The West Virginia gymnastics team may not have had the explosive start many fans had been anticipating this season, but they didn’t let these early struggles define them. Instead, the Mountaineers rallied and found their rhythm just in time to secure a spot in the NCAA Regional Championships – a turnaround fueled by the scrapper energy that Head Coach Jason Butts is looking for. Read more From Underdogs to Regionals: How WVU Gymnastics Turned the Season Around.
We sat down with Head Coach Jason Butts for an interview about the team’s success.
Coach Butts attributes the team’s slow start to its youth and injuries.
“We had a lot of freshmen contributing, along with athletes returning from injuries who hadn’t competed in a couple of years,” Butts explained. “So, I really think it was about those guys learning how to compete – how to warm up, how to train more efficiently, and how to build their confidence.”
Social media turned against the Mountaineers early, specifically on X. The posts relating to the season ranged from discussing their losing record, to saying they received “yet another loss.” The WVU gymnastics team spotlighted this negativity with a bold video revealing their spot in the NCAA Regionals, proving the naysayers wrong in the most incredible way. Rather than shying away from the noise, Butts and the team leaned directly into it.
“It’s virtually impossible to block it out,” he said. “So, we just embraced it. We’d joke about some of the posts in practice and use it as motivation. I love teams made up of scrappy athletes – the kind who have been counted out and come back swinging.”
That fighting spirit was particularly evident in the standout freshman class, which included Emerson Smith and Sophia Rice. The transition from club to collegiate gymnastics can be intimidating, although this year’s newcomers handled it with poise.
“They came in healthy and ready to go, which is a huge advantage,” Butts said. “They adapted quickly, stayed positive, and really bought in. College gymnastics is very different – some of them might’ve only competed four or five times a year before, not 14 meets in a row. But they were just calm, cool, and a lot of fun to coach.”
READ MORE: Spring Revival: Rich Rod Brings Life Back to WVU Football
Alongside the freshman class, veteran athletes played a key role in helping guide the transition. Fifth-year senior, and transfer, Trinity Macy not only posted season highs but demonstrated leadership in more ways than one. In one meet, Macy dislocated a finger mid-routine on bars – and kept going.
“No one even knew until she finished,” Butts said. “That’s the kind of competitor she is. She got it wrapped up and still did beam that night.”
Anna Leigh was another strong competitor who served as a quiet leader.
“She’s had injuries that would’ve counted her out at a lot of programs,” Butts noted. “But she finished with her best season ever. They both led by example.”
Before coming to WVU, Butts was a club gymnastics coach for many years. He came to WVU in 2006 as assistant coach, and in 2011 became head coach. He says his philosophy has stayed consistent: stay flexible and athlete focused.
“My philosophy is whatever works. Every athlete has been trained differently. They’re also growing up – they’re at that stage of figuring out what they’ll do after gymnastics. I’m here to help them achieve their goals.”
As for what Butts looks for in a recruit? Someone who loves the sport.
“We want someone who lives and breathes gymnastics. If you love it, you’re going to be willing to work through a lot of adversity.” said Butts. “And we recruit a lot based on personality. We’re not yellers. We want people who are intrinsically motivated – who want to come here and help elevate this program.”
And elevate it they did.
From Underdogs to Regionals: How WVU Gymnastics Turned the Season Around.
Author
That fighting spirit was particularly evident in the standout freshman class, which included Emerson Smith and Sophia Rice. The transition from club to collegiate gymnastics can be intimidating, although this year’s newcomers handled it with poise.
“They came in healthy and ready to go, which is a huge advantage,” Butts said. “They adapted quickly, stayed positive, and really bought in. College gymnastics is very different – some of them might’ve only competed four or five times a year before, not 14 meets in a row. But they were just calm, cool, and a lot of fun to coach.”
READ MORE: Spring Revival: Rich Rod Brings Life Back to WVU Football
Alongside the freshman class, veteran athletes played a key role in helping guide the transition. Fifth-year senior, and transfer, Trinity Macy not only posted season highs but demonstrated leadership in more ways than one. In one meet, Macy dislocated a finger mid-routine on bars – and kept going.
“No one even knew until she finished,” Butts said. “That’s the kind of competitor she is. She got it wrapped up and still did beam that night.”
Anna Leigh was another strong competitor who served as a quiet leader.
“She’s had injuries that would’ve counted her out at a lot of programs,” Butts noted. “But she finished with her best season ever. They both led by example.”
Before coming to WVU, Butts was a club gymnastics coach for many years. He came to WVU in 2006 as assistant coach, and in 2011 became head coach. He says his philosophy has stayed consistent: stay flexible and athlete focused.
“My philosophy is whatever works. Every athlete has been trained differently. They’re also growing up – they’re at that stage of figuring out what they’ll do after gymnastics. I’m here to help them achieve their goals.”
As for what Butts looks for in a recruit? Someone who loves the sport.
“We want someone who lives and breathes gymnastics. If you love it, you’re going to be willing to work through a lot of adversity.” said Butts. “And we recruit a lot based on personality. We’re not yellers. We want people who are intrinsically motivated – who want to come here and help elevate this program.”
And elevate it they did.
From Underdogs to Regionals: How WVU Gymnastics Turned the Season Around.