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SALT LAKE CITY — No. 4 Utah gymnastics’ showdown with No. 15 Cal didn’t come without some scares at the Huntsman Center Saturday afternoon.
Utah (7-0, 3-0 Pac-12) remained undefeated over once-unbeaten Cal (8-1, 3-1), winning 196.450-195,725. MyKayla Skinner (39.500) won the all-around for the fifth-straight meet and MaKenna Merrell (39.375) placed second.
“This meet was a tale of two halves,” said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden.
In front of 15,326 fans, the 11th-largest crowd in school history, the Red Rocks got off to an average start. The gymnasts struggled to stick their landings, something that naturally gets better as the season progresses. Merrell and Skinner tied to win vault, both posting 9.90s. Utah led, 49.275-48.875, after the first rotation.
The second rotation was one of disaster for the Utes. Only Tiffani Lewis (9.850) performed like her usual self, and two of Utah’s last three gymnasts fell. The costly mistakes allowed Cal to catch up to Utah, and the teams were tied at 97.700 at the meet’s midway point.
“I gave a stern lecture to the bar coach,” joked Farden, who coaches the event. “We gathered after bars and I told (the gymnasts) they needed to be aggressive and determined on the beam and finish the meet strong.”
The wake-up call worked as the Red Rocks set off on beam. Maddy Stover set the tone with a season-high 9.80. Merrell followed with a career-high 9.875. Missy Reinstadtler (9.825), Skinner (9.850), Kari Lee (9.875) and Baely Rowe (9.850) rounded out the lineup to earn a 49.275 event score. It was just enough for the Utes to retake the lead, 146.975-146.600.
Momentum continued for the Red Rocks, who scored a 49.450 on floor. It was their best score on any event this season. Lewis dazzled with a season-high 9.900. Rowe (9.925) and Skinner (9.950) highlighted the meet’s end with big performances.
“I told our young team after the meet that I wanted them to feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable. That’s the kind of pressure they’ll face in every round of the postseason,” said Farden.
Utah continues its quest to the postseason with a competition against No. 14 Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. MST.
