Transfers do not happen as often in NCAA gymnastics as they do in other sports. That doesn’t mean they’re unheard of, though. The Arizona GymCats will be welcoming one of the rare transfers next season when former Arkansas gymnast Sadie Smith joins the team.
Smith was a freshman last year but did not compete for the Razorbacks. Her scores from both Level 9 and Level 10 indicate that bars are her strongest event, but she will also train beam and vault at Arizona.
The GymCats have scores they need to replace on all three events after losing 10 of 24 routines to graduation. Both Alysen Fears and Emily Mueller competed all-around while Elena Deets performed bars and beam.
Before landing at Arkansas, Smith competed for Ascend Gymnastics as a Level 10 for two years. She was part of the group that helped Ascend win the 2022 USA Gymnastics National Program of the Year honor. As an individual, she qualified for nationals and finished in the top 15 in bars that year.
In 2023, Smith finished in the top five of all four events and all-around in regionals. That was capped by a third-place finish on bars at the regional meet.
Smith will join Elle Bragga, Riley Carman, Delaney Mead, Hillary Puleo, and Lily Tisdale as the Arizona newcomers this fall.
Puleo was one of the future Wildcats who were honored at the 2025 USA Gymnastics Arizona State Awards Banquet on June 2. She was named the USA Gymnastics Arizona Level 10 Gymnast of the Year.
Class of 2026 commit Avery Tarico was honored at the same event. She received awards for being the regional all-around champion in Region 1, for qualifying for nationals, for finishing in the top three of an event at nationals, and for making the national team.
Lead graphic courtesy of Arizona Athletics