Are the NCAA gymnastics scores really getting tighter? Well, the numbers have been saying so for a while. The 2025 season started with a dramatic dip in the perfect 10s awarded. None were handed out in the first week, a shift after years. However, the same dry NCAA gymnastics scene soon turned into a ten fest as five 10s were awarded on the same day, on February 14. Well, these extreme variations, dry spells, and sudden surges likely raised eyebrows. But after a recent inconsistency came to light, fans are particularly wondering if all was well with the scoring system.

Under/over-scoring, both have been issues, and so has inconsistent judging across NCAA gymnastics. No wonder this season, the Scoreboard system was put in place. Well, this system reviewed the judges’ assessments and attempted to achieve more even and fair scores like those in elite gymnastics. But the real question is: has it really been that impactful? Well, a slight error was spotted in the all-important regionals week, which left fans divided. Some gave it a clean chit, others questioned it. But what happened that sparked this online fan debate?

The Seattle Regional Final concluded hours ago, with two teams, the Oklahoma Sooners and Missouri, punching their tickets to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships at Fort Worth. Now, while OU recorded its second-highest team score ever, 198.450, a gymnastics reporter pointed out a visible discrepancy. Caroline Price on April 7 added two vault videos from the night on X, one featuring Elle Mueller from OU and the other featuring Hannah Horton from Mizzou. It could be seen that the two opted for identical vault routines, yet Mueller’s landing had a slight misstep while Horton’s was clean. Yet Price detailed, “One judge gave the same score to these two vaults.”

Yes, Mueller got a 9.900 total for her vault, with a single judge giving her a 9.90. Whereas, Horton bagged a 9.950 due to her getting a 9.90 by the same judge, too. For vaults that were poles apart in execution, one showing a clearing landing hiccup, it was unclear how the points awarded were the same. While Price didn’t point out the athletes’ skills at all, as both did a commendable job, the only concern was the scoring inconsistency.

Well, the lack of universality in NCAA gymnastics scoring has been an issue raised by fans at the start of the season too. Back then, some fans even pointed out how the scoring changes were only affecting the West Coast teams while judges were still overscoring the SEC. But, even LSU star Olivia Dunne steered clear of this saying, “Scores are always a tricky situation because they’re out of your control and you just got to go out there and try your best no matter what and just be present in the moment with your team cheering.”

However, it also cannot be overlooked that points hold great value. In NCAA gymnastics, points determine rankings, conference titles, postseason positions, etc. So they have to be standard, right? Thus, the fans were divided when this discrepancy was highlighted. Here’s what some said.

Fans left thinking after the NCAA gymnastics error

One of the fans detailed why the equal scores for both of these gymnasts seemed problematic to them, “Rough assessment to say the least…To be clear, we are comparing bent knee(s) and a step on the landing to snapshot technical perfection.” Glitches or errors in execution are supposed to warrant deductions. But despite that, the two gymnasts getting equal scores from one of the judges may seem bizarre to fans. Another one also added, “Love seeing post like this because it confirms leotard bonus is real. In elite these vaults would never be scored the same.”

A third fan linked it with the Scoreboard, highlighting exactly why it is very crucial in contemporary collegiate gymnastics. They wrote, “Still fuming that some coaches refused to participate in Scoreboard and ranked what could have been at least an attempt at reform!” 

There has been scrutiny that stricter scoring due to the Scoreboard has been negatively impacting the sports entertainment factor, with 10s awarded sparingly. But this incident proves Scoreboard’s role in ensuring accuracy and fairness. Yet, there have been sides like the Gymnastics East Conference that have opted out of the Scoreboard pilot program, while they haven’t really cited a reason for the call.

Next, a fan came up with a seemingly sarcastic solution. They pointed out, “Competitions based on subjective judging are inherently flawed. Need AI to be the judge at this point.” The fact remains that many other sports, including baseball and football, do have a supervisory panel to regulate referee oversight. In FIG Gymnastics, too, the Technical Committee regulates judging matters. So yes, the NCAA gymnastics level should have something too.

Some fans opined that the gymnasts were the ones at a loss here. “You should have watched the OU gymnasts get cheated on 10s the entire season. I went to a meet earlier this year in person and decided to not go back due to 2 10s being called a 9.95 and it was actually during the Mizzou meet.” 

However, not everyone saw it as an issue. One of the fans sided with NCAA gymnastics saying, “You can’t get perfect. I’m so tired of hearing folks complain about referees or judges or umpires.” Some even pointed out how the scores for both the concerned gymnasts didn’t affect the teams in the end. Missouri, with no error, was higher, and Mueller, with the misstep, was lower in total vault scores. So they failed to understand what the ballyhoo was about.

What do you think, fans? Do you spot an underlying problem here too? A need for reform, perhaps? Let us know which fan comment you agree with the most!