The 9th seed Kentucky gymnastics team will look to get back to the NCAA championship round today at 5 PM
Kentucky Gymnastics is still dancing.
With a gritty and graceful showing in the second round of the NCAA Regionals, the Wildcats posted a 197.315 to edge out Georgia and advance to Saturday’s regional final, where the competition ramps up in a major way.
Awaiting them? A loaded final featuring No. 1 overall seed LSU, No. 8 Michigan State, and No. 16 Arkansas—all teams more than capable of punching a ticket to the final four.
Second round recap: Wildcats stay composed under pressure
The Wildcats weren’t flashy—but they were incredibly consistent. That consistency paid off, and left them with a birth in the next round.
Their final score of 197.315 was enough to finish second in their session behind Michigan State. But Kentucky’s score was enough to move them into the final four of the regional—right where they needed to be.
There’s no sugarcoating it—this regional final is absolutely loaded.
No. 1 LSU: They posted a jaw-dropping 198.115 in their second round and have national title aspirations. Their star-studded lineup is deep, experienced, and explosive.
No. 8 Michigan State: They just beat the Cats with a 197.360, and will look to keep that advantage.
No. 16 Arkansas: A fierce SEC rival who posted 197.055—a team Kentucky knows well and won’t underestimate.
The top two teams from Saturday’s final will advance to the NCAA Championships. For Kentucky, it’s a tall task—but not an impossible one.
Coach Tim Garrison’s squad has been steadily building toward this moment. This marks another year where Kentucky is not just showing up—but showing out—on the national stage.
The program is pushing closer and closer to joining the elite in NCAA Gymnastics. Beating two of the three top-16 teams in Saturday’s final would be a signature moment—not just for this team, but for the program’s future.
With LSU expected to post a monster score again, Kentucky will likely be battling it out with Michigan State and Arkansas for the second qualifying spot.
The Cats will need to bring their best beam rotation, stick landings on vault, and absolutely crush the floor.
Final take: Why not?
Yes, the competition is fierce. Yes, LSU is a juggernaut. But Kentucky is not here by accident.
They’ve proven they can hang with the best—and now, they get their shot.
Saturday’s regional final is set and you can catch all the action on ESPN+ at 5 PM.
