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CORVALLIS, Ore. — No. 4 Utah gymnastics’ undefeated season ended with a 196.550-196.525 loss to No. 11 Oregon State. Utah (7-1, 2-1 Pac-12) chased Oregon State (6-1, 2-1) all day in Gill Coliseum. The meet came down to the last routine of the day, as judges gave Kaytianna McMillan a 9.925 on floor to seal the upset.
The Red Rocks put on a stellar performance on balance beam in the meet’s last rotation, scoring 49.30. However, the strong set wasn’t enough to give Utah the edge.
Maddy Stover’s 9.80 was a good start for the Utes’ attempt at the come-from-behind win. The rest of her teammates, including MaKenna Merrell, Missy Reinstadtler, MyKayla Skinner and Baely Rowe, contributed 9.875s to all tie for the event win. Serving as Utah’s anchor, Rowe handled the pressure of keeping the team in the running. Unfortunately, the Red Rocks’ scores weren’t enough.
“They fought through, but it just wasn’t enough,” said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden. “We had one head scratcher of a score every event, but the good thing is this team didn’t stop fighting and they were competing in a tough environment.”
Skinner tied for first in the all-around, scoring 39.50. Rowe placed third with 39.30.
Utah’s day started with some trouble in warm-ups. Prepping for bars, Farden and director of player development Dakota Marsden yanked at the equipment’s cables to tighten them. Once settled, the team started its competition.
Merrell had a wild balance check when she stood on the low bar, preparing to go back to the high bar. Her 9.60 score was dropped as it was the team’s lowest on the event. Reinstadtler was next and performed with a clean routine, earning 9.80. Kari Lee also scored a 9.80 while Skinner posted 9.825 and Tiffani Lewis and Rowe notched in 9.775s. The Red Rocks’ 48.975 effort on the event put them behind Oregon State from the get go as the Beavers finished the first rotation with 49.075 on vault.
In the second rotation, Skinner stunned with her vault. She scored 9.90, winning the event. Lewis scored 9.825 and Merrell, Rowe and Macey Roberts — a last-minute replacement for Shannon McNatt, who was scheduled to compete to count for the first time — all reeled in 9.80s. Despite giving it their all, the Red Rocks’ scores weren’t enough to give them the lead. Halfway through the meet, Utah trailed 98.10-98.125.
“We still have some short landings,” said Stover. “We need to get bigger scores and we are capable of it, so we need some improvement.”
Next for the Utes was floor. As always, Roberts (9.80) started the lineup with an energizing, clean routine. Lewis (9.825) and Rowe (9.85) both got big air on their tumbling passes. But it was Skinner who lit up the floor once again. She earned a 9.90, the Utes’ highest floor score of the day, which arguably should’ve received a higher score from judges. Utah was left with one rotation left to defeat Oregon as it continued its quest to get ahead of its competitor.
Behind 147.225-147.250, the Red Rocks did what they needed to do on beam to get the win. Unfortunately, scoring wasn’t on Utah’s side Saturday as the Utes fell short to keep their perfect record alive.
Utah will host No. 5 UCLA (4-1, 3-0) Saturday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. MST.
