Florida And LSU Punch Tickets To NCAA Gymnastics Final Four
The Florida Gators and LSU Tigers finished first and second in Thursday’s national semifinal in Fort Worth, Texas, advancing to Saturday’s NCAA National Championship. LSU's Kailin Chio leads the all-around race with Jordan Chiles still to come.
Kayla DiCello celebrates during the Gators' meet at SEC Championships on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at BOK Center in Tulsa, OK Hannah White/UAA Communications The No. 3 Florida Gators and No. 2 LSU Tigers finished first and second in Thursday’s national semifinal in Fort Worth, Texas, advancing to Saturday’s NCAA National Championship.
Though the programs came into Texas as favorites to advance, they fought off a formidable challenge from No. 6 Georgia and a late-meet push from No. 7 Stanford, whose seasons ended today in Fort Worth.
Jenny Rowland’s Florida Gators led from the second rotation on, delivering consistency in moments when perfection can take a turn. “This team was “unbreakable today," she smiled. With their results, the two SEC programs return to the NCAA Championship after uncharacteristically missing the final in 2025.
The Gators seek their first national championship since 2015, and LSU’s second in three years. All-Around favorite Kailin Chio claimed the lead in the individual race, and the sophomore star was emotional in her post-meet interview. “[I told my team that] I was not having a repeat of last year,” Kailin Chio tearfully said to ESPN, referencing LSU’s semifinal exit from 2025.
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