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SALT LAKE CITY — For the 41st-consecutive year, Utah gymnastics is headed to the national championships. The team won the Salt Lake City Regional with a 197.125 score, beating UCLA (196.375), Washington (195.825), Illinois (195.350), Utah State (195.025) and Southern Utah (194.950).
“It feels good to move on and continue the journey with this group,” said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden, who admits he was nervous before the meet.
In his first year as Utah’s head coach, Farden was relieved to advance to the next round.
“Once the meet gets going, you get in your groove, but Utah has been going to the national championships longer than I’ve been alive. It’s intimidating,” he said of the team that’s never missed a national championship in its existence.
The dynasty is formed by recruiting elite gymnasts, two of who won individual titles in their last Huntsman Center appearance. Seniors Breanna Hughes and Kailah Delaney won the all-around (39.525) and vault (9.90), respectively.
“I was emotional at the end, but I’m so happy,” said Delaney.
Utah began the meet on a bye, entering the competition in the second rotation on bars. Tiffani Lewis scored a 9.90 as the second competitor in the lineup, giving the Utes a spark. Kassandra Lopez (9.875) and Hughes (9.925) brought in big scores and the team was off to a lead it wouldn’t give up.
After each team finished one full rotation, Utah ranked first with 49.350, followed by Washington (49.200), UCLA (49.050), Southern Utah (48.925), Utah State (48.750) and Illinois (48.675).
The Red Rocks’ next event was beam, where they welcomed anchor Maddy Stover (9.80) back from a shoulder injury that sidelined her at the Pac-12 Championship.
“Maddy brings a lot of confidence to the beam team. It was good to see her back up there. We’re proud of her,” said Farden.
Samantha Partyka started the beam lineup with a 9.850. Delaney, Lopez and Baely Rowe also scored 9.850s. Utah didn’t score higher than Hughes’ 9.825, but it was just enough to keep it in the lead at the meet’s midway point.
The Utes and Bruins started to separate themselves apart from the other teams after two complete rotations. The scoreboard had Utah (98.575) in first, followed by UCLA (98.450), Washington (98.200), Southern Utah (97.775), Illinois (97.550) and Utah State (97.400).
After its last bye of the night, Utah competed on floor in the fifth rotation. With their adrenaline pumping again, Rowe’s 9.850 and MaKenna Merrell’s 9.875 got the team rolling. Hughes put an exclamation point on the floor set with a 9.925, boosting the Utes’ lead over UCLA to three-tenths of a point.
Utah’s leading score after three complete rotations was 147.875, followed by UCLA (147.575), Illinois (146.825), Washington (147.725), Southern Utah (146.600) and Utah State (146.075).
The vault was the last event for the Utes. It left the team with a winning 9.90 routine by Delaney and career-tying 9.875 by Lewis. Both performances helped Utah get the best vault score of the night (49.250) and the regional win — Utah’s 29th all-time regional title.
“There’s a lot going on at regionals. There’s a bit more pressure during postseason, but we always make it a goal to stay in our bubble and have fun. When we have fun, that’s when we do our best,” said Delaney.
Utah and UCLA join Pac-12 rivals Stanford and California in the NCAA Championship, which will take place in Fort Worth, Texas April 15-16. Other teams competing in the national championships include defending champion Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Minnesota, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
