BYU gymnastics is on an upward trajectory and this could be the Cougars’ best season yet. Last week, the team defeated SUU on the road 196.975-196.000, recording its highest score since the 2024 Big 12 Tournament.
The effort included season highs on vault (49.15), beam (49.375) and floor (49.30). The climax of the event was a nice addition to the bar, which was the Cougars’ strongest event of the year.
advertise
BYU is currently ranked No. 23 in the nation with 21 gymnasts, 10 of whom are from Utah. Local recruiting is nothing new for the Cougars, but it seems to have gained momentum in recent years. That includes this year’s freshman class, which is arguably BYU’s most impressive.
“I chose BYU because I wasn’t going to be in gymnastics forever. This was an opportunity to be part of a climbing program that would help me grow outside of gymnastics and be surrounded by great people.”
Brigham Young University gymnast Scarlett Sonnenberg
Scarlett Sonnenberg from Springville, Utah, is the highlight of the freshman class. Sonnenberg came to BYU with five-star reviews and was recruited by multiple top-25 programs. She is the second five-star recruit from the state since the rating system began, the other being Utah State gymnast Avery Neff from South Jordan, Utah.
“I think with this rating, it’s nice to know that I deserve it and I did it and achieved a high level,” Sonnenberg said. “But now, I’m really enjoying the team environment and everyone tells me it’s a big change from club to college.
“I chose BYU because I wasn’t going to be in gymnastics forever. This was an opportunity to be part of a climbing program that would help me grow outside of gymnastics and be surrounded by great people.”
advertise
Sonnenberg’s ability to compete against the best gymnasts during her club career, many of whom still compete with her in college, prepared her for the mental and physical demands of the college season. She is a regular on vault, beam and floor and has the difficult task of leading the event in her first season.
“Scar is so talented,” senior Kylie Eaquinto said. “She’s settled into our lead role on beam and floor and she’s been fantastic.”
Eaquinto is another local product who leads the Cougars alongside fellow Orem, Utah, native Brynlee Andersen-Broekman. Both have already won tournament titles this season as well as Big-12 Weekly Awards.
Brigham Young University’s Kylie Eaquinto salutes after completing the vault during the “Best of Utah” gymnastics competition Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at the Maverick Center in West Valley City. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
“Kelly and Brinley are both extremely talented,” BYU coach guard Young said. “Every time I see Kylie performing in a bar, I think, ‘How am I going to replace that.'”
advertise
“With Brynlee, if you just need something to make you smile, just look at her smile, she’s a star,” Young said.
Anderson-Brockman is so good on beam that she qualified for the national championships as an individual last season after tying for first place at regionals (with Neff and others).
She continued her success this season, scoring a game-high 9.925 in a win over SUU. The junior is the Big 12’s highest-ranked pitcher in the national rankings, ahead of only her former club teammate and current Utah gymnast Camie Winger at Nos. 17 and 18, respectively.
Equinto leads the Cougars with a strong bar lineup and a new floor routine that fans have come to love this season. It was a baseball-themed routine that paid tribute to her five brothers and their love for the game.
advertise
“It’s a very different vibe change for me on the court – I never thought I’d be doing something like this, but it’s fun,” Equinto explained. “Finding the music was my least favorite part; I know some people like it, but I don’t. When the ‘Centerfield’ song came on, I thought, ‘This could be fun.’ “It got me out of my comfort zone and made a great connection with my brothers.”
Like Sonnenberg and other teammates, Equinto also had offers from multiple college programs.
“I really like BYU because it’s close to home so I can go home for Sunday dinner and because I’m surrounded by people who share my beliefs and values,” Equinto explained. “It’s so fun to see past club teammates join the team and meet new teammates and really see the program grow.”
Sonnenberg, Equinto and Anderson-Brockman are among the Cougars who have trained at the Bold Gymnastics Club in Utah County, owned by Utah Gymnastics assistant coach Jimmy Platt and his wife, Makena Platt. Deb Silva, a sophomore from Linton, Utah, is another Boulder homegrown product who just won the floor title with a 9.9 in the Cougars’ win last week.
advertise
Bold is one of several clubs in Utah, including Olympus Gymnastics, where Zoe Hale and Mya Kirkham trained before attending BYU, producing talented gymnasts. Sophomore Kirkham is working his way into the Cougars’ lineup, while Hale, a four-star recruit, is part of a talented freshman class.
“I think our roster is really deep with a lot of talent from all over the country, and we also have a lot of talented local kids who want to compete close to home and get into a good college,” Young said.
Up next, BYU will face No. 12 Utah this Friday at the Huntsman Center. The conference begins at 7pm PST and airs on ESPN+.
Brigham Young University’s Scarlett Sonnenberg celebrates with teammates after completing the floor exercise during the “Best of Utah” gymnastics competition at the Maverick Center on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in West Valley City. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News