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Rowray and Steensland to Return for Fifth Seasons
5/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Rowray was the balance beam national champion in 2026
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota senior gymnasts Brooklyn Rowray and Megan Steensland will return to the Gophers for their final years of eligibility in 2026-27, the program announced today.
Brooklyn Rowray became the second Gopher in program history, joining Marie Roethlisberger (uneven bars, 1990) to win a national title when she did so on balance beam on Thursday, April 16 (9.9625). In her career at Minnesota, Rowray has won six beam event titles and posted a career-best of 9.975 in 2024.
She's a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and took home the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2026. She's also a three-time WCGA Scholastic All-American. Rowray earned NCAA Championship First Team All-America on Beam and was the NCAA Corvallis Regional Balance Beam Champion this spring. The Des Moines, Iowa native is a kinesiology major. She tore her achilles before the second meet of the 2024 season, qualifying her for a medical redshirt year.
"I could have never imagined all that these past four years had in store," Rowray said. "This program has blessed me with so much more than just the chance to do gymnastics at the collegiate level. The people, memories, and experiences have helped shape who I am today. I'm so thankful for the support of my coaches, teammates, family, and Gopher Nation. I have cherished this journey, but I'm not ready to be done just yet! I can't wait to represent the University of Minnesota one last time."
Chaska, Minnesota native Megan Steensland will return for her fifth season after competing for the last few seasons on vault, beam and floor. She holds career-bests of 9.850 on vault, 9.825 on beam and 9.900 on the floor. This past season, Steensland totaled a season-best 9.875 on the floor on Senior Day (March 15). She competed in eight meets this season.
In the classroom, Steensland is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time WCGA Academic All-American.
"These past four years, this program has given me more than I ever could have imagined," Steensland said. "I am beyond grateful for my teammates, coaches and everyone who has been a part of this journey! Being a Gopher has meant everything to me, and I will carry these memories with me forever. With that being said, I can't wait for one more year with Gopher Nation!"
As a team, Minnesota posted a school record 30 wins (30-13, 7-2 B1G) and finished a program-best fourth place at nationals, making the First Four on the Floor in school history. The team made the NCAA Regional Finals for the fifth time in the last six seasons (one of just two Big Ten teams to do so) and finished a program-best fourth in the Road to Nationals final rankings.
Brooklyn Rowray became the second Gopher in program history, joining Marie Roethlisberger (uneven bars, 1990) to win a national title when she did so on balance beam on Thursday, April 16 (9.9625). In her career at Minnesota, Rowray has won six beam event titles and posted a career-best of 9.975 in 2024.
She's a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and took home the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2026. She's also a three-time WCGA Scholastic All-American. Rowray earned NCAA Championship First Team All-America on Beam and was the NCAA Corvallis Regional Balance Beam Champion this spring. The Des Moines, Iowa native is a kinesiology major. She tore her achilles before the second meet of the 2024 season, qualifying her for a medical redshirt year.
"I could have never imagined all that these past four years had in store," Rowray said. "This program has blessed me with so much more than just the chance to do gymnastics at the collegiate level. The people, memories, and experiences have helped shape who I am today. I'm so thankful for the support of my coaches, teammates, family, and Gopher Nation. I have cherished this journey, but I'm not ready to be done just yet! I can't wait to represent the University of Minnesota one last time."
Chaska, Minnesota native Megan Steensland will return for her fifth season after competing for the last few seasons on vault, beam and floor. She holds career-bests of 9.850 on vault, 9.825 on beam and 9.900 on the floor. This past season, Steensland totaled a season-best 9.875 on the floor on Senior Day (March 15). She competed in eight meets this season.
In the classroom, Steensland is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time WCGA Academic All-American.
"These past four years, this program has given me more than I ever could have imagined," Steensland said. "I am beyond grateful for my teammates, coaches and everyone who has been a part of this journey! Being a Gopher has meant everything to me, and I will carry these memories with me forever. With that being said, I can't wait for one more year with Gopher Nation!"
As a team, Minnesota posted a school record 30 wins (30-13, 7-2 B1G) and finished a program-best fourth place at nationals, making the First Four on the Floor in school history. The team made the NCAA Regional Finals for the fifth time in the last six seasons (one of just two Big Ten teams to do so) and finished a program-best fourth in the Road to Nationals final rankings.
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