TEMPE - Arizona State Gymnastics delivered a statement win on Friday night, upsetting No. 22 BYU in their Big 12 opener with a season-best 196.050 at Desert Financial Arena. Fueled by clutch performances on beam and floor, the Sun Devils capitalized on late miscues by the Cougars to seal the victory and keep their early-season momentum rolling.
A Night of Highs - and a Big-Time Finish
This one came down to the wire. Heading into the final rotation, ASU trailed by just 0.075. But when BYU stumbled with two falls on beam, the door cracked open-and the Sun Devils stormed through it with their best floor rotation of the season.
Two 9.900s on floor, courtesy of senior Kimberly Smith and junior Halle Gregoire, headlined a 49.225 team total-ASU’s highest on any event this year. That final push not only secured the win but showcased the grit and growth of a Sun Devil squad that’s still finding its identity.
Season-Bests and Career Milestones
Arizona State (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) posted season highs on both beam (49.075) and floor, and the performance marked the program’s 21st ranked win under head coach Jay Santos-his first since March 2024.
Senior Kimberly Smith had the meet of her career. She posted a career-high 39.475 in the all-around, highlighted by event wins on vault (9.850), floor (9.900), and the all-around itself. Her vault and beam scores tied her personal bests, and her floor routine was a season high.
Gregoire matched Smith’s 9.900 on floor, tying her career high and sharing the event title. For a gymnast who didn’t get the start she wanted earlier in the meet, that final routine was a tone-setter-proof of her ability to reset and deliver when it mattered most.
Freshman Delanie Kelly also made her mark, setting a new personal best with a 9.875 on floor and making her collegiate debut on bars with a 9.750. The Sun Devils are a young team, but performances like Kelly’s are a sign that the next wave is already making an impact.
New Faces, Solid Starts
Two more Gym Devils made their collegiate debuts Friday. Freshman Jessica Rosenberg impressed with a 9.800 on vault and a 9.775 on beam-both strong scores for a first-time competitor. Sophomore Nina Laurito stepped into the bars lineup and scored a 9.475.
In a sport where experience often separates the good from the great, these early routines matter. And for ASU, the depth they're building now could be a difference-maker come postseason.
Event-by-Event Breakdown
- Vault (49.000): Smith led the way with her 9.850, while Rosenberg’s 9.800 made a strong first impression. ASU’s vault lineup showed consistency, setting the tone early.
- Bars (48.750): This rotation was a bit of a grind. Smith again led the squad with a 9.875, and Kylee Bromley added a 9.800. Not their cleanest rotation, but they stayed within striking distance.
- Beam (49.075): Despite a fall in the third spot, ASU rallied. Smith’s 9.850 led the charge, with Kayla Lee and Reese Grolla each scoring 9.825. Bromley chipped in a 9.800, and the Sun Devils clawed back into the meet.
- Floor (49.225): The exclamation point. Smith and Gregoire’s 9.900s brought the house down, and Kelly’s 9.875 showed the depth of the lineup. This rotation had energy, execution, and the kind of swagger that can carry a team deep into the season.
A Win with Meaning
This wasn’t just a win-it was a celebration. The meet honored 50 years of Sun Devil Gymnastics, with alumni in attendance and a legacy to uphold. The current squad didn’t just compete for points; they competed for the program’s past, present, and future.
That connection wasn’t lost on the athletes.
“It was really special to be able to get this win at home on alumni night,” said Smith. “We were just trying to emulate that and live up to the standard.”
Gregoire echoed the sentiment: “It was fun to be able to compete for a purpose a little bit bigger than just ourselves today.”
What’s Next
Arizona State now hits the road for a major test against No. 12 Utah, the defending Big 12 champions. That meet, set for Friday, Jan. 30, will be a measuring stick for where this young but talented team stands.
There’s still work to do-head coach Jay Santos made that clear. But the fight, the execution under pressure, and the steady leadership from veterans like Smith are all signs that this group is trending in the right direction.
“We just have to keep getting everybody more experience and getting them to handle some of these moments a little bit better,” Santos said. “But we continue to show signs of progress, which is really encouraging.”
For now, the Sun Devils will enjoy this one. A ranked win in the Big 12 opener, a career night for their senior leader, and a floor rotation that brought the crowd to its feet-this was a night to remember in Tempe.