Minnesota Freshmen Propel Oklahoma Sooners to 7th NCAA Gymnastics Title
The rise of two Minnesota natives to the top of collegiate gymnastics is a story that blends talent, friendship, resilience, and championship poise. Freshmen Lily Pederson and Elle Mueller didn’t just join the University of Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team — they helped redefine what a rookie season can look like at the highest level of NCAA competition.
Their journey from local gyms in Minnesota to the national stage with the Oklahoma Sooners reminds us how preparation, trust, and opportunity can align at just the right moment.
From Minnesota Gyms to the National Spotlight
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Long before national titles and SEC accolades, Pederson and Mueller were just two young gymnasts training in different corners of Minnesota. Pederson honed her skills at Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake.
Mueller developed her competitive edge at Twin City Twisters in Champlin. Though they trained separately, their paths crossed often in youth competitions, forging a connection that would eventually carry them to the same collegiate powerhouse.
That shared background became a real advantage once both committed to Oklahoma. Transitioning to Division I athletics is tough, but having a familiar face and trusted teammate made the leap from club gymnastics to the pressure-packed NCAA world a bit less daunting.
Coming from Minnesota into the Southeastern Conference brought its own cultural adjustments. From accents to climate, the two freshmen found themselves far from home.
Yet those differences became part of their identity within the team. It reinforced their bond and made them mentally tougher, honestly.
- Pederson brought beam precision and all-around consistency
- Mueller delivered explosive power on vault and floor
Together, they were a rare pairing of freshmen not just filling lineup spots, but thriving under championship-level expectations.
A Rookie Season for the Record Books
Oklahoma entered the 2025 season as a perennial title contender. Even by Sooner standards, contributions from first-year athletes at nationals are uncommon.
Pederson and Mueller broke that mold, playing pivotal roles in the team’s run to its seventh NCAA championship.
Mueller’s performances on floor and vault showed her competitive mindset. Her floor routine earned a 9.90, while a near-flawless vault scored a 9.98 — numbers that speak not just to execution, but pure composure.
Competing at nationals is one thing. Delivering when every tenth matters? That’s something else entirely.
Performing for the Team, Not the Score
What set Mueller apart at nationals was her perspective. She didn’t chase individual accolades; she leaned into a team-first mentality, knowing Oklahoma’s legacy is built on trust.
That approach echoed throughout the lineup and fit right into the culture head coach K.J. Kindler has built for years.
Pederson’s nationals journey told a different, but just as powerful, story. After a fall on the balance beam during the semifinals, a lot of freshmen might’ve unraveled.
Instead, Pederson responded with the best beam routine of her life in the finals, earning a 9.9375 and nailing her dismount when it mattered most.
Resilience Under Championship Pressure
Gymnastics is as much a mental sport as a physical one. Pederson’s rebound performance showed elite-level resilience.
Beam is often described as unforgiving, and mistakes can linger. Pederson managed to reset, trust her training, and deliver under the brightest lights.
That routine wasn’t just about redemption; it showed the confidence her coaches and teammates placed in her. The celebration that followed captured the emotional release of overcoming adversity on the sport’s biggest stage.
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Contributions Across Multiple Events
Pederson didn’t just focus on one apparatus. She contributed on beam, vault, and bars at nationals.
This versatility gave Oklahoma lineup flexibility and underscored her value as a real all-around competitor.
- Beam: Redemption routine with a career-best score
- Vault: Consistent power and clean landings
- Bars: Technical precision under finals pressure
For a freshman to handle that workload at nationals is rare. To excel at it? That’s extraordinary.
Oklahoma’s Historic Season and SEC Breakthrough
The Sooners’ 2025 campaign will be remembered as one of the most dominant in program history. Nearly undefeated, Oklahoma not only captured the NCAA title but also claimed its first Southeastern Conference championship since joining the league.
The SEC is widely regarded as the deepest conference in women’s gymnastics, featuring perennial powers and relentless weekly competition. Winning the conference title validated Oklahoma’s move into the SEC and reinforced its status as the gold standard of collegiate gymnastics.
Freshmen Impact in a Veteran Lineup
Championship teams are typically anchored by upperclassmen. Pederson and Mueller proved that readiness sometimes outweighs experience.
Their ability to step into critical roles reflected both their club training and Oklahoma’s athlete development system. Veteran teammates often talk about trust — knowing the gymnast stepping onto the mat is ready to deliver.
By season’s end, Pederson and Mueller had earned that trust completely.
Staying Grounded Amid National Success
Despite the accolades and attention, both gymnasts stay deeply connected to their roots. They consistently credit their early coaches, families, and Minnesota gymnastics communities for shaping their work ethic and humility.
That sense of gratitude serves as an emotional anchor, reminding them how far they’ve come. It keeps their focus on continued growth.
Looking Ahead to the Future
With three collegiate seasons still ahead, the ceiling for both athletes remains high. As they gain experience and refine consistency, Pederson and Mueller are poised to become cornerstones of Oklahoma’s future championship runs.
Their story also resonates beyond Norman, inspiring young gymnasts back in Minnesota who now see a real path from local gyms to the top of the NCAA podium.
A Story Worth Following
Lily Pederson and Elle Mueller have a story that goes way beyond your average feel-good freshman tale. It’s really about what happens when preparation and opportunity collide.
They used to compete against each other as kids. Now, they’ve ended up celebrating a national title together as teammates—how wild is that?
Their paths seemed to run side by side for years, then suddenly, everything lined up at just the right time. According to this CBS Minnesota report, their rookie season wasn’t just memorable—it changed things for both of them and for the Oklahoma program.
If you love college gymnastics, you might want to keep an eye on this partnership. Something tells me this is a duo—and a team—worth watching as the seasons roll on.