The Rise Of Arizona Gymnastics

If you want to watch a team that knows how to fight through a tough conference and shock everyone, look at the Arizona GymCats. They just had an incredible season where they went past what anyone expected, made it all the way to NCAA Regional Finals, and proved to the whole country that they are not a team to mess with.

The Coaching Staff

Head Coach John Court getting Big 12 Coach of the Year was zero surprise. He has built such a fun, high-energy environment down in Tucson, and the staff around him is amazing:

• Brian Amato (Assistant Coach): Brings incredible technical knowledge to the gym floor. You can tell how much he's helped clean up execution and routine design across all four events.

  
  

• Julie Ballard Clark & Emma Strom (Assistant Coaches): They bring so much energy to the floor every day. They know how to push athletes to get those big skills and stick their landings when it matters most.

  
  

How This Staff Helps Athletes Shine

What I love most about this coaching staff is how they bring out the absolute best in each gymnast. Just look at Abigayle Martin—she totally blossomed into an amazing anchor for this team. She consistently hits under pressure, made All-Big 12 on beam and in the all-around, and qualified to compete on beam at Nationals. These coaches don't just put girls in a lineup; they build routines around what each gymnast does best to get those huge scores.

What’s Next For This Team

Arizona has shown they love being the underdog that catches people off guard. They went totally undefeated at home in McKale Center and proved they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the nation. With this staff locked in and so much momentum on their side, the GymCats are ready to make a serious run next season.