Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — With a new season, new team and new coaching staff, fourth-ranked Utah gymnastics came into its season opener wanting to show a new era wouldn't discourage its dynasty.
It did just that.
The Red Rocks defeated instate rival BYU 196.175-193.850.
"It's better than 0-1," Tom Farden joked of his first meet as one of Utah's head coaches.
"I'm very passionate about what I do for a living. I wanted to make sure we got off on the right foot. It's very important to me," he added.
The Utes are on the track Farden hoped for. They controlled the meet from the first rotation, leading 48.950-48.275. The Red Rocks took to the vault, which now has a new scoring system leading to lower scores — though that didn't concern the Utes.
"We weren't really focusing on scores. We were trying to stay in our bubble and stay energetic with the crowd," said senior Breanna Hughes.
All-American senior Kailah Delaney (9.850) and Hughes (9.825) earned the highest vault scores for the Utes. Delaney won the individual vault title and Hughes, who performed a Yurchenko one-and-a-half, set a personal record.
Utah kept its lead after the second rotation, where junior Baely Rowe took the reins on bars with a career-high 9.925 and All-American Kassandra Lopez earned a 9.875. Sophomore Kari Lee performed her first bars routine as a Ute and got a 9.775, while Sabrina Schwab's debut as a member of the Red Rocks resulted in a 9.750. Schwab's score didn't contribute to the team score because it was the team's lowest on the event, but she won't forget it anytime soon.
"To hear that scream was the best feeling ever," said Schwab of the 15,023 fans cheering for her.
The Huntsman Center continued to root for the Utes as they had a 98.175-96.800 edge midway through the meet. Sophomore Maddy Stover and BYU's Makenzie Halliday split the beam title, each scoring 9.825. Utah's Samantha Partyka (9.800) set a personal best on the event to start her sophomore season. Delaney and Rowe also earned 9.800, boosting the Red Rocks 147.150-145.375.
Utah stepped on the floor in the last event of the evening with confidence, but it was Schwab who ended the meet with an exclamation point. The freshman was expected to perform in an exhibition, but after warm-ups she was placed in the floor lineup. Her 9.90 score proved it was a good decision, sealing the Utes a victory sweep in all events and the win. Hughes and Delaney helped too, earning 9.850 and 9.825 respectively.
"It's a young team so we didn't know what to expect. To have been in front of 15,023 for their first experience at Utah, we couldn't be happier," said Farden.
"We know there were some jitters, but we're happy. We know as the season goes on they'll gain confidence," he added.
Utah travels to Cedar City next week for a meet Friday, Jan. 15, against No. 24 Southern Utah.
