Despite a rocky start, Utah’s Red Rocks gymnastics team qualified to advance to the national championship in Fort Worth, Texas, starting April 19th.
After posting a season-low 196.800 on the first day, Utah rebounded with a 197.250 in the second round of regional qualifying, .250 points shy of regional winner LSU.
The 2019 season will bring a number of changes to the national championship format. Rather than the traditional Super Six final, only the top two teams from each round will qualify for the final round of competition. Utah will face off against conference rival and defending champion, UCLA, as well as Michigan and LSU. Top ranked Oklahoma will compete alongside Georgia, Denver and Oregon State, who upset Florida in the final round of the Corvallis regional.
Utah have competed against all teams in their semi-final round, losing three meets to LSU during the 2019 season, with two losses against UCLA, while beating Michigan 197.975 to 197.350 on March 2nd, suggesting Utah’s odds of advancing to the final round will be no easy task.
Coverage for Utah’s semi-final round will be available on ESPN2 starting at 11:00 AM MT.