Nyla Aquino, a 19-year-old Black student athlete, delivered a standout performance for the University of Georgia's gymnastics team on 20 February 2026, scoring 9.925. Her routine, which incorporated Black culture, garnered over 3 million views on ESPNW's TikTok.
Aquino's success comes as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to dominate women's college gymnastics. Five of the eight teams at the 2026 NCAA championships were from the SEC, and 28 of the sport's 45 all-time team titles belong to schools currently in the conference.
Despite the achievements of Black athletes within the SEC, state lawmakers in the South are reportedly working to redraw district lines and remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes from the very universities these athletes represent.