TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State gymnastics head coach Jay Santos announced today that Kristina Baskett, former NCAA Champion and 12-time All-American, has been named the new assistant coach for the Gym Devils.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Kristina joining our coaching staff," Santos said. "Kristina brings a wonderful energy and a creative spirit to everything she does, and she is a great role model for our Sun Devil Family. She has already made an impact working with our team for the past two seasons and we have no doubt it will be magnified with her in a full-time role. Coming from a very competitive profession as a stunt woman combined with her long list of accolades as a former student-athlete, Kristina will bring a great variety of experiences to help elevate our program"
After two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, Baskett is making the jump to be the full-time assistant coach for the Gym Devils, joining head coach Jay Santos and associate head coach Jessica Santos.
"I already feel such a strong bond to this team and coaching staff, and I couldn't be more excited to officially join the Sun Devil Athletics family," Baskett said. "I'm really looking forward to pouring all of my passion into this program and the student athletes. They are well on their way to doing big things, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help make an impact on and off the competitive floor."
Baskett compiled a prolific career as a gymnast at the University of Utah. She competed as a member of the Red Rocks program from 2006-09, helping to pace the squad to three-consecutive second-place national finishes. She most notably won the 2006 NCAA uneven bar title as a freshman. She also received second-team All-America honors on vault at the 2006 NCAA Championships. A highly decorated competitor for the Red Rocks, Baskett also took second on vault in 2008 and in the all-around in 2009.
"Kristina was one of the best gymnasts in the country when she competed for us and I am confident she will be every bit as good as an assistant coach for ASU," Former Utah head coach Megan Marsden said. "She has a wonderful personality, is bright, engaging and kind, but make no mistake, she is a fierce competitor. I feel very fortunate to have another former athlete giving back to collegiate gymnastics by taking on this Pac-12 coaching position at Arizona State University."
One of the best to don the Utah red and white, Baskett finished her career as a 12-time All-American and a five-time NCAA regional champion. She won 88 event titles in her career, a mark that ranks fourth all-time at Utah. She capped her career leading the Utes with 35 victories during her senior season en route to being named Utah's MVP.
"Kristina is one of the most passionate, dedicated, and caring people I have ever coached," Current Auburn head coach and former Utah assistant Jeff Graba said. "I'm so excited for her and she will be a tremendous asset to ASU and their student-athletes"
Baskett excelled outside the gym as much as she did inside of it, earning first team Academic All-American honors in 2009 after receiving second team honors the previous year. She was also the recipient of the Dahl Award, recognizing a gymnast with outstanding academics.
Following her gymnastics career, Baskett worked as a stunt double in a number of renowned TV series and blockbuster movies. She recently made headlines as a stunt double on "Game of Thrones" and has made appearances in numerous episodes from 2016-19. Baskett has accumulated 75 total credits in her professional acting career, according to IMDB, while making appearances in popular films such as "Ender's Game" and "Olympus Has Fallen." Other TV shows she has been credited with stunt work in include "Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.," "Pretty Little Liars," "Teen Wolf" and "Modern Family."
In working in the industry, Baskett has garnered extensive experience in coordinating and conducting choreography for prominent productions. She also has experience performing as an acrobat, having appeared in renowned shows such as Le Reve and Cirque Du Soleil's Viva Elvis in Las Vegas.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Kristina joining our coaching staff," Santos said. "Kristina brings a wonderful energy and a creative spirit to everything she does, and she is a great role model for our Sun Devil Family. She has already made an impact working with our team for the past two seasons and we have no doubt it will be magnified with her in a full-time role. Coming from a very competitive profession as a stunt woman combined with her long list of accolades as a former student-athlete, Kristina will bring a great variety of experiences to help elevate our program"
After two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, Baskett is making the jump to be the full-time assistant coach for the Gym Devils, joining head coach Jay Santos and associate head coach Jessica Santos.
"I already feel such a strong bond to this team and coaching staff, and I couldn't be more excited to officially join the Sun Devil Athletics family," Baskett said. "I'm really looking forward to pouring all of my passion into this program and the student athletes. They are well on their way to doing big things, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help make an impact on and off the competitive floor."
Baskett compiled a prolific career as a gymnast at the University of Utah. She competed as a member of the Red Rocks program from 2006-09, helping to pace the squad to three-consecutive second-place national finishes. She most notably won the 2006 NCAA uneven bar title as a freshman. She also received second-team All-America honors on vault at the 2006 NCAA Championships. A highly decorated competitor for the Red Rocks, Baskett also took second on vault in 2008 and in the all-around in 2009.
"Kristina was one of the best gymnasts in the country when she competed for us and I am confident she will be every bit as good as an assistant coach for ASU," Former Utah head coach Megan Marsden said. "She has a wonderful personality, is bright, engaging and kind, but make no mistake, she is a fierce competitor. I feel very fortunate to have another former athlete giving back to collegiate gymnastics by taking on this Pac-12 coaching position at Arizona State University."
One of the best to don the Utah red and white, Baskett finished her career as a 12-time All-American and a five-time NCAA regional champion. She won 88 event titles in her career, a mark that ranks fourth all-time at Utah. She capped her career leading the Utes with 35 victories during her senior season en route to being named Utah's MVP.
"Kristina is one of the most passionate, dedicated, and caring people I have ever coached," Current Auburn head coach and former Utah assistant Jeff Graba said. "I'm so excited for her and she will be a tremendous asset to ASU and their student-athletes"
Baskett excelled outside the gym as much as she did inside of it, earning first team Academic All-American honors in 2009 after receiving second team honors the previous year. She was also the recipient of the Dahl Award, recognizing a gymnast with outstanding academics.
Following her gymnastics career, Baskett worked as a stunt double in a number of renowned TV series and blockbuster movies. She recently made headlines as a stunt double on "Game of Thrones" and has made appearances in numerous episodes from 2016-19. Baskett has accumulated 75 total credits in her professional acting career, according to IMDB, while making appearances in popular films such as "Ender's Game" and "Olympus Has Fallen." Other TV shows she has been credited with stunt work in include "Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.," "Pretty Little Liars," "Teen Wolf" and "Modern Family."
In working in the industry, Baskett has garnered extensive experience in coordinating and conducting choreography for prominent productions. She also has experience performing as an acrobat, having appeared in renowned shows such as Le Reve and Cirque Du Soleil's Viva Elvis in Las Vegas.