The 2025-26 BYU gymnastics season will officially open the beginning of January against Oregon State, and the team has been preparing for months.
Natalie Broekman is one of the assistant coaches for gymnastics, who primarily focuses on the balance beam. As the season approaches, her excitement and momentum are high to see what the team this year can do.
“I think that this is the strongest team we’ve put on the floor in 10 years," she said.
Broekman herself was a gymnast at BYU, competing from 1996-99, and was team captain her final year while also breaking school records, as well as being recognized nationally for her accomplishments.
Broekman knows what hard work is, and having that perspective is what helps her to be the best coach she can in supporting her athletes.
“I know how hard it is, how long a preseason is, and how grueling it is on your mind and on your body. I think they trust me,” Broekman said.
Considering Broekman has been an assistant coach for 10 years now, she has a lot of experience with what college athletes are capable of, while also being able to learn how to get the BYU program to be held to the highest standard possible.
“We really have built the program to a place where all-rounders want to come, and they see the value of a BYU education, and now the level of competition within our program matches that," she said.
Coaches at BYU have a unique chance to use faith and religion as a foundation for their athletes to be supported on, and Broekman has done that with her beam environment.
As she stated, the purpose of their program is "building a firm foundation for a joyful life," and to get there, the team has implemented three principles that give them motivation to keep pushing.
The three pillars are distinct discipleship, knowing thyself, and high performance. All three play a different role spiritually, athletically, and mentally to allow BYU gymnasts to have a unique and faith-centered perspective on their abilities.
Broekman mentioned that all three pillars play into not only being a great athlete, but also being a great student.
“We want to be high performing in the gym but also high performing in school and in our social lives and in our choices and in our character," she said.
The season is fast approaching, but Broekman is not worried about what her team can handle. Using a firm foundation of support and knowing your athletes and how they operate is exactly what Broekman does to ensure her gymnasts are performing at their best.
"I just know that that’s going to give them the best competitive edge if they're feeling comfortable in who they are and how they're moving and what they're presenting to the arena," she said.
One athlete in particular has been excelling on beam this year: Brynlee Anderson-Broekman. She received a 9.825 this last April at the NCAA Gymnastics Championship. This brings a lot of attention to BYU gymnastics on a national level to see what Brynlee and her team can accomplish next.
When discussing Brynlee, Broekman said, “She wants those 10s this year, she's capable of it, she wants to go back to nationals, but she wants to take her team with her.”
With many eyes on Cougar gymnastics, Broekman has a weight on her shoulders, but she believes in her team and what they are capable of this season.
“Our girls work so hard, so everything that’s coming to them is well-deserved," she said.