The Big 12 Conference announced its weekly gymnastics honors on Tuesday, recognizing outstanding performances from athletes at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. BYU’s Brynlee Andersen-Broekman and the Utah duo of Avery Neff and Abbi Ryssman were all honored for their contributions during week eight of the 2026 season, showcasing the rising talent within the conference. The accolades highlight a competitive landscape as teams prepare for crucial upcoming duals and championship contention.
Andersen-Broekman, a junior event specialist, secured a beam title with a score of 9.875 and matched her career-best on floor with a 9.900. Her performance was pivotal in BYU’s victory over Denver, 196.575-195.925, where the Cougars’ floor rotation achieved a remarkable 49.550, fueled by four routines scoring 9.900 or higher. Meanwhile, Utah’s Neff and Ryssman continued to demonstrate their prowess, solidifying their positions as key players for the Red Rocks.
Avery Neff, a sophomore gymnast for Utah, registered an all-around score of 39.700 for the second consecutive week against Southern Utah, earning her the all-around title for the fourth straight week. She also secured first-place finishes in vault and bars. Neff achieved a perfect 10 on vault, her second of the season and third after previously earning a perfect 10 on bars two weeks prior. Currently ranked fourth nationally in the all-around and within the top 10 in vault, Neff’s consistent performance has earned her a fifth Big 12 honor this year and her fourth consecutive weekly accolade.
Utah’s Abbi Ryssman claimed her second career event title with a 9.95 on beam against the “Flippin’ Birds,” as the Utah team is known. She also contributed a 9.875 on bars, helping the Red Rocks tie their season-best bars score of 49.625. Utah ultimately secured a victory over their opponent, finishing with a score of 197.425 to 195.825.
Looking Ahead: Big 12 Competition Intensifies
This week presents key matchups for both BYU and Utah. No. 24 BYU will travel to West Virginia for a dual meet on Friday. No. 12 Utah has a chance to clinch the Big 12 regular season title with a win against No. 21 Denver on Sunday. The outcome of these competitions will significantly impact the conference standings as the season progresses.
Beyond the BYU-Utah rivalry, other Big 12 teams are also facing challenging schedules. Arizona is on the road, participating in a neutral meet in Louisiana alongside No. 3 Alabama, No. 2 LSU and No. 17 North Carolina. Arizona State will compete in a quad meet in Denton, Texas, against Texas Woman’s, No. 4 Florida, and Fisk, before heading to California for a meet against San Jose State, Sacramento State, and Boise State. West Virginia will host a quad meet at Towson against NC State and Ursinus.
BYU’s Andersen-Broekman’s impressive performance on beam can be viewed on YouTube: BYU’s Brynlee Andersen-Broekman with a 9.875 on Beam vs. Denver.
The competitive landscape of Big 12 gymnastics continues to heat up, with athletes like Andersen-Broekman, Neff, and Ryssman leading the charge. As teams navigate their remaining schedules, the pursuit of conference titles and national rankings will undoubtedly drive intense competition and showcase the exceptional talent within the league. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining which teams will emerge as frontrunners as the championship season approaches.
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