Greg Marsden usually prefers a schedule that isn't too hectic for his gymnastics teams, but the opportunity to host up-n-coming Florida was too attractive to pass up, and the result is a big-time Ute "doubleheader" over the next four days beginning tonight with the U. at Corvallis.
First, the third-ranked, 3-0 Utes return to Gill Coliseum, where their fortunes haven't been that good the past four years, to meet the fifth-ranked 3-1 Beavers tonight at 8 MST. "We've won one time in about the last six years up there, so I never go up there expecting a win," says Marsden. Actually, it's twice. The Utes beat OSU in Corvallis last year, and they won the 1990 NCAA Championships there.On Monday in the Huntsman Center, Utah will host 2-1 Florida, which has the third-highest team score in the country this season, 193.325 in a loss at Georgia (194.025). It was the only date the Gators could come to Utah.
Marsden said he will use a lineup similar to the one that defeated BYU last Monday (192.50-185.425) but will likely use sophomore Sandy Woolsey on balance beam instead of senior Meredith King. Woolsey was to have gone all-around last week but was bothered by shin splints. Marsden will hold her to three events tonight hoping she'll be able to do all-around against Florida.