The Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics team, affectionately known as the Gymbacks, enters the 2026 season with high expectations and a roster brimming with talent. Under head coach Jordyn Wieber, a former Olympic gold medalist, the program has steadily climbed the ranks. Starting the year ranked No. 10 in the WCGA preseason coaches poll—the second-highest preseason mark in Wieber’s tenure—the Gymbacks are poised for another strong campaign. This follows a 2025 season where they finished No. 12 nationally, boasting four top-10 victories, including upsets over No. 2 LSU and Florida. Those wins highlighted the team’s potential, with program-high scores on beam (49.575) and three top-10 team totals, peaking at 197.725.
Wieber’s leadership has transformed Arkansas into a consistent contender in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a powerhouse league dominated by programs like LSU and Florida. The move to host all home meets at Bud Walton Arena in 2025 paid dividends, shattering attendance records with an average of 7,915 fans per meet and a total of 39,575 for the season. This fan support has elevated the program’s visibility, drawing national attention and aiding recruitment. As Wieber noted, the Gymbacks are not just competing—they’re building a legacy on “The Hill” in Fayetteville.
At the heart of the 2026 squad is a blend of experienced returners and dynamic newcomers, creating one of the most talented rosters in program history. Leading the charge is sophomore Joscelyn Roberson, a breakout star from 2025. As a freshman, she set the Arkansas freshman all-around record at 39.600 and earned All-American honors on beam, plus an All-SEC nod. At the NCAA Championships, her 39.425 all-around score was the best by a Razorback freshman at nationals. Roberson’s elite credentials shine through: she placed third all-around and second on floor at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, then secured a bronze on vault at the World Championships as part of Team USA—her first individual world medal.
Bolstering the lineup are redshirt junior Lauren Williams and the fifth-year trio of Frankie Price, Leah Smith, and Cami Weaver. Williams, sidelined by injury in 2025, returns after a stellar 2024 debut with All-SEC vault honors. Smith and Weaver, both All-Americans in 2024, bring conference accolades on the floor and beam, respectively. Frankie Price, a vault and floor specialist, is eyeing a triumphant final season after a 2024 injury; she’s a WCGA Second Team All-American and All-SEC on floor. These veterans provide leadership and high-scoring potential across events.
The roster’s depth is amplified by eight newcomers: transfers Madison Gustitus (sophomore from San Jose State) and Morgan Price (senior from Fisk University), plus six freshmen—Addison Bare, Bradley Burton, Avalon Campbell, Allison Cucci, Avery King, and Riley Jandorf. Ranked No. 2 by College Gym News, this freshman class adds firepower on all apparatuses. Cucci, a five-star recruit, is a standout: she won national titles on beam (2025) and vault/all-around (2024) at the Development Program Nationals and is pegged as one of the most anticipated freshmen across events. Campbell and King are also five-stars, while Bare and Burton are four-stars.
Transfers bring immediate impact. Gustitus excelled as a freshman at San Jose State, earning Second Team All-Mountain West on beam with a 9.860 NQS, co-winning the conference beam title, and qualifying individually to regionals. She also notched five event titles and four Freshman of the Week honors. Morgan Price, sister of Frankie, made history at Fisk—the first HBCU gymnastics program—winning six WCGNIC national titles, including back-to-back all-around crowns (2024-25) and a 2025 sweep of all events. A three-time First Team All-American, she boasts 9.900+ highs on every apparatus.
The early season has already showcased this talent. In their opener on January 10 against Minnesota in Minneapolis, the Gymbacks fell short but posted an impressive 196.700—the second-highest season-opening score in program history. Facing a Gophers team ranked No. 8 after their first meet (195.475), Arkansas shone in individual performances. Freshman Allison Cucci claimed the all-around title with 39.350, including a 9.900 vault share with Williams. The team swept event titles: Leah Smith on bars (9.875), Joscelyn Roberson on beam (9.950, matching her career high), and Morgan Price on floor (9.875). Event totals included 49.250 on vault, 49.100 on bars, and 49.175 on both beam and floor.
Notably, it was the first meet since 2020 with three all-arounders—Cucci, Hailey Klein, and Price—all debuting in the all-around for Arkansas. Standouts included Cucci’s consistent 9.800+ scores, Roberson’s beam mastery, and stuck landings from Smith, Cucci, Williams, and Price. Despite the loss, the score reflects the team’s potential, especially compared to 2025 final NQS rankings: 15th on vault (49.225), tied-16th on bars (49.265), 14th on beam (49.315), 9th on floor (49.470), and 16th all-around (197.055).
Looking ahead, the Gymbacks dive into SEC action on January 18, hosting Auburn at Bud Walton Arena (4:45 p.m. CT, SEC Network). This home opener offers a chance to build momentum before a challenging conference slate. The future looks even brighter with the 2026-27 signing class, ranked No. 10 by College Gym News: five-star Simone Brown, four-stars Tori Hess and Finley Scott, and three-star Sabrina Visconti. Wieber praised their consistency, artistry, vault prowess, and elite experience, signaling sustained growth.
With a top-10 ranking, elite-caliber athletes, and record fan support, Arkansas gymnastics is on the cusp of national prominence. As they navigate the season, the Gymbacks’ mix of youth and experience could propel them to new heights, potentially surpassing last year’s achievements and making a deep run in the postseason.
