Arizona State steps into 2026 looking to rebound from a less-than-stellar 2025 campaign. It does so without some of its highest-scoring routines, but with Kimberly Smith returning for her senior season and eight new faces, the Sun Devils have the potential to be a dark horse in the Big 12 in 2026.
2025 Rewind
No. 27 overall | No. 5 at Big 12 | No. 26 in regular season | Regionals round two
The Sun Devils looked to be picking up momentum at the midway point of the season, but injuries stifled that momentum, meaning lineups had to be adjusted multiple times throughout the remainder of the season. Despite the changes, Arizona State qualified for the night session of Big 12s before being eliminated at regional semifinals.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Seniors: Isabella Kowan, Kayla Lee, Caroline Lichtman, Kimberly Smith |
| Juniors: Halle Gregoire, Lilia Purler |
| Sophomores: Halle Braaflat, Nina Laurito, Tiara Platkin, Jenna Timmons |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Kylee Bromley, Safia El Mammann, Delanie Kelly, Kaydence Lockhart, Adele Ossi, Jessica Rosenberg, Robyn Wilson |
| Transfers: Reese Grolla (Illinois St.) |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Jenna Blair, Sarah Clark (UB/BB/FX), Jada Mangahas (VT/UB/FX), Alex Theodorou, Emily White (AA) |
| Retired: McClaine Daigle, Chloe Seaga (BB), Chavala Shepard |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| Laurito’s status is unknown after being spotted in an elbow brace early last year, but she has been seen on bars in the preseason. Kowan tore her ACL on vault in March, but early looks at training show that she is back on beam and could be ready for January. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 29 | NQS: 49.025 | Average: 48.910 | High: 49.300
| Event Overview: Vault was an up-and-down event for the Sun Devils in 2025 and saw the most upheaval due to injuries. Smith will likely anchor this lineup and Braaflat proved she was a solid option for the front half of the lineup in her freshman season. The other spots are anyone’s to earn. | ||
| Locks: Halle Braaflat, Lilia Purler, Kimberly Smith | ||
| Contenders: Kylee Bromley, Delanie Kelly, Safia El Mammann, Halle Gregoire, Caroline Lichtman, Kaydence Lockhart, Jessica Rosenberg | ||
| Wildcards: Nina Laurito, Adele Ossi, Robyn Wilson |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 21 | NQS: 49.210 | Average: 49.125 | High: 49.450
| Event Overview: Bars was the strongest event for the Sun Devils in 2025, giving them an advantage on the road when starting on that event. The team loses three of its final six routines from regionals; Illinois State transfer Grolla will become a key figure here as the Sun Devils rebuild this bars lineup. | ||
| Locks: Reese Grolla, Kayla Lee, Kimberly Smith | ||
| Contenders: Kylee Bromley, Kaydence Lockhart, Adele Ossi, Tiara Platkin, Robyn Wilson | ||
| Wildcards: Halle Braaflat, Safia El Mammann, Delanie Kelly, Nina Laurito, Jenna Timmons |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 27 | NQS: 49.095 | Average: 48.911 | High: 49.225
| Event Overview: Beam dipped a bit in the rankings with former beam coach Lacy Dagen moving over to UCLA, but the Sun Devils remained consistent in 2025. Grolla’s transfer gives them a boost here as well after losing multiple routines from the 2025 lineup, but it remains to be seen whether the Sun Devils will maintain their consistency. | ||
| Locks: Reese Grolla, Kayla Lee, Kimberly Smith | ||
| Contenders: Kylee Bromley, Safia El Mammann, Isabella Kowan, Kaydence Lockhart, Caroline Lichtman, Adele Ossi, | ||
| Wildcards: Delanie Kelly, Nina Laurito, Jessica Rosenberg, Lilia Purler, Jenna Timmons, Robyn Wilson |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 27 | NQS: 49.225 | Average: 49.058 | High: 49.350
| Event Overview: The Sun Devils were a fun floor team, scoring above a 49 eight times in 2025, topping out at 49.350. This is where the Sun Devils retain the most routines, with four of the top six NQSs returning. Look for floor to remain a top event for Arizona State and potentially become its best event in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Halle Gregoire, Lilia Purler, Kimberly Smith | ||
| Contenders: Halle Braaflat, Delanie Kelly, Kayla Lee, Kaydence Lockhart | ||
| Wildcards: Safia El Mammann, Adele Ossi, Jessica Rosenberg, Robyn Wilson |
Records Watch
Team: 198.450 | AA: 39.875 (Ashley Kelly) | VT: 49.650/10.000 (April Boone) | UB: 49.600/10.000 (Ashley Kelly) | BB: 49.875/10.000 (April Boone) | FX: 49.825/10.000 (Maggie Germaine)
The Big Picture
It’s hard to picture an Arizona State team without names like Mangahas and White, but Smith and the Sun Devil seniors are ready to lead the team to a solid season. With a promising group of incoming freshmen and some returners from injury that we haven’t seen compete yet, look for Arizona State to make it back to regionals in 2026.
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Round Two
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Article by Savanna Wellman
