No. 20 Arizona gymnastics shines in Big 12 home opener against No. 17 Denver

Wildcats tie program record on bars

McKenna Manzo

February 2, 2025

The University of Arizona Gymnastics team huddles at a Quad Meet versus Illinois, Texas Women’s and Bowling Green on Jan 14 at McKale Stadium. The Wildcats went on to win the meet with a score of 195.825.

The No. 20 University of Arizona gymnastics team continued their winning streak with a season-high team score of 196.775 in their Big 12 home opener in McKale Center on Feb. 1 against the No. 17 University of Denver. The Pioneers posted a final score of 194.600.

Arizona earned season-high team scores on both bars and beam. Senior Alysen Fears earned gymnast of the meet after winning the all-around award and scoring a combined season-high of 39.450. Fears would lead the Wildcats through several rotations and be the key piece in their victory.

“We went into this week just attacking from the beginning,” fifth-year Elena Deets said, commenting on the team’s strong season so far. “Our team chemistry is great this year.

Vault

The GymCats started the meet on vault scoring a 48.725. Sophomore Sophie Derr scored a 9.775 and Fears added a 9.80. Fears would lead the team out of the first rotation, showcasing how she was here to win.

Uneven bars

History was made in the second rotation of the night. The Cats would tie for the third-highest bar score in program history, putting up a season-high of 49.425. Senior Emily Mueller and freshman Aubrey Krohnfeldt scored 9.825s. Sophomore Abigayle Martin and Derr added to the rotation scoring 9.875s.

Fears and Deets both posted 9.925s, a season-high for Fears and a career-high for Deets. Despite a stellar outing, the Wildcats would find themselves behind by just 0.2 points to the Pioneers.

Balance beam

Arizona scored a season high in the third rotation scoring a 49.30. Fears and junior Gianna Lenczner scored 9.825s. Sophomore Tirzah Wise earned a 9.850 to add to the strong rotation. Deets added another 9.925 for the night, earning a season-high on beam. Martin ended the rotation with a 9.875. This would be enough to have Arizona leading at the end of the first rotation, 147.450 to 146.150.

Floor exercise

The Cats scored 49.325 in the last rotation of the meet. Senior Elizabeth LaRusso set the Wildcats up for success, earning a 9.825. Fears and Junior Emma Strom followed with a 9.90s. Krohnfeldt and Martin scored back-to-back 9.850s and Muller scored a 9.800. This effort would be enough to blow past the Pioneers, 196.775 to 194.600.