SALT LAKE CITY — As Makenna Smith stepped onto the floor mat of the Huntsman Center for the last time of her collegiate career, the crowd, who donned her patented sunglasses look, erupted in a raucous cheer to celebrate a fan favorite.
Acknowledging the crowd, Smith raised her hands in an effort to get the fans even more excited for the upcoming moment. It was a scene more like a rock concert than a gymnastics event, which is exactly how Smith likes it.
"Honestly, I was feeling a little nervous before my floor routine," Smith said. "I think just knowing it was going to be my last one, I knew exactly what my reaction was going to be at the end. So pumping up the crowd beforehand, it honestly calmed me down, and it kind of grounded me a bit."
With "Thunderstuck" by AC/DC serving as her background music, Smith delivered arguably her best floor routine as a member of the Red Rocks. And as she held her final pose, the crowd rose to its feet in celebration — both for her dynamic floor performance and a gesture to her remarkable career over the last four seasons.
Smith's teammates immediately surrounded her, overwhelming her with hugs and congratulations — all while she wiped away tears and then walked out to the center of the floor to acknowledge the fans and their support over the years with raised hands of praise.
It was like watching Michael Jordan score his last bucket in the NBA and everyone in attendance understanding the importance of the moment.
While not truly equal in proportion to one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, Smith's four-year career had a resounding impact that went beyond just her gymnastics. It was also her larger-than-life personality that brought true entertainment value to the sport.
And for the last time in the Huntsman Center, it was a top moment as Smith narrowly missed out on a perfect score and earned a 9.975 to help the Red Rocks to a 197.650 score to top BYU (196.550) and West Virginia (195.300), and to go undefeated in Big 12 play for the second consecutive season.
"When I landed my last pass, I just could feel it that it was one of the best routines I've done," Smith said. "And hearing the crowd and seeing everybody else so excited, it was just unreal."
"I really, truly believe that Makenna competing at Utah has been way more than just the gymnastics," head coach Carly Dockendorf said. "It has been about the fan experience and her relationships that she's built with the fans, and handing out sunglasses all night. For her to have that final experience and just have the entire arena cheering for her before she went and then afterwards, she truly deserved that special moment."
But it wasn't just Smith who had a standout senior night performance, as each of Ana Padurariu, Ashley Glynn and Sarah Krump had a meet to remember with strong individual performances.
Fan MVP for tonight's meet is senior Ana Padurariu. She was genuinely shocked. pic.twitter.com/5ZKmLKknan
— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) March 8, 2026
Padurariu earned the fan MVP award of the night following arguably one of her best bars performances of her career, setting a new career-high of a 9.975 on a routine that ended with a perfect stick. It was the capstone to an impressive and consistent season for Padurariu in her second year with the Red Rocks.
"I'm pretty sure that was the bars routine I've ever seen Anna do, so for her to do that on senior night was just incredible," Dockendorf said.
Glynn opened up the night with back-to-back 9.90 scores on vault and bars, while Krump tied a career-high of 9.850 in the leadoff on floor. Each contributed in their own right, highlighting each career in the Red Rocks' second-highest home score of the season.
All in all, the Red Rocks scored a 49.500 on three events — vault, bars and floor — while taking a bit of a step down on beam in what Dockendorf described as her team "tightened up a little bit."
But the overall performance of the night showcased, Smith said, how the team has come together as of late and can be some positive momentum for the postseason.
"I think it just shows that we're continuing to build. ... I think it's just amazing to see that all of our hard work in the gym is really paying off and the confidence. And that, also, if there's one event that's a little shaky, it doesn't rattle us, which I don't think I could say at the beginning of the year. So I think it's really awesome to see that turnaround."
Team scores
No. 12 Utah
- Vault: 49.500
- Bars: 99.000 (49.500)
- Beam: 148.150 (49.150)
- Floor: 197.650 (49.500)
No. 24 BYU
- Beam: 49.275
- Floor: 98.375 (49.100)
- Vault: 147.400 (49.025)
- Bars: 196.550 (49.150)
West Virginia
- Bars: 48.700
- Beam: 97.475 (48.775)
- Floor: 146.350 (48.875)
- Vault: 195.300 (48.950)
Red Rocks scores
1st Rotation: Vault (49.500)
- Camie Winger: 9.875
- Ella Zirbes: 9.925
- Zoe Johnson: 9.900
- Makenna Smith: 9.850
- Ashley Glynn: 9.900
- Avery Neff: 9.900
2nd Rotation: Bars (49.500)
- Makenna Smith: 9.925
- Ashley Glynn: 9.900
- Abbi Ryssman: 9.850
- Ella Zirbes: 9.850
- Ana Padurariu: 9.975
- Avery Neff: 9.800
3rd Rotation: Beam (49.150)
- Elizabeth Gantner: 9.725
- Ella Zirbes: 9.750
- Abbi Ryssman: 9.875
- Ana Padurariu: 9.800
- Avery Neff: 9.875
- Camie Winger: 9.850
4th Rotation: Floor (49.500)
- Sarah Krump: 9.850
- Zoe Johnson: 9.775
- Avery Neff: 9.850
- Ella Zirbes: 9.925
- Makenna Smith: 9.975
- Sage Curtis: 9.900
