Seniors lead Red Rocks to win over BYU and West Virginia in their final home meet

The 12th-ranked Utah gymnastics team closed out its home season Saturday afternoon, topping No. 24 BYU (196.550) and West Virginia (195.300) with a 197.650.

It was another great three-event meet for the Red Rocks that produced their second-best overall score, which will boost their National Qualifying Score (NQS).

It also shows Utah still hasn’t reached its full potential with a score that good coming off three great events rather than four.

“I mean, overall I felt like we did a really nice performance,” said Red Rocks coach Carly Dockendorf. “Were we perfect? Nope.”

Utah had a blistering start, with matching 49.50s on vault and bars to kick things off. Ella Zirbes led the way on vault with a 9.925, followed by 9.90s from Zoe Johnson, Ashley Glynn and Avery Neff.

On bars, it was senior Ana Padurariu who shined on senior night. Padurariu hit a career-best 9.975, with fellow seniors Makenna Smith and Glynn recording a 9.925 and 9.9, respectively.

“We had really good control in our landings (on vault). Same thing on bars,” Dockendorf said.

“I’m pretty sure that was the best bar routine I’ve ever seen Ana do, so for her to do that on senior night was just incredible.”

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But with the energy pumping across the Huntsman Center for senior night and the hot start, the Red Rocks struggled again to settle on beam.

Their 49.15 was lower than their typical beam set, but the positive was there were no falls, just wobbles and steps on landings.

“Kind of an uncharacteristic mistake from Liz (Gantner) in that leadoff spot and I’m not sure if that kind of tightened the group up after,” Dockendorf said.

“We’ve kind of done some of our best beam performances when it comes down to that final rotation, and they attack a little more with a fierce mindset versus trying to stay on the beam.”

No Utah gymnast recorded a score above 9.875 on beam, with Abbi Ryssman and Neff tying with four other gymnasts for the event win.

While beam wasn’t all that was desired, the Red Rocks did continue their push for consistency by matching their first two events with a 49.50 on floor.

The fourth senior competing on the night, Sarah Krump, led Utah off with a 9.850 to set the stage. Zirbes tacked on a 9.925 and Sage Curtis recorded a 9.9 later in the lineup to help boost the score.

But it was the senior Smith who had the Red Rocks faithful rocking, as she pumped up the crowd before she performed and then rewarded them with a 9.975 routine that brought down the house.

It was the best Smith has been and seemed only fitting for her to do in her last meet at home.

“I really believe that Makenna competing at Utah has been way more than just the gymnastics,” said Dockendorf. “It has been about the fan experience and her relationships that she’s built with the fans and handing out sunglasses all night.

“So for her to have that final experience and just have the entire arena cheering for her before she went and then afterward, she truly deserved that special moment.”

BYU

The 24^th-ranked Cougars were a late add to Saturday’s meet after their opponent originally scheduled for this weekend, Iowa State, canceled its season (and subsequently shut down the program).

Though it didn’t count toward conference standings because the Cougars already picked up the forfeit, the meet gave them a chance to boost their NQS.

“Thank you to Utah for inviting us to this meet,” said BYU coach Guard Young. “We’re happy with that score.”

It was the Cougars’ third-best total of the season and one that could have started off rocky.

BYU had to start on beam and saw Ava Jorgensen fall in the second spot after a strong leadoff of 9.875 by freshman Scarlett Sonnenberg.

The rest of the lineup didn’t flinch as the Cougars recorded their best event score of 49.275

“We talk a lot about having your teammates’ back, and the best way you can do that is the next girl up needs to hit,” Young said.

“Beam’s a tough event to start on, but you know, if you get a great score, then you’re off to the races.”

The Cougars were also strong on bars with a 49.15.

Event winners

All-Around — Ella Zirbes (Utah); 39.45.

Vault — Ella Zirbes (Utah); 9.925.

Bars — Ana Padurariu (Utah); 9.975.

Beam — Avery Neff (Utah), Abby Ryssman (Utah), Amber Lowe (West Virginia), Scarlett Sonnenberg (BYU), Alilah Alvarado (BYU), Brynlee Andersen-Broekman (BYU); 9.875.

Floor — Makenna Smith (Utah); 9.975.

Next up

BYU will travel across the country to face No. 14 Clemson Friday, while Utah will face longtime rival and No. 5 UCLA next Saturday in Los Angeles.