This is what Utah senior Cristal Isa will remember most about her college gymnastics career
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs her beam routine during the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on March 18, 2023. Ryan Sun, Deseret News
Trent Wood is a sports writer for the Deseret News.
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Cristal Isa has been at Utah for five seasons now, and as a result she has been a part of multiple eras of Utah gymnastics history, competing alongside some of the best Red Rocks in recent memory.
Isa has a place among them, with multiple perfect 10s on beam in her career and a host of All-America honors to her name.
Almost always the most jovial person in a room, with an innate ability to talk faster than she can breathe, Isa won’t soon be forgotten up on the hill.
Now, on the eve of potentially winning a national title in her final collegiate meet, here are the moments of her career that she believes she will remember the most.
Beam as a freshman
Utah gymnast Cristal Isa hugs a teammate after her beam set during the Red Rocks Preview gymnastics event at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
Isa was a freshman in 2019 and made an immediate impact on the uneven bars. She wasn’t known for her beam work back then, but she made a statement when she got a chance.
“Competing beam for the first time as a Red Rock my freshman year. I was really not that great at beam, but I was the alternate and Missy Reinstadtler had some ankle things come up so it was my time to shine! It ended up being one of the best routines I’d ever done and it is one of my favorite moments to this day.” — Cristal Isa
Her floor routine
Cristal Isa performs on the floor during the annual Red Rocks Preview at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Isa might not be known for her floor work but competing on the event in front of 15,000 fans in the Huntsman Center remains something near and dear to her heart.
“Anytime I did floor in the 2020 season. It was my favorite routine and even if the tumbling was not the best (double pike into the splits vs OSU), it was a blast. Hearing the crowd erupt after every pass is something I will never forget.” — Cristal Isa
Saying goodbye to seniors
Utah’s Cristal Isa is congratulated by Cammy Hall after her performance on the beam during the gymnastics meet against Arizona State University at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
In five seasons at Utah, Isa saw more than her fair share of Red Rocks saw goodbye to the program, including those in her own freshmen class, such as Adrienne Randall and Cammy Hall.
“Senior Nights! It was always bittersweet because I got to see everyone I looked up to and grew up with celebrate their exit from the Huntsman. It was always an incredible night for everyone and it made my heart happy that the exiting seniors got to end with a bang.” — Cristal Isa
Her final beam routine in the Huntsman
Utah’s Cristal Isa celebrates scoring a perfect 10.0 on the balance beam during a gymnastics meet against Arizona at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, on Friday, March 3, 2023. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Isa really couldn’t have asked for a more picture perfect ending to her career at the Huntsman Center, recording a perfect 10 on beam in her final routine at home.
“My senior night on beam! I picked a song to say ‘Thank you’ to all the fans for a great five years so they knew I didn’t forget about them. It was really special to have all of my Utah gym family come together for the departing seniors. Getting the 10 and hearing the Huntsman scream loud for the last time was the best last moment I could ask for.” — Cristal Isa
The University of Utah’s Cristal Isa reacts after finishing her balance beam routine while competing against Brigham Young University, Utah State University and Southern Utah University in the Rio Tinto Best of Utah NCAA gymnastics meet at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Isa was the team’s MVP. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
More so than most gymnasts, maybe any, Isa thrived off the competition floor, sharing moments with teammates that went unseen by fans, but which left enduring marks on the Red Rocks themselves.
“Little parts of the day that people don’t see. I’m going to miss the team yoga, having different roomies for away meets, finding a new activity in different cities, getting all glammed up, snack time in the training room, and so much more.” — Cristal Isa
Cristal Isa through the years
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Utah senior Cristal Isa waits to walk onto the arena floor as she is welcomed for Senior Night before the Utah Red Rocks compete against Arizona in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, on Friday, March 3, 2023. Utah won and Isa scored a perfect 10.0 on the beam. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa scores a perfect 10.0 on the balance beam during a gymnastics meet against Arizona at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, on Friday, March 3, 2023. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Red Rocks gymnast Cristal Isa competes on the beam in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Cristal Isa signs autographs after the University of Utah Red Rocks gymnastics preview at the Huntsman Center Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah Red Rocks gymnast Abby Paulson, left, celebrates her bars routine with Cristal Isa in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on beam during the Pac-12 women’s gymnastics championship at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Saturday, March 19, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Cristal Isa walks onto the Huntsman Center floor for the University of Utah Red Rocks gymnastics preview in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah fans cheer after Cristal Isa’s beam performance during the Pac-12 women’s gymnastics championship at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Saturday, March 19, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa celebrates her bar routine as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Minnesota in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 4, 2022. | Mengshin Lin, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the uneven bars as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Minnesota in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 4, 2022. | Mengshin Lin, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the uneven bars as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the uneven bars as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa reacts after completing her beam routine, which was a perfect 10.0, as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa reacts after completing her beam routine, which was a perfect 10.0, as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the beam, earning a perfect 10.0, as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the beam, earning a perfect 10.0, as the Utah Red Rocks compete against Oregon State in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Utah won. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa reacts after competing on the bars during a gymnastics meet against Stanford at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the beam during the gymnastics meet against Arizona State University at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Utah Utes gymnast Cristal Isa performs on the floor during the NCAA regional final round at the Maverik Center on Saturday, April 3, 2021. The Utes are moving on to the next round. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Utah Utes gymnast Cristal Isa competes on the beam during the NCAA regional second round at the Maverik Center on Friday, April 2, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa celebrates after competing on the floor during the Pac-12 gymnastics championships in West Valley City on Saturday, March 20, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs on the beam as Utah and UCLA compete in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs on the bars as Utah and UCLA compete in a gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs on the Beam as Utah and Washington compete in an NCAA gymnastics match at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. #4 Utah won 197.475 to 193.300. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs on the Beam as Utah and Washington compete in an NCAA gymnastics match at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. #4 Utah won 197.475 to 193.300. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes on the floor during the Rio Tinto Best of Utah NCAA gymnastics meet at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Cristal Isa performs on the vault during the annual Red Rocks Preview at the University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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University of Utah gymnast Cristal Isa competes on the beam in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2020. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa performs on the beam during the Arizona State and University of Utah gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa lands her dismount on the beam during the Arizona State and University of Utah gymnastics meet at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News
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Utah’s Cristal Isa competes in the floor event as Utah gymnasts host Kentucky to kick off the 2020 season in the Huntsman Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
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Utah gymnast Cristal Isa enters the arena during introductions before the start of the Red Rocks Preview gymnastics event at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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