We aren’t far off on our landings, but we have to work on sticking and eliminating the hops and small steps. – Utah co-head coach Greg Marsden
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Red Rocks committed to being a great road team this season. So far, their road score of 196.9 from their season opener at BYU is their best. The fifth-ranked team seeks to build on its last road meet’s success and crack the 197.0 mark for the first time this year when it travels to No. 18 Arizona at 4 p.m. MST Saturday.
“We came in this season knowing we have to be more consistent on the road and score well,” said captain Tory Wilson.
Utah has strung together a solid season to date, which includes being undefeated (5-0, 1-0 Pac-12). But after the strong opener, the Red Rocks didn’t hit the scores they are accustomed to at home in a quad-meet victory or in a win over rival UCLA.
The scores from those meets were somewhat of a letdown because Utah has always scored well at home. Utah co-head coach Greg Marsden admits it’s the simplest of things costing the gymnasts tenths off their scores, which is probably what’s bothering the coach the most.
“We aren’t far off on our landings, but we have to work on sticking and eliminating the hops and small steps,” said Marsden. “We’re doing this in practice, but I’m not sure if we are too hyped up or excited, because we haven’t stuck them in a meet.”
“I think we are getting there,” said Wilson. “I was not happy with my meet last week, but understand what I need to fix. Everyone else knows where they need to improve as well and is working hard.”
The Red Rocks will need to eliminate the missteps to boost their overall scores. Utah holds a 55-0 all-time record against the Wildcats, who, included with Utah’s other four upcoming opponents, are averaging under a 196.0 this year. Four of the five teams are ranked in the top 20.
The reality is if Utah maintains or improves its scores, it likely won’t have a competitor threaten its overall record until No. 4 Michigan comes to town in March. That leaves Utah its own biggest opponent for the next few weeks as it works to clean up the simple things.
COACH AND STUDENT: Marsden said he never tires of competing against one of his past gymnasts who has taken up coaching. Meredith (King) Paulicivic, who is an assistant coach at Arizona, was a member of two Utah national championship teams and a three-time All-American.
LINEUP LADDER: Marsden said he isn’t expecting any major changes to the lineups unless Kari Lee’s Achilles continues to bother her. The freshman was limited to beam last week rather than her typical three events. Baely Rowe is expected to be back in her three events after being ill last week.
“Our biggest thing with lineups right now is moving gymnasts around to figure out which order works best,” said Marsden. “That movement is as much about where the gymnasts are comfortable as it is about setting up scores.”
The coach admitted some gymnasts handle the pressure of going first or last better than others who prefer to be placed in the middle. First sets the tone for the rest of the routines, while last is often set up to be the high score or faced with hitting if a predecessor falls.
RANKINGS: Senior Georgia Dabritz is tied for first in the all-around with UCLA’s Samantha Peszek, who bested the Red Rock last weekend. Dabrtiz is also ranked seventh on vault, eighth on bars and second on floor.