Jaedyn Rucker Gets Pac-12 Specialist Of The Week

SALT LAKE CITY – Jaedyn Rucker got the Pac-12’s attention this week posting her first-ever collegiate perfect 10 on vault earning Specialist of the Week nods.

Rucker has been very good for the Red Rocks in the vault lineup over the years. Last season she was crowned the National Champion on vault after posting a 9.9625 on the event.

“It’s honestly one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt in my life,” Rucker said after nailing her vault. “It’s really exciting and I’m just really blessed to get it.”

Your @pac12 Specialist of the Week!

A perfect 🔟 on vault earns @JaedynRucker her first Pac-12 honor of the season!

🔗 https://t.co/9Iu2cnXsNg#trUSt | #RedRocks pic.twitter.com/pKjUidATqr

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 28, 2023

This is Rucker’s fourth time being selected as the Pac-12’s Specialist of the Week in her career and her first of the season. Rucker’s Pac-12 recognition is the fifth for the Utes so far this season as they look to close out their regular season home slate strong hosting Arizona on Friday.

Rucker, Red Rocks Make History Honoring Women In Sports

The Red Rocks had a banner night last Friday against the Cal Golden Bears posting their highest score of the season (198.550) which is also the third highest score in program history. (The highest score is a 198.600 against BYU in 2004 for anyone wondering.)

With help from Rucker’s 10, Utah tied their highest vault score of the season at 49.525 after not hitting a 49 event score the previous two meets.

The Utes also went on to post a season high mark on bars with a 49.600 and floor with a 49.675. Beam was just shy of matching their season high/school record of 49.775 with a 49.750.

Fittingly, the Red Rocks “rocked the house” while celebrating 50 years of Title IX with 47 years’ worth of Utah gymnastics legends on hand for Alumni Night to witness the new history being made. 

“I also think it’s cool,” Rucker said of being able to show out in front of some of the best to ever do it. “It just shows how cool women are and how powerful we are and it’s just really fun to be a part of.”

The clip being 22 seconds long 🥺 💖 https://t.co/HkCMZvgQ19

— Jaedyn Rucker (@JaedynRucker) February 25, 2023

Rucker, along with fellow gymnast Maile O’Keefe who also scored a perfect 10 last Friday on beam, have dedicated the past two seasons to fallen Utah football players Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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