Throughout the last semicentennial, generations of maroon and gold have fused together, shaping the history of ASU gymnastics.
This season marks the 50th anniversary of the program, empowering current Gym Devils to represent their roots and compete for a cause bigger than themselves.
At the helm is head coach Jay Santos, who is celebrating an anniversary of his own this season: a decade with the Sun Devils. Following his appointment as head coach in 2016, Santos began a quest to restore the competitive nature of the program.
"When I took over, obviously, the program was in a little different state," Santos said. "I'm very proud of the fact that we've got it back to where we are right now, and that's much more competitive."
The Gym Devils have a storied past, established by amassing several accolades. The program has produced 29 All-Americans, eight individual NCAA champions and nine ASU Hall of Fame gymnasts.
One of the most influential figures in the history of ASU gymnastics is former head coach John Spini. The second-longest-tenured ASU coach ever, he spent 34 seasons with the Sun Devils.
Spini's era was dominated by postseason appearances, competing at 21 NCAA championships, with at least one gymnast representing the pitchfork in 26 championship meets in his 34 seasons.
Under the guidance of the four-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, six Gym Devil women were named NCAA champions. Spini ended his time in Tempe with a 359-235-2 record and accumulated 27 perfect (10.0) scores.
Jessica Ginn, a former Sun Devil, grew up in the Valley and was raised around ASU gymnastics and Spini's influence. Ginn admired the program and aspired to compete for it one day.
"He got to see me as a little girl in my gymnastics, all the way through high school," Ginn said. "It was cool being recruited by him, because I think I was probably one of the last recruiting classes by him."
Ginn began her ASU career in 2017, the first season with Santos at the lead. She competed all-around for the Sun Devils, ending her career with a 9.900 on floor, securing the event title in her final home meet.
Since parting ways with college athletics in 2020, Ginn has seen strides made in Sun Devil athlete development.
"I remember our first meet, we scored a 191, and now, the girls start off their seasons these years, and they hit 195-196s," Ginn said. "It's very clear that (Santos) has helped the team mature."
The web of connections in the gymnastics world still sticks to Ginn, as she's only six years out from the program. She's now able to witness her former club teammates compete on behalf of her alma mater, such as freshman Kaydence Lockhart.
From past to present, ASU gymnasts have passed a torch that carries a passion for Sun Devil gymnastics from generation to generation.
Lighting a fire for Gym Devil senior Kayla Lee was her former club coach and ASU alum, Pam Godward Evans.
Godward Evans competed at ASU from 1977-80, during which she became the program's first female All-American, earned first-team distinctions on the balance beam and was later inducted into the Sun Devils' 2019 Hall of Fame class.
"(Godward Evans) spoke only highly of the program, and I really loved the idea of going somewhere (and) making her proud, and continuing on with that legacy," Lee said.
In her time at ASU, Lee has emulated her former coach with dominance on the beam. Throughout her collegiate career, she's competed in the lead-off spot on beam in nearly every meet, with a career-high score of 9.925.
As Lee grew as a gymnast, her consistency in the lead-off spot instilled leadership qualities, enabling her to transfer the knowledge she's gained to the younger classes of Gym Devils.
"Even though I'm in the same position, doing the same thing, I'm now teaching other girls in the lineup, or even just in practice, things that I've learned throughout my career," Lee said.
Heading into this year, Lee gained a newfound knowledge of the program's foundation and is ready to take what she's learned from those before her and apply it to her final season at ASU.
Formerly, the senior season has been an homage to one's younger self, but this year, Lee sees it as a chance to embody something greater.
"Now we can even take it to a broader perspective, of with it being this legacy year, of doing it for the program, doing it for the history of the program," Lee said. "So something even bigger than just your younger self."
Also in her final season, senior Kimberly Smith strives to "live up to the standard" that is ASU gymnastics.
In her time in Tempe, Smith has set a standard of her own, having been named a part of the 2025 All-Big 12 team and recognized as the Big 12 Gymnast of the Week following her performance at ASU's alumni meet against BYU on Jan. 23. She achieved a new career-high in all-around with a score of 39.475, winning titles in three different events.
At the same event, with the eyes of alums on them, the Gym Devils rose to the occasion, achieving their highest score so far this season, defeating BYU 196.050 to 195.200.
"Seeing all the success that they had in the past and the legacy that has been paved before us, it's just really special to be able to continue that and just continue adding on to that success," Smith said.
By understanding the background of the program, Santos believes the team can build off previous accomplishments, solidifying an era of their own in Sun Devil history.
"Even if it's just doing the same thing that the other teams have done, or taking it a step further and trying to accomplish something new and different," Santos said. "It's just trying to make sure we're pushing these athletes to make their impact on the history."
Edited by Niall Rosenberg, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
