DU women return to NCAA gymnastics tournament

The University of Denver's fabled women's gymnastics team begins its run at the NCAA championships today.

Why it matters: Anyone who misses the excitement of the Tokyo Olympics should tune in, Axios' Jeff Tracy writes.

• Auburn's Suni Lee is the first Olympic all-around gold medalist to compete in college, and highlights of her routines have helped raise the profile of NCAA gymnastics.
• Nine other Olympians who represented six countries in Tokyo will also compete in the collegiate championships.

State of play: DU is the No. 15 seed and will face No. 2 Florida in the regionals.

• The team recorded its 5th best score in program history to secure its 23rd consecutive trip to the NCAA regionals.
• Sophomore Jessica Hutchinson won the all-around Big 12 title and the conference's gymnast of the year.

What to watch: 36 teams qualified for regionals, which air through Sunday on ESPN+.

• Two teams from each region will advance to the final eight next month in Fort Worth, Texas.