Pac-12 women’s Gymnastics bolstered by Addition of Southern Utah
The Pac-12 Conference is solidifying it’s position as a national powerhouse in women’s gymnastics with the addition of Southern Utah University as an affiliate member, effective September 2025. The move elevates the conference to a projected Top 5 ranking nationally, building on a foundation of consistent postseason success and high-level competition.
Southern Utah brings a proven track record of excellence, boasting a five-year average ranking of 24.2 via Road to Nationals rankings and 13-straight NCAA Regional appearances – the third-longest active streak in the new Pac-12 behind Oregon State (50-straight) and Boise State (17-straight). The “Flippin’ Birds” have secured conference championships in three consecutive seasons, winning the 2024 and 2025 MPSF Championships and the 2023 Mountain Rim Championship.
The program has consistently appeared in the Top 25 nationally, including a No. 21 ranking in 2025, No. 22 in 2023 and 2020, and No.23 in 2021. In 2025, Southern Utah swept the MPSF awards, with Niya Randolph earning Gymnast of the Year honors for the second consecutive year, alongside Freshman of the Year Mia Hampton, Specialist of the Year Ellie Cacciola, and coach of the Year Scotty Bauman, with Assistant Coaches Jamie Wysong and Jeff Richards also recognized.
Collectively, the Pac-12’s four women’s gymnastics programs (Oregon State, Boise State, Utah State, and now Southern Utah) have demonstrated significant strength over the past five seasons. Since the 2020-21 season, the conference holds an average Road to Nationals ranking of 26.1 – fourth among all conferences, trailing only the SEC (10.2), Big 12 (21.3), and Big Ten (22.7). The Pac-12 is one of only three conferences to have over half of its teams reach the NCAA postseason in each of the last five years.
Over the past five seasons, Pac-12 teams have achieved 14 Top 25 finishes in the road to Nationals rankings, with oregon State recording a Top 25 finish in each of the last 11 seasons. The conference also boasts an average team score of 196.114 – fifth nationally – and an average home meet attendance of 2,335,ranking fifth in the country and one of only five conferences averaging over 750 attendees per home meet.