No. 3 Utah Gymnastics Defeats No. 12 California On Final Rotation
Feb 8, 2020, 5:10 PM
(Steve Griffin, Deseret News)
BERKELEY, Calif. – The third ranked Utah Utes gymnastics team was able to sneak by No. 12 California 197.55-197.325 after the meet was tied after the third rotation.
The Red Rocks started the meet on the bars where Kim Tessen had a career-high score of 9.975, a pair of 9.875 scores from Cristal Isa and Missy Reinstadtler. Finally, Emile LeBlanc and Abby Paulson each had 9.85 scores to give the Utes a 49.425-49.200 advantage after the first rotation.
Never. Back. Down.
The Red Rocks remain UNDEFEATED & earned a SEASON- HIGH of 197.55💥 pic.twitter.com/oEm93pTnxf
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 8, 2020
The Golden Bears took the lead after the second rotation on vault as Alexia Burch recorded a 9.90, Cammy Hall with a 9.80 and both Tessen and Reinstadtler had 9.825 scores. Cal had a 98.575-98.500 lead after the second rotation.
Utah rebounded in the third rotation on the floor with freshman Maile O’Keefe recording a career-high 9.90. Paulson and Adrienne Randall each scored a 9.875 before Sydney Soloski ended the rotation with a 9.925. The Utes and Cal were tied at 147.925 entering the final rotation.
Career-high for Maile O'Keefe on floor!! Our freshman tumbles her way a 9.90! pic.twitter.com/z0JbrpvlcK
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 8, 2020
On the beam, LeBlanc started the rotation with a 9.875 routine, followed by Burch recording the same score but O’Keefe put her stamp on the rotation with a career-high 9.95. Utah ended the beam with three fantastic performances with Cristal Isa earning a 9.90, Randall getting a career-high 9.95 score and Paulson adding a career-best 9.95 to help the Utes to victory.
WOW!! What a routine!! Maile O'Keefe with a career-high 9.95! pic.twitter.com/6Z2egeDYqJ
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 8, 2020
The Red Rocks improved their record to a perfect 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Pac-12 competition. They will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday, February 15 to face Oregon State at 1 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.
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