Sun Devil Gymnastics Stumbles in Road Test Against No. 14 Utah
In a high-stakes Big 12 showdown at the Huntsman Center, Arizona State Gymnastics couldn’t find its footing against No. 14 Utah, falling 196.450 to 194.925 in a meet that tested the Sun Devils from start to finish.
This wasn’t just a tough loss-it was a reminder of how razor-thin the margins are in collegiate gymnastics. Utah left the door open at times, but ASU couldn’t capitalize, with three of the four events featuring counted scores of 9.600 or lower. Against a team like the Utes, that’s a tough hill to climb.
Beam of Light: Kowan Returns Strong
One of the bright spots for the Sun Devils came on beam, where senior Isabella Kowan made her season debut and didn’t miss a beat. She posted a 9.850-just .025 off her career best-and led all ASU scorers on the night. That kind of performance, especially in a tough road environment, speaks volumes about her poise and preparation.
Steady Hands on Bars
Junior Reese Grolla matched her season high on bars with a 9.825, showing consistency in a rotation where ASU needed it most. Senior all-arounder Kimberly Smith also brought the heat, scoring a 9.825 on bars and adding a 9.800 on another event. Smith’s ability to deliver across multiple apparatuses continues to be a key asset for the Sun Devils.
Sophomore Halle Braaflat made her season debut on both bars and floor, giving ASU some added depth. While the scores didn’t jump off the page, her return adds flexibility to the lineup as the season progresses.
Slow Start Proves Costly
The meet began with bars, and ASU struggled to find its rhythm early. A pair of 9.825s from Grolla and Smith helped stabilize things, but the rest of the rotation hovered in the mid-9.7s, which wasn’t enough to keep pace with Utah’s early output.
On vault, Safia El Mammann opened the rotation with a strong 9.825, setting a solid tone. Smith followed with a 9.800, but the rest of the lineup couldn’t match that level, and the event total took a hit with three 9.750s rounding out the scores.
What’s Next
With this loss, ASU drops to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 competition. The performance showed flashes of potential, but also underscored the importance of hitting routines cleanly-especially on the road, where pressure can amplify even the smallest mistakes.
There’s no doubt the talent is there. With veterans like Kowan and Smith leading the way and younger gymnasts like Braaflat stepping into bigger roles, the pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution and building consistency across all four events.
The Sun Devils will look to regroup and reset as they continue their Big 12 campaign. This one stings, but it’s also a learning opportunity-and in a sport where every tenth counts, those lessons can go a long way.