DiCello Named to Preseason Big 12 Vault Team
December 11, 2025 03:06 PM | Gymnastics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sophomore Karleigh DiCello of the West Virginia University gymnastics team has been named to the 2026 Preseason Big 12 Conference Vault Team, the league announced on Thursday.
The honor marks the first for DiCello, as well as the first for a Mountaineer gymnast as this year is just the second season for the Big 12's preseason team awards. Additionally, the accolade comes after DiCello was a unanimous selection on the inaugural Big 12 All-Freshman Team last season.
A native of Boyds, Maryland, DiCello was a consistent member of WVU's vault and balance beam lineups in 2025. She tallied career highs of 9.9 on vault and 9.925 on beam, posting six event wins across the two events last year. She ranked No. 12 in the Big 12 and No. 15 in the southeast region on vault with an National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 9.84. The freshman also ranked No. 14 in the league and No. 17 in the region on beam with a 9.85 NQS. DiCello competed as an individual event specialist on vault and beam at the 2025 NCAA Pennsylvania Regional.
The preseason teams were voted on by Big 12 head coaches, and coaches were prohibited from voting for their own gymnasts.
West Virginia officially opens the 2026 season on Jan. 9, in a quad meet at Florida with North Carolina and Temple in Gainesville. The Mountaineers open action at home with the much-anticipated return of the Beauty and the Beast meet with the WVU wrestling team on Jan. 24. Gymnastics will compete against Denver, while wrestling will take on Wyoming. Season tickets for the 2026 home slate, including Beauty and the Beast, are on sale now for just $35.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The honor marks the first for DiCello, as well as the first for a Mountaineer gymnast as this year is just the second season for the Big 12's preseason team awards. Additionally, the accolade comes after DiCello was a unanimous selection on the inaugural Big 12 All-Freshman Team last season.
A native of Boyds, Maryland, DiCello was a consistent member of WVU's vault and balance beam lineups in 2025. She tallied career highs of 9.9 on vault and 9.925 on beam, posting six event wins across the two events last year. She ranked No. 12 in the Big 12 and No. 15 in the southeast region on vault with an National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 9.84. The freshman also ranked No. 14 in the league and No. 17 in the region on beam with a 9.85 NQS. DiCello competed as an individual event specialist on vault and beam at the 2025 NCAA Pennsylvania Regional.
The preseason teams were voted on by Big 12 head coaches, and coaches were prohibited from voting for their own gymnasts.
West Virginia officially opens the 2026 season on Jan. 9, in a quad meet at Florida with North Carolina and Temple in Gainesville. The Mountaineers open action at home with the much-anticipated return of the Beauty and the Beast meet with the WVU wrestling team on Jan. 24. Gymnastics will compete against Denver, while wrestling will take on Wyoming. Season tickets for the 2026 home slate, including Beauty and the Beast, are on sale now for just $35.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
AA
/ GymnasticsAssistant Coach Kaylyn Millick | Intro
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Assistant Coach Jessica Yamzon | Intro
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Associate Head Coach Travis Doak | Intro
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Head Coach Jason Butts | Intro
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