Five weeks into the 2026 NCAA gymnastics season, one thing is crystal clear: this year’s freshman class isn’t just making an impact—they’re making history.
From perfect 10s to Olympic alternates dominating Big Ten competition, the Class of 2026 is already proving why college gymnastics recruiting experts called this one of the most elite freshman groups in recent memory. Let’s break down the freshmen who are already changing the championship conversation.
Mackenzie Estep (Oklahoma): The Perfect Storm
When Mackenzie Estep stepped up to vault at the Metroplex Challenge on February 8th, she wasn’t just making history for herself—she was announcing the arrival of Oklahoma’s next dynasty piece.
The Auburn, Washington native stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 so cleanly that all four judges had no choice: 10.0. Estep became the first freshman in the nation to earn a perfect score in 2026, and the first Oklahoma freshman since Jordan Bowers in 2022 to achieve the feat.
“She has intangible qualities that enhance her physical talents and make her incredibly special,” Oklahoma head coach K.J. Kindler said when Estep signed. “She is driven, confident, dedicated and full of life.”
But that perfect 10 is just the headline. Estep has won three SEC Freshman of the Week awards in five weeks—the most of any gymnast in the conference. She’s making her case as an all-arounder too, debuting in the all-around against Alabama with a 39.300 and following it up with career-high scores on multiple events.
The reigning Nastia Liukin Cup All-Around Champion isn’t just filling gaps left by graduated Sooners—she’s elevating the program to new heights. Oklahoma has posted multiple 198-plus team scores this season, with Estep’s contributions on vault (49.725 season-high) and floor (49.750 season-high) leading the way.
Season Stats: Perfect 10 on vault, career-high 9.95 on floor, 39.300 all-around debut, three SEC Freshman of the Week honors
Tiana Sumanasekera (UCLA): The Olympic Alternate Who Wasn’t Going to Wait
Most freshmen would be content just making the lineup. Tiana Sumanasekera showed up at UCLA and immediately became indispensable.
The 2024 Paris Olympic alternate is the only UCLA freshman competing in every event, and she’s doing it with the poise of a veteran. In her collegiate debut at Washington, Sumanasekera scored a stunning 9.950 on beam—second-place overall and the highest score by any freshman in the meet.
By week five, she’d already earned two Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and posted a career-high 39.425 in the all-around. Her beam work has been particularly exceptional, consistently scoring above 9.900 and helping UCLA post a 49.625 on the event against Nebraska—the sixth-highest beam score in school history.
“The credit goes to Lacy (Dagen) for beam,” said UCLA sophomore Mika Webster-Longin. “She is an incredible beam coach.”
But it’s Sumanasekera’s floor routine that’s captured hearts across the NCAA. Choreographing her own routines, she debuted a Bollywood-inspired floor performance that’s yet to score below 9.825. Against Washington, she posted a career-high 9.925 on floor.
Perhaps most impressively, Sumanasekera is balancing her NCAA career with elite aspirations. She’s training elite skills during UCLA’s rigorous practice schedule while helping the Bruins to an undefeated Big Ten record through six weeks.
“This is such an unpredictable sport,” Sumanasekera said about her Olympic dreams. “Life is unpredictable. But I’m working hard towards it.”
Season Stats: 39.425 all-around career-high, 9.950 on beam, 9.925 on floor, 9.900 on vault, two Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards
Ashlee Sullivan (UCLA): The All-Around Force
If you’re looking for consistency from a freshman, look no further than Ashlee Sullivan.
The 2025 Winter Cup all-around champion and World Championships alternate has earned two Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors while posting career-highs seemingly every meet. Against Nebraska in UCLA’s Big Ten opener, Sullivan tied for first on uneven bars (9.900) and floor (9.875). A week later against Washington, she posted a career-best 9.950 on floor.
Most recently at Minnesota, Sullivan won the bars title outright with a 9.925—her first individual event title as a Bruin.
“We’re really relying on our freshmen and the experience that they had previously in their elite careers,” UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said. “I think it really is going to bode well for them for their longevity and their NCAA career.”
Sullivan’s versatility is what makes her invaluable. She’s appeared in three events in every meet, filling crucial lineup spots on bars, beam, and floor. Her elite background—including gold at the 2025 DTB Pokal Mixed Cup and all-around bronze at the 2025 Jesolo Trophy—shows in her consistency. She rarely scores below 9.850 and has hit every routine this season.
With UCLA chasing another NCAA championship, Sullivan’s ability to contribute across multiple events makes her one of the most valuable freshmen in the country.
Season Stats: 9.950 career-high on floor, 9.925 bars title at Minnesota, 9.900 on bars/floor, two Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards
Allison Cucci (Arkansas): The All-Around Phenomenon
Forget easing into college gymnastics. Allison Cucci won the all-around in her very first collegiate meet.
Making her debut at Minnesota on January 10th, the former 5-star recruit posted a 39.350 to claim the all-around crown. It was a statement: Arkansas had found its next all-around star.
But Cucci hasn’t stopped there. She’s consistently competed all-around for the Razorbacks, filling a massive void left by graduated stars. Most recently at the Metroplex Challenge, she tied a career-high on vault with a 9.900 and helped Arkansas post a program-record vault score of 49.675.
“She has the ability to compete at a super high level on all of the four events, and that’s not common in college gymnastics,” Arkansas coach Jordyn Wieber said. “Each team might have two to four all-arounders.”
Cucci’s credentials speak for themselves: 2025 DP Nationals beam champion, vault and bars bronze medalist, and all-around silver medalist. She was also the 2024 all-around champion at the same meet.
The freshman has been instrumental in Arkansas’s strong start to SEC competition, helping the Razorbacks upset No. 6 Georgia (197.450-197.050) and post multiple season-high scores.
Season Stats: 39.425 career-high all-around, 9.900 on vault (tied career-high), won all-around in debut (39.350)
Nola Matthews (UCLA): The Floor Party Starter
Nola Matthews brings something UCLA is famous for: showmanship.
The three-time USA Gymnastics Sportsperson of the Year (2023-2025) and 2025 Winter Cup floor champion has quickly become a fan favorite with her high-energy performances. She’s appeared in multiple events across UCLA’s first several meets, showcasing versatility on bars, beam, and her signature event: floor.
Matthews’ elite resume is extensive: five-time U.S. National Team member, team gold at the 2025 DTB Mixed Cup, and gold medals on bars and floor at the 2025 Varna World Challenge Cup. She’s known across the gymnastics community not just for her skills, but for her infectious enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
“Nola has a performance quality and style to her gymnastics that fits right in to our Bruin culture,” McDonald said. “Her enthusiasm for gymnastics and support for her teammates and other competitors make her an incredible leader.”
While her role is still evolving as she shares lineup spots with UCLA’s deep roster, Matthews’ impact on team culture has been immediate. The Bruins are undefeated in Big Ten play through six weeks, and the freshman energy Matthews brings to Pauley Pavilion is undeniable.
Season Highlights: 2025 Winter Cup floor champion, five-time U.S. National Team member, competing on bars/beam/floor in rotation
Avalon Campbell (Arkansas): The Bars Specialist with “Nastia Liukin-Like Quality”
Arkansas coach Jordyn Wieber doesn’t throw around comparisons to Olympic champions lightly. But when describing freshman Avalon Campbell, she used those exact words: “Nastia Liukin-like quality” on bars and beam.
The former 5-star prospect is helping Arkansas address what was their lowest-ranked event last season. The Razorbacks finished tied for No. 16 in the nation on bars with a 49.265 NQS in 2025. Campbell’s elegance and technical precision are already making a difference.
In Arkansas’s upset victory over No. 6 Georgia (197.450-197.050), Campbell contributed a solid 9.850 on bars as part of a season-high 49.450 rotation. Against the same Georgia squad, she posted another 9.850, showing the consistency coaches crave from specialists.
Campbell is also making contributions on beam, giving Arkansas depth on an event where they’re looking to replace graduated talent. She’s competed in exhibition on bars as well, working her way into regular rotation spots.
“Our freshmen have had a really good preseason, and we’ve got a couple that are going to be massive contributors this season,” Wieber said before the season.
Campbell is proving her coach right.
Season Highlights: 9.850 on bars (multiple meets), competing bars and beam, former 5-star recruit
The Big Picture: A Generational Shift
What makes this freshman class so special isn’t just individual talent—it’s how they’re elevating their teams immediately.
UCLA’s freshman class has accounted for 38.3% of the Bruins’ routines through the season’s first month, with Sumanasekera (19 routines), Sullivan (16), Matthews (8), and Jordis Eichman (3) all contributing. The Bruins are undefeated in Big Ten play and ranked No. 5 nationally.
Oklahoma’s Estep has helped the Sooners post the nation’s highest scores on vault (49.725) and floor (49.750) while maintaining their No. 1 national ranking. Arkansas’s Cucci and Campbell are key pieces in the Razorbacks’ SEC competitiveness, helping them upset Georgia and compete with the conference’s elite.
This isn’t just about filling roster spots vacated by graduated seniors. This freshman class is changing the championship landscape.
“They have so much experience just through their time with being elite athletes,” McDonald said. “I think it really is going to bode well for them for their longevity and their NCAA career.”
Five weeks in, the numbers back her up. Perfect 10s. All-around titles. Conference awards. Career-highs seemingly every week.
The Class of 2026 isn’t waiting their turn. They’re taking it.
Looking Ahead
As conference championships approach and teams jostle for NCAA Regional positioning, these freshmen will only become more crucial. Estep could add more perfect 10s to her resume. Sumanasekera is one beam routine away from putting together a Gym Slam season. Sullivan’s all-around consistency could be the difference in close team competitions.
And this is just the beginning. These aren’t one-year wonders—they’re program-changers who will define NCAA gymnastics for the next three years.
The future of college gymnastics? It’s already here. And it’s wearing a freshman bib.
Stats current through February 11, 2026. Follow GymnasticsVille for weekly updates on these rising stars and the latest NCAA gymnastics coverage.
