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Faith Torrez Defies Odds To Capture All-Around National Championship
TL;DR
Faith Torrez of the Oklahoma Sooners won the NCAA All-Around National Championship, despite not performing a floor routine all year. She triumphed over top competitors, including Kailin Chio and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles.
Key points
- Faith Torrez won the NCAA All-Around National Championship
- She is a senior gymnast at Oklahoma
- Torrez had not performed a floor routine all year
- She competed against Kailin Chio and Jordan Chiles
- The championship took place on April 16, 2026
Faith TorrezOklahoma SoonersKailin ChioJordan Chiles
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Faith Torrez of the Oklahoma Sooners perfomrs her floor routine during the NCAA Gymnastics Semi-Final at Dickies Arena on April 16, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Aric Becker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
ISI Photos via Getty Images
Oklahoma gymnast Faith Torrez hadnât done a floor routine all year. She hadnât vaulted since February 20. But on Thursday, April 16, Torrez did both to become the No. 1 collegiate gymnast in the nation.
In her first all-around competition of the 2026 NCAA season, the Oklahoma Gymnastics senior won the sportâs most coveted individual title. Torrez won the NCAA All-Around title over multiple top contenders, including top-ranked Kailin Chio (LSU) and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles (UCLA).
The title is Torrezâs second individual national title, but her first in the all-around. With the win, she joins Oklahoma gymnastics icons Jordan Bowers, Anastasia Webb, and Maggie Nichols as all-around champions.
Thursdayâs final results werenât even close: Torrez earned a huge 39.7875 to place first, besting second-place Chio by nearly two tenths â a wide margin in gymnastics. Her results lifted Oklahoma to a staggering 198.300 total and an undeniable step towards the programâs eighth NCAA title.
âIf you [had] asked me two and a half weeks agoâŠIâd probably laugh at you," Torrez chuckled after the competition. The media room laughed in agreement. Few fans, athletes, or experts saw Torrez coming.
A Lineup Change Changes Everything
Torrezâs teammate, Addision Fatta, was long considered the Soonersâ best all-around threat in Fort Worth. However, after Fatta suffered a hand injury during training, Torrez rose to the occasion.
When her name appeared on all four events in lineups early Thursday afternoon, she quietly entered the all-around race. Even so, No. 1 Chio and No. 2 Chiles entered Thursdayâs semifinals as the favorites.
Heading into Fort Worth, Faith Torrez wasnât even in conversation for the all-around title. Once a reliable all-around threat for the Sooners as an underclassman, Torrez suffered an ankle injury early in the season, leading her coaches to stagnate the seniorâs return to vault and floor â the sportâs physically taxing "power events."
Torrez instead opted to compete bars and beam on every event throughout the 12-week regular season, ranking third in the nation on the latter. After posting her second perfect ten of the year on beam at the SEC Championships, Torrez approached her coach with a proposition: a return to the all-around.
Q&A
How did Faith Torrez win the NCAA All-Around Championship?
Faith Torrez won the NCAA All-Around Championship by performing both her floor routine and vault, despite not having done either all year.
Who were the top competitors Faith Torrez defeated?
Torrez defeated top-ranked Kailin Chio from LSU and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles from UCLA.
When did Faith Torrez compete for the NCAA All-Around title?
Faith Torrez competed for the NCAA All-Around title on April 16, 2026, during the NCAA Gymnastics Semi-Final in Fort Worth, Texas.
What challenges did Faith Torrez face leading up to the championship?
Torrez faced significant challenges, including not performing a floor routine all year and not vaulting since February 20.
