LSU Gymnastics Opens 2026 Ranked No. 2, Eyes Another Championship Run
After finishing the 2025 regular season as the top-ranked team in the nation and capturing its first-ever NCAA title in 2024, LSU gymnastics isn’t sneaking up on anyone this year. The Tigers enter the 2026 campaign ranked No. 2 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason poll, trailing only perennial powerhouse Oklahoma.
And make no mistake - this isn’t a team resting on past success. LSU is coming in with firepower, depth, and a schedule that’s going to test every ounce of that championship pedigree.
Tigers Trail Only Oklahoma in Preseason Rankings
The WCGA poll has Oklahoma sitting at No. 1 with 1,960 points and 39 first-place votes, while LSU checks in at No. 2 with 1,859 points and five first-place votes. Florida rounds out the top three with 1,804 points and four first-place nods.
It’s no surprise to see these three SEC giants leading the charge. Between them, they’ve dominated the national scene in recent years - and LSU’s 2024 title proved they belong in that elite company. Now, the Tigers are looking to build on that momentum.
Star Power Returns to Baton Rouge
LSU’s roster is loaded with talent and experience, headlined by junior Konnor McClain, the 2021 U.S. national all-around champion. She’s not just a leader - she’s a tone-setter, the kind of gymnast who can anchor a lineup and deliver under pressure.
Joining her is Kailin Chio, the reigning NCAA vault champion. As a sophomore, Chio already has a national title under her belt and will be a key piece in LSU’s push for another deep postseason run.
Then there’s Kaliya Lincoln, another sophomore with elite credentials. Lincoln was an alternate for the 2024 U.S. Olympic team, and her combination of athleticism and artistry gives LSU another high-ceiling performer capable of scoring big in any event.
No Easy Road: LSU’s Brutal 2026 Schedule
If LSU is going to stay near the top, they’ll have to earn it. The Tigers’ 2026 schedule is stacked - eight of their opponents are ranked in the WCGA preseason top 10, and all of them are in the top 26.
That’s not just a tough slate. That’s a gauntlet.
The season kicks off January 10 in West Valley City, Utah, at the Sprouts Farmers Market Intercollegiate Quad. Right out of the gate, LSU faces No.
1 Oklahoma, No. 4 UCLA, and No.
5 Utah. That’s a national championship preview in Week 1.
From there, the Tigers jump into SEC play on January 16 with a road trip to No. 12 Georgia.
The home opener comes a week later on January 23 against No. 9 Kentucky, followed by a visit to No.
7 Missouri on January 30.
The Tigers’ lone nonconference home meet is set for February 6, when they host No. 26 Penn State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Then it’s back to SEC action with a home showdown against No. 11 Auburn on February 13, before a return trip to Oklahoma on February 20 - this time for an SEC clash.
LSU wraps up February with a home meet against No. 8 Alabama on February 27, and then hosts the Podium Challenge on March 1 at the Raising Cane’s River Center, featuring Alabama again and No. 24 North Carolina.
The final stretch includes a tough road test at Florida on March 8, followed by the regular-season finale at home against No. 10 Arkansas on March 13.
Then it’s on to the postseason, starting with the SEC Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 21, and continuing with an NCAA regional hosted by LSU at the PMAC from April 3-5.
WCGA Preseason Top 10
- Oklahoma - 1,960 points (39 first-place votes)
- LSU - 1,859 (5)
- Florida - 1,804 (4)
- UCLA - 1,784 (4)
- Utah - 1,751 (1)
- Michigan State - 1,638
- Missouri - 1,589 (2)
- Alabama - 1,518
- Kentucky - 1,434
- Arkansas - 1,433
Bottom line: LSU isn’t flying under the radar anymore. They’re a national title contender with a roster built for big moments and a schedule that will demand their best every week. If they can navigate it, there’s every reason to believe they’ll be right back in the mix when championship season rolls around.