The two-time WCGA Scholastic All-American, Nichole King, transitioned to the Big Ten Maryland Gymnastics program as a part of the 2026 signing class after spending four years at Georgia. And the side's coach welcomed her heartily.

Maryland Head Coach Brett Nelligan looked pretty positive about Nicole King's entry into the Maryland Terrapins squad on Tuesday, May 5. Nelligan recognised her as a high-impact gymnast who she thought would add depth to the Terps 2027 roster.

She said, "We're excited to welcome Nicole to the Maryland Gymnastics Family. Nicole brings unmatched style and power to the floor and vault. She will instantly be a favorite for Terp Nation."

King's career highest score was 9.875 on vault and 9.900 on the floor, which serves as a testament to her unique blend of style and power.

The 22-year-old's influence is far beyond the scoreboard, as she has proven herself a standout leader by achieving the Sam Sheehan Spirit Award in 2023 at Georgia, given for her leadership role during championships. The honor speaks volumes about her motivating and positive attitude.

Earlier, Nichole had joined BIO Gymnastics before the start of her career. Over there, she achieved the state Level-10 championship on vault routine. Next, she qualified for the Junior Olympics National. She has also claimed regional titles in all categories, including all-around, bars, and vault.

So, it will be interesting to watch how she upgrades her performances as she moves from the SEC to a Big Ten program.

What Does Nicole King Gains as a Maryland Terrapin?

As Nichole King steps into the Terrapin gymnastics program, she is joining a program rooted in trust, loyalty, and family. Maryland has been led by the Nelligan Family for the past fifty years, showing their commitment towards the program for two generations.

The GymTerps, under the guidance of head coach Brett Nelligan, have secured 13 NCAA Regional Appearances from 2010 to 2025. The program has been among the top national programs. During the 2026 season, the team scored a season high of 195.775 at the NCAA Regionals.

The dedicated XFINITY Centre at Maryland provides world-class facilities to its athletes. It includes a 1500-seat capacity that provides the athletes with a high-energy atmosphere during any home meets.

For holistic development, Maryland Athletics has launched a program, Momentum, that provides tools for personal brand development, including streaming videos on the stories of athletes and staff.

With King moving into a Big Ten powerhouse with a 9.9 on floor routine, it is definitely going to serve as the bridge that can break Maryland's program record.

But do you think King will be able to serve the Terrapin in the way Coach Nelligan expects?

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Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Souvik Roy