For some people around campus, knowledge of gymnastics extends to approximately Simone Biles and maybe some of the drama that went down this summer during the Olympics in Paris.
This is "Tumble Talk," a rookie’s guide to BYU gymnastics:
How long has BYU competed in women's gymnastics?
BYU started its gymnastics program in 1963 but the NCAA didn’t add gymnastics until 1982. Before that, BYU competed in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women from 1972-1982.
In more recent years, the Big 12 has developed some powerful gymnastics programs. “We know we can compete with those big teams," said associate head coach Natalie Broekman. "No one works harder than BYU gymnastics.”
How does gymnastics competitions work?
There are four different events a gymnast can compete in: floor, vault, beam, and bars. Different skills for each event have different point values attached to them.
Each gymnast can compete in as many as all four events (called all around) or they can specialize in one, two or three events. As of now, for the 2025 season BYU has twelve all around competitors, seven specialists with three events, two with two, and one with one.
When does the season start?
Meets start in January and the regular season ends in March. The Big 12 tournament and NCAA Championships wrap up in April. BYU finished last season with a 12-17-1 record.
How can I watch BYU gymnastics?
The Marriott Center on Friday nights during season. Keep track of the team’s schedule and events on its instagram page @byugymnastics
Ones to Watch
Here are some of the BYU gymnasts to keep an eye on this season:
Kylie Eaquinto is heading into her third season at BYU this year. She is hoping to add beam this year so she can be an all around competitor. She also qualified for postseason competition on vault last in the 2024 season.
Brynlee Andersen is the “beam queen” according to assistant coach Brogan Evanson. Last season, she had the team’s highest average beam score and has even been close to scoring a 10.0 (which is perfect). This year, she plans to add floor and bars to her arsenal.
Mya Kirkham is making her comeback this year after a severe ankle injury ended her season just a week after her freshman debut. Evanson said she’s looking strong moving into the 2025 season.
Eliza Millar-Crossman is a walk-on with a ton of personality in a sport that’s about precision and she’s a Neuroscience major with a 4.0 GPA. She was also the Big 12 Gymnastics Scholar of the Year in 2024.
A message to the fans?
Brokeman would like fans to know that the program is growing and the gymnasts have “caught this vision of being highly competitive," and "they’re hungry.” The Cougars are eager to perform for the fans.
More questions about BYU gymnastics? DM them to Daily Universe Sports on Instagram @dailyunivsports