How exceptional does a team have to be to win 15 NCAA championships? Well, that’s a question Oklahoma Sooners Gymnastics can answer. Among many of its brilliant gymnasts is this exceptional 20-year-old freshman, who might be one of the best collegiate gymnasts. Not only did she land seventh place in the floor exercise at the 2023 Winter Cup, but she also outdid herself by enabling the USA to claim gold at the 2024 DTB Pokal. This NCAA season, the star gymnast showed her prowess on the vault, securing 9.80 on the vault in OU vs. Missouri in January, paving the way for the Sooners’ first SEC win of the season! We are referring to none other than the incredible Addison Fatta! But her road to glory wasn’t always this smooth.

On March 4th, Fatta joined the All Things Gymnastics podcast to open up about her grueling injury woes. Recalling the events leading up to her selection for Germany, she shared the shocking aftermath of competing while injured. “I think it really tested my grit going there,” Fatta said. “I got home, and my ankle was double in size. It was black and blue. And then I got a call, and they were like, ‘You made Germany.” The 20-year-old had sustained an injury during the Winter Cup in February 2024. Despite her efforts to recover fully from it, resting and rehabilitating, it simply wasn’t enough. But here’s what sets the Pennsylvania native apart—she kept getting better and better in the face of her pain.

Following futile attempts at recuperation, the ankle injury proved to be quite a menace for the next few months. Yet, even with her swollen and bruised ankle, Fatta was selected to represent the U.S. at an international meet in Germany in March, proving her determination and skill in the face of adversity. “I think a little bit in my head, I knew I was either going to Germany or I was going to go to trials. I think it was like one or the other. And I knew for sure I made Germany.” Injured as she may have been, the OU gymnast knew, one way or another, she would win. But the reality was not all pretty—the effects of her ankle issue continued to weigh on her performance. By the time the 2024 U.S. Championships rolled around, she still wasn’t at full strength. But quitting just isn’t what Addison Fatta does.

Competing through pain, the gymnast competed at the 2024 U.S. Championships, where she tied for 19th place in the all-around competition. It was a valiant effort, but the injury ultimately took its toll. She didn’t make the senior national team and was not invited to the Olympic trials. But that could never be the end for someone as phenomenal as her!

Fatta’s journey in 2024 was a testament to perseverance, grit, and passion for the sport. While missing out on the Olympic trials was a tough pill to swallow, Fatta’s resilience suggests that she’ll be back stronger than ever. On top of that, she is a proud gymnast for the Oklahoma Sooners– the team that has been a major challenge this NCAA season. With back to back stellar performances, they have made it evident that the team is here to win!

Oklahoma Sooners Retain Top Spot After Ninth Week In NCAA Championships

The Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team continued to be the top-ranked team in the country for the ninth consecutive week with a National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 197.915. The Sooners are ranked No. 1 on all four apparatuses with an NQS of 49.445 on vault, 49.540 on bars, 49.480 on beam, and 49.570 on floor. So what’s next for the team? An exciting showdown on their home turf! The Sooners will face the Michigan Wolverines at the Lloyd Noble Center for their last home meet of the season on Friday, March 7, at 7:15 p.m. CT. Is there the possibility that the Sooners continue their winning streak? Not unlikely with their enviable roster!

The OU women’s gymnastics boasts a team like none other. There’s Lily Pederson, who not only has a perfect 10 in vault and bars, but also is a 2x national champion in bars and all-around! Then comes Keira Wells, the OU Sophomore who was the 2024 NCAA All-American in the vault event. There’s also Faith Torrez, who emerged as the beam champion in the 2024 NCAA season, besides being a 3x NCAA All-American. Moreover, in 2024, Torrez secured a perfect 10 in her floor exercise. With such teammates, losing a match seems next to impossible.

With one dominant performance after another, the Sooners continue to set the standard in collegiate gymnastics. Their depth, consistency, and high-scoring routines have solidified their status as the team to beat. As the season progresses, Oklahoma looks poised to maintain its top ranking and make another deep run toward a national championship.