2014 NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships

Lovely Leotards of NCAA's Part 1: Prelims

Apr 23, 2014 by Becca Reed

This year’s NCAA Nationals was the most incredible weekend of gymnastics that I’ve ever seen. There was a lot of excitement built up around the competition and it definitely lived up to the hype. However, we were so caught up in the moment that we might have overlooked a key part of the glamour- the leotards! There were three packed days of competition so we decided to split our leotard polls into three and first up will be day one- NCAA Prelims.

Make sure to cast your vote at the bottom of the blog! The poll closes on Sunday, April 27th at midnight. The winners from each day of competition will be combined so you can vote on the single best leo from all of NCAA Nationals!

6. Oklahoma

It is important to note that in pictures, this leotard does not have the "wow" factor that it has in person. Before you cast your vote, close your eyes and imagine the rhinestones shimmering in the arena lights with every movement, pose, and flip. This simple, bold design is balanced out by the delicate mesh sleeves with crisscross lines of rhinestone accents. This was a perfect prelims leo to make a subtle statement and build excitement for finals!

5. LSU

LSU has had some very unique leos and I love that they aren’t afraid to try to new designs. This leo is tame compared to some of their others but it is just as strong and bold. The triangle ribbon design mixing black, gold, and purple creates an asymmetric yet balanced leo. The piece is simple with the metallic fabric and three colors and doesn’t overdo the rhinestones, instead using them sparingly along the edges of the ribbon design.

4. Georgia

This is another simple leo but is extremely elegant and polished. The leo is made of mostly black and silver, which makes the red trim on the neck and sleeves really stand out. The red neck line gives a bold and angled feel but is balanced out with the feminine sweetheart edge between the black and silver. The rainfall rhinestone effect coming down from the sweetheart line is very delicate and graceful. The clean lines and colors along with the scattering of rhinestones give an exquisite and finished design that made it’s way to the top four.

3. Michigan

This leo combines the Michigan maize and azure in a way I’ve never seen before. There are two things that stand out about this leo and the first is the sleeves. The bodice is a solid metallic blue but the sleeves are a combination of yellow and blue and the colors blend into each other but are still distinct as two separate colors. The second part, which is as impressive, is the deep v-neck with a scalloped edge and bursts of rhinestones shooting out from the center. A final detail that might be overlooked is the decorative rhinestone pattern on the shoulders and at the end of the sleeves which add elegance to the already exquisite leo.

2. Alabama

This gorgeous leo is full of glitz from the metallic material to the loads of rhinestone detailing. The crimson and silver colors work well together, as do the unique combination of neck lines with scoop, v-neck, and sweetheart lines. However, the rhinestones are what really steal the show! The solid lines made out of rhinestones pointing towards the Alabama A are bold yet still feminine. The scattering of rhinestones all over the arms add a completely different feel from the thicker lines of rhinestones but are just as important. And finally, the Bama on the hip in rhinestones balances out the heavy top of rhinestones.

1. Utah

I love that Utah has switched to Under Armour this year and it brings a new sporty feel to the leos along with unique designs that haven’t been overused. This leo has numerous intricate aspects to it that combine into a perfect leo. I love the red flame looking design that goes across the chest but what I love even more is that there is mesh underneath the design, a very unique place to put mesh as it is almost always used solely on the sleeves. The delicate wavy lines of rhinestones coming down from the flames add a graceful accent along with the mesh sleeves with rhinestone scattering. The leo also uses a solid red v-neck, which is flattering and matches the pointed edges of the flame design. The last detail that completes the leo is the bold Utah patch on the shoulder that stamps their name with pride.

Which prelims leo was your favorite? Tell us below: