SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) - The University of Utah claimed the Big 12 Conference’s first gymnastics regular-season title. The Red Rocks earned the title Friday after a 198.075-197.525 victory against Denver to go 6-0 during league play. Utah won the title in its first year as a member of the Conference.
"Obviously really proud of the team tonight," said head coach Carly Dockendorf. "I think them coming back and putting together a full meet showed their resilience, their determination, and their ability to learn from some of the lessons we learned last week. To move on, move forward, and take some of those lessons we need to move forward, and finish the season the way we envisioned."
The Red Rocks wasted no time putting Arizona State behind them as Ella Zirbes drilled a vault for a 9.925 in the lead-off position to set the tone for the entire meet. Grace McCallum and Camie Winger were good for a pair of 9.875s, while Makenna Smith posted a 9.85.
Jaylene Gilstrap and Ashley Glynn rounded out the lineup with 9.825s to give Utah a 49.350 starting point that did trail the Pioneers who put up a 49.525 on bars to start the meet.
"I thought vault was actually an excellent rotation for us tonight," said Dockendorf. "There were some big vaults, and I think their landings are really starting to pay attention to where they are at, and not just making the vaults, but dialing in a little bit to where they are."
Despite being behind to start the second rotation, Utah continued to pick up steam putting together a nice bars set (49.550) that gave them the lead for the rest of the meet.
Smith got things started with a 9.90 with Glynn right behind her posting a career-high of 9.95. McCallum put the exclamation point on the rotation, earning what ended up being one of three 9.975s on the night for the senior.
The Red Rocks continued to build their score on beam, an apparatus that gave them trouble just a week ago in Tempe, earning a season-high 49.575.
Amelie Morgan got to work first, earning a 9.925 as the lead on beam. Smith and Avery Neff in her first-time competing beam since her injury against Iowa State on January 17 both put up 9.90s while McCallum earned her second 9.975 of the night
"As the beam coach, I was very proud of them," said Dockendorf. "Obviously, we shuffled up the lineup quite a bit tonight. Amelie was very excited to be lead-off again, and I think it helps set the tone on that event. The athletes that follow her, believe in her and are confident in her. To see Avery back out there- this was her first week practicing full routines. This would have been her fourth day of full routines, and it just speaks to the quality of athlete she is and character."
Utah wrapped the meet up by posting a few more season-highs starting with the team floor score (49.600) that was compounded by McCallum's third and final 9.975, setting a new season-high in the all-around for the Olympian of 39.800.
Leading up to the Red Rock's electric finish, Glynn started the final rotation with a 9.85 that was followed by a 9.90 from Zirbes. Smith did her usual thing on the floor earning a 9.925, while Gilstrap also decided to get in on the season-high fun, tying her career high of 9.95.
Utah will enjoy a bye week before hitting the road on March 8 to face Washington, and then wrapping the regular season up at home on March 15 against No. 2 UCLA.
The 2025 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship will be held Saturday, March 22 at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. The first session is scheduled for Noon MT with the second session scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.