I knew it was one of my best (floor) routines and was just waiting to see what I got. When the Huntsman Center erupts, it is really exciting. – Breanna Hughes
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s gymnastics team rolled through three events Saturday en route to a 197.125-196.25 win over Washington. The score, which was Utah’s third in a row over 197.0, gives the sixth-ranked Red Rocks (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) momentum as they face three straight road meets with all of the opponents ranked in the top 25.
“This is a good building score and good performances overall for our team,” said sophomore Maddy Stover. “One solid night in the Huntsman before the road trips.”
Along with momentum, Utah also carries confidence with it as it had its first major test on beam after Kailah Delaney fell in the fourth position. It was only the second fall this season on beam for Utah. The other came from Stover earlier in the month, but it was in the anchor position, meaning Utah already had five scores to count.
Delaney’s fall didn’t cause panic or fluster the Red Rocks at all as Baely Rowe and Stover closed the set with 9.85s — Stover considered it a bit of redemption after falling in her last home meet.
The overall beam score was 49.05, leaving many fans puzzled as the judges didn’t show much love to Utah’s beamers who hit a season high, 49.35, last week on the road at UCLA.
Utah co-head coach Tom Farden credited his team with remaining focused on their routines rather than worrying about the scores, and for closing out the set strong after Delaney’s “uncharacteristic” fall.
The Red Rocks had plenty of highlights on the night as several previous scoring highs fell. Utah matched its best vault score of the season at 49.25, led by Breanna Hughes’ and Delaney’s 9.9s.
Senior Kassandra Lopez vaulted for only the second time in her career — the other time was when she was a freshman in 2012. She hit her best mark of 9.8, leaving Utah with the mindset it may have found its final vaulter to keep the scores at 9.8 or higher.
“She’s (Lopez) been in a good spot lately — she’s competing and practicing with more confidence so it was a natural choice,” said Farden about putting Lopez into the vault lineup.
Utah shined on bars again with 49.3, led by Sabrina Schwab’s career-best 9.925. The freshman matched the score on floor. Tiffani Lewis also nabbed a 9.925 to improve on her old career-high of 9.875 on floor. And Stover had double redemption when she recorded a 9.825 after falling in her only other floor effort. Stover appeared in place of Samantha Partyka, who competed in the first three events, but was rested on floor due to a sore leg.
But the highlight of the night came from Hughes.
The senior, who had already tied her career-best on vault of 9.9, nailed her floor routine and received a 9.975 to close out the meet to a standing ovation from the 15,503 fans — the fourth largest in Utah gymnastics history. Hughes edged out Washington’s Allison Northey (39.55) in the all-around with her best effort to date of 39.575.
“I knew it was one of my best (floor) routines and was just waiting to see what I got,” said Hughes. “When the Huntsman Center erupts, it is really exciting.”
As for Farden, he simply smiled when asked about the continued improvement his team shows week in and week out.
“Every coach’s goal is to watch the student-athletes break through their own barriers — mental or physical,” said Farden. “Watching an athlete achieve their absolute best is one of the reasons why we coach.”
Event winners
Utah took home three event wins with Hughes and Delaney tying on vault (9.9), Schwab won bars (9.925), and Hughes grabbed floor at 9.975. Northey won beam with a 9.9.
Up next
Utah faces No. 13 Stanford Saturday at 3 p.m. MST to kick off a three-meet road swing.
“This is going to be the test, the grind, three straight Saturday meets,” said Farden. “And all three are formidable opponents.”