Tigers standout joins star-studded field, including Jordan Chiles and Faith Torrez, in race for collegiate gymnastics’ top honor
The announcement, made by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards, places Chio among the top four gymnasts in the country, alongside Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Anna Roberts (Stanford), and Faith Torrez (Oklahoma).
A Breakout Season for Chio
Chio’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of historic. The sophomore emerged as the nation’s No. 1 all-around gymnast during the regular season based on National Qualifying Score (NQS), anchoring LSU’s run to an NCAA national runner-up finish.
Her dominance across events was unmatched. Chio recorded 13 perfect 10.0 scores — the most ever by an LSU gymnast in a single season — and one of the highest totals nationally since 2019. She also made history by becoming the first gymnast in NCAA history to score a perfect 30.000 while competing in just three events on March 13.
The accolades continued to pile up. Chio earned SEC Gymnast of the Year and Region One Gymnast of the Year honors while capturing SEC titles in the all-around and vault. She consistently delivered elite scores, posting 9.900 or higher across all four events throughout the season.
Record-Breaking Consistency
Beyond the perfect scores, Chio’s consistency defined her season. She tallied 44 event wins — the third-most in LSU single-season history — and now holds 67 career titles. Her dominance extended across disciplines, including 14 vault victories (a program single-season record) and 11 wins each in the all-around and on beam.
For four consecutive weeks, Chio held the No. 1 national ranking in the all-around while also leading the country on vault and beam, showcasing her versatility and competitive edge at the highest level.
Elite Company in Finalist Field
The 2026 Honda Award field reflects the sport’s brightest stars. Chiles, a decorated senior at UCLA, captured the NCAA floor title and earned her fourth national championship, while Roberts dominated the ACC and Torrez secured the NCAA all-around crown, leading Oklahoma to another national title.
Finalists were selected by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA), with the final vote to be cast by senior women administrators across more than 1,000 NCAA institutions following the NCAA Championships.
A Legacy Award with National Impact
Now in its 50th year, the Honda Sport Award recognizes the top female athletes across 12 NCAA sports, representing the pinnacle of collegiate achievement. The gymnastics winner will advance as a finalist for the prestigious Honda Cup, awarded to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.
LSU’s Momentum Continues
Chio’s recognition underscores LSU’s continued rise as a national powerhouse in women’s gymnastics. With a runner-up national finish and one of the most dominant individual seasons in program history, the Tigers have firmly established themselves among the sport’s elite.
As the Honda Award voting approaches, Chio stands not only as a finalist — but as a defining figure in one of the most competitive seasons in NCAA gymnastics history.
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-- By Andre Leday
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