Oregon State Gymnastics Opens 2026 Season with Fourth-Place Finish
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Oregon State gymnastics commenced its 2026 campaign on Saturday, achieving a team score of 195.550 and securing a fourth-place finish against formidable opponents including No. 20 California, No. 4 UCLA, and the host team, Washington. The Beavers demonstrated promising individual performances and a strong start on the beam, setting the stage for the remainder of the season.
Beavers Face Tough Competition in Season Opener
The meet presented a challenging start to the year for Oregon State, competing against nationally ranked programs. Despite finishing fourth, the team showcased resilience and individual brilliance, signaling a potential for growth throughout the 2026 season.
Esposito and DeVries Lead the Way
Sophia Esposito, a junior gymnast, delivered a consistent performance across multiple events, earning scores of 9.825 on beam, 9.800 on floor, and 9.850 on vault. Her consistent routines highlight her reliability and experience. Esposito’s strong sophomore campaign, which included a perfect 39-for-39 record on routines, bodes well for her continued success.
Taylor DeVries made a significant impact, achieving the team’s first score above 9.900 with a 9.925 on bars. This performance not only brought home the Beavers’ first event title of the year but also tied her with UCLA’s Jordan Chiles and Cal’s Tonya Paulsson for the highest score of the meet. DeVries, also a junior, nearly matched her career-high of 9.950, previously set against Arizona State in 2024.
Newcomer Richardson Makes Immediate Impact
Camryn Richardson, competing in her first meet as a member of the Oregon State gymnastics team, quickly proved her worth. She tied with Esposito for the highest vault score at 9.850 and added a solid 9.825 on bars.
Kaylee Cheek also impressed in her collegiate debut, earning a 9.850 on beam during the Beavers’ opening rotation.
Beam Rotation Sets the Tone
The beam rotation proved to be Oregon State’s strongest performance of the day, with the team posting a 49.075. Four gymnasts – Esposito (9.825), Cheek (9.850), Mia Heather (9.800), and Lauren Letzsch (9.850) – all achieved scores of 9.800 or higher. Ellie Weaver contributed a 9.750, rounding out a strong team effort.
Looking Ahead
Oregon State gymnastics will continue its season next week with a road trip to Provo, Utah, to face BYU. The competition at the Marriott Center is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT.
Oregon State Athletics’ mission is to “Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).”
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