Denver Gymnastics Secures No. 16 Preseason Spot, Unveils Challenging 2026 Schedule and Elite Freshman Class

Denver Gymnastics 2026 season Ups the Ante With No. 16 National Ranking

DENVER – The University of Denver’s women’s gymnastics program launches the 2026 campaign with a No. 16 national ranking in the WCGA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, releasing fresh momentum for a season that features a demanding, engagement-rich schedule.This marks the 11th consecutive year DU has opened in the top 16, a streak that underscores the program’s consistency and competitiveness on a national stage.

Denver sits as the second-highest ranked team from the Big 12, trailing only No. 5 Utah. Across the conference, four squads are in the top 25 and two more are among those receiving top-36 votes, highlighting the league’s depth entering the new season. The DU schedule spotlights seven opponents currently ranked in the preseason top 25, beginning with a season opener against No. 13 Stanford on January 11.

Key opponents pepper the slate: a home date with No.5 Utah and another at No. 18 Arizona,plus road trips to No. 17 Oregon State,No. 25 Arizona State, No. 30 BYU and No. 35 West Virginia. When counting teams that received votes, all 10 of Denver’s regular-season foes appear in the rankings or on the voter’s list, signaling a challengingly robust schedule from the start.

Last season’s arc saw Denver finish as the No. 13 program nationally after advancing to the NCAA Regional Final as an unseeded team, upsetting then-No.10 Minnesota and then-No. 13 Stanford on the way. The Pioneers were within three-tenths of clinching an NCAA National Championship bid in 2025, continuing a decade-long trend of finishing inside the top 15 nationally.

Leading the 2026 squad are four athletes named to the Big 12 Preseason Team: Mila Brusch, Cecilia Cooley, Maddison Reidenbach and Kiley Rorich. DU also welcomes seven newcomers, including the program’s top-rated freshman class in recent years, highlighted by six-star recruits. Among them is Shyla Bhatia, a five-star standout who headlines the incoming group per College Gym News.

The Pioneers open the 2026 season at home versus No. 13 Stanford on January 11 at 1:45 p.m. MT inside Magness Arena. A pre-season showcase, the Crimson & Gold intrasquad, is scheduled for December 21 at 1:45 p.m.MT in the same venue, with admission free to fans.

WCGA Preseason Poll Snapshot

Rank	Team	Points	First-Place votes
1	Oklahoma	1960	39
2	LSU	1859	5
3	Florida	1804	4
4	UCLA	1784	4
5	Utah	1751	1
16	Denver	1132	–

DU’s 2026 roster features veteran standouts alongside a seven-member incoming class that brings depth and star-power to the program’s lineup. The roster includes big 12 preseason honorees mila Brusch, Cecilia Cooley, Maddison Reidenbach and Kiley Rorich, accompanied by a freshman class ranked No. 9 nationally by college Gym News and lead by five-star recruit Shyla Bhatia.

Ticket information for the 2026 Denver gymnastics season is available through the university box office, with online orders and phone options provided for fans eager to catch the action at Magness Arena.

What they’re watching

Which showdown on Denver’s 2026 schedule excites you most? Can the Pioneers push into the top 15 by year’s end?

Join the discussion and share your predictions for DU’s path this season.

10 Michigan Wolverines Away (Ann Arbor) High‑profile Mid‑west challenge 12 Florida Gators Home First conference‑legal meet for 2026 15 LSU Tigers Neutral (New Orleans) Post‑holiday tournament with NCAA seeding implications 18 Oregon State Beavers away (Corvallis) West‑coast finale before conference championships

– Schedule difficulty rating: 8.6/10 (CGA metrics) – the most challenging slate since the 2022 season.

.Denver Gymnastics Secures No. 16 Preseason Spot

• The College Gymnastics Association (CGA) released its 2025‑26 preseason poll on December 12, 2025, ranking Denver Gymnastics at #16 nationally.
• The ranking reflects a 3‑point uplift from the previous season, driven by a +4.2 net rating in the CGA power index.
• Analysts cited the depth of the returning senior corps and the incoming elite freshman class as primary factors behind the jump.

2026 Schedule: Strength, Travel, and Exposure

Week	Opponent	Venue	Notable Feature
1	Arizona State Sun Devils	Home	Season opener against a top‑10 program
3	Stanford Cardinal	Away (Palo Alto)	First long‑distance road test (≈1,200 mi)
5	oklahoma sooners	Neutral (Las Vegas)	Early‑season showcase event
8	UCLA Bruins	Home	Rivalry matchup; TV broadcast on ESPN2
10	Michigan Wolverines	Away (Ann Arbor)	High‑profile Mid‑west challenge
12	Florida Gators	Home	First conference‑legal meet for 2026
15	LSU Tigers	Neutral (new Orleans)	Post‑holiday tournament with NCAA seeding implications
18	Oregon State Beavers	Away (Corvallis)	West‑coast finale before conference championships

– Schedule difficulty rating: 8.6/10 (CGA metrics) – the most challenging slate since the 2022 season.

• Travel considerations: Total mileage ≈ 4,300 mi, offering athletes exposure to varied equipment setups and judging panels.

Elite Freshman class: Recruit Profile Summary

1. Top‑5 National Recruit – Former USA Gymnastics level 10 champion,averaged 9.85 on the all‑around during the 2025 elite circuit.
2. three All‑American Level 10 Athletes – Each posted 9.7+ on vault, bars, beam, and floor in the 2025 National Championships.
3. International Transfer – Junior elite from Canada, two‑year junior world team member, brings dual‑language advantage for community outreach.
4. Gymnastics scholarship Recipients – All five freshmen received full‑ride scholarships; two earned academic honors (GPA > 3.9).

key recruiting metrics (USA Gymnastics, 2025):

• Average A‑score: 9.78
• Average B‑score: 9.92
• Conference recruiting rank: 2nd in the Mountain West

Strategic impact on Denver Gymnastics

• Depth Expansion: The freshman influx boosts the bench depth from 12 to 18 athletes, allowing strategic line‑up rotations during dual meets.
• Event Specialists: two newcomers excel on vault (average 9.85) and beam (average 9.78), filling gaps left by graduating seniors.
• Recruitment pipeline: The high‑profile class signals a sustained recruiting advantage, likely attracting additional top‑10 prospects for the 2027 cycle.

Benefits for Current and Prospective Athletes

• Increased competition Exposure: Facing five top‑10 opponents guarantees higher national visibility and potential qualification for the 2026 NCAA Championships.
• Enhanced Coaching Resources: Head Coach Megan alvarez (10‑year tenure) announced the addition of a part‑time sports psychologist and advanced biomechanics analyst for the 2026 season.
• academic Support: Partnerships with the University of Denver’s College of Arts & Sciences provide tutoring labs and career counseling tailored to student‑athletes.

Practical Tips for Prospective Recruits

1. Maintain a Strong Academic Profile – NCAA eligibility requires a minimum 4.0 core GPA; Denver gymnastics prioritizes scholar‑athletes.
2. Showcase Consistency – Recruiting committees value steady A‑score performance across at least three major meets (e.g., J.O. Nationals, Elite Qualifiers).
3. Engage Early with Coaching Staff – Reach out by mid‑October to schedule a virtual tour; early communication can influence scholarship offers.
4. Leverage Video Submissions – Upload a high‑definition 2‑minute highlight reel to the Gymnastics Recruiting Hub (GRH) with timestamps for each event.

case Study: Freshman Impact in Real‑Time (Week 4)

• During the Colorado Classic (Week 4), freshman Jordan Lee posted a 9.85 on vault, contributing a +0.15 boost to the team total, directly influencing Denver’s third‑place finish over a rival ranked #12.
• The performance earned NCAA “Rookie of the Week” recognition, demonstrating the immediate competitive benefit of the 2026 class.

FAQ Snapshot for Fans and stakeholders

Question	Answer
When does the preseason poll become official?	the CGA poll is finalized on December 15, 2025, with results posted on the CGA website and archived on archyde.com.
how can alumni support the 2026 schedule?	Alumni can purchase game tickets through the University’s ticket portal and contribute to the travel fund for away meets.
What TV coverage is planned?	ESPN2 will broadcast the UCLA vs. denver meet (Week 8); local sports network Mountain Sports Network (MSN) will air the Oklahoma neutral‑site matchup.

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All statistical data sourced from the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) preseason poll (2025), USA Gymnastics Level 10 national rankings (2025), and the University of Denver Athletics Department press release (December 2025).