The Red Rocks Defeat the Beavers 196.125-195.125

The No. 6 Utah Red Rocks defeated the No. 11 Oregon State Beavers 196.125-195.125. The meeting between top 15 teams drew a capacity crowd of 15,550 to the Huntsman Center. Former Utah gymnast and 16-time All-American Georgia Dabritz was in attendance for the meet to be honored for her NCAA Today's Top 10 Award.

The Red Rocks jumped out to a small lead 49.250-49.100 after the first rotation. The Red Rocks started out on vault, and the Beavers were on bars. Utah was led by a strong performance from Breanna Hughes (9.90). Kailah Delaney (9.850), Samantha Partyka (9.850), Kari Lee (9.825), and Tiffani Lewis (9.825) also posted solid scores. Oregon State was led on bars by McKenna Singley's 9.875.

Utah extended their lead after the second rotation, 98.425-98.075. Utah was led on bars by an incredible routine from Baely Rowe (9.950). Kassandra Lopez (9.875), Kari Lee (9.825), and Sabrina Schwab (9.800) all posted strong scores as well for the Red Rocks on bars. OSU was led by Madeline Gardiner (9.850) on vault.

Utah extended their lead further after three rotations 147.700-147.125. The Red Rocks posted a 49.275 on vault. Maddy Stover led Utah with a 9.925. Rowe continued her strong night moonwalking to Michael Jackson on the balance beam en route to a 9.900. Kailah Delany (9.850), Kari Lee (9.850), and Samantha Partyka (9.825) also posted strong scores on vault. Oregon State was led on floor by Madeline Gardner (9.875).

On the final event, Utah would start strong before struggling to finish on floor. They had enough though to secure the win. Hughes posted her second 9.900 on the night in the floor routine to start things off for the Red Rocks. She was followed on floor by Sabrina Schwab, who posted a 9.925. Utah's success on floor continued with a 9.875 from Samantha Partyka. Utah could not sustain the success on floor however, with Maddy Stover and Tiffani Lewis falling and Kari Lee stumbling. Oregon State struggled on beam, with two gymnasts falling and one nearly falling to start their routine. They would finish stronger but would not have enough to beat the Red Rocks.

A theme from the post-meet interviews was to finish strong and perform in the meet like in practice. Utah will have some extra time to practice this week, with the next meet against Arizona at home on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6:00 p.m. MT at the Huntsman Center.

Check out our post-meet interviews with co-head coach Tom Farden and Baely Rowe and Breanna Hughes .