Faith Torrez delivered the biggest shock of the NCAA gymnastics championships so far on Thursday, after the Oklahoma senior captured the all-around title with a 39.7875 score despite facing injuries all season.
Torrez hadn't competed in all four events this season before last night, having only performed on uneven bars and balance beam since February. This week's semifinals marked her 2026 all-around debut.
"If you would have [told] me probably two and a half weeks ago that I would be in this position right now doing four [events], like living out my dream right now, I'd probably laugh at you," Torrez said after the trophy ceremony.
Torrez defeated Olympic and world champions to claim NCAA gymnastics' highest individual honor. LSU's Kailin Chio finished second with a 39.6125 score, while Florida's eMjae Frazier placed third.
Oklahoma coach KJ Kindler said Torrez asked to start training on floor again after lat March's SEC championships. She made the transition slowly, only completing a full routine earlier this week.
"She is so talented," Kindler said. "Great air awareness, great sense of being able to do it when you've been off of it for that long."
Torrez's performance helped lead defending champion Oklahoma back to Saturday's championship meet, with the Sooners posting the day's top team score of 198.3000.
Four Gymnasts Claim Titles After All-Around Winner Faith Torrez
Four additional gymnasts claimed individual titles on Thursday, led by Torrez's teammate Keira Wells winning vault with a 9.9750. Florida's Riley McCusker earned her first individual national championship on bars with a 9.9875, while Minnesota's Brooklyn Rowray won beam.
Later, Olympian Jordan Chiles concluded her decorated UCLA career by capturing the floor title with a 9.9750.
Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida, and LSU now advance to Saturday's NCAA gymnastics championships final.
