello and eMjae Frazier, Florida could be in position to win its first team title since 2015.

As Harris-Miranda told ESPN heading into regionals, “I want to win. I know not everyone wants to say it but we have the correct people on the team to win and we have the mentality for it, we have the swag for it. It’s ours. We just got to keep our heads down, keep going. That’s our goal.”

No. 2 seed LSU finished in third place at the SEC championships and won the NCAA title in 2024. The Tigers got to compete at home one last time over the weekend — and gave fans something to remember. Buoyed by perfect 10.0 scores from sophomores Kailin Chio (vault) and Kaliya Lincoln (floor), and earning at least a share of all the night’s event titles, the Tigers earned a final score of 197.825 — 0.6 better than second-place Stanford. While star junior Konnor McClain injured her arm on bars on Saturday, and her status for the semifinals has not yet been confirmed, Chio is the top-ranked all-arounder in the nation (and the favorite to win the individual title) and has shown she will do whatever it takes to help carry the team.

And UCLA, the Big Ten champions, will look to build on their 2025 runner-up finish. The No. 4 seeded Bruins held off Minnesota and Utah on Sunday in a nail-biter. As she’s done so often this season, senior Jordan Chiles anchored on floor, in the team’s final rotation, and earned a perfect score to capture the victory and punch the team’s ticket to Fort Worth. Competing just moments after the school’s women’s basketball team won its first-ever NCAA title, and even dropping some basketball-themed celebrations on the night, UCLA will now try to bring yet another trophy back to Westwood, and earn the first for the program since 2018. Chiles, who has earned two individual event titles on bars and one on floor during her career, will look to close out her storied collegiate career with more hardware, for herself and the team.

The Cinderellas

Stanford, Arkansas and Minnesota all finished in second place in their respective regions. While none of them are considered a title favorite, each squad has what it takes to play spoiler and advance to Saturday’s finals.

Stanford, the No. 7 seed, was in fourth place at the halfway mark of the regional final in Baton Rouge before a strong rotation on floor and a clutch final rotation on vault surged them ahead. Freshman Ana Barbosu, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, earned her second 9.95 on floor in three days, and senior Taralyn Nguyen earned the same score on vault to give the Cardinal a .075 edge over third-place Clemson.

Arkansas, the No. 9 seed, took control of second place after the first rotation on floor in Lexington — and managed to hold on the rest of the competition. With just 0.025 of a point separating the Gymbacks from third-place Missouri entering the final event, Morgan Price and Joscelyn Roberson — two of the team’s most consistent members all season long — came up big yet again with 9.90 and 9.95, respectively, to close it out and clinch their berth. It marks Arkansas’ 10th-ever trip to nationals and second under head coach Jordyn Wieber. The Gymbacks finished in seventh place in their last appearance in 2024 but certainly could do even better this time.

And No. 13 seed Minnesota, having already spoiled Utah’s historic run, has proven it can step up when it matters most. Like Arkansas, the Gophers ended the night on beam and needed a strong showing to advance. Competing last, junior Jordyn Lyden tied her career high on the event with a 9.95 to seal the second-place finish and bring the team back to nationals for the first time since 2022.

“It’s so awesome, I can’t even put it into words,” Lyden said after the meet.

The individuals

One of unique aspects of the NCAA semifinals is the inclusion of individual gymnasts rotating with teams. Often the teams will incorporate the gymnasts as one of their own and cheer loudly for them, and sometimes even learn their choreography on floor and beam.

This year will see a talented group representing their schools, all looking to end the season on a high note. In addition to Utah’s Neff, Michigan State’s Nikki Smith and Ohio State’s Tory Vetter will be competing in the all-around, as will Air Force’s Maggie Slife. Slife, the Mountain West Gymnast of the Year and the No. 7-ranked all-arounder in the nation, is the school’s first gymnast to ever qualify for the event.

Gwen Fink (North Carolina), Sage Kellerman (Michigan State), Cameron Smith (Ohio State) and Shyla Bhatia (Denver) qualified on vault. Kellerman, Sophia Diaz (Michigan), Hannah Horton (Missouri) and Aurelie Tran (Iowa) will compete on bars. Utah’s Padurariu is joined by Carly Bauman (Michigan), Abigayle Martin (Arizona) and Delaynee Rodriguez (Kentucky) on beam, and Utah’s Zirbes, Brie Clark (Clemson), Gabi Ortiz (Michigan State) and Creslyn Brose (Kentucky) qualified on floor. With Clemson having just completed its third competitive season, Clark will be the first gymnast in school history to compete at nationals.





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Michigan holds off UConn to capture first men’s basketball national title since 1989

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April 7, 2026

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Michigan holds off UConn to capture first men’s basketball national title since 1989


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The Michigan Wolverines are finally national champions once more in men’s basketball, taking down the UConn Huskies, 69-63, to finish a thrilling NCAA Tournament in style at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday night.

This is the first time Michigan has won since 1989, and just the second time in program history they’ve called themselves champions.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were looking to win their third title in the last four tournaments, but their shooting failed them in the end.  

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Elliot Cadeau celebrates during the first half of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

While both team’s offenses came into this game working like a machine, it was a low-scoring affair to kick off this game. Michigan only owned a 33-29 first-half lead by the buzzer, but it wasn’t Yaxel Lendeborg leading the way in the points department for the Wolverines.

The Michigan star, who is playing on a sprained left MCL and left ankle, which came during the win over Arizona in the Final Four, was just 1-of-5 shooting for four points in the first half. It was Morez Johnson Jr. (10 points) and Elliot Cadeau (seven points) finding some rhythm for the Wolverines.

UCONN’S DAN HURLEY HEARS BOOS AFTER FINAL FOUR WIN OVER ILLINOIS

But it didn’t help that Michigan was scoreless from beyond the arc and shooting just 37% from the field. Meanwhile, UConn wasn’t doing themselves any favors either.

The Huskies shot just 33% in the first half, with Alex Karaban hitting two of his five three-point attempts. Solo Ball, who was spotted in a walking boot entering the game with “some type of foot sprain,” according to head coach Dan Hurley, had eight points on 3-of-4 from the field.

While they were down, UConn was certainly playing the type of game they wanted against Michigan – a rugged battle, especially on the glass. Michigan has shown its prowess of taking momentum and sprinting with it offensively, dominating opponents all year long, including this NCAA Tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg dribbling a basketball during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

However, the Huskies know their scratching and clawing abilities for 40 minutes allows them to never let an opponent feel comfortable. Just ask the Duke Blue Devils what happened in the Final Four.

The Huskies had that same demeanor in the second half, though it didn’t help they took a page out of the Wolverines’ first-half playbook – they couldn’t find the stroke from range. UConn was desperate to hit a three-pointer, but despite open looks, they couldn’t get one to fall as the Michigan lead eventually got to 11 points after Cadeau finally broke the seal for his squad on the opposite end, burying a three-pointer to get to a double-digit lead.

But Hurley was firing up the crowd as the Huskies never quit, cutting the lead to five with less than nine minutes to play in the game. Lendeborg, though, after shaking his head on the bench as he wasn’t having the game he hoped in the national championship, stepped up when he checked back in.

Lendeborg saw a sweet pass from Cadeau in transition and got the lead back to 11 with a tough layup, making it 56-45 with less than six minutes to play. He would also come in clutch with another two points following a Braylon Mullins three-pointer.

Once again, the Huskies wouldn’t quit, as Mullins finally found his shot beyond the arc, knocking that Michigan lead back to single digits with a follow-up three-pointer again to Lendeborg’s layups. But, just as gritty as the Huskies played, the Wolverines seemed to always have the answer in this hard-fought contest.

Head coach Dan Hurley reacting during NCAA basketball championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

A key example of that was, after Karaban buried a three-pointer to cut the Michigan lead to six, Trey McKenney stepped back and drilled a 26-footer with 1:49 left in the game to get the lead back to nine points. The Wolverines faithful in the crowd went ballistic, knowing how much that basket meant considering what UConn has been able to do in this tournament.

With 37 seconds left in the game, Ball got some help from the backboard, making a three-pointer to cut the lead to 67-63 for the Wolverines. Roddy Gayle Jr. made things more interesting in this game, as he couldn’t knock down his two free throw attempts for Michigan. But Karaban didn’t have another clutch three-pointer in him, coming up short with 13 seconds left.

That was it for UConn’s desperation attempt, and Michigan celebrated their win.

In the box score, Cadeau led all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Lendeborg was just 4-of-13, though he still had 13 points. Johnson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolverines as well.

Cadeau was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

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Michigan was just 2-of-15 from the three-point line, and head coach Dusty May even noted after the game getting dominated on the glass, as they were out-rebounded by UConn, 46-39.

The Huskies, though, couldn’t find it offensively. Karaban finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but shot just 4-of-14 and 3-of-10 from three-point territory. Tarris Reed Jr. had a double-double as well with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Mullins, the hero against Duke with his half court shot, was only 4-of-17 for 11 points.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.





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Golfers react to Tiger Woods’ absence at Augusta National during Masters week: ‘It’s unfortunate’

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April 6, 2026

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Golfers react to Tiger Woods’ absence at Augusta National during Masters week: ‘It’s unfortunate’


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Tiger Woods may not be competing in this year’s Masters Tournament, but he is on golfers’ minds as they prepare for the major this year.

Woods’ DUI arrest in Florida on March 27 sent a shockwave through the golf community, and despite needing to lock in at one of the hardest courses on the golf schedule, it’s hard not to think about the five-time Masters winner.

Bodycam footage from his arrest, which occurred after a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, saw Woods admit he was “hoping to” play in the Masters. But he released a statement after his arrest, saying he would be stepping away from golf to “seek treatment.”

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Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“I look at it and go, ‘He’s just a human being like everyone else, and we have struggles,’” Jason Day said on Monday regarding Woods’ situation, per ESPN. “It’s unfortunate. The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way as well.”

Day added that Woods was “my hero growing up.”

“The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger. It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through, and especially under the microscope.

“Some people want him to fail. Some people obviously want him to succeed. It’s really difficult for me to go through that and watch him, and I know that he’s getting the help now, which is good. I’m just hoping he comes out on the other side and is better.”

Patrick Reed, a green jacket winner like Woods, is also missing him in Augusta, as well as fellow LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson, who announced he won’t be playing in the tournament due to a family health matter just days after Woods’ arrest.

“Let’s be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events, in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf,” Reed said, per ESPN. “But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go.”

Golfer Tiger Woods performing a field sobriety test on a roadside in Jupiter Island, Florida

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff’s deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office/AP)

Bubba Watson viewed Woods’ situation from a human perspective — not as a fellow golfer.

PHIL MICKELSON WITHDRAWS FROM THE MASTERS, JOINS TIGER WOODS IN SITTING OUT SIGNATURE MAJOR

“I could care less about Tiger’s golf,” he said, per ESPN. “I told him from day one that we started hanging out back in [2006 or 2007], somewhere in there, that I’m pulling for him as a human being. Forget his golf — I could care less about his golf.”

Woods’ DUI arrest resulted in charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a blood alcohol level (BAL) test after law enforcement said his vehicle collided with another while he drove impaired.

Woods released his statement after entering a plea of not guilty, waiving his right to an arraignment and demanding a trial with a jury Tuesday.

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a statement posted on social media. 

Tiger Woods playing a golf shot on the ninth hole at Augusta National Golf Club

Tiger Woods of the United States plays a shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

This arrest marked Woods’ second DUI arrest within the last decade. In 2017, he was taken into custody, also in Jupiter Island, after taking prescription drugs and falling asleep behind the wheel of a running car at 3 a.m.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.



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Huff scores 3 as West Virginia tops Oklahoma for CBC title

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April 6, 2026

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Huff scores 3 as West Virginia tops Oklahoma for CBC title


LAS VEGAS — Honor Huff made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 38 to propel West Virginia to an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma on Sunday in the championship game of the College Basketball Crown Tournament.

The senior guard teamed up with Jasper Floyd to do all the scoring in a game-ending 13-0 run for the Mountaineers (21-14) after spotting the Sooners (21-16) the first six points in OT. Floyd missed his first eight shots before sinking 3-pointers on both sides of one by Huff in a 9-0 run that gave West Virginia the lead for good at 85-82. Huff scored the final four points at the foul line.

Huff made 9 of 19 shots with seven of the misses coming from beyond the arc. He made all 12 of his free throws and had four assists. Chance Moore totaled 19 points — on 7-for-8 shooting — and 10 rebounds off the bench. Brenen Lorient added 15 points and eight rebounds.

Nijel Pack led Oklahoma with 24 points and seven assists. Tae Davis had 19 points and Xzayvier Brown scored 13.

Huff hit his first five 3-pointers and West Virginia jumped out to a 26-11 lead in the first 9:25. Davis had a three-point play in a 9-0 run and another one with 22 seconds left as Oklahoma battled back to lead 41-37 at halftime.

Pack sank a 3-pointer 3:31 into the second half to give Oklahoma its first double-digit lead 52-42.

Huff hit a 3 and two free throws and Lorient scored after a Sooners’ shot-clock violation to tie it 71-all with 1:45 remaining.

Pack and Huff traded 3-pointers, but Davis turned it over and then fouled Huff, who hit both free throws with 33 seconds remaining. Davis tied it at 76 with a layup, forcing OT.



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