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SALT LAKE CITY — After defeating the UCLA gymnastics team 196.725-194.725 in the first conference meet of the season, the fifth-ranked Red Rocks are heading to Tucson to compete against 18th-ranked Pac-12 rival Arizona.
Arizona is coming off a win against Washington, its 196.050 score against the Huskies a season-high, 0.675 lower than Utah’s best. Utah (5-0, 1-0 Pac-12) and Arizona (4-2, 1-1 Pac-12) are no strangers to each other. Utah is 55-0 all-time against Arizona and 11-0 in Tucson, averaging 197.360 since joining the Pac-12.
“This (meet) can go either way if anyone falters. Our focus is to improve each meet,” said co-head coach Megan Marsden. “We’re not necessarily looking for a win. We’re looking for a better score and sticking (landings) more. We didn’t have very many sticks last weekend.”
I'm really excited to see my family and friends. I look forward to every meet, but this is nice because my family doesn't get to come to every meet.
–Kassandra Lopez
Two Ute gymnasts are from the state to the south—junior Kassandra Lopez (Tucson) and freshman Kari Lee (Peoria).
“I’m really excited to see my family and friends. I look forward to every meet, but this is nice because my family doesn't get to come to every meet,” Lopez said.
Lopez ranks 16th in the nation on bars, averaging 9.867. Last week she scored a season-low 9.850. Lee’s season average (9.858) on beam ranks 14th nationwide. The three-event star was limited to beam against UCLA because of a sore Achilles’ tendons. Despite not being in her prime, Lee scored a career-best 9.900.
The ties between the two states don’t stop there. Arizona’s assistant coach Meredith (King) Paulicivic is a former Utah All-American. She lettered for the Utes four consecutive years and was a vault All-American from 1992-94.
“We’re really proud of her," Marsden said. "(This) is something she has entertained as an idea for a while. You have to wait for the right opportunity to come along. For Meredith it did.
"Even though it’s a Pac-12 foe, we still always wish our alumni well. When she calls to check in and get any advice, we try to help with that because, in the big picture, this is a great thing.”
Starting Saturday at 4 p.m., the meet will stream live on arizonawildcats.com. Live scores and commentary will be available at utahutes.com.
