TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Gymnastics' assistant coaches
Taylor Spears, Kylie Kratchwell, and Shelby Martinez secured Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year honors, announced by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association on Wednesday. This is the fourth time Arizona has received a WCGA Regional Assistant Coach award in program history and the second time that Spears has been honored as a Regional Assistant Coach of the Year during her time at Arizona.
"On behalf of myself and our program I want to congratulate Taylor, Kylie, and Shelby on their regional coaching award," head coach
John Court said. "They represent our program with class, are hard workers, and bring out the best in our student-athletes. This season has been magical and I am glad they are being recognized for their accomplishments."
Spears, Kratchwell, and Martinez were tabbed as Assistant Coaches of the Year after leading the Wildcats to the NCAA Seattle Regional Final and an undefeated season at home. With the leadership of the assistant coaches in the regular season, Arizona ranked second in the Big 12 with a 5-1 record in the conference and placed second at the Big 12 Championships. The GymCats were then selected to the Seattle Regional and advanced to the regional final under the guidance of the 2025 coaching staff. The GymCats reached a final ranking of No. 16 after a strong postseason run with a very accomplished coaching staff behind them.
Associate head coach
Taylor Spears is in her seventh season with Arizona. As an individual NCAA champion on beam, Spears led the 2025 squad to a successful season on beam with a season high of 49.300. Under Spears' guidance, the GymCats posted a 49.00 or higher on beam in seven meets and earned nine individual beam titles this season. Fifth year senior
Elena Deets earned Big 12 Specialist of the Year as a specialist on bars and beam with the help of Spears.
Assistant coach Kylie Kratchwell joined the Arizona staff in 2023. In her third season, Kratchwell helped Arizona reach a season high on bars of 49.425. Under Kratchwell's guidance, the GymCats finished the 2025 season ranked 23rd on the uneven bars, a nine-spot increase from the 2024 season. Kratchwell helped Deets earn Big 12 Specialist of the Year honors after earning scores of 9.90 or above on bars three times this season.
Shelby Martinez is in her first season with the Cats and was hired as the third assistant coach in August 2024. As an Arizona alumna with experience in a conference vault championship, Martinez led a strong vault team to a season high of 49.125. Martinez coached the GymCats to eight individual vault titles and a final ranking of No. 26 of vault.
WCGA Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year were nominated and voted on by the head coaches. Coaching staffs may be recognized collectively.
