Red Rocks Complete Comeback In Win Over California

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Red Rocks trailed after the first two rotations but came back and beat California 197.375-197.125 on Friday at the Huntsman Center.

Once again, Red Rocks star Maile O’Keefe won the all-around title in their win over California with a 39.525. She had the best score on the balance beam and was tremendous throughout the meet. Utah entered the meet ranked No. 3 in the country and Cal was No. 9 in the nation.

Utah started the meet on the vault with Cal on the bars. Lucy Stanhope and Cammy Hall each recorded a 9.875 to lead the Red Rocks. Jaedyn Rucker added a 9.825 score, while Maile O’Keefe and Alexia Burch recorded 9.800 scores. Cal had a slim lead of 49.200-49.175 over Utah after the first rotation.

Atta girl Lucy!! Our British cup of tea scores a 9.875 after Cammy Hall also scores a 9.875 🙌

📺 https://t.co/dtPTixIuZT pic.twitter.com/OdCqQTwzlM

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 27, 2021

The Utes moved over to bars, while the Bears went to the vault for the second rotation. Maile O’Keefe and Cristal Isa led the way with a pair of 9.875 scores. Burch and LeBlanc added 9.85 scores, while both Abby Paulson and Alani Sabado chipped in 9.80 scores. The Golden Bears still had the lead at the midway point of the meet, 98.475-98.425.

Handstands on point for our birthday girl Maile O'Keefe! Maile scores a 9.875 after two 9.85s from Emilie LeBlanc and Alexia Burch!

📺 https://t.co/dtPTixIuZT pic.twitter.com/OHaT0dfGR1

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 27, 2021

On the third rotation, the Red Rocks were on the beam, with Cal on the floor. Utah exploded with a pair of 9.95 scores. The first from Cristal Isa, who posted a season-high and tied her career-high. The other came shortly after when Abby Paulson posted the second straight 9.95. Maile O’Keefe nearly had a perfect 10 but was able to get a 9.975 on the beam. For the first time in the meet, Utah had the lead, 147.925-147.675 heading into the final rotation.

Abby Paulson with our SECOND straight 9.95! 🔥🔥

📺 https://t.co/dtPTixIuZT pic.twitter.com/LqQhXxCDg1

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 27, 2021

Going into the fourth rotation, Utah was on the floor, while California was on the beam. Jaedyn Rucker posted a career-high score of 9.95. Sydney Soloski put her stamp on the meet with a 9.925.

Jaedyn Rucker rockin' her way to a career-high 9.95 😎😎

📺 https://t.co/dtPTixIuZT pic.twitter.com/yejj5X8S8o

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 27, 2021

The Red Rocks improved their record to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in Pac-12 play. They will travel to Oregon State on Friday, March 5 at 6 p.m. MST.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.