UCLA Headlines 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll

ROSEMONT, Ill. – UCLA was selected to win the 2026 Big Ten Conference women’s gymnastics championships, according to a poll of the 12 Big Ten coaches released Tuesday.

The Bruins are coming off an historic start to their time as members of the Big Ten Conference. In its inaugural season, UCLA wrapped up the league slate with a perfect 9-0 record to secure its first-ever regular-season crown. The Bruins followed up with a record-setting performance at the Big Ten Championships with an overall score of 198.450, the highest team score ever achieved at the event, to win their first title. The program also finished second at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships.

Michigan State was chosen to finish second in the Big Ten, followed by Michigan at third in this year’s preseason poll. Rounding out the top five were Minnesota and Ohio State at fourth and fifth, respectively.

The conference also unveiled the 2026 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List, as selected by the conference coaches. Eight gymnasts on the watch list are returning All-Big Ten performers from last year. The list also features 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Chloe Cho from Illinois and Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Nikki Smith from Michigan State.

The 2026 Big Ten women’s gymnastics season begins the first weekend in January.

Here’s a look at the complete 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll and Gymnasts to Watch List:

2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. UCLA
2. Michigan State
3. Michigan
4. Minnesota
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. Nebraska
8. Penn State
9. Maryland
10. Illinois
11. Washington
12. Rutgers 

2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnasts to Watch
Chloe Cho, So., Illinois
Summer Clancy, Fr., Illinois
JerQuavia Henderson, 5th-Yr., Iowa
Sydney Turner, So., Iowa
Madeline Komoroski, Sr., Maryland
Taylor Rech, Sr., Maryland
Sophia Diaz, So., Michigan
Ava Jordan, Jr., Michigan
Nikki Smith, Sr., Michigan State
Olivia Zsarmani, Sr., Michigan State
Gianna Gerdes, Gr., Minnesota
Jordyn Lyden, Jr., Minnesota
Whitney Jencks, Jr., Nebraska
Isabel Sikon, Jr., Nebraska
JJ Coleman, So., Ohio State
Tory Vetter, Sr., Ohio State
Dani Latronica, So., Penn State
Elizabeth Leary, So., Penn State
Gabrielle Dildy, Sr., Rutgers
Emily Leese, Gr., Rutgers
Jordan Chiles, Sr., UCLA
Tiana Sumanasekera, Fr., UCLA
Mary McDonough, Jr., Washington
Lilly Tubbs, Sr., Washington