Michigan’s Kayli Boozer Wins College Gym News Breakout Performer Award
The 2025 Michigan Women’s Gymnastics season delivered a showcase of remarkable talent, resilience, and breakthrough performances. The Wolverines ended up with a string of prestigious awards and honors that felt well-earned.
From record-breaking routines to national accolades, Michigan showed why it’s still one of the top programs in college gymnastics. Standouts like Carly Bauman, Kayli Boozer, and Jahzara Ranger not only wowed on the floor but also caught the eye of the Big Ten, the WCGA, and national media.
This season brought career-best scores, clutch routines under pressure, and a continued tradition of excellence that Michigan fans have come to expect. For a full rundown of awards, check out the official Michigan Women’s Gymnastics awards and honors page.
Kayli Boozer’s Breakout Season
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One of the most compelling stories this year? Sophomore Kayli Boozer bursting onto the scene in the Big Ten and beyond. Boozer grabbed the College Gym News Breakout Performer of the Year award, which goes to upperclassmen who take their performances to a new level.
She became a mainstay in Michigan’s lineups on vault, beam, and floor, always delivering consistent, high-scoring routines. Her efforts helped push the Wolverines to some big wins.
Career-Best Performances
Boozer’s biggest moment came when she nailed a career-best 9.950 on beam against Ohio State at Crisler Center. That routine locked in one of her two beam titles for the season.
She also showed her range, competing on vault in the last five meets and hitting a career-high 9.900 at Oklahoma. On floor, she matched that 9.900 in back-to-back meets against Ohio State and Nebraska—always coming through when it counted most.
Impact on Big Ten Rankings
Boozer ended the season ranked 15th in the Big Ten on beam and 24th on floor. That’s a big leap and shows just how much she’s grown.
It’s hard not to think she’ll be a major factor for Michigan moving forward.
Jahzara Ranger’s Freshman Brilliance
Freshman Jahzara Ranger didn’t waste any time making her presence felt. She picked up Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors twice, showing poise and a competitive edge even in the toughest meets.
Ranger’s routines stood out for their power, precision, and her ability to rise to the occasion.
Big Ten Quad Meet Highlights
At the Big Ten Quad Meet on March 1, Ranger scored 9.900 on both vault and floor. She shared the vault title—that was her first career win in the event.
She also tied for third on floor and finished sixth on beam, proving she’s got all-around potential.
Consistency Against Top Competition
Earlier in the season against No. 2 UCLA, Ranger tied her career-best 9.900 on floor while anchoring the lineup. That helped Michigan keep its momentum.
Her 9.875 on beam and 9.850 on vault in that meet made it clear she’s dependable across the board.
Carly Bauman’s Specialist Dominance
Veteran Carly Bauman put together a season worth remembering. She picked up several Big Ten Specialist of the Week awards and kept building her reputation as one of the conference’s most reliable, high-scoring performers.
Bauman’s polished technique and knack for sticking landings made her a cornerstone of Michigan’s 2025 success.
Uneven Bars and Beam Excellence
Her season highlight? Scoring a career-best 9.975 on uneven bars against UCLA. That marked her third straight bars title and sixth of the season.
She also grabbed the beam title in that same meet with a 9.900, and tied her career best on floor at 9.925. Week after week, she delivered near-perfect routines.
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National and Conference Rankings
Throughout the year, Bauman ranked among the best—16th nationally on uneven bars, 19th on beam, and 26th on floor. Her steady presence and leadership helped guide a young but talented Michigan squad.
Preseason Expectations and Team Performance
Before the season started, Big Ten coaches picked Michigan to finish third in the conference, behind Michigan State and UCLA. That came after a third-place finish in 2024.
Even with tough competition, Michigan’s blend of veteran leadership and fresh faces let them outperform expectations in several key meets.
Rising Stars and Future Outlook
Freshman Sophia Diaz was named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch before she’d even competed. Diaz brought an impressive resume: multiple national titles, a perfect 10.0 on vault at the 2024 national championships, and podium finishes on all four events.
Her arrival, along with Ranger’s immediate impact, sets up Michigan for an exciting future.
Season Highlights and Awards Summary
The Wolverines’ 2025 season was packed with individual accolades and team milestones. Here’s a quick look at the major awards and honors Michigan gymnasts picked up:
- Kayli Boozer – College Gym News Breakout Performer of the Year, two beam titles, career-best 9.950 on beam
- Jahzara Ranger – Two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, multiple event titles, career-best 9.900 on vault and floor
- Carly Bauman – Multiple Big Ten Specialist of the Week honors, career-best 9.975 on uneven bars, ranked top 20 nationally on bars and beam
- Sophia Diaz – Big Ten Gymnast to Watch, multiple national titles at Level 10
Academic Achievements
The Wolverines didn’t just shine in the gym—they stood out in the classroom, too. Ten athletes made the CSC Academic All-District team, and Bauman earned First Team CSC Academic All-America honors.
This balance of academic and athletic excellence really shows how much Michigan values well-rounded student-athletes.
Looking Ahead
Michigan’s got a strong returning core and a wave of top recruits coming in. That mix of seasoned leaders like Bauman and Boozer with rising talents such as Ranger and Diaz makes for a pretty exciting roster.
They’re shaping up to contend for Big Ten and maybe even NCAA titles over the next few seasons. If this year’s performances say anything, the Wolverines aren’t slowing down in collegiate gymnastics.
For a complete list of awards, honors, and detailed meet results, check out the official Michigan Athletics website.