NCAA Gymnastics Judging Breaks Loose
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Leanne Wong of the Florida Gators celebrates during a meet … [+]
NCAA Women’s Gymnastics’ scoring ‘drought’ is a distant memory. Five perfect scores were awarded in meets from roughly 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, February 14. Before Friday’s ten-fest, the 10.0 total was staggeringly low, with five tallied through six weeks of competition compared to 31 through the same date in 2024. After a modest start to 2025, Friday’s results marked a reversion towards the judging of old.
On March 23, 2024, eight perfect tens were awarded on one day of competition. The 2024 season would go on to tally the highest number of perfect scores in more than 20 years. Is the 2025 season headed in a similar direction?
While 2025 is far behind the 2024 pace, Friday’s 10.0 overload could signal more to come. In 2024, two perfect tens were awarded in week one of college gymnastics. In week three, a staggering nine tens were awarded. For the remainder of the 12-week regular season, no fewer than five tens were awarded every weekend. Did Friday’s scoring open the floodgates? Time will tell.
The ‘Perfect’ Routines
Two of the five 10.0s came from one competition on Friday, the “Zou in the Lou’” meet hosted by the No. 9 Missouri Tigers. SEC rival No. 14 Alabama ultimately fell to the Tigers, but senior Lily Hudson was triumphant with a perfect score on floor.
The four-time NCAA All-American combined energetic dance with near-perfect form in her tumbling. Wrapping her routine with a stuck 2 1/2 twist, Hudson’s routine marks her third-career perfect ten. The senior now needs a perfect score on the uneven bars to complete a coveted ‘Gym Slam:’ a perfect score on every event.
Later that evening, Missouri’s Kennedy Griffin posted a perfect score on floor to tie Hudson, the first of Griffin’s career and the second in program history. Her Beyoncé-inspired routine included sky-high tumbling and engaging dance, leading Missouri to a program-record total on the floor.
While the “Zou in the Lou” was a wild ride, the fun was just beginning. Later that night, 2021 Olympic silver medalist Grace McCallum notched her first perfect score of the season in Utah’s win over Arizona State. No. 2 in the nation on bars, the Olympian’s 10.0 comes after a hot start to the season, with six of her seven bars scores going 9.9 or higher. In week seven, she finally reached double digits.
Utah Utes gymnast Grace McCallum performs during an NCAA gymnastics meet on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 in … [+]
That same evening, No. 3 Florida Gators faced off against No. 12 Auburn in Gainesville. As one of the NCAA’s perennial programs, Florida surprisingly entered week seven without a perfect score. They now head into week eight with two to their name.
Senior Sloane Blakely continues to deliver for the Gators in her final season. The former U.S. National Team member brought the Gainesville crowd to its feet on Friday, nailing her full-twisting double-back to earn her second career-perfect ten on the floor.
Blakely was not alone in achieving perfection. 2021 and 2024 U.S. Olympic alternate Leanne Wong was exceptional on the bars, sticking her dismount and receiving a 10.0 from one judge and a 9.95 from the other – a near-perfect 9.975. Many fans felt the routine deserved a 10, but one judge disagreed.
Minutes later, Wong hit another stellar routine on the balance beam. This time, however, she made a slight adjustment on her dismount landing. The landing was visibly imperfect, but the judges declared otherwise. Both judges awarded Wong her first perfect ten of the season, the ninth of her illustrious collegiate career.
Just across the gulf, another ‘imperfect’ score would soon attract attention. In the primetime matchup of No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 LSU, NCAA Champion Faith Torrez delivered for the Sooners on vault. Known for her uncanny ability to stick the landing, Torrez hopped forward on Friday – an error incurring a deduction between .05 and .100. Despite the noticeable hop, one judge awarded Torrez a perfect score.
This sudden wave of ‘imperfect’ scores comes shortly after judging debates shook the gymnastics community. In late January, LSU gymnast and social media influencer Olivia ‘Livvy’ Dunne took to X to express frustration with the sport’s judging.
“If you want fans to enjoy the sport and increase viewership, you have to look at what makes the crowds go crazy,” Dunne said in a post. “People understand what a perfect 10 is and want people who do things that look great to be rewarded.”
While the gymnastics community critiqued Dunne’s perspective, her post sparked debate. Will more perfect scores grow viewership? Attendance and viewership are on the rise nationwide. After five perfect scores and eleven scores of 9.975 on Friday, scoring also appears to be on the rise. Could the combination bring even more eyes to the sport? If the judging continues to loosen, gymnastics fans could get their answer.
Perfect tens are exciting, but imperfect ones hurt the sport. Will week eight bring more controversial scores? If history is any indication, the odds are high.
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