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SALT LAKE CITY — The sixth-ranked Utah gymnastics team will begin its 2015 season at BYU this Friday. There’s a lot on the line this year such as defending their Pac-12 championship title. But if the Red Rocks' preview in mid-December is any indication, the team will go farther this time around.
“It’s a good meet for us to open up with. Our girls have worked really hard since we got back from Christmas,” said co-head coach Megan Marsden.
In the preview, all four freshmen hit their beam routines, with Kari Lee and Maddy Stover turning in particularly impressive performances. This is a much-needed improvement since last year’s team faltered in the event to Nebraska during its quest for the championship.
It's a good meet for us to open up with. Our girls have worked really hard since we got back from Christmas.
–Megan Marsden
“Beam is their fortè and we're going to take advantage of that,” Marsden said of the two freshmen.
The team’s weaknesses are on floor and uneven bars where there were some hops on landings and missed hand stands. Marsden said they don’t do a lot of hard landings in practice so it was the first time the gymnasts were on the hard floor.
“We allow for the beginning of the meet season to get the girls more prepared for the harder landings on floor. We don’t like to train a lot on hard landings because it beats up their bodies and it’s a long season. We may not be as precise on our landings on floor as we’d like to be later, but I think we’ll be good enough.”
After suffering a tendon injury in her right arm, Becky Tutka will not be competiting Friday.
“I’m feeling really good. I’m building up strength again. We’re just being cautious in these first couple meets and taking it easy,” said Tutka.
Friday’s meet will start at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center and be televised on BYUtv. The Utes' first home meet will be Jan. 16 against No. 19 Boise State, Southern Utah and UC Davis.
