Gymnastics is a sport of precision, grace, and power. Every flip, twist, and landing tells a story of hard work and dedication. But what happens when the judging system that determines a gymnast’s success comes under scrutiny? That’s exactly what’s happening in NCAA gymnastics right now.
For years, gymnastics fans and athletes have debated the fairness of scoring. Perfect 10.0s, once a rare and magical achievement, started appearing more frequently, making many question whether the bar had been lowered. Some routines seemed to receive near-perfect scores despite noticeable flaws. To address these concerns, the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) introduced a new system called the Collegiate Judging Issue (CJI) in May 2024. This system wasn’t just about evaluating the gymnasts but it also aimed to assess the judges themselves to ensure fair and consistent scoring across competitions.
Kathy Clarke’s take on ‘A Perfect 10’
As the NCAA season kicked off in January 2025, gymnasts, coaches, and fans were eager to see if these changes would bring more accuracy to the sport. Some felt the new system helped maintain integrity, while others believed it introduced even more inconsistencies. And then, Olivia Dunne, LSU’s star gymnast and social media sensation, added her voice to the conversation after LSU’s narrow loss to Arkansas with a score of 196.600-196.875. She said “This is not about LSU; this is about the sport,” referring to the new scoring system.
With so much happening around, former Olympic gymnast and respected commentator Kathy Johnson Clarke shared a thoughtful and powerful statement on Instagram. “To TEN or NOT TO TEN! That is the question? I would rather ask what is wrong with near perfect score when routines are less than perfect?”
“A 10.0 is not given or not given. It’s earned when there are no deductible errors or flaws as written in the code of points, when each and every actor and dance skill’s shape and technique are masterful, their execution and amplitude superior and form, posture and bodyline throughout are impeccably immaculate,” she further added. Johnson Clarke’s stance is clear on this, a perfect 10 should be a rare and special achievement, earned only when a routine meets the highest technical standards. She challenges the idea of giving high scores to routines that are “good enough” but not truly perfect.
Kathy’s words struck a chord with many. Was the judging system holding gymnasts to a higher standard, or was it becoming unnecessarily strict? Some argued that the new system was stripping away the joy of the sport, making it harder for athletes to achieve the scores they deserved. Others felt that it was a much-needed correction to prevent inflation of scores and ensure that only truly flawless routines received perfect marks.
The NACC scoring debate is far from over
Not only Kathy Johnson but commentator Christina Chauvenet also added to this. He posted on social media platform X, “I’m going to keep pointing out deductions and when I disagree with the judges, as well as praising great gymnastics!”. Without mentioning or tagging anyone he talks about educating the casual fans about the new scoring system. But all this came after Olivia Dunne’s comment on the new scoring system “I have an audience of casual fans, so maybe I’m in a unique position to see what is happening with fans differently than people just looking at attendance numbers. Fans are confused.”
The impact of these changes is already being felt in competitions. Gymnasts are under more pressure than ever to perform with absolute precision, knowing that even the smallest mistake could cost them valuable points. Some teams have expressed frustration over what they perceive as inconsistent judging, while others appreciate the effort to bring more objectivity into a sport that has always relied on subjective scoring.
As the season progresses, one thing is certain, that this debate will continue. Will the CJI system truly bring the fairness it promises, or will it create new controversies that shake the sport even further? And most importantly, how will gymnasts adapt to these changes in their pursuit of excellence? Do share your views in the comments below!
The post Gymnastics Legend Kathy Johnson Clarke Makes Stance Clear on NCAA Scoring Controversy: ‘It’s Earned’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.