In April, the LSU Academic Center took to X to highlight the determination of one of their standout gymnasts, quoting Derek Jeter: “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do – and I believe that.” Alongside the quote, the gymnast was honored as LSU’s final March Student-Athlete of the Month for her efforts. Although the Tigers couldn’t retain their national championship crown, the 19-year-old carved out a place for herself through sheer perseverance. How so? 

On April 27, Lexi Zeiss stepped onto the biggest stage of college gymnastics—the NCAA Championships Semifinal II—and delivered. Competing in two events, she scored a solid 9.800 on vault and an impressive 9.900 on the uneven bars. But her semifinal performance was just the tip of the iceberg. All season long, Lexi had been quietly consistent, her routines lighting up scoreboards with averages hovering around the 9.8 mark. Even though LSU fell short of defending its national title, the 19-year-old made sure her presence was felt. And now, that consistency is paying off—just not in the way anyone expected.

Fast forward to June 10. USA Gymnastics posted the roster for the 2025 American and Hopes Classic on X. Scrolling through the senior lineup, fans spotted a name they didn’t anticipate: Lexi Zeiss. Notably absent? Olympic veterans and World Championship contenders like Leanne Wong, Joscelyn Roberson, and Jade Carey. In their place, Zeiss and others like Reese Esponda are stepping up—and stepping in. Suddenly, the balance of power in American gymnastics looks… different.

The surprise was enough to stir chatter online. One Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “Lexi Zeiss?! Didn’t see that one coming.” And yet, maybe we should have. While big names take a breather or recalibrate their paths, Lexi’s been quietly building, grinding, and delivering. Her inclusion on the American Classic roster isn’t a fluke—it’s the result of relentless work in a sport that rewards both flash and fortitude. The gymnastics raconteurs have closely followed Lexi’s rise. One of them came forward to give the phenom her flowers. 

Caroline Price is one of those names. Right after the news went viral, the sports journalist wrote on X, “@LSUgym Lexi Zeiss is back on the elite stage after an amazing freshman season.” That is the evidence of how the gymnastics community is rooting for Zeiss. However, in 2023, she showed her gymnastics potential by winning the women’s all-around title in the Winter Cup. However, in the Hopes Classic as well, the list has missed big names. Though Brenna McClure will enter the list. But her other mates from the Razorbacks haven’t shown up. In the meantime, the gymnastics fans continued to discuss the reasons behind the presence and absence in the lineup. 

The gymnastics fans display mixed emotions 

“Lexi but not Konnor.” The surprise was real—and fans weren’t shy about voicing it after the 2025 American Classic senior roster dropped on June 10. One Reddit user captured the collective shock with a simple observation: Lexi Zeiss made the list, but Konnor McClain didn’t.

It’s not that Konnor lacked talent. In fact, she dazzled this year in LSU’s leotard and turned heads with her elegant, high-difficulty routines. But while Lexi punched her ticket to the Classic, Konnor was nowhere to be seen. Is it an injury? A personal break? No official update has come yet, and the silence only deepened the mystery. Meanwhile, another fan rattled off a list that read more like a World Championship roster than a group of absentees: “Joscelyn, Leanne, Jade, Tatum, Claire???” All missing.

Jade Carey has yet to confirm if she’s aiming for any elite competitions this year, leaving her 2025 plans in limbo. Joscelyn Roberson, however, is reportedly in prep mode, with her eyes possibly set on the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. But as fans speculated about who’s out, some found comfort in who’s in.

“Happy to see Reese Esponda there!” one user wrote with a touch of relief. Still, the spotlight kept circling back to Lexi Zeiss. “Does anyone know how Lexi Zeiss qualified?” someone asked.

The answer? Her steady, standout performances throughout the NCAA season. From her consistent 9.8+ averages to her clutch showing at the NCAA Semifinals—where she scored a 9.800 on vault and a 9.900 on bars—Lexi proved she belongs among the country’s best. While others have taken time off, faced setbacks, or opted out, Lexi stayed the course. And now, she’s reaping the rewards. So, in a field suddenly wide open, her rise feels less like a surprise—and more like a sign of what’s next.