TEMPE, Ariz. -- One of the most important traits as a top-tier athlete is the ability to perform under pressure. Some athletes embrace the opportunity to display their skills when they know everyone is watching. They shine the brightest when the lights are on, the music is up, and the fans are screaming. They are few and far between.
Arizona State sophomore gymnast
Cairo Leonard-Baker is one of those athletes.
With the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships set to take place this weekend in Utah, the sophomore who can captivate an entire arena during any event is looking forward to the biggest competition of the season.
"I love Pac-12's because everyone goes individually," Leonard-Baker said. "Everyone waits and then you get to go on your own and you know everyone is just watching you in that moment. That's when you take your moment and do the best routine you've ever done."
Earlier this season, Leonard-Baker had no trouble putting in one of the best routines a Gym Devil has had in over 10 years. At UCLA in January, the 5-foot-4 all-around gymnast from Oakland, California scored a career-high 9.975 on bars. That was the highest mark a Gym Devil had in any event since the release of the original iPhone.
Instead of focusing on how the feat is so individually impressive, Leonard-Baker looks at it as a way of shaping the Sun Devil program for the future.
"I just feel like I'm paving a path for future Sun Devils to know that just because we may not be ranked the highest, doesn't mean that we can't do amazing things in the gymnastics world," Leonard-Baker said. "We're very capable of taking that extra step and letting everyone in the country know that we're just as talented as any other team."
For head coach
Jay Santos, having an athlete such as Leonard-Baker helps in motivating his team to stay competitive and strive to be near, or at, her level.
"When you have that high-achieving athlete that can continue to bring everyone along with them, it helps that group see, 'Hey, this is where we need to be. Let's keep pushing, let's keep growing,'" Santos said.
Leonard-Baker started gymnastics when she was 18 months old and has never stopped. At meets, she walks around the floor with an aura of confidence, following her every move to the next event. Like Tiger Woods in a red polo, Leonard-Baker performs at her best when the lights are the brightest.
"Everything she does, it's not just that super-focus, she's got an intensity about her," Santos said. "A lot of energy and intensity about her."
All-around sophomore
Maya Williams admires the focus of her best friend and fellow teammate.
"She's competitive but I think it comes from her passion for the sport," said Williams. "From her, we all learn how to be passionate about our sport and be a little more competitive."
To see a great display of Leonard-Baker's passion, one needs to look no further than her floor routine. She has placed first five times this season for her floor routine and never fails to enthrall the crowd with her dancing and tumbling.
"I just know that if I'm having a good time, everyone in the crowd is going to have a good time," Leonard-Baker said. "So, I just try to have as much fun as possible and keep a big smile on my face."
Next season, Leonard-Baker will be choreographing more of her floor routine herself and is already thinking about the possibilities.
"Next year, we're collaborating," she said. "So, most of it is going to be my ideas and I'm already thinking of stuff… I have a lot of music planned out that I'm going to make sure (associate head coach) Jess puts in there because I'm already creating dance moves in my head."
For now, Leonard-Baker is hoping to finish as an All-American on bars and lead her team to nationals. With a strong showing at the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships, the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and NACGC Second-Team All-American could only add to her list of postseason accomplishments.
Having an athlete that thrives in big-pressure situations and pushes those around them to be better are a dream come true for any teammate or coach.
Leonard-Baker has rejuvenated the Gym Devils program and is elevating her teammates to become the best gymnasts they can be.
"She's great to have in the gym," Santos said. "She pushes everybody, she's a really strong leader and she works on keeping things light for the group at times too. Just keeping that energy up and having fun."
A year after claiming Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year and becoming the first Gym Devil since Katie Freeland in 1996 to win a yearly conference award, Leonard-Baker will continue to shape the status quo surrounding the Gym Devils into a perennial powerhouse.
"She's someone you always want in your corner," Williams said.
