Career-best performances put Utah on top of Washington, 197.125-196.250


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SALT LAKE CITY — With the help of numerous career-best performances, sixth-ranked Utah gymnastics put up yet another big score Saturday night, defeating Washington 197.125-196.250.

It was the third-straight 197-plus score for the Utes (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12), who stay unbeaten against the Huskies (3-5, 2-1), earning their 50th all-time win — two meets resulted in ties.

"It was a pretty performance," said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden.

Through three events, the Utes and Huskies were neck-and-neck, but it was Utah's floor lineup that put the Huntsman Center's crowd of 15,503 on their feet. Tiffani Lewis and Sabrina Schwab each scored 9.925 and Kailah Delaney put up a 9.875. Breanna Hughes put an exclamation point to the end of the meet, scoring a career-high 9.975.

"I knew that was one of my best routines," said Hughes. "It was really exciting to hear the Huntsman Center erupt into roars like that. It's great to have not only your teammates behind you, but 15,000 fans."

Hughes also won the all-around competition with a career-high 39.575 and tied with Delaney for first on vault (9.90).

The senior wasn't the only Utah gymnast to earn personal-best scores against Washington. Lewis (9.925) and Stover's (9.825) floor routines added them to the list, along with Schwab (9.925) and Samantha Partyka's (9.80) performances on bars.

"This team has a lot of depth even though we're a young team. We train like we're going to compete regardless if we're in the lineup or not," said Stover.

Utah's training style came in need. The coaching staff made changes to the lineup prior to Saturday, looking for the right formula for postseason. Stover was added to the floor lineup in place of Partyka, who took a night off the event to rest a sore leg. Stover took advantage of her opportunity and scored a career-best.

University of Utah gymnastics team hosts the University of Washington gymnastics team on Feb. 13, 2016. (Photo: Holli Joyce/KSL.com)
University of Utah gymnastics team hosts the University of Washington gymnastics team on Feb. 13, 2016. (Photo: Holli Joyce/KSL.com)

Kassandra Lopez was reintroduced into the vault lineup after five years. She vaulted for the first time — and second time ever — since her freshman year, receiving a 9.80.

"We're so pleased with this team and its versatility," said Farden. "At the midway point, with three 197 scores, we've proved we can compete with the best in the county."

Utah opened the meet with a season-high vault set, immediately going ahead of Washington 49.250-48.875. The Huskies stayed in the race by scoring a 49.075 on vault and after two rotations, Utah led 98.550-97.950.

The Red Rocks faced adversity on beam in the third rotation. Partyka (9.75), Hughes (9.825) and Lopez (9.775) received tight scoring from the judges. Delaney followed and counted her first fall of the season.

"We tell the athletes to focus on their performances. We can't control the judges who are scoring our routines. With Kailah, that was an uncharacteristic fall from her," said Farden.

Rowe and Stover shook off their teammate's fall, finishing with back-to-back 9.85 scores. The shaky event put the Huskies closer to the Utes, 147.600-147.250.

"We don't really keep track of the other team's score, so we didn't know how close it was," said Stover. "We've been taught that you can only control yourself and your performance and I just approached my (beam) routine as if Kailah hadn't fallen."

Utah closed out the meet with a stunning floor lineup, scoring 49.525.

"This was a good building score and performances overall. We have the confidence from UCLA and tonight going into our next three meets," said Stover.

The team now travels for three straight meets, starting next Saturday versus No. 13 Stanford and followed by competitions at No. 19 California and No. 3 Michigan.

"This is going to be the grind. We're looking forward to the challenge," said Farden. "It'll prepare us for postseason."


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About the Author: Holli Joyce -----------------------------

Holli Joyce is a University of Utah communications graduate and enjoys keeping up with the Utah Utes, Utah Jazz and Seattle Seahawks. Follow her on Twitter @Holli_Alexa.

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