The University of Denver gymnastics team is set to begin the 2026 season ranked No. 16 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll, according to a release issued Tuesday. This marks the eleventh consecutive year that Denver has been placed within the top 16 in national preseason rankings.
Within the Big 12 Conference, Denver holds the second-highest ranking, trailing only Utah at No. 5. Four of the conference’s seven teams are included in the top 25, with two more listed in the top 36 and another receiving votes.
Denver’s upcoming schedule features matchups against seven teams ranked in the preseason poll. The season will open on January 11 against No. 13 Stanford at Magness Arena. Other notable home contests include games against No. 5 Utah and No. 18 Arizona. The team will also travel to face No. 17 Oregon State, No. 25 Arizona State, No. 30 BYU, and No. 35 West Virginia. All ten of Denver’s regular-season opponents appear either in the rankings or received votes.
Last season, Denver finished ranked No. 13 nationally after advancing to the NCAA Regional Final as an unseeded team and defeating then-No.10 Minnesota and then-No.13 Stanford before narrowly missing a spot at the NCAA National Championships by less than three tenths of a point.
Key returners for Denver this season include Big 12 Preseason Team members Mila Brusch, Cecilia Cooley, Maddison Reidenbach, and Kiley Rorich. The roster is bolstered by seven newcomers, including what College Gym News ranks as the ninth-best freshman class nationally—led by five-star recruit Shyla Bhatia.
The team’s first official meet is scheduled for Sunday, January 11 at Magness Arena against Stanford at 1:45 p.m MT. Fans can preview this year’s squad during the annual Crimson & Gold Intrasquad event on December 21 at Magness Arena; admission is free.
Tickets for all home meets are now available online, by phone at 303-871-4625, or at the Ritchie Center Box Office.
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