Minnesota Duo Powers Oklahoma Sooners to Historic 7th NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Crown…Read More…
FORT WORTH, Texas — With grit, grace, and an undeniable Minnesota-made tenacity, the Oklahoma Sooners women’s gymnastics team soared to their seventh NCAA national championship title on Saturday night. The powerhouse squad, already among the sport’s elite dynasties, added another jewel to their crown in Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena — and two Minnesotans were at the heart of the historic triumph.
Senior standout Grace Lindow of Lakeville, MN, and sophomore sensation Emilia “Emmy” Larson from Duluth, MN, helped lead the Sooners to a record-tying performance that captivated fans and judges alike. The duo’s contributions on beam, floor, and vault not only secured crucial points but galvanized the team during pivotal moments when the pressure was at its peak.
“We call them the ‘North Star Sisters’,” said head coach K.J. Kindler with a proud smile. “Grace and Emmy represent everything we value — composure, resilience, and heart. They were absolutely essential to this win.”
A Championship Decided by Inches and Nerves
The Sooners edged past defending champions Florida Gators, with LSU and Utah rounding out the Final Four. Oklahoma posted a team score of 198.4375, narrowly besting Florida’s 198.2875 in what is being hailed as one of the most electrifying NCAA gymnastics finals in recent memory.
The meet was a rollercoaster from start to finish, featuring jaw-dropping tumbling passes, near-flawless beam routines, and an atmosphere buzzing with tension and triumph.
But when it mattered most, it was Lindow and Larson who steadied the ship.
Grace Under Pressure
For senior Grace Lindow, the night was more than a championship — it was the culmination of a four-year journey that began with wide eyes and a dream to contribute to a program known for excellence.
Her beam routine, delivered with surgical precision in the third rotation, earned a 9.950 and kept the Sooners slightly ahead of the surging Gators.
“I tried to block out the noise, the scores, the stakes,” Lindow said afterward. “I just told myself, ‘You’ve done this a thousand times. Trust yourself.’”
The 22-year-old biomedical engineering major has always been known for her methodical approach, but on Saturday night, it was her emotional composure that shone brightest. After her routine, she embraced her teammates with tears in her eyes, knowing she had left everything on the mat.
“It’s poetic,” said assistant coach Tom Haley. “Grace has been our anchor — always reliable, always humble. To see her deliver under pressure, in her final meet, it’s what sports are all about.”
Emmy Larson: The Sparkplug
If Lindow was the calming presence, Emmy Larson was the sparkplug.
The sophomore phenom set the tone early with a stunning Yurchenko 1.5 on vault, earning a 9.9375 and energizing the Oklahoma contingent in the stands. But it was her floor routine — a dazzling blend of artistry and athleticism — that brought the crowd to its feet and judges scrambling for high marks.
Larson’s score of 9.975 on floor was the highest individual event score of the night and ultimately gave Oklahoma the breathing room they needed going into the final rotation.
“I’ve never felt that kind of electricity before,” Larson said, still beaming hours later. “To perform for my teammates, to hear them yelling for me — it gave me wings.”
Larson, who trained at Twin City Twisters in Champlin, MN, before joining the Sooners, said she never imagined she’d be a centerpiece on such a national stage so soon.
“I used to watch NCAA championships on my laptop in my bedroom,” she laughed. “Now I’m living it. That’s surreal.”
Minnesota’s Growing Gymnastics Legacy
While Minnesota may not always be the first state mentioned in national gymnastics conversations, the performances of Lindow and Larson are helping to shift that perception. Coaches and commentators have taken note of the growing pipeline of talent emerging from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
“Minnesota has been quietly developing some of the most technically gifted athletes in the country,” said ESPN analyst Alicia Sacramone Quinn. “What we saw tonight with Grace and Emmy is just the tip of the iceberg.”
The state’s club gymnastics programs, including Midwest Gymnastics, Classic Gymnastics, and Twin City Twisters, have become respected breeding grounds for collegiate stars.
“We’re proud Minnesotans,” said Larson. “And I hope little girls back home watched tonight and said, ‘Hey, maybe I can do that too.’”
Coach Kindler’s Enduring Legacy
With seven national titles now under her belt, K.J. Kindler has firmly cemented her status as one of NCAA gymnastics’ most successful and respected coaches. Her ability to recruit, mentor, and extract peak performance from her athletes continues to draw admiration.
“This team had heart, but more than that, they had chemistry,” Kindler said. “And that’s a testament to the culture we’ve built. We don’t just build gymnasts — we build people.”
Kindler singled out her two Minnesotans during the post-meet press conference, praising their leadership and grit.
“Grace is a quiet warrior. Emmy is a fearless firecracker. Together, they helped lead us to history.”
Looking Ahead
With Lindow set to graduate this spring and pursue medical school, her days on the mat may be numbered — but her influence on the program will be lasting. Meanwhile, Larson appears primed to become the new face of Oklahoma gymnastics as the team reloads for a title defense.
“We’ll celebrate tonight,” said Larson. “And tomorrow? Back to work.”
Oklahoma’s 2025 title is not just a triumph of talent, but a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and a belief that greatness knows no borders — not even snowy ones.
As the confetti rained down and chants of “Boomer Sooner!” echoed throughout Dickies Arena, two young women from Minnesota stood at the center of it all, grinning beneath the lights.
Their journey started far from Fort Worth — in chilly gyms and long winters — but on this night, they were queens of the warmest stage in college gymnastics.
And they made it look easy.
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