America's Top 100 Female Gymnasts: Icons Who Shaped the Sport

Fifty-plus years of U.S. women’s gymnastics have produced Olympic champions, world-class innovators, collegiate superstars, and a rising wave of rhythmic and trampoline talent. To honor them, we’ve assembled 100 athletes who, through medals, skills, or cultural impact, shaped the sport.

Selection weighted Olympic and World results, NCAA dominance, eponymous skills, longevity, and pioneering firsts. The names are grouped— not ranked—so readers can trace the arc of U.S. greatness from the 1960s to 2025.

1. Pioneers & Trailblazers (1960–1989)

Before the U.S. emerged as a global force, these women forged a path through resilience, creativity, and courage. Competing in an era dominated by the Eastern Bloc, they laid the bedrock for future generations.

Muriel Grossfeld (3x Olympian) established U.S. presence on the international stage.
Cathy Rigby gained national fame after the 1968 Olympics and later became a prominent advocate for the sport.
Linda Metheny brought poise and consistency through three Olympic appearances.
Tracee Talavera stood out in the early ’80s for her artistry and technical excellence.
Dianne Durham broke barriers in 1983 as the first Black U.S. national champion.
Julianne McNamara became the first American woman to win Olympic gold on bars in 1984.
Mary Lou Retton made history by winning the 1984 Olympic all-around title, becoming a household name.
Phoebe Mills claimed beam bronze in 1988—the only U.S. artistic gymnastics medal that year.
Kelly Garrison originated three beam elements now named in her honor.
Brandy Johnson won vault silver at the 1989 Worlds, helping raise the U.S. international profile.

These athletes challenged expectations, earned firsts, and set the stage for America’s rise in women’s gymnastics.

2. The Magnificent Seven & 1990s Icons

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics delivered the U.S. its first women’s team gold, altering the sport’s national narrative. These athletes helped transform the U.S. from challengers to champions.

Shannon Miller became the most decorated American gymnast of her era with 7 Olympic medals.
Dominique Dawes inspired a generation as a three-time Olympian and the first Black woman to win gymnastics gold.
Kerri Strug became legendary for her courageous, clinching vault in Atlanta.
Amanda Borden captained the team with composure and later became a respected coach.
Jaycie Phelps provided unwavering consistency on the Olympic stage.
Amy Chow earned bars silver and introduced elite-level difficulty still admired today.
Dominique Moceanu, the youngest team member, energized fans with her bold spirit.
Kristie Phillips, a pre-1996 standout, helped build momentum for U.S. gymnastics visibility.
Elise Ray captained the 2000 team and excelled in NCAA competition.
Kristin Maloney overcame injury to help secure Olympic bronze in Sydney.

These gymnasts not only earned medals but also changed the public perception of American gymnastics, proving the U.S. could compete with—and beat—the world’s best.

3. Millennial Champions (2000–2009)

The 2000s solidified the U.S. as a dominant international force. These athletes earned Olympic and World medals while building new legacies in NCAA arenas.

Carly Patterson became the 2004 Olympic all-around champion—the first American to do so in two decades.
Courtney Kupets medaled in Athens and shined in NCAA with Georgia.
Courtney McCool was celebrated for her elegant, artistic routines.
Chellsie Memmel won the 2005 World all-around title and made a historic comeback in her 30s.
Annia Hatch earned Olympic vault silver and helped the team to silver in 2004.
Mohini Bhardwaj, team captain, brought maturity and grit to the Athens squad.
Terin Humphrey earned Olympic bars silver and later advocated for athlete safety.
Tabitha Yim blended grace with difficulty and later made her mark as a coach.
Katie Heenan contributed to the U.S.’s first World team gold and NCAA titles at Georgia.
Bridget Sloan won the 2009 World all-around title after earning Olympic silver in 2008.

4. The Biles Era (2010–2016)

This era marked the dawn of unprecedented dominance—a golden age where U.S. women not only won consistently but reshaped the boundaries of what was possible in the sport. From 2011 through 2016, Team USA won every Olympic and World team title, led by a deep, talented roster and a historic surge in difficulty and execution.

Simone Biles redefined excellence with 5 named skills, 4 Olympic golds, and unparalleled dominance.
Aly Raisman, a two-time Olympian, anchored gold-medal teams and earned multiple individual medals.
Gabby Douglas made history as the first Black gymnast to win Olympic all-around gold.
Jordyn Wieber won Worlds in 2011 and was pivotal in the 2012 team gold.
McKayla Maroney thrilled fans with her vaults—and her viral podium expression.
Kyla Ross delivered steadiness and elegance to Olympic and World teams.
Madison Kocian shared World bars gold in 2015 and took silver in Rio.
Maggie Nichols was key to the 2015 World title and later excelled in NCAA.
Ashton Locklear brought clean, difficult bars to multiple World teams.
MyKayla Skinner rebounded from alternate to Olympic silver medalist in 2021.

This generation wasn’t just dominant—they redefined the technical ceiling of women’s gymnastics and solidified America’s reputation as the team to beat.

5. Transition Years (2017–2021)

The years following Rio tested U.S. gymnastics like never before. While the medals kept coming, athletes faced the weight of public scrutiny, internal reform, and the disruption of a global pandemic. Yet through it all, a new generation emerged—resilient, talented, and more diverse than ever. These gymnasts bridged the gap from Rio to Paris, keeping Team USA at the forefront of global competition.

Morgan Hurd won the 2017 World all-around and emerged as a resilient fan favorite.
Riley McCusker impressed with elegant lines and standout bars.
Grace McCallum contributed to team medals at Worlds and the Olympics.
Sunisa Lee claimed Olympic all-around gold and became a historic figure for the Hmong-American community.
Jordan Chiles brought explosive power and became a fan-favorite in NCAA.
Jade Carey earned Olympic floor gold with one of the hardest routines ever performed.
Kara Eaker brought fluid artistry and earned multiple World team medals.
Leanne Wong contributed to World team medals and shines in NCAA competition.
Ragan Smith was a national champion and beloved for her expressive style.
Skye Blakely emerged late in the cycle and continues to rise.

6. The Paris 2024 Cycle Seniors (2022–2025)

As the sport evolved post-Tokyo, a fresh class of senior gymnasts emerged—talented, tenacious, and team-first. These athletes not only sustained America’s streak of podium finishes but also raised the bar with upgraded difficulty and fearless performances on the world stage. With Paris 2024 on the horizon and Los Angeles 2028 in sight, this generation is already leaving a mark.

Shilese Jones is a two-time World all-around silver medalist and bars standout.
Kayla DiCello balances elite and NCAA success with strong all-around performances.
Kaliya Lincoln brings explosive floor and vault to international podiums.
Tiana Sumanasekera contributes versatility across apparatuses.
Hezly Rivera, the youngest Paris Olympian, competes with poise beyond her years.
Joscelyn Roberson impressed pre-injury and serves as a 2024 alternate.
Katelyn Jong continues her steady rise through strong elite showings.
Dulcy Caylor is dependable and consistent across all four events.
Jayla Hang stands out with upgrades and rising international presence.
Tatum Drusch is making her mark early in her senior career.

Together, this group has already amassed 15 World and Olympic medals—and they’re not done yet. With three years left before Los Angeles 2028, they represent not just the present, but the future of U.S. gymnastics.

7. NCAA Powerhouses

In recent years, collegiate gymnastics has exploded into the mainstream, attracting massive crowds, primetime TV slots, and a growing digital fanbase. This surge owes much to a new generation of NCAA stars whose viral routines, perfect scores, and relatable personalities transformed the sport into a weekend staple. These ten athletes helped redefine what it means to be an elite gymnast beyond the Olympic spotlight.

Trinity Thomas earned a record number of perfect 10s and the NCAA all-around title.
Haleigh Bryant leads LSU with standout execution and consistency.
Selena Harris-Miranda made an immediate impact with expressive UCLA routines.
Audrey Davis is known for exquisite bar technique and elegance.
Faith Torrez quickly became a standout for Oklahoma.
Mya Hooten went viral with dynamic, empowering floor routines.
Kyla Bryant energized Stanford with performance and leadership.
Katherine Levasseur became a 10.0 threat on vault for Oklahoma.
Maile O’Keefe earned all-around and beam crowns at Utah.
Norah Flatley transitioned from elite to NCAA with storytelling and style.

With 198+ team scores, NIL sponsorships, and social media fame, these athletes have broadened the sport’s appeal and turned NCAA gymnastics into a cultural phenomenon—one that’s here to stay.

8. Event Specialists & Skill Innovators

Not every gymnast is defined by all-around medals. Some change the sport with a single skill, singular style, or signature event. These athletes earned their place in history by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on their favorite apparatus—or by inspiring the world with artistry and flair.

Alicia Sacramone brought U.S. vaulting to the forefront with 10 World medals.
Kelly Garrison introduced three named beam skills.
Vanessa Atler broke barriers with daring floor difficulty and triple fronts.
Nastia Liukin showcased elegant bars work that redefined the event.
Shawn Johnson made her mark with precision beam acrobatics.
Brenna Dowell debuted the front double pike on floor.
Marcia Frederick became the first U.S. woman to win a World title (bars, 1978).
Betty Okino brought innovative beam turns and dance elements.
Kaitlin Ohashi captivated the world with joyful viral NCAA floor routines.
Laurie Hernandez earned Olympic beam silver with theatrical flair.

9. Rhythmic & Trampoline Standouts

While artistic gymnastics has long dominated the spotlight, these athletes have helped expand America’s gymnastics legacy into rhythmic and trampoline disciplines. With elegant precision or explosive flight, they’ve earned medals, qualified for Olympic Games, and broadened the nation’s competitive reach on the world stage.

Rhythmic Gymnastics:

Laura Zeng earned multiple Pan Am titles and cracked the top 10 at Worlds.
Evita Griskenas brought balletic style to the Olympic stage.
Camilla Feeley helped raise U.S. group rhythmic performance.
Lili Mizuno was key in group Olympic qualification.
Serena Lu brought artistry and musicality to the U.S. rhythmic scene.

Trampoline Gymnastics:

Savannah Vinsant made history as the first American woman in a trampoline final.
Nicole Ahsinger reached Olympic finals in both 2016 and 2020.
Jessica Stevens continues to push difficulty and precision.
Charlotte Drury earned international medals and advocated for athlete health.
Leigh Hennessy was a pioneer who built U.S. trampoline credibility.

10. Rising Juniors to Watch (Class of 2029 & Beyond)

While Olympic veterans continue to headline, a wave of promising juniors is quietly building momentum. These gymnasts—some not yet age-eligible for senior competition—are already making waves with national team selections, elite-level difficulty, and performances that hint at future global success. With D-scores already north of 5.4, many are poised to impact senior international events well before Los Angeles 2028.

Claire Pease continues to rise with all-around consistency and confident execution across all four events.
Isabella Anzola is known for her standout bars and a poised presence rare for her age.
Charleigh Bullock brings explosive tumbling and fearless attack on vault, marking her as a potential power-event specialist.
Lavi Crain and Vivi Crain, twin talents with high technical ceilings, show promise as dynamic all-arounders with exceptional polish.
Addy Fulcher boasts high difficulty and a calm competitive demeanor that belies her age.
Greta Krob has made early impressions on beam and bars, demonstrating both precision and artistry.
Jaysha McClendon, known for her powerful vaulting and expressive floor, shows potential for international podiums.
Caroline Moreau blends finesse with skill, building a reputation for clean execution and creative combinations.
Kieryn Finnell competes with advanced composition and mature choreography, hinting at a bright senior career ahead.

These future stars may be young, but their routines already carry the DNA of U.S. excellence. Expect several of them to debut at senior Worlds well before the Olympic spotlight arrives in L.A.

For a comprehensive list of America’s top 100 female gymnasts, including detailed statistics and rankings, you can refer to resources like: