SEMO Gymnasts Shine with Six WCGNIC All-American Honors
The Southeast Missouri State University Gymnastics team just keeps making noise on the national stage. This year, six athletes landed on the 2025 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) All-American list.
After a standout showing at the championship meet, the Gymhawks brought home individual honors and hit their highest team score of the year. They finished second overall, which is no small feat.
It’s a testament to the talent and work ethic in the program. Athletes from every class year chipped in to make this happen.
From a national all-around champ to some wild routines on individual events, Southeast Missouri’s gymnasts have really carved out their spot among the best in college gymnastics.
Dominance at the WCGNIC Championships
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The 2025 WCGNIC Championships took place in Shreveport, Louisiana. The meet was packed with skill, tight routines, and that competitive edge you can almost feel in the air.
The Gymhawks posted a season-best team score of 195.0250 in the finals. They stepped up big when it counted.
They narrowly missed the top spot, but second place felt like a win, especially with the individual performances that racked up All-American nods in several events.
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) runs the show when it comes to NCAA and NAIA women’s gymnastics. They announced the All-American picks right after the meet.
Honors come in First Team and Second Team categories, shining a light on the best routines from the championship.
Taylor Ingle’s Historic All-Around Victory
Junior Taylor Ingle led the way with a jaw-dropping performance. She took home the national all-around championship with a score of 39.250 and snagged the vault title with a 9.850.
She dominated every event — vault, bars, beam, and floor — and landed First Team All-American honors in all four events and the all-around. That’s not something you see every day.
It’s rare for a gymnast to sweep First Team honors across every discipline. Ingle’s consistency, nerves of steel, and technical chops set a new bar for the Gymhawks.
Freshman Standouts Make Immediate Impact
Ingle’s routine was historic, but the 2025 WCGNIC also marked the arrival of some new faces. Freshmen Joselene Hernandez and Gracie Jones wasted no time making their presence felt.
Hernandez was electric on vault and earned First Team All-American honors for her effort. She also picked up a Second Team All-American spot on bars, showing she’s got range.
Jones, who specializes on bars, put up a routine that got her First Team All-American recognition. Her lines were clean, transitions smooth, and she stuck her dismount like she’d done it a thousand times.
Pulling that off as a freshman? That says a lot about her poise and competitive fire.
Bars Excellence from Johnston and Jones
The Gymhawks really flexed on bars this year. Sophomore Ava Johnston joined Jones on the First Team list.
Johnston’s rise stands out, especially since she was a Second Team All-American on bars in 2024. Her progress speaks to her hard work and the coaching at Southeast Missouri.
With Johnston and Jones anchoring the bars lineup, the Gymhawks have one of the toughest bar duos in the country. That’s going to be huge for future championship pushes.
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Beam Brilliance from Kossuth and Napolitano
Beam is brutal — it’s the most mentally taxing event in gymnastics. A tiny slip can knock you off the podium in a heartbeat.
Sophomores Jaidan Kossuth and Jordan Napolitano tackled the challenge head-on. Kossuth’s routine was calm, precise, and technically sharp, earning her First Team All-American honors on beam.
Her performance really was a lesson in balance and control. Napolitano also delivered, picking up a Second Team All-American selection for her beam routine.
She kept her cool under the pressure of championship competition. That says a lot about her experience and mental game.
About the WCGA and WCGNIC Honors
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) is a member-driven group that represents NCAA Division I, II, and III programs, plus NAIA schools. They’re all about promoting and recognizing excellence in collegiate women’s gymnastics, both on the floor and in the classroom.
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) gives top programs — even those not at the NCAA Championships — a place to shine. Scoring All-American honors at WCGNIC is a big deal and shows an athlete can deliver under championship pressure.
Gymhawks’ 2025 All-American Roster
Here’s a quick look at which Gymhawks made the All-American list in 2025:
- Taylor Ingle – First Team All-American (Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor, All-Around); National All-Around Champion; Vault Champion
- Joselene Hernandez – First Team All-American (Vault); Second Team All-American (Bars)
- Gracie Jones – First Team All-American (Bars)
- Ava Johnston – First Team All-American (Bars)
- Jaidan Kossuth – First Team All-American (Beam)
- Jordan Napolitano – Second Team All-American (Beam)
Looking Ahead
Six All-American honorees and a second-place team finish at the WCGNIC—yeah, the Southeast Missouri Gymhawks are on a roll. This mix of seasoned leaders and some seriously promising young talent? It just feels like the program’s got its brightest days still to come.
Looking at the 2025 season, it’s hard not to get excited. I mean, fans should probably expect the Gymhawks to stay right in the mix for national titles. Plus, their routines keep getting more creative and honestly, just fun to watch.
Now, as the team shifts focus to 2026, they’re all about building on this momentum. They’ll tweak routines, aim for tougher skills, and keep sharpening their edge.
With this level of talent and coaching, Southeast Missouri’s not going anywhere. They’re set to keep making noise in collegiate gymnastics.