Shyla Bhatia, a freshman gymnast from Denver, is set to compete in the NCAA National Championships on April 16, 2026, as an individual vault qualifier. She will perform during National Semifinal II at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, at 8 p.m. CT. Bhatia earned her spot by tying for third overall in the NCAA Regionals with a score of 9.900 on vault, showcasing her strong performance. This marks Bhatia as the 22nd different Denver gymnast to qualify for NCAA Nationals and the only freshman vault specialist since 2018.

By the Numbers
  • Bhatia scored 9.900 on vault, tying for third overall at the NCAA Regionals.
  • Denver has had at least one gymnast qualify for the NCAA National Championships in 25 of the last 26 seasons.
State of Play
  • Bhatia is tied for No. 64 nationally on vault among individual qualifiers.
  • She will compete against top-ranked vaulters including No. 1 Kailin Chio from LSU and No. 2 Addison Fatta from Oklahoma.
What's Next

Bhatia will aim to secure a national title and WCGA All-America honors during her semifinal performance. If successful, she could become the first Denver gymnast to earn postseason All-America recognition since 2023.

Bottom Line

Bhatia's achievement highlights her potential as a rising star in gymnastics while continuing Denver's strong tradition at the NCAA Championships. Her performance will be closely watched as she competes against the nation's elite.