Ragan Smith, a former standout gymnast for the Oklahoma Sooners, has recently joined the Iowa State gymnastics program as an assistant coach. At just 24 years old, Smith brings a wealth of experience to the Cyclones, having earned five NCAA All-American honors during her collegiate career.
In 2025, Smith transitioned from competing as a student-athlete to serving as a student coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. That same year, Oklahoma secured their seventh national title with an impressive overall score of 198.0125, dominating the competition and solidifying their status as one of the top gymnastics programs in the country.
Following the success of Oklahoma’s NCAA campaign, Smith made the move to Iowa State to take on a significant coaching role. The official Instagram account of Iowa State Gymnastics welcomed Smith to the team, expressing their excitement at her addition to the Cyclone family.
Apart from her collegiate achievements, Smith has also represented the USA national team on the international stage. In 2018, she earned a gold medal in the women’s team all-around as an alternate at the World Championships. Despite facing setbacks due to injury, Smith’s talent and dedication to the sport have been evident throughout her career.
In a touching Instagram post in May 2024, Smith expressed her gratitude to the University of Oklahoma for the opportunity to compete and study at the prestigious institution for five years. She reflected on her time at Oklahoma with fondness, thanking everyone who supported her on her journey to becoming a successful gymnast.
During her time at Oklahoma, Smith played a pivotal role in the team’s back-to-back NCAA Championship victories in 2022 and 2023, as well as a runner-up finish in 2021. She also secured two bronze medals in the individual balance beam events at the NCAA Championships in 2024 and 2021, showcasing her skills as a versatile and accomplished gymnast.
As Smith embarks on this new chapter in her gymnastics career as an assistant coach at Iowa State, her experience, leadership, and passion for the sport are sure to have a positive impact on the program. Cyclone fans can look forward to seeing Smith’s influence on the team as they strive for success in future competitions.
