Gym Devils look ahead to Wasatch Classic despite slow start to the season

(Photo credit: Marina Williams/WCSN)

Arizona State Gymnastics is headed off to West Valley City, Utah, to compete in the Wasatch Classic on Monday. Arizona State is seeking redemption from its fourth-place finish in the Lone Star Collegiate Invitational on Jan. 11.

The Gym Devils are up against in-conference opponent Iowa State and will be taking on two Mountain West contenders. The Boise State Broncos and San Jose State Spartans will be joining the fight between the two Big 12 teams, and the Gym Devils will strive to come out on top.

Arizona State went 1-3 so far in the Wasatch Classic. Graduate Emily White has been a strong asset to the Gym Devils squad. Last time out, White held the team’s high score on both bars and beam. Junior Kimberly Smith scored the team’s first 9.900 of the season. The Sun Devils will use this meet as an opportunity to compete against their first Big 12 team of the season and offset their fourth-place standing from last weekend.

The Broncos are 2-2 so far this season, beating UC Davis last week in their quad meet at Washington. Senior Emma Loyim is a top performer for the Broncos, getting named Mountain West Floor Specialist of The Week. Fifth-year Emily Lopez is a powerful athlete on bars, winning the event in Boise State’s quad meet. This was Lopez’s 14th career overall win on bars.

The Cyclones have been successful so far this season going 2-1, falling to the defending national champions at LSU in their season opener. Senior Josie Bergstrom-Te Slaa and sophomore Noelle Adams will call attention to the vault. Both scored a 9.900 against Iowa and Brown. Bergstrom-Te Slaa has been the Cyclones’ leading scorer on vault and is on the path to continue her streak.

For the Spartans, graduate Madison Kirsch will put her vault skills to the test. Kirsch scored a 9.800 on vault in the Spartans season opener at Sacramento State. Freshman Madison Gustitus has proven to be a top contender on multiple events, scoring a 9.850 on bars during her collegiate debut. The Spartans are coming off a two-meet loss streak and aspire to change their demeanor.

This weekend is a good chance for the Sun Devils to bounce back from their disappointing start to the season. Against three competitive teams, including a Big 12 opponent, ASU will have its work cut out for it to try get back in the win column.