Stanford, led by Ana Bărbosu, is one step away from the NCAA semifinals! Romanian, excellent performance in the second round in Baton Rouge
Article by David Istrate – Published on Friday, 03 April 2026, 10:25 / Updated on Friday, 03 April 2026 10:26
With Ana Bărbosu (19 years old) in excellent form, Stanford qualified for the regional finals in Baton Rouge, being one step away from the NCAA semifinals. The gymnast from Romania had the highest total score of the round and helped her team gain access to the next phase.
On Thursday, April 2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana hosted the second round of the final NCAA gymnastics tournament, the competition for American universities. Stanford faced Michigan, North Carolina and Utah State.
Ana Bărbosu, flawless on beam and floor, had the highest total score of the second round
With a total score of 197.175, Stanford placed first and advanced to the regional finals in Baton Rouge, along with Michigan (196.600). North Carolina (196.250) and Utah State (195.750) missed qualifying for the NCAA “quarters.”
Ana Bărbosu had the highest score of the competition on beam (9.925) and floor (9.950). With 9.825 on vault and 9.875 on parallel bars, the Romanian had a total score of 39.575, being the best gymnast of the round.
Second place went to her teammate Anna Roberts (39.300), while third place went to Towson's Isabella Minervini (39.275), who competed in the individual competition as her university did not qualify in the team competition.
Stanford is battling Michigan, LSU and Clemson for a berth in the NCAA semifinals
Therefore, Stanford advanced to the regional finals in Baton Rouge, where they will face Michigan, LSU (Louisiana State University) and Clemson. In the second round, only LSU had a higher total score (198.375).
The regional finals will be held on Saturday, April 4 at Pete Maravich Arena in Baton Rouge. The top two universities will advance to the NCAA semifinals, which will be held April 16 in Fort Worth, Texas. Two days later, in the same place, the final of the university championship in the United States of America is scheduled.
Ana Bărbosu is not the only gymnast from Romania qualified in an NCAA regional final. Michigan State, with Lilia Cosman in the composition, passed the second round in Tempe and will duel with Georgia, Florida and California for a place in the semifinal of the competition. Cosman competed only on parallel bars and had a score of 9.050.
