If you believe in fairy tales, Jordan Bowers just lived one—twice. In the span of two magical nights, Bowers didn’t just compete—she soared, turning the NCAA Gymnastics Championships into her personal stage for greatness. First came the semifinal night. A 39.7125 all-around score. A powerhouse performance that didn’t just help the Oklahoma Sooners claim the top spot—it also crowned her the NCAA all-around champion, outshining big names like Jade Carey and Joscelyn Roberson. It was her moment, her medal, her magic. But Bowers wasn’t done.
Then came the final. The very last meet of her college career. Her curtain call. And what did Jordan do? She delivered. With an all-around score of 39.4875, including an ethereal 9.9375 on beam and a show-stopping 9.9250 on floor, she helped Oklahoma clinch the national title—again. For the third time in her collegiate career, she ended the season on top of the gymnastics world. But this time, it was different. This was her swan song. Her final bow. And the chills? They didn’t stop there.
In a heartwarming conversation with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum on April 22, Jordan Bowers reflected on what this all meant. “I have always been a Sooner fan. I have always loved, watched OU gymnastics growing up, and I wanted to be a part of that legacy,” she said, eyes lit with the fire of someone who truly means it. “I’d been going to summer camp since I was like eight, nine years old and engulfed in that culture, and I just wanted to be a part of it so bad. And I had known these coaches for so long as well, so being a part of it has been nothing short of incredible. And it feels like I’ve just been a Sooner for way longer than four years.”
When you know, you know.
National Champ Jordan Bowers explains why she committed to @OU_WGymnastics extremely early in her career: pic.twitter.com/fcKdfCT4vQ
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) April 22, 2025
The bond ran deep. Jordan committed to Oklahoma nearly a decade ago, long before she joined the team officially in 2022. That’s nearly ten years of dreaming, waiting, and believing. That’s not just dedication. That’s hard work combined with it. And maybe that’s what makes Oklahoma Gymnastics so special. The family. The loyalty. The legacy.
“This coaching staff has stayed together for 19 years,” Jordan shared. “They know each girl inside and out. And I’m just so blessed to be a part of it, and to leave my legacy on this program as well.” However, six years ago, life threw her challenges. But Bowers didn’t quit. She stood back up, eyes on that crimson-and-cream prize. And this year, she didn’t just reach the finish line—she danced across it in gold. But can you recall what happened to her six years ago?
Jordan Bowers stands up from the ashes
At just 16, Jordan was already a name in elite gymnastics. She had climbed podiums at the U.S. Classic and Pacific Rim Championships, shining with the kind of promise that turns gymnasts into global stars. But behind the medals and routines, her body was screaming for relief. Years of pushing through pain had taken a toll, especially on her back. And then, she made the hardest call of all.
“Taking into consideration my previous back injuries, it was in my best interest to come to this decision and focus on my recovery…” Bowers wrote on Instagram in 2019, announcing her retirement from elite gymnastics. But this wasn’t the end. Not even close. Anything more? “This decision will allow me to pursue my ultimate goal of competing for The University of Oklahoma.” That sentence said it all. Even when elite dreams faded, one vision stayed crystal clear: becoming a Sooner. And in 2022, Bowers did exactly that.
After years of healing, rebuilding, and quietly stoking the fire, Jordan made her long-awaited return—not just to gymnastics, but to the one program her heart always beats for. Oklahoma wasn’t a fallback. It was the destination. The goal. The dream that never wavered, not even through injury.
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