Minnesota Freshmen Propel Oklahoma Sooners to 7th NCAA Gymnastics Title
The 2025 NCAA gymnastics season will stick in people’s minds as a turning point for two Minnesota natives, Lily Pederson and Elle Mueller. Their freshman year performances helped push the University of Oklahoma Sooners to their seventh national championship.
Both athletes, from different parts of Minnesota’s gymnastics world, jumped right in and made a difference for one of college gymnastics’ powerhouses. Their story, covered by CBS Minnesota, is about friendship, grit, and the leap from local meets to national glory.
This piece digs into how these two gymnasts turned shared dreams into reality and what their rise means for Oklahoma gymnastics. It’s wild to think how quickly things changed for them.
The Journey from Minnesota to Oklahoma
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Pederson and Mueller’s journey to Oklahoma started long before college scouts came calling. Both spent years competing in Minnesota’s buzzing youth gymnastics scene, sometimes as rivals.
Pederson trained at Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake. Mueller sharpened her skills at Twin City Twisters in Champlin.
Those early matchups built a friendship that eventually turned into a strong collegiate partnership. Now, as teammates on one of the nation’s best teams, they’re not just representing Oklahoma—they’re carrying Minnesota pride with them.
Mueller still can’t quite believe she’s hit such heights so soon. Pederson says it means the world to share the ride with an old friend.
Their Minnesota roots run deep. Both give credit to their families, coaches, and hometown clubs for teaching them the discipline and drive that got them here.
Adapting to Life in the SEC
Oklahoma’s move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) opened a new chapter for the Sooners. The SEC brought more eyes and tougher competition, but it also gave Pederson and Mueller a bigger stage.
Adjusting wasn’t always smooth—they laugh about how teammates teased their Minnesota accents. But their routines quickly put any doubts to rest.
Pederson and Mueller handled the pressure and expectations of SEC gymnastics with surprising maturity. Their quick start proves that freshmen can step up if they’re supported and ready for the challenge.
For Oklahoma, their arrival couldn’t have come at a better moment. The team needed new energy to keep its championship streak alive during a time of big changes.
Breakout Performances on the National Stage
Very few freshmen contribute at the NCAA Championships, but Pederson and Mueller did just that. Mueller stood out on floor exercise and vault, scoring 9.90 and 9.98—numbers that put her among the meet’s best.
She stayed calm and steady under pressure, which is rare for a first-year. Mueller later admitted she stayed focused on helping the team, not chasing her own stats.
Pederson’s nationals story had its own drama. After a fall on beam during semifinals, she came back in the finals and nailed a career-best 9.9375.
That comeback didn’t just make up for her earlier mistake—it helped lock in crucial points for Oklahoma’s title run. Her ability to bounce back in a high-stakes moment showed her grit and competitive fire.
The Power of Team Culture
Oklahoma gymnastics under coach K.J. Kindler is built on unity and belief. Pederson and Mueller both talk about how the team’s mix of support and high expectations let them thrive right away.
They describe the team vibe as tough but caring. Everyone’s pushed to their best, but you always know you matter to the group.
Pederson’s reaction after her near-perfect beam routine says a lot about what makes team sports special. She credits her teammates’ faith in her for helping her deliver in the clutch.
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Mueller agrees, saying the season reminded her why she loves gymnastics—the friendships, the challenge, the chase for something bigger than herself.
Representing Minnesota on the National Stage
For Minnesota gymnastics fans, watching two local athletes shine on the national stage is a huge point of pride. Pederson and Mueller have become role models for young gymnasts back home, showing that Minnesota talent can compete with anyone.
Their rise also shines a light on the strength of Minnesota’s clubs, which have produced plenty of college stars. Despite their growing profiles, both athletes stay grounded.
Mueller says remembering her roots keeps her humble. Pederson often thinks back to her earliest days at Flips Gymnastics.
Their humility and gratitude make their story even more relatable. They haven’t forgotten where they started or who helped them get here.
Lessons from a Championship Season
The Sooners’ almost-perfect season and first SEC title show how well experience and young energy can mix. Pederson and Mueller made big contributions, but they also leaned on upperclassmen for guidance through the grind of college gymnastics.
That mix of veteran leadership and fearless freshmen created just the right balance. Looking ahead, both gymnasts seem ready to take on even bigger roles.
Their freshman year set a high standard, but their work ethic suggests this is just the start. As Oklahoma keeps pushing for more SEC and national titles, Pederson and Mueller will be at the heart of the program’s legacy.
The Future of Oklahoma Gymnastics
With another national title under their belt, the University of Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team keeps raising the bar for college programs. The roster now features rising stars like Pederson and Mueller, and honestly, the Sooners’ future looks as bright as ever.
They mix technical skill with grit and a real team-first vibe. That’s the kind of stuff that’s made Oklahoma a powerhouse in this sport, year after year.
As they gear up for their sophomore seasons, both gymnasts have their eyes on getting better. They’re tweaking routines, adding difficulty, and figuring out how to step up as leaders.
It’s not just about medals, though. There’s friendship, perseverance, and a shared belief in each other that runs through their story.
For young athletes watching from Minnesota or anywhere else, Pederson and Mueller are proof that dreams can happen—with a lot of heart and a lot of work.
The 2025 season might have been their first big moment on the national stage, but come on, it’s pretty obvious this is just the start of what they’ll do in college gymnastics.
As the Sooners aim to defend their title, fans should get ready for more electrifying performances and maybe some more broken records. Oklahoma just keeps showing why they’re the gold standard in NCAA gymnastics.