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ST. LOUIS — In its 43-year existence, Utah gymnastics has never missed nationals and it wanted to make sure it made a splash in the semifinals. Utah did just that, thanks to sophomore phenom MyKayla Skinner, as it qualified for collegiate gymnastics’ biggest event: Saturday night’s Super Six. Of the 26 Super Six finals, it’s the 21st appearance for Utah.
“The good news is we never gave up,” Utah co-head coach Tom Farden said.
Utah’s 197.1375 earned it third place in the evening semifinal. Two-time defending national champion Oklahoma topped the chart with 198.05, followed by second place Florida’s 197.5875. Placing fourth, fifth and sixth, finishing its season, were California (196.50), Washington (196.25) and Kentucky (196.0625).
Skinner tied her season-best score in the all-around with 39.725, earning her second place behind Oklahoma’s Maggie Nichols (39.8125). It marked her second NCAA all-around silver medal finish. Skinner also became an NCAA tri-champion on vault with a 9.9375, tying Oklahoma’s Brenna Dowell and Florida’s Alex McMurtry, to win her second NCAA individual title in as many years. Additionally, Skinner finished second in the evening semifinal on beam, tied for third on floor and tied for fifth on bars.
Dressed in one of their favorite leotards — a black leotard shining with rhinestones to create the university’s drum and feather logo on the left side — the Red Rocks started their night on vault. Three gymnasts — Kari Lee, MaKenna Merrell-Giles and Skinner — earned scores of 9.85 or higher. Utah looked to drop Tiffani Lewis’ 9.7875 from the third spot, but Kim Tessen took multiple steps on her landing to earn the team low (9.625). Merrell-Giles and Skinner rounded out the lineup with strong scores to give Utah a 49.225 after the first rotation.
After every team competed on one event, Utah was in fourth place behind Florida (49.475), Oklahoma (49.375) and Washington (49.2625). Cal (48.9875) and Kentucky (48.60) were in fifth and sixth place.
Following a second rotation bye, the Red Rocks took to bars hoping to jump ahead of Washington. The Huskies struggled on vault in the second rotation, giving Utah a perfect opportunity. Once again, Skinner topped Utah’s scores with a 9.925. She was among three Utah gymnasts to “stick it like a lawn dart.” Lewis and Merrell-Giles were the others who stuck their dismounts, scoring h 9.85 and 9.875 respectively to help the team post a 49.3375.
It was just enough to put Utah in third place at the midway point. Oklahoma (98.9625), Florida (98.787) and Utah (98.5625) were first, second and third after every team competed on two events. Cal (98.2125), Washington (98.0625) and Kentucky (97.5875) rounded out the standings.
Next for Utah was the beam, where the third spot in the lineup was questionable all week. Still suffering from a knee injury, Alexia Burch’s spot was either going to Sydney Soloski or Shannon McNatt. Soloski won the job and felt pressure after Merrell-Giles fell as the second gymnast to compete. Looking to drop the 9.275 score, Soloski posted 9.75. Utah continued to face woes as Lee (9.725) wobbled but showed her strength as she fought not to fall.
“That was sheer willpower by Kari to stay on that beam after a technical error on an aerial,” Farden said. “She didn’t give up another tenth after that.”
Reinstadtler followed with a 9.8625. For the third time of the night, Skinner secured the team high with a walk-through 9.925 routine. Her efforts helped boost Utah to a 49.1125 on the apparatus.
“After Kari kept us in it, Missy set up MyKayla brilliantly and MyKayla was perfect,” Farden added.
Once every team competed three events, Oklahoma (148.4375), Florida (148.10) and Utah (147.675) stayed in the top three. In fourth was Cal (147.50), followed by Washington (147.0625) and Kentucky (146.8125).
With third place up for grabs between Utah and Cal headed into the last rotation, the Red Rocks needed to perform like their normal, dynamite selves on floor. Routine after routine was solid. Lewis started with 9.875, Reinstadtler posted 9.8875 in the third spot, then Soloski exploded to a 9.9125. Merrell-Giles’ 9.85 clinched Utah’s third-place finish. With Skinner left to compete without any pressure, she made sure to have fun and shine in her favorite event. She absolutely lit up the floor with a stunning 9.9375 routine.
Advancing from the afternoon semifinal were UCLA (197.5625), LSU (197.475) and Nebraska (197.0125). Saturday’s Super Six begins at 5 p.m. MDT and will be televised on ESPNU and streamed live on ESPN.com.
