Scarlett Sonnenberg, a BYU freshman from Springville, has been making big waves as a gymnast before her first season has even started.
Sonnenberg is BYU's first-ever 5-star gymnastics recruit, making history as a 2025 DP All-Around National Champion.
While Sonnenberg has been doing this sport her whole life, it is still hard to fully realize how far she has come.
"It has helped me to realize that it is a big deal, like maybe before I haven’t believed in myself as much, but then seeing the outcome, it's like wait, I actually can do this," she said.
Growing up, she participated in both gymnastics and dance, but in the end, it was gymnastics that won her heart.
When recalling the moment she chose her sport, she said, "I'm gonna choose gymnastics, I feel like I could go far with this."
In the last four years, Sonnenberg has claimed many awards and titles, such as floor state champion in 2021, national beam champion in 2023, and 2024 all-around state champion.
Sonnenberg was recruited by 13 schools while in high school, but ultimately she chose BYU to continue her gymnastics career.
“I wanted to be in an environment like BYU, where people have the same values and want the same thing,” she said.
The athletic community and atmosphere at BYU make athletes want to come and compete, Sonnenberg explained.
"It came down to how it felt being here," she said.
Being a freshman in college is already stressful, but being a top recruit among many other talented teammates can be a struggle. However, Sonnenberg discussed how she has been able to find comfort and familiarity in being in the gym with a supportive group of other athletes at BYU.
“Being a freshman is hard because you don’t really know anything, but they've been through it, so it's nice to have teammates to help me out," she said.
BYU has a competitive gymnastics team and an impressive roster this incoming season, with Sonnenberg being one of the major additions to what could be an even bigger margin of success.
When asked about her perspective on the upcoming season, she said, “I always set so many goals for myself, and it's things that seem so out of my reach right now, and that helps me to keep working hard and wanting to achieve those things."
Sonnenberg will kick off her first college season with a home meet competing against Oregon State on Jan. 9.
Followed by that will be the Best of Utah meet at the Maverick Center on Jan. 12, a nationally recognized meet that schools across Utah look forward to.
While she has a lot of expectations on her shoulders, Sonnenberg could not be more excited to show all she has to offer.
"I can’t wait to compete at the college level cause it's always been my dream," she said.