The Arkansas Gymbacks are heading into the 2026 season with momentum, expectations, and a top-10 ranking to match. Coming in at No. 10 in the WCGA preseason coaches poll, it marks the second straight year the Razorbacks open the season inside the top 10-a testament to the steady rise of the program under head coach Jordyn Wieber.
This is the second-highest preseason ranking Arkansas has earned during Wieber’s tenure, and the sixth time the Gymbacks have landed inside the top 15 to start a season. That kind of consistency is becoming a hallmark of the Wieber era, and it’s backed by results.
Last season, Arkansas wrapped up the year ranked No. 12 nationally, highlighted by four wins over top-10 opponents. Two of those were statement victories over then-No.
2 LSU and Florida-wins that not only shook up the rankings but also signaled that Arkansas wasn’t just competing with the nation’s best; they were beating them. The LSU upset in January was especially notable-it marked the program’s highest-ranked victory since 2011.
The Gymbacks also delivered some of the best performances in program history in 2025, tying their all-time high on beam with a 49.575 and recording three of their top 10 team scores ever (197.725, 197.550, 197.425). That kind of firepower on the scoreboard is no fluke-it’s the result of a deep, talented roster that’s returning plenty of key contributors this season.
Leading the charge is sophomore Joscelyn Roberson, who turned heads as a freshman and now looks poised for an even bigger sophomore campaign. Roberson capped off her debut season by competing as an all-arounder at the NCAA Championships, where she posted a 39.425-the best-ever score by an Arkansas freshman at nationals. She earned All-American honors on beam, both at nationals and from the WCGA, and was named All-SEC on the event as well.
Roberson’s impact wasn’t limited to the NCAA season. After wrapping up her collegiate slate, she returned to elite competition and finished third all-around and second on floor at the Xfinity U.S.
Gymnastics Championships in August. Then, in October, she earned a spot on Team USA for the 2025 World Championships, where she took home a bronze medal on vault-her first individual Worlds medal.
Simply put, Roberson is a star on the rise, and Arkansas is reaping the benefits.
But she’s far from alone. The Gymbacks return a veteran core that includes redshirt junior Lauren Williams and fifth-year seniors Frankie Price, Leah Smith, and Cami Weaver.
Williams missed the 2025 season due to injury but had a breakout freshman campaign in 2024 that earned her All-SEC honors on vault. Smith and Weaver both earned All-American recognition at nationals in 2024, with Smith shining on floor and Weaver on beam.
Price, meanwhile, has been one of the country’s top performers on vault and floor throughout her career. Though she suffered an injury during last year’s regional semifinal, she’s expected to be back in action for her final season.
In 2024, Price was a WCGA Second Team All-American and earned All-SEC honors on floor.
This year’s roster also gets a boost from eight newcomers-two transfers and six freshmen-who add depth and talent across the board. Among the transfers is senior Morgan Price, the younger sister of Frankie, who brings a decorated resume from her time at Fisk University.
A trailblazer as a founding member of the first gymnastics program at an HBCU, Morgan Price is a six-time WCGNIC national champion, including back-to-back all-around titles in 2024 and 2025. She swept all four event titles in 2025 and owns career highs of 9.900 or better on every apparatus.
She’s also a three-time First Team All-American, and her experience and leadership will be a valuable asset to the Gymbacks.
The freshman class is just as exciting. Ranked No. 2 nationally by College Gym News, this group is loaded with five- and four-star talent.
Among them is Allison Cucci, a five-star recruit who’s already turning heads. Cucci won a national title on beam and finished second in the all-around at the 2025 Development Program National Championships, just a year after taking home vault and all-around titles in 2024.
She’s expected to make an immediate impact across all events. Fellow five-star signees Avalon Campbell and Avery King, along with four-stars Addison Bare and Bradley Burton, round out a class that brings both depth and high-end potential.
Off the mat, Arkansas fans made their presence felt in a big way last season. For the first time, all home meets were held at Bud Walton Arena, and the response was overwhelming.
The Gymbacks set new program records in average attendance (7,915), total single-season attendance (39,575), and season ticket holders. That kind of fan support doesn’t just energize the team-it helps elevate the program’s national profile.
The 2026 season kicks off on January 10 at Minnesota, and Arkansas has five home meets on the schedule. With a top-10 ranking, a loaded roster, and a fanbase that’s all-in, the stage is set for another big year in Fayetteville.