Sooner dominance prevails, as Oklahoma Women's Gymnastics clinches outright SEC crown, a back-to-back triumph solidifying their reign atop the conference
NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 1 Oklahoma women's gymnastics team has once again proven their dominance, securing the SEC regular-season championship for the second consecutive year—and this time claiming it outright for the 2026 season.
In a commanding performance on Friday night at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, the Sooners defeated No. 15 Auburn by a decisive score of 197.975 to 196.150, locking up the league crown with one conference meet still remaining.
Head coach K.J. Kindler expressed the magnitude of the achievement, highlighting the intense competition within the SEC. "I can't tell you how difficult it is to win this," Kindler said.
"Last year, we won a share of the regular season title and that was very difficult to do when you have eight of the top 10 teams in the country. It's an incredible conference. I can't say enough about the other teams and the way they're coached and the talent on their rosters. For this team to earn this is huge for the university and it's something they should be extremely proud of."
With a perfect 7-0 record in SEC competition and all other conference opponents holding at least two losses, the Sooners clinched the title decisively. This marks the 22nd conference championship in program history and the 16th under Kindler's leadership, underscoring her remarkable tenure and the program's sustained excellence since joining the SEC.
Kindler emphasized the challenges and growth that come with competing in such a powerhouse conference. "The plan was to make a statement," she explained. "Moving into the SEC allows us to be challenged every single week against the best of the best. These environments we're going to are wild and crazy and loud. You have to set aside distractions and be dialed in. It makes your program rise when you join a conference like that."
The meet showcased Oklahoma's depth and precision, as five different athletes swept the individual event titles. Sophomore Addison Fatta delivered a stellar 39.500 in the all-around, earning her sixth title of the season and demonstrating her consistency as a key contributor.
On vault, Hannah Scheible posted a 9.925 to share the event win with Auburn's Paige Zancan. Lily Pederson matched her career high with a 9.95 to claim bars outright. Faith Torrez secured her sixth beam title of the year with another 9.95, while Mackenzie Estep topped floor with a 9.95 of her own.
Estep reflected on the team's journey and gratitude. "Every day I go into practice with this mindset of being so grateful and honored to be here and be on this team," she said. "To see all the hard work we put in every day to get to this moment, it's super special to be a part of that."
The Sooners built their lead rotation by rotation. They opened with a strong 49.475 on vault, led by Scheible's stuck front handspring pike half (9.925). Estep and Fatta each scored 9.90 on their Yurchenko 1.5s, with additional solid contributions from Keira Wells and Elle Mueller (9.875 each) and Elizabeth Blessey (9.80 in leadoff).
Bars saw Oklahoma extend the advantage to .550 with a 49.550. Pederson led off impressively again with a 9.95—her latest in a string of high-starting scores that Kindler praised highly.
"I want to recognize Lily Pederson because in the history of our program, I don't know that we've had a starter go 9.950 as many times as she has," Kindler noted. "Dani Sievers was so consistent, but this score of 9.950, that is huge for a starter to get and very difficult... It was very impressive and definitely sets up the rest of the lineup for some big moments."
Fatta added a 9.925, with Scheible and Torrez at 9.90 each.Beam was another highlight, marking the sixth time this season OU scored 49.500 or better, posting 49.550 to lead 148.575-146.350 entering floor.
Torrez anchored with her fifth 9.95 of the year, Mueller continued her hot streak with 9.925, and Wells matched it.
Kindler singled out Torrez's routine as her best of the season: "It was Faith's best routine of the year. What you work on with Faith are the smallest of things. She is so good on beam, but the smallest of things were so very good today."
Floor sealed the victory with a 49.400. Pederson opened at 9.90, Murphy delivered a season-best 9.925, and Estep capped her high-energy performance with a career-high 9.95.
This title reinforces Oklahoma's status as a perennial powerhouse in their second year in the SEC, building on last year's shared crown and recent national successes.
The Sooners now face a busy double weekend: a road trip to No. 8 Arkansas on Friday, March 6, followed by the final home meet against TWU on Sunday, March 8.
With depth still to showcase and postseason on the horizon—including the SEC Championships—the Sooners are positioned to continue their impressive run through the 2026 season.