Mountaineers Finish Competition at 2026 Big 12 Championship
March 21, 2026 06:27 PM | Gymnastics
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The West Virginia University gymnastics team scored a 194.25 to complete competition in the first session of the 2026 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship, hosted at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah, on Saturday afternoon.
WVU tallied scores of 48.625 on vault, 47.625 on the uneven bars, 48.8 on balance beam and 49.2 on floor exercise. The Mountaineers competed against Arizona State in the first session, as the Sun Devils led the way with a 195.225.
West Virginia struggled a bit in its opening rotation on bars, unfortunately having to count a fall after two mishaps in the lineup. Sophomore Kaelyn Skeel paced the rotation with a 9.75, followed by a 9.7 from freshman Kayla Smith. Senior Miranda Smith recorded a 9.65 in her return to the bars lineup, while junior Jayden McDonnell notched a 9.575. Junior Amber Lowe's 8.95 was unfortunately counted to wrap up a tough first rotation for the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers got a bit of momentum back on vault, with a pair of 9.75's from senior Carlee Nelson and sophomore Emerson Smith leading the way. Kayla Smith recorded a 9.725, followed by a pair of 9.7's from sophomores Taylor Tuohy and Karleigh DiCello to wrap up the second rotation.
WVU's floor squad did its thing in the third rotation, as Tuohy and junior Jurnee Lane led the way with a pair of 9.875's. The score matched a season high for Lane. Emerson Smith was just behind them with a 9.85, and Kayla Smith and classmate Auden Pederson recorded two 9.8's to cap a successful rotation for West Virginia.
West Virginia finished up on beam, where its momentum continued to finish the meet strong. Lowe continued an impressive season on balance beam with a 9.875, while sophomore Eden Webster reached a new season best with a 9.85. Kayla Smith scored a 9.725, and two 9.675's from Lane and freshman Haley Mendoza completed the meet for the Mountaineers.
On all-around, Kayla Smith scored a 38.95 total on all four events. With the score, the freshman exceeded 500 season points in 2026, becoming just the third Mountaineer freshman to surpass the 500-point threshold in a single season in program history. Additionally, her 506.175 this season are the most for a Mountaineer freshman since 2008.
Final team and individual standings will be determined following the second session of the Big 12 Championship, which is tabbed for 7 p.m. ET inside the Maverik Center. Arizona, BYU, Denver and Utah are set to compete in the evening's second session. Final results will be available at WVUsports.com following the conclusion of the evening session.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WVU tallied scores of 48.625 on vault, 47.625 on the uneven bars, 48.8 on balance beam and 49.2 on floor exercise. The Mountaineers competed against Arizona State in the first session, as the Sun Devils led the way with a 195.225.
West Virginia struggled a bit in its opening rotation on bars, unfortunately having to count a fall after two mishaps in the lineup. Sophomore Kaelyn Skeel paced the rotation with a 9.75, followed by a 9.7 from freshman Kayla Smith. Senior Miranda Smith recorded a 9.65 in her return to the bars lineup, while junior Jayden McDonnell notched a 9.575. Junior Amber Lowe's 8.95 was unfortunately counted to wrap up a tough first rotation for the Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers got a bit of momentum back on vault, with a pair of 9.75's from senior Carlee Nelson and sophomore Emerson Smith leading the way. Kayla Smith recorded a 9.725, followed by a pair of 9.7's from sophomores Taylor Tuohy and Karleigh DiCello to wrap up the second rotation.
WVU's floor squad did its thing in the third rotation, as Tuohy and junior Jurnee Lane led the way with a pair of 9.875's. The score matched a season high for Lane. Emerson Smith was just behind them with a 9.85, and Kayla Smith and classmate Auden Pederson recorded two 9.8's to cap a successful rotation for West Virginia.
West Virginia finished up on beam, where its momentum continued to finish the meet strong. Lowe continued an impressive season on balance beam with a 9.875, while sophomore Eden Webster reached a new season best with a 9.85. Kayla Smith scored a 9.725, and two 9.675's from Lane and freshman Haley Mendoza completed the meet for the Mountaineers.
On all-around, Kayla Smith scored a 38.95 total on all four events. With the score, the freshman exceeded 500 season points in 2026, becoming just the third Mountaineer freshman to surpass the 500-point threshold in a single season in program history. Additionally, her 506.175 this season are the most for a Mountaineer freshman since 2008.
Final team and individual standings will be determined following the second session of the Big 12 Championship, which is tabbed for 7 p.m. ET inside the Maverik Center. Arizona, BYU, Denver and Utah are set to compete in the evening's second session. Final results will be available at WVUsports.com following the conclusion of the evening session.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUGymnastics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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