2024 Berkeley Regional preview; Here's what you need to know

It’s almost time for the NCAA gymnastics postseason! We know where each of the top 36 teams in the country will travel to compete for a chance at advancing to nationals, and in the days leading up to the championships, we’ll preview and analyze each of the four regionals, discussing which teams have a chance of moving on each day and which individuals could qualify as well.

First up is the Berkeley regional. Thursday will feature No. 33 Southern Utah and No. 35 San Jose State in round one. Friday we jump into round two action with No. 6 Denver, No. 11 UCLA, No. 22 Arizona State, and No. 28 Washington competing in the afternoon session and No. 3 California, No. 14 Auburn, No. 19 Stanford, and the winner of round one in the evening session. Two teams from each of these Friday competitions will advance to the regional final on Sunday, where the top two from that meet make it to nationals.

There are also a handful of individuals that will compete on Friday in both of the round two meets. Simply put, the top all-arounder and event specialists qualify to nationals. To determine those gymnasts, combine Friday’s individual event and all-around results, wait until Sunday’s meet concludes, take out all the gymnasts from the two qualifying teams, and take the top individual on each event and in the all-around.

Easy enough, right?

For a more in-depth explanation, including how the tie-breaking procedure works (it’s complicated), how the whole format is structured, and even how judges are selected, check out our

Round One

Date: April 4 at 5 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 33 Southern Utah vs. No. 35 San Jose State

Background

Southern Utah powered its way through the regular season after many expected a down year due to losing so many routines from 2023. The Thunderbirds only scored below 195 three times and topped out at 197.125 en route to winning the MPSF championship in its first year in the conference. San Jose State started slow, with team scores in the 194 to 195 range but kicked it into gear toward the end of the season, consistently scoring mid-to-high 196s.

So You’re Saying There’s a Chance?

If both teams hit to their ability, advancing to round two will come down to which team can do the best on its weakest events. San Jose State is significantly weaker on vault and bars, and while Southern Utah has shown improvement on floor since the start of the season, it is the lowest ranking event and one where San Jose State can steal an upset victory to advance.

Round Two

Session One

Date: April 5 at 4 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 6 Denver, No. 11 UCLA, No. 22 Arizona State, and No. 28 Washington

Background

After an upset bid to nationals a season ago, the Pioneers floated around the second half of the top 10 all season long before finishing strong to enter regionals as a seeded favorite to advance. The Bruins have had their ups and downs—like posting a 196 and a 198 just this month—but have shown on several occasions just how dangerous they can be when they’re in the groove. UCLA’s Selena Harris and Denver’s Jessica Hutchinson have not only been leaders for their programs but have been two of the top all-arounders in the nation as well. The Huskies and Sun Devils boast two of the most underrated all-arounders, as Skylar Killough-Wilhelm has been key for Washington and Hannah Scharf crucial for Arizona State in an ever-competitive Pac-12.

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So You’re Saying There’s a Chance?

Both the Sun Devils and Huskies have been in the 197s recently, ready to capitalize on an iffy performance from either of the seeded duo—like what happened earlier in March when Arizona State defeated the Bruins in Tempe. UCLA was shorthanded then, and now back to full strength, it shouldn’t have much of a problem advancing alongside Denver, as their strong runner-up finishes at the conference championships would suggest.

*Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.

**Initial individual distribution lists Abraham rotating with Arizona State for vault but UCLA for floor; it would not be a surprise if she and Erb are switched for Abraham to remain with the same team for her routines.

Individuals to Keep an Eye on

Abraham and Ray of UC Davis will be ones to watch in this session. They were pivotal to the Aggies’ success this year and tied school records on their respective events with 9.925s. Ilka Juk has the potential to advance on beam as well; her consistency on the event has made her a mainstay for her new team in 2024.

Session Two

Date: April 5 at 10 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: No. 3 California, No. 14 Auburn, No. 19 Stanford, and the winner of round one.

Background

Backed by the dynamic all-arounder duo of eMjae Frazier and Mya Lauzon, the Golden Bears have been a top-three team all season long and enter regionals as a near-lock for nationals. California has looked steady and polished, and even after a shaky third-place finish at Pac-12s, it’s a favorite for a return trip to Fort Worth. The Tigers took a bit to get into their comfort zone a season after losing Sunisa Lee but found their stride mid-season to maintain a spot among the seeded teams thanks to Cassie Stevens stepping into the spotlight. Stanford also started slow, contending with some injuries, but has been one of the hottest teams over the last month, as fifth-year Chloe Widner is competing the best gymnastics of her career.

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So You’re Saying There’s a Chance

Especially as the host, it’s hard to imagine California not placing in the top two, but another early lineup miss followed by five nervy sets on an event or two, like at Pac-12s, could spell trouble. These top three teams all have the same strengths in bars and beam, so it could come down to who can add the most tenths on the leg events.

*Note: Individuals from both round one teams are included in the individual draw to account for one team being eliminated after Thursday’s competition. The spots from the individuals on the advancing team will not be filled.

Individuals to Keep an Eye on

Should Southern Utah not advance to round two, Randolph’s all-around program will be a standout in this session after setting a program record of 39.600 as a freshman. Her teammate Pardue has been consistent on vault all season, topping out at 9.950 with her Yurchenko one and a half. If the Spartans do not advance to round two, fifth-year Mazury has been a standout on floor and could sneak into the nationals field.

Round Three

Date: April 7 at 8 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN+
Teams: Top two teams from each Friday session

The Bottom Line

Assuming all the top seeds advance, this is expected to be quite the battle for the top two spots. If California is hitting at home, nobody can touch it for first, but UCLA and Denver both looked sharp at their conference championships and are as good as anybody when they hit. The Pioneers have been far more consistent this year, but the Bruins tie the Golden Bears for the top-high score in the regional.