Utah gymnastics returns to Corvallis, Oregon for the first time since 2017, when the Beavers narrowly upset the Red Rocks with a 195.550 to 196.525 final score. After avenging the loss last season by dominating OSU 197.450 to 196.300 at home, Utah now holds a 96-10-1 record over the Beavers, however nine of those losses have come on the road. Now making their 2019 home debut, the upset-minded Beavers look to rebound after a rocky start last week, scoring 195.2250, barely edging out Illinois, Kentucky and Lindenwood.
In their first, and so far, only meet of the 2019 season, the Beavers failed to score higher than 9.8750, a score accomplished by sophomore Savanna Force. Despite failing to crack the 9.900 ceiling, the Beavers were impressively consistent in their debut, netting three 9.800’s on the vault and three 9.825’s on the beam. Their consistency was certainly they key to their win, seeing how OSU went home without a single individual event victory.
The Red Rocks will also face minimal competition for all-around honors, as sophomore Kaitlyn Yanish was the lone competitor for Oregon State last week. Finishing third, Yanish’s38.850 was the result of a 9.800 high on the vault, followed by a 9.650 effort on the bars, a 9.675 beam, and wrapping things up with a 9.725 floor.
As their first ranked opponent of the season, the 21st ranked Beavers have enough talent to push the Red Rocks, though Utah’s high-flying success on vault and bars in particular may be too much for OSU to keep pace.