GymCats Take a Leap into Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad!

TUCSON, Ariz. — Gymnastics is set to travel to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad, competing against Clemson, Michigan, and NC State. The quad event is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. MST on Friday, January 10 and will be broadcast on ACCN.

Last week, the GymCats commenced the 2025 season with a victory over Rutgers, Southern Utah, and Wilberforce. Arizona achieved a score of 194.925, with Abigayle Martin matching her career best of 9.90 on beam.

A full preview of Friday’s meet can be viewed below.

 

GYMCATS PREPARE FOR QUAD MEET: Arizona is heading to the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad to compete against Clemson, Michigan, and NC State on Friday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. MST.

IN THE RANKINGS: After the first week, Arizona is positioned at No. 14 overall in the Road to Nationals standings.

• Vault: No. 26
• Uneven Bars: No. 9
• Balance Beam: No. 20
• Floor Exercise: No. 20

FRESH TALENT: The GymCats have welcomed six newcomers to the team this season. Olivia Childs, Jessa Janicke, Aubrey Krohnfeldt, Amelia Rock, Jillian Silvers, and Teagan White represent the skilled freshman class.

RETURNING FACES: Arizona sees the return of 13 gymnasts from last season. Included in the returning group is fifth-year senior Elena Deets alongside three seniors comprising Alysen Fears, Elizabeth LaRusso, and Emily Mueller. Junior Emma Strom and sophomores Sophie Derr, Ainsley Greever, and Abigayle Martin also come back to Arizona following exceptional 2024 seasons.

COACHING TEAM: The GymCats boast a remarkably skilled coaching group. John Court is in his seventh year as the head coach and 27th year with the team in Tucson. Associate head coach Taylor Spears, the 2014 NCAA individual beam champion, enters her seventh season with Arizona’s program and has contributed to the beam team’s progression each year. Assistant coach Kylie Kratchwell begins her third year with the GymCats. Shelby Martinez is set to commence her first year as an assistant coach this season.

PRESEASON RANKINGS: In the WGCA preseason rankings, the GymCats were forecasted to place 30th. 

BIG 12 PRESEASON TEAM: Four GymCats were appointed to the Big 12 Preseason Gymnastics Team. 

• Fears received preseason accolades in three events. The senior from Murrieta, California recorded a career best 9.95 on bars in two meets and marked a career high of 39.475 in the all-around on several occasions. She registered scores of 9.90 on vault, beam, and floor to complete her career high totals. Fears concluded the 2024 season ranked No. 36 nationally in the all-around and on bars.
• Deets was recognized as a unanimous choice on beam after an outstanding season in 2024 on the event. The fifth year from Maple Grove, Minnesota achieved a career best of 9.975 on beam, aiding the GymCats in achieving the program beam record. She wrapped up the season ranked No. 36 on beam nationally.
• LaRusso secured preseason recognition on vault. Although she did not compete last year due to injury, the senior from Las Vegas, Nevada attained a career high score of 9.875 in two meets during the 2023 season.
• Mueller earned preseason all-conference praise on floor. A senior from Cary, North Carolina, Mueller recorded a career high of 9.925 in two meets in the previous season.