Utah gymnastics 'never gave up hope,' places 2nd at nationals


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FORT WORTH, Texas — In a nail-biting finish, the Utah gymnastics team placed second, falling short to Florida at the NCAA Gymnastics Championship Saturday. The Gators claimed their third straight title, scoring 197.85 with the Red Rocks in their shadow at 197.8. It was Utah’s best placing since 2008 when it was also runner-up.

Behind Florida and Utah were Oklahoma (197.525), Alabama (197.275), Stanford (197.25) and Auburn (195.625).

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from this team,” said Utah co-head coach Greg Marsden. “We left it all out on the floor tonight.”

Saturday’s performance resulted in Utah’s best score ever in an NCAA national championship, beating Friday’s semifinal score when Utah and Florida tied for first place.

Marsden acknowledged if someone said the Utes’ season would’ve ended like this after losing their top-ranked all-around gymnast Tory Wilson during the Pac-12 championships, no one would have believed it.

But despite the heartbreaking loss, the Utes are proud of their finish.

“One of our biggest goals this year was to not feel like we did last year,” Georgia Dabritz said of Utah barely missing the cut to advance to the 2014 Super Six. “We accomplished that.”


“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from this team. We left it all out on the floor tonight.” -Greg Marsden

Dabritz placed first in the all-around, scoring 39.7. On Utah’s first event, she became the first gymnast to ever score a 10.0 on bars on both days of the team NCAA Championships. Just two other gymnasts have earned perfect scores in the Super Six — Courtney Kupets (2009) and Lori Strong (1993), both of Georgia.

Coming off a bye in the first rotation, Utah nailed its opening set on bars (49.575). The last five gymnasts in the lineup put up huge scores — Tiffani Lewis 9.9, Baely Rowe 9.85, Kassandra Lopez 9.9, Corrie Lothrop 9.925 and Dabritz 10.0 — to put the team in the lead.

Next for the Utes was beam, where Kari Lee led with 9.875. She was followed by Kailah Delaney, Lothrop and Rowe, who all scored 9.85s. A total score of 49.25 wasn’t enough to keep the lead as Florida inched 0.125 above Utah. At the midpoint, the standings were Florida (98.950), Utah (98.825), Alabama (98.7), Oklahoma (98.65), Stanford (98.125) and Auburn (97.675).

After their last bye of the night, the Red Rocks competed on floor. Becky Tutka tied her season best, scoring 9.925, while Dabritz, Lewis and Lee earned 9.9 and 9.875s respectively. A total score of 49.425 put Utah down to Florida 148.4-148.25 as the Utes headed to the last rotation.

The championship wasn’t decided until the last routine of the night. The Utes ended the night on their best event, vault. Both Lee and Delaney posted 9.925s and anchor Dabritz finished the lineup with an outstanding 9.975. The Red Rocks, in the lead with their 49.55 total vault score, were left to wait as Florida had one routine left. Alex McMurty scored 9.95, just enough to push Florida to a mere 0.05 lead for the championship.

“This group has fought so hard all season. To come here and be within reach of beating Florida, I’m so proud of this team. They never gave up hope,” said Marsden. “The only thing that could have made it better was one more tenth of a point.”

Both Dabritz and Lee will compete in Sunday’s individual event titles. Dabritz will compete on bars and floor, Lee on floor and vault. Competition begins at 1 p.m. MDT. ESPN3 will live-stream the event.

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Holli Joyce

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