Arizona gymnastics fans, get ready for another thrilling week. The GymCats are heading to Tempe to face off against Arizona State in a crucial "play-in" meet.
This showdown is set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. MST and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
With a spot in the second round on the line, it’s win or go home for Arizona.
A Season of Highs and Lows
The GymCats reached as high as No. 29 in the NQS rankings late in the season, but a stumble on the bars at the Big 12 Championships saw them slip to No. 33, just behind ASU. Head coach John Court was candid about the situation: “There were enough teams that messed up in front of us and below us that if we would have finished Big 12s, I think we would have scored out of there,” he said.
The team is no stranger to the play-in format, having advanced to the second round three out of four times since the postseason format changed. This time, the stakes feel even higher.
In-State Rivalry
This regional play-in is more than just a game; it’s an in-state rivalry. Arizona and ASU have already faced off twice this season, with Arizona taking the regular season win.
However, ASU’s performance at the Big 12 Championships allowed them to edge past the GymCats for fourth place. “I can deal with winning and I can deal with losing,” Court said.
“I don’t want them to beat themselves. That’s what happened [at Big 12s].”
Individual Standouts
Even if Arizona doesn’t come out on top, some GymCats have already secured their spots in the second round as individual qualifiers. Junior Abigayle Martin will compete as an all-arounder, senior Emma Strom on floor exercise, sophomore Jessa Janicke on vault, and junior Tirzah Wise on balance beam.
Yet, Court remains focused on the team aspect: “Thursday’s not on my mind,” he said. “It’s a ‘we’ sport.
It’s a team sport.”
Academic and Athletic Excellence
Senior Gianna ‘Gigi’ Lenczner has been honored as the Big 12 Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete of the Year, boasting a 4.0 GPA in accounting. “Accounting is no joke,” Lenczner remarked, reflecting on the rigorous coursework. Despite a shoulder injury limiting her to beam, Lenczner has embraced her role: “I never wanted to be a beam specialist, but here we are,” she said, highlighting her love for the precision and performance aspects of the event.
Emma Strom’s Determination
Senior Emma Strom is battling an ankle injury that has sidelined her since just before senior night. Despite tearing two ligaments, she remains determined to return.
“While this was not how I envisioned my Senior Night or final conference championship, one of our team mottos has always been ‘we over me,’” Strom shared. Her commitment to recovery and the team is unwavering, as she continues to work hard both in the gym and in rehab.
As the GymCats prepare for their showdown with ASU, the blend of team spirit, individual brilliance, and sheer determination promises an exciting contest. Whether they advance as a team or through individual efforts, Arizona gymnastics is poised to leave a mark.