Utah gymnastics: Skinner becomes NCAA floor champion, all-around runner-up


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ST. LOUIS — Utah gymnastics freshman MyKayla Skinner has topped the charts throughout the regular season. In Friday’s semifinals, it was no different.

The phenom won the floor title (9.9625) and became the runner-up in the all-around (39.6125).

“MyKayla competes with such confidence that it carries over to the rest of the team,” said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden.

Two judges awarded Skinner 10.0s on her floor routine, an event where she entered the competition ranked first in the nation. It’s the first time a Utah gymnast has been the floor national champion since Missy Marlowe in 1992.

“Floor has always been my favorite event because I can show off my personality,” said Skinner. “I cannot express the words of how amazing it is to be out there and having my team with me.”

Skinner earned the high score in the afternoon semifinal on vault with a 9.90, but LSU’s Kennedi Edney’s 9.9875 in the second semifinal won the title. Skinner also earned Utah’s high scores on beam (9.9125) and bars (9.8375).

In her first collegiate season, the 2016 USA Olympic alternate has won 41 individual titles, including the all-around, vault and floor championships at both the Pac-12 Championship and the NCAA Regional.

Skinner, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the all-around, has gone all-around in every meet — winning 11 of 13 all-around and vault competitions and 11 floor titles. Her 11 all-around victories give her a share of the school single-season record with Ashley Postell (2008) and Suzanne Metz (1995). Her 41 total wins rank third all-time at Utah.

She’s also the most decorated Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week and Freshman of the Week of all time, winning seven Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week honors, shattering the previous record of four, and six Freshman of the Week citations.

“Skinner is a world-class athlete, and obviously we’re pleased she’s with us,” said Farden.

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