Denver Gymnastics Ranked No. 23 Nationally as NCAA Regionals Approach
DENVER – The University of Denver gymnastics team is currently ranked No. 23 in the Week 12 Road to Nationals rankings, released on Monday. The team secured its spot in the NCAA Regionals for the 27th consecutive time and awaits the NCAA Selection Present on Monday, March 23, at 10 a.m. MT, televised live on ESPNU, to learn its regional assignment.
Huge 12 Championship Performance
Denver achieved a score of 196.575 at the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship, marking its fifth-highest score of the season and earning the team a second-place finish in the conference. This performance contributed to an improvement in the team’s National Qualifying Score (NQS).
Understanding the National Qualifying Score (NQS)
The 2026 season introduced modifications to the NQS calculation, which determines eligibility for NCAA Regionals. The novel formula factors in a higher percentage of each team’s meets compared to the previous formula. NQS is calculated by dropping the highest and lowest scores and averaging the remaining scores, with a maximum of five home meets factored in. Denver included all of its meets toward its NQS calculation this season, as it only hosted five home meets.
Individual rankings continue to use the previous NQS formula: taking the top six scores with a minimum of three at away meets, dropping the high score and averaging the remaining five scores.
Denver’s NQS Breakdown
Here’s a look at Denver’s scores contributing to their final NQS:
- 196.950 – Away at Arizona State
- 196.725 – Away at Air Force Tri
- 196.600 – Home vs. Arizona
- 196.575 – Away at Big 12 Championship
- 196.575 – Home vs. Stanford
- 196.525 – Home vs. Iowa State
- 196.100 – Home vs Utah
- 196.000 – Away at West Virginia
- 195.925 – Away at BYU
- 195.850 – Away at Texas Woman’s Tri
NQS: 196.383
Team National Rankings
- Overall: No. 23 (196.383 NQS)
- Vault: No. 20 (49.068)
- Bars: No. 20 (49.073)
- Floor: No. 12 (49.365)
Individual Performances
Senior Cecilia Cooley achieved individual national rankings, tying for No. 23 on beam (9.910) and No. 18 on floor (9.930). Cooley is the first DU gymnast to hold at least one spot in the top 25 at the complete of a season since Jessica Hutchinson in 2024.
Denver improved its NQS on floor, maintaining a No. 12 ranking, which is its highest final national floor ranking since 2021 when the team finished ranked No. 9.
The team narrowly missed a top-25 ranking on beam, finishing at No. 26.
Looking Ahead
Denver will learn its NCAA Regional site during the selection show on March 23rd. The team has mathematically clinched a spot in NCAA Regionals for a 27th consecutive time.