Oklahoma Gymnast Nails Final Routine to Win 4th NCAA Title

Faith Torrez had one last chance to leave her mark on college gymnastics, and she made every second count.

The Oklahoma senior stepped onto the floor Saturday as the final competitor of the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, with her team trailing LSU by just 0.0750 points. Her 90-second routine would decide whether the Sooners kept their dynasty alive or watched it slip away.

Torrez delivered. Her stunning performance earned a 9.950, pushing Oklahoma's total to 198.1625 and securing their fourth championship in five years.

The victory was even sweeter considering Torrez's challenging season. Injuries kept her from competing in the all-around until nationals, making her championship-clinching performance a testament to resilience and perfect timing.

LSU had surged ahead through three rotations, powered by Kailin Chio's perfect 10 on vault. It was the first perfect score awarded at nationals since 2023, and it gave the Tigers momentum heading into the final rotation.

But the balance beam can be unforgiving. LSU's Lexi Zeiss fell during her routine, cracking open the door for Oklahoma after she endured a prolonged wait while judges scored her teammate.

The meet came down to the final two gymnasts. Torrez on floor for Oklahoma, Chio on beam for LSU. Chio, who recorded 13 perfect tens during the season, delivered another dazzling routine, but her 9.900 wasn't quite enough.

Florida finished third while Minnesota capped their best season in program history with a fourth-place finish. The competition showcased women's college gymnastics at its highest level, with multiple teams within reach of the title until the final moments.

Why This Inspires

Torrez's championship-winning performance shows the power of showing up when it matters most. After battling injuries all season, she could have played it safe or let doubt creep in. Instead, she trusted her preparation and delivered under the brightest lights.

Her words after winning the all-around title Thursday captured what makes team sports special: "I'm so proud of this team. To do it with them, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else." She got to end her college career exactly as she hoped, surrounded by teammates and celebrating together.

Oklahoma's sustained excellence proves that building a culture of success creates its own momentum, even as rosters change and new challenges emerge each season.