Creslyn Brose isn’t just one of the most electric performers in college gymnastics - she’s also one of its most grounded. Coming off a standout sophomore season that included a perfect 10 on floor during Kentucky’s Senior Night, a regional title at the NCAA Pennsylvania Regional, and a 15th-place finish at nationals that earned her All-American honors, Brose is gearing up for a junior campaign that’s about more than just scores. It’s about growth - as a gymnast, as a leader, and as a performer.
Now stepping into a bigger leadership role under head coach Tim Garrison, Brose is embracing the challenge with the same quiet intensity she brings to her routines. She’s not one to chase headlines or lofty predictions. Instead, she sets her sights on internal goals - the kind that sharpen her focus and keep her grounded through the highs and lows of a long season.
“I set goals for myself. I think we all do because it’s important to keep reaching for something,” Brose said. “If I don’t set a goal, I’m just going to stay static.”
That mindset speaks volumes about her maturity. Brose doesn’t broadcast her targets, but they’re not about chasing perfection - at least not in the traditional sense.
Whether it’s dialing in her form or locking in on her mental cues, her goals are process-driven. They’re about staying in the moment, staying consistent, and staying true to the work.
“On floor, my goal is to always have fun out there,” she said. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself because I know what I can do. I’ve proved it to myself in the gym and out of the gym, so I just want to have fun on floor.”
That approach has served her well. Brose is a self-described perfectionist - and like most elite athletes, that can be both a strength and a challenge. She’s learned to channel that drive into smaller, achievable goals, building confidence one routine at a time.
“If I achieved that and didn’t get the score I wanted, I’m proud of myself for achieving my goal,” she said.
And when it comes to floor exercise, Brose doesn’t just perform - she captivates. Former teammate Hailey Davis put it best: “This girl belongs on Broadway.”
“From the minute I met her, I knew she just had a special personality that needed to be seen,” Davis said. “She has a stage presence that you don’t come by very often.”
That stage presence isn’t just a bonus - it’s central to who Brose is. It’s also a bridge to her future.
While gymnastics is her present, acting is her dream. She’s minoring in theater at Kentucky and hopes to one day turn that passion into a professional career.
“I love my acting classes,” Brose said. “They’re awesome - definitely a little different and weird sometimes, but I love it. My dream is to be an actress, and I would love to do it right out of college.”
It’s a dream that’s been with her since she was six, even if she didn’t have the chance to explore it until college. Homeschooled until seventh grade, and later attending schools without theater programs, Brose never had the chance to step on stage - until now.
“I have never done any acting, so I really don’t know what built this dream for me,” she said. “But I’ve had it since I was little.
I came to college and saw acting classes were available, so I thought, why not try it? I’ve loved it so much and now know acting is something I definitely want to pursue.”
In many ways, the floor routine has been her stage all along. It’s where her athleticism meets artistry, where her passion for performance shines through every leap and landing.
“I love floor because you do get to show your personality but also play a character,” she said. “That’s kind of where I think it started - wanting to do acting - because it corresponds to performing in front of people, and I love that.”
Brose has already made connections in the acting world and plans to tap into that network when the time is right. But for now, her focus is squarely on the season ahead and doing everything she can to help Kentucky reach its potential.
“I definitely want to network in that area of my life,” she said. “It’s something I would love to do right now, but I just can’t because of our competition season and practice schedules. I don’t want to take away from what I’m doing gymnastics-wise because I think we have a team that can have a great season, and I definitely want to do my part.”
For Brose, it all comes back to balance - between the spotlight and the grind, between the present and the future. Whether she’s chasing another perfect 10 or preparing for a career on stage, she’s doing it with purpose, poise, and a passion that’s impossible to ignore.