Utah’s gymnastics team records win over Arizona State on alumni night

Utah’s gymnastics team tallied another win Friday night, defeating Arizona State 196.450-194.925 in the Huntsman Center.

The win continued the wild 2026 ride for Utah, with vault (48.925) and bars (48.825) failing to reach into the 49.00 range, while beam (49.40) and floor (49.30) produced some of the best outcomes this year.  

“I think that’s kind of been our pattern, you know, two great events and two that maybe aren’t so great,” said Utah coach Carly Dockendorf.

“It typically ends up being the first couple that we do that aren’t great, so that is going to be important for us to be able to come out swinging first rotation and not testing things out, seeing how it’s going, and then going big the last two rotations.”

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The Red Rocks coaching staff continues to move the team forward despite the bumps in the road, and is focused on what is happening inside the gym rather than any outside noise about championship streaks and performances.

Utah has made 49 straight NCAA gymnastics championship appearances but has some work to do to boost its scoring averages for postseason seeding this year.  

“Before tonight I had talked to our team and told them that it’s so easy to go out and be great and confident when things are going well, but it’s really hard to stand back up and take a step forward when it’s not,” Dockendorf said.

For the Red Rocks, Friday’s meet definitely included some struggles, but it seemed to also have a different vibe to it, especially the latter part.

Utah looks to have settled back into being a beam team despite a rough start to the season on the apparatus, and also had the Huntsman faithful out of their seats to cheer on several floor routines that haven’t always been in the lineup this year, including local product Sage Curtis.

“I thought we brought a lot of energy on floor,” Dockendorf said.

The reality is the season has been anything but easy, leaving the Red Rocks with their lowest ranking this many meets into the year at No. 14. But sometimes the battle isn’t won in one fell swoop but rather slowly with continual progress — something that seemed to happen Friday.  

“Today obviously didn’t go exactly how we wanted, but you’re not going to get from 0 to 100 overnight, it’s not just realistic,” said Avery Neff.

One of the biggest pieces for Utah’s success is Makenna Smith. The senior, who normally battles for the all-around title and forges the way for the Red Rocks, fell on her vault landing Friday, which is a rarity in itself and then add in the rarer circumstance of back-to-back meets for Smith with mishaps.

“I talked with her a little bit tonight and it is uncharted territory for her,” said Dockendorf. “But, also our team, we haven’t been doing our job so it’s putting her in a position where she feels like she needs to be better for the team, which creates more pressure and stress for her to be great.”

The Red Rocks are back in action at Arizona on February 6.

Meet notes 

Neff claimed the all-around (39.50) and beam (9.95) titles in the win. The sophomore has been changing up her routines as of late to help with consistency and scoring.

Ella Zirbes won vault (9.9) and floor (9.925), but couldn’t contend for the all-around title after a fall on beam. It was a beautiful routine for Zirbes who, if she can find consistency, will continue to be a fan favorite on the apparatus.

Ana Padurariu won bars (9.85) and had a strong beam showing that left some scratching their heads with the final score of 9.85 after one judge threw a 9.9 and the other a 9.8.

Honoring greatness

Red Rock great Missy Marlowe was recognized for her impact on the program during the meet and for being Utah’s only winner of the Honda Cup.

The prestigious honor is given annually to the top women’s collegiate athlete across all women’s sports, with only three gymnasts ever earning the honor in its 50 years.

Utah had over 50 alumni in attendance for alumni night and to cheer on their fellow Red Rocks.

Event winners

All-Around — Avery Neff (Utah); 39.500

Vault — Ella Zirbes (Utah); 9.9 

Bars — Ana Padurariu (Utah); 9.85

Beam — Avery Neff (Utah); 9.95

Floor — Ella Zirbes (Utah); 9.925