MINNEAPOLIS -- After coasting to a win in its season-opener, the No. 2-ranked University of Utah gymnastics team tried the roller-coaster approach Saturday against No. 9 Minnesota. It worked -- barely.
Utah charged back from a three-event deficit to take a 194.600-194.175 victory and improve its record to 2-0. Minnesota fell to 4-1.Down 145.575-145.500 after three events, with the treacherous beam ahead, the Utes were staring at their first loss ever to Minnesota. Minnesota would finish on the normally safe floor exercise and the Gophers appeared primed for their second upset in two weeks (they beat No. 5 Michigan the week before).
"This team just refused to give up. I didn't feel like we were mentally tough to start the meet," Ute coach Greg Marsden said. "But I was extremely proud of our finish. We had the meet lost and the kids just would not give up."
One in particular shined -- freshman Theresa Kulikowski.
She captured her second all-around competition in as many weeks, scoring a 39.150. Her 9.90 beam routine shot the Utes ahead of Minnesota. Then the Utes increased their lead when sophomore All-American Shannon Bowles, the night's last competitor, one-upped Kulikowski with a 9.95.
"We have two of the best beam workers in the country finishing up our lineup," said a relieved Marsden, whose record against Minnesota improved to 15-0.
They were in good company. While Minnesota was turning out a solid floor set, Utah's Theresa Wolf (9.775), Angie Leonard (9.725), Denise Jones (9.600) and Ashley Kever (9.700) were setting up their high profile underclass stars for big scores on the beam.
Joining Kulikowski in the individual winners' circle were Jones, who won vault with a 9.750, and Bowles, the beam winner (9.95).
"This team learned some lessons about the road," Marsden said. "We have some things to work on before our meet at BYU next week. The Utes compete at BYU on Friday.