TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona GymCats will open the 2023 season on the road at Ohio State's quad meet on Sunday, Jan. 8 in Columbus, Ohio. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. MST and will be live streamed on
B1G+.
Arizona will face No. 19 Ohio State, No. 11 Kentucky, and Greenville at the quad meet.
This will be the first collegiate gymnastics meet for Arizona's five freshmen
Gianna Lenczner,
Indigo Morgan,
Jordan Schultz,
Sophia Stephens, and
Emma Strom.
A complete preview of Sunday's meet can be found below.
SEASON OPENER: The GymCats will kick off the 2023 season at Ohio State for a quad meet with Kentucky and Greenville. Ohio State was picked No. 19 and Kentucky was picked No. 11 in the WCGA Preseason Poll.
FRESH FACES: The GymCats welcomed five freshmen to the team this season.
Gianna Lenczner,
Indigo Morgan,
Jordan Schultz,
Sophia Stephens, and
Emma Strom are all freshmen.
FAMILIAR FACES: Arizona returns 16 gymnasts from last season. Among the 16 returners are seniors
Malia Hargrove and
Sirena Linton, two standouts who competed in all 13 meets last year. Linton was named second team All-American on the balance beam after earning a 9.9125 at the NCAA Championships as an individual competitor. Sophomores
Alysen Fears and
Emily Mueller also return for Arizona following breakout freshman campaigns.
2022 RANKINGS: Overall, Arizona finished the 2022 season ranked No. 26.
- Vault: No. 45
- Uneven Bars: No. 33
- Balance Beam: No. 25
- Floor Exercise: No. 27
COACHING STAFF: The GymCats have a very accomplished coaching staff.
John Court enters his fifth year as head coach and 25th year on staff in Tucson. Associate head coach
Taylor Spears, the 2014 NCAA individual beam champion, is in her fifth season on Arizona's staff and has helped the beam team improve every year. Assistant coach Dallas Becerra and volunteer assistant Kylie Kratchwell enter their first year with the GymCats.
PRESEASON POLLS: Arizona was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Pac-12 coaches poll. In the WGCA preseason poll, the GymCats were picked to finish 25th.
PRESEASON WATCH LIST: The first ever Pac-12 Preseason Watch List was released this season.
Malia Hargrove and
Caroline Herry represented Arizona on the watch list.
