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The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

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Gymnastics: UCLA Earns Comeback Win Over Utah in Final Rotation

Senior+Breanna+Hughes+attempts+a+dismount+during+her+bars+routine+in+a+meet+against+the+Arizona+Wildcats+at+the+Jon+M.+Huntsman+Center+on+Monday%2C+Feb.+1%2C+2016.+%28Kiffer+Creveling%2C+Daily+Utah+Chronicle%29
Kiffer Creveling
Senior Breanna Hughes attempts a dismount during her bars routine in a meet against the Arizona Wildcats at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016. (Kiffer Creveling, Daily Utah Chronicle)

On the road, the No. 7 Utah gymnastics team recorded its highest total score on the season. However, it wasn’t enough to beat No. 5 UCLA, who made a comeback in the final rotation and beat Utah 197.100-197.075. This was the Red Rocks’ first loss of the season.

It was a hard pill to swallow for Utah, but co-head coach Tom Farden was proud of his team’s effort and wants his gymnasts to hold their heads high for going toe-to-toe against the Bruins.

“It was an awesome meet for our young team going against a very talented UCLA team on its home floor,” said Farden.We coaches are so proud of how our gymnasts responded in this environment against one of the elite teams in the country. It shows we have the confidence to go head-to-head against anyone anywhere.”

The meet began with Utah taking the lead on the bars as Kassandra Lopez landed a 9.925 routine. Baely Rowe followed Lopez’s performance with a 9.900 score. All-arounder Samantha Partyka earned a 9.825 to add to the team’s overall score.

A solid performance on the bars was followed by a consistent showing on the vault. Kailah Delaney put together a solid performance, earning a 9.850 score. Partyka and fellow sophomore Tiffani Lewis each earned a 9.825. MaKenna Merrell also put in a 9.725 performance.

Heading into the third rotation, Utah led by slim margins over the Bruins. Eager to further its lead on the floor, Lewis earned her highest routine score of the season with a 9.825 finish. Then, Sabrina Schwab was handed a near-perfect 9.950 score. All-arounder Breanna Hughes also grabbed high marks in her 9.900 routine.

In the final rotation on the beam, the Red Rocks were eager to finish off the Bruins and celebrate with the travelling Utah fans on their biggest win of the season. Partyka kicked things off with a solid 9.875 routine, followed by Hughes and Lopez who both earned a 9.850. Delaney matched Partyka’s score and Maddy Stover showed improvement with a 9.900, allowing the Red Rocks to stay in control.

However, solid showings by UCLA on floor allowed the Bruins to leap-frog the Red Rocks to defeat their in-conference rivals.

Farden, who was of course disappointed by the loss, was also impressed with his team’s elevated work ethic to get the win.

“We did well on bars and vault to start the meet and were just outstanding down the stretch on floor and beam,” said Farden.

Even though the team is returning home without a win, it’s a valuable lesson for this young Red Rocks team, which still sees room for improvement.

The team will now seek to regain its composure next Saturday at home against Washington.

[email protected]

@chad_marquez

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