Michigan State Headlines 2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Michigan State was chosen to win the 2025 Big Ten Conference women’s gymnastics championships, according to a poll of the 12 Big Ten coaches released Tuesday.

The Spartans are coming off a successful 2024 season after claiming the Big Ten regular season crown and winning the Big Ten Championships, their first conference title in school history. UCLA was picked to finish second in its inaugural season in the Big Ten, followed by Michigan at third in this year’s preseason poll. Rounding out the top five were Ohio State and Minnesota at fourth and fifth, respectively.

All 12 Big Ten programs were ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) poll, led by No. 10 UCLA. Michigan State was close behind at 11th, followed by No. 13 Michigan, No. 16 Ohio State, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 21 Penn State, No. 22 Illinois, No. 23 Nebraska, No. 24 Maryland, No. 26 Washington and No. 29 Iowa. Rutgers received votes.

The conference also unveiled the 2025 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List, as selected by the conference coaches. Nearly half of the 24 student-athletes on the watch list are returning All-Big Ten performers from last year. The list also features 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kalea McElligott from Penn State.

The 2025 Big Ten women’s gymnastics season begins the first weekend in January, with seven schools competing in non-conference meets and combining to face five top-20 opponents.

Here’s a look at the complete 2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Poll and Gymnasts to Watch List:

2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Michigan State
2. UCLA
3. Michigan
4. Ohio State
5. Minnesota
6. Penn State
7. Nebraska
8. Illinois
9. Maryland
10. Iowa
11. Washington
12. Rutgers

2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnasts to Watch
Chloe Cho, Fr., Illinois
Arielle Ward, Jr., Illinois
Adeline Kenlin, 5th-Yr., Iowa
Karina Muñoz, Jr., Iowa
Natalie Martin, So., Maryland
Alexa Rothenbuescher, Gr., Maryland
Sophia Diaz, Fr., Michigan
Jahzara Ranger, Fr., Michigan
Skyla Schulte, Sr., Michigan State
Nikki Smith, Jr., Michigan State
Mya Hooten, Gr., Minnesota
Lauren Pearl, Sr., Minnesota
Sophia McClelland, Sr., Nebraska
Whitney Jencks, So., Nebraska
Tory Vetter, R-Jr., Ohio State
Payton Harris, Jr., Ohio State
Kalea McElligott, So., Penn State
Elizabeth Leary, Fr., Penn State
Gabrielle Dildy, Jr., Rutgers
Delaney Adrian, Fr., Rutgers
Jordan Chiles, Jr., UCLA
Emma Malabuyo, Sr., UCLA
Lana Navarro, Sr., Washington
Emily Innes, Jr., Washington