The New Jersey high school gymnastics season begins this week, and the usual suspects are looking to challenge for the state title once again in 2026.
St. John Vianney
Ranked number one in the initial NJ.com top-10, St. John Vianney last won the state title in 2023; however, the Lancers finished as Shore Conference champions and sectional and state runners-up last season and look to return to the top of the podium this year. SJV lost two of its biggest performers to graduation: Christina Fallon and Giovannina Beltra, who both moved on to Division 1 programs Michigan State and Boise State, respectively. However, second-team all-state gymnast Kate DeSimone and third-team selection Gabriella Patino are primed to fill their shoes and lead SJV this season.
Middletown South
Reigning Gymnast of the Year, Ava Trezza, will once again look to lead Middletown South back to the state championships this year. The junior tied the all-around state championship record with a 38.875 and broke the all-time state balance beam record with a 9.85. As a team, Midd South won Section C, finished second in the Shore Conference behind St. John Vianney, came in third at states, and went undefeated in the regular season in 2025. The Eagles will be starting 2026 ranked second in the NJ.com top-10.
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas had a season for the record books, literally, in 2025. The Trojans won their 11th state title in team history, becoming the winningest program in Garden State gymnastics history last season. And STA did not just win the state title for the 11th time last year; they did so in dominant fashion, cruising to an undefeated year where not many, if any, teams could even come close to challenging them. Whether or not the Trojans, who are ranked third in NJ.com’s preseason poll, can repeat the same kind of success that they had in 2025 remains to be seen, given that they lost some key components from that squad, including a dynamic gymnast in first-team all-state selection Supriyha Moore. However, like any program with a championship pedigree, STA looks to reload in 2026 and will more than likely see sophomore Alexa Cerchio play a large part in that reloading process.
Hillsborough
Ranked fourth in NJ.com’s initial 2026 rankings, Hillsborough won their 12th sectional championship, second straight Skylands Conference title, and placed fifth at states in 2025. The Raiders return a core group of gymnasts in 2026, including 2025 all-state second teamer Emily Minetti and third teamer Erin Gengler. Hillsborough will also have the added advantage of being led by reigning Coach of the Year, Nicole Razzano.
Mount Olive
Two years removed from their first state title in 2024, Mount Olive looks to contend for a state championship again in 2026. A dominant force in northern New Jersey, the Marauders won their fourth straight sectional title, another North Jersey Gymnastics League A championship, and finished fourth at states in 2025. Mount Olive lost two key gymnasts, Meghan Rodas and Amy Rubinstein, to graduation; however, the Marauders return juniors Avery Schroeder, a 2025 second-team all-state selection, and Charlotte Lehner, a 2025 third-team all-state selection. Schroeder and Lehner were also Mount Olive’s top two all-around performers at the Section A championship in 2025.
Other Contenders
Checking in at sixth in NJ.com’s preseason top-10, Lenape returns a strong core from a team that finished sixth at states in 2025. The Indians return the trio of Brianna Lauer, Devan DiSanto, and Caroline Saggiomo. Lauer took first-team all-state honors in 2025, while DiSanto and Saggiomo each garnered third-team all-state honors.
Union County juggernaut Scotch Plains-Fanwood is looking to continue its Union County dominance and return to the state championships again in 2026. SPF won its seventh straight county title and qualified for states as an at-large team out of Section C, where they placed third behind Middletown South and St. John Vianney in 2025. The Raiders are ranked eighth in the initial 2026 NJ.com gymnastics poll.
Ranked ninth in NJ.com’s preseason poll, Bridgewater-Raritan is a solid team out of Somerset County, and even though they missed states last year, despite finishing second at sectionals, they have multiple state championship appearances to their name. The Panthers won the Somerset County title and finished second at the Skylands Conference Championship last season. B-R will be led by 2025 first-team all-state gymnast Alison Lardieri in 2026
The 2026 New Jersey high school gymnastics season begins September 8 and runs through November 14.
