College gymnastics is known for being an incredibly supportive sport. While the competition is fierce, the level of sportsmanship between teams is among the highest in any sport I’ve covered. That was especially evident last night during the NCAA gymnastics regional in University Park.
After Arkansas had already secured its spot in the next round, a heartbreaking moment unfolded. What had been a joyful, high-energy atmosphere quickly turned somber during the final routine of the evening. Frankie Price, a standout for the Arkansas Razorbacks and a well-respected leader on her team, began her floor exercise—the last performance of the night. But as she attempted her opening tumbling pass, it appeared her legs gave out on the landing. The arena fell into stunned silence.
The severity of the moment was clear immediately. Emotions ran high across the gym, especially among LSU’s gymnasts, who could be seen visibly shaken as they watched a fellow competitor in pain. Frankie had played a major role in Arkansas’ upset win over LSU earlier this season, making the moment even more emotional for both sides.
After the meet, Arkansas head coach Jordyn Wieber spoke with heartache about the situation: “My heart just breaks for her. She’s been the heart and soul of our team all year. Such a great leader. It’s a lower body injury—we’ll get her checked out and see how she’s doing.”
The LSU Tigers are set to compete again on Saturday against Arkansas, Michigan State, and Kentucky, with the top two teams earning a spot in the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth.
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