Georgia is one of the most physically talented gymnasts we ever recruited, but she had to progress with her mental approach to hit her routines. What she’s done in her career, and especially this season, is what we believed she was capable of. – Utah coach Greg Marsden
FORT WORTH, Texas — Two of Utah’s best gymnasts, Georgia Dabritz and Corrie Lothrop, know they have one guaranteed meet left as Utah competes Friday (noon MT) in the first session of the NCAA Championships. Knowing that, the senior duo is putting everything on the line in hopes of leading its team to a top-three finish in its session to advance to the Super Six team finals Saturday. And though individual accolades have never been a priority for the Massachusetts duo, each has a chance to advance to the individual finals Sunday.
When co-head coach Greg Marsden brought Lothrop to the U., he had a solid idea of what he was getting. Lothrop had competed on the international elite scene, earning an alternate spot for the 2008 Olympic team while being a U.S. National team member from 2006-2009.
With Dabritz, there was more left to the imagination. Sure, the physical talent was there as she was a Junior Olympic all-around champion, but the mental game was still rocky. So, when Dabritz fell in her first routine as a Red Rock — on the bars, no less — Marsden paused for a moment.
“I remember that well,” said Marsden. “Georgia is one of the most physically talented gymnasts we ever recruited, but she had to progress with her mental approach to hit her routines. What she’s done in her career, and especially this season, is what we believed she was capable of.”
“I had put that first fall out of my mind — maybe buried it deep,” laughed Dabritz. “I do remember what happened the next week when I competed at home and got my first 10.0 from a college judge. That’s a better memory.”
That was Dabritz’s response after the shaky start — record a 9.975 on floor in her debut at the Huntsman Center. Fans fell in love with Dabritz that day, but her journey didn’t come to fruition like many wanted until this season, as the Huntsman faithful watched her roller coaster ride with the beam finally hit a high note.
“I really look back on my career and think that the word perseverance is the best word to describe it,” said Dabritz. “I think that’s true for Corrie too because she came back so strong from the injury.”
Lothrop found success early and often, earning the Pac-12’s first all-around title as a sophomore. But things hit a roadblock the next year when she suffered the second Achilles rupture of her career — this time on the opposite foot. She worked hard to come back, putting together a great senior season that has been somewhat overshadowed by Dabritz and 2014 Pac-12 all-around champion Tory Wilson. But she’s claimed wins over Dabritz (who ranks No. 1 nationally) on bars this season, while working to earn a spot back in the vault lineup. She was the all-around runner-up to Dabritz in both the Pac-12 championships and regionals, and won the Pac-12 bars title.
“I always knew I wanted to be a college gymnast, I just wasn’t sure where,” said Lothrop. “I would say choosing Utah was the best decision I ever made because it’s been both challenging and rewarding.”
“The thing I think Corrie and I really respect about our coaches is that they didn’t give us spots to get us in the all-around this season,” said Dabritz. “I had to earn my way into the beam lineup and Corrie had to in the vault lineup.“
The irony of this year was watching Dabritz’s mental toughness reach its pinnacle, only to be tested again by her biggest challenge. She spent much of the early season commuting back and forth to Massachusetts to spend time with her club coach Laura Tebo, whom she called her ‘second mom,’ before Tebo succumbed to cancer in February.
“I really grew a lot as a person this season, and have to thank my teammates and coaches for the support,” said Dabritz.
Now, the 1-2 punch looks forward to Friday with hopes of getting Utah back in the Super Six and closing out on a high note.