Rutgers Gymnastics heads into the 2025 postseason with a stop at the Big Ten Championships hosted by the University of Michigan in the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. The team competed in session one with Nebraska, Ohio State, and Washington on March 21 at 6 p.m. ET. But very few are aware that Rutgers also reached a benchmark this season after so many years—what was it they did?

The Rutgers Gymnastics Team has made history by qualifying for the NCAA Regional Championships for the first time in over a decade. This groundbreaking achievement was confirmed by Elite/NCAA Gymnastics journalist Caroline Price, who took to Twitter on March 21 to share the exciting news. Her tweet read, “With a huge 196.225 and a second-place finish at today’s session of @B1GGymnastics, @RUGymnastics is sending a full team to regionals for the first time in more than a DECADE!“

This accomplishment comes after an impressive season in which the team secured 16 wins, marking their highest number of victories in a single season since 2014. The NCAA Regional Championships are set to take place from April 2 to April 6, 2025, and Rutgers is gearing up to make a strong showing as they continue their historic run. Rutgers wrapped up the regular season with a statement win, defeating New Hampshire with a score of 196.550—the third-highest total in program history on March 16.

This outstanding performance saw the team score above 49 on all four events, with Delaney Adrian leading the way by achieving a career-high 39.300 in the all-around. The NCAA selects 36 teams for regionals based on their National Qualifying Score (NQS), which is calculated using the top six regular-season scores (at least three from away meets), dropping the highest, and averaging the remaining five. Rutgers’ 196.550 from the New Hampshire meet, combined with other strong showings, likely pushed their NQS into the top-36 range—securing a long-awaited spot in the regionals. Their last team appearance at the NCAA Regionals was in 2014.

Historically, Rutgers gymnastics has faced challenges breaking into the postseason, competing in the ultra-competitive Big Ten Conference against powerhouse programs like Michigan and UCLA. Their 2025 qualification marks the end of an 11-year drought, symbolizing the program’s resurgence under Head Coach Umme Salim-Beasley. Rutgers’ ability to consistently post scores in the 196-197 range—demonstrated by their 196.550—proved they had the depth and quality to earn a place among the nation’s top 36 teams.

Rutgers’ breakthrough at the 2025 Big Ten Championships signals a turning point for the program. After years of struggling to make an impact in a competitive conference, the Scarlet Knights have now proven they belong on the national stage. But they have one standout gymnast.

Rutgers Gymnastics’ Riley leads the team with six event crowns in 2025

Rachael Riley made history for Rutgers gymnastics by tying the program record on beam with a score of 9.950 during the Big Four Meet hosted by Ohio State on March 2, 2025. This stellar performance earned her the beam event title at the meet, which featured competition against Illinois, Maryland, and Ohio State—four of the Big Ten’s top gymnastics programs. Riley’s 9.950 was the highest beam score across all 12 Big Ten teams during the Big Four weekend, a testament to her exceptional skill and consistency.

Riley’s 9.950 matches the program record previously set by standout gymnasts like Luisa LeDuc and Jenna Zito. Her achievement wasn’t just a personal triumph—it also helped Rutgers’ beam rotation score 49.325, the third-highest beam total in program history. This score trails only the 49.400 from a tri-meet in March 2023 and another notable mark, highlighting the beam squad’s strength in 2025. Beyond this standout moment, Riley has been a dominant force for Rutgers gymnastics throughout the 2025 season. She leads the team with six event titles this year, spanning multiple disciplines and solidifying her reputation as one of the most versatile and consistent gymnasts in the program.

Riley’s contributions this season have helped push Rutgers gymnastics to new heights. Her six event crowns, leadership, and record-setting performances have been pivotal in the team’s resurgence in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.