The Huntsman Center is always a raucous, seething den of energy when the U gymnastics team is competing there. In the Utes’ five meets at JMHC thus far this year, they’ve averaged 9,048 in attendance and picked up five victories, running their consecutive home dual meet win total to 169 now.
However, U coach Greg Marsden is convinced that the arena will be crazier still at the team’s season finale this Saturday, and with good reason.
“The last home meet of the year is always emotional because it’s Senior Night, and it’s the last time they’ll be competing in the Huntsman Center,” Marsden said. “And we’re facing BYU, which is always a good meet. It usually comes down to the last rotation.”
Needless to say, Utah will have no shortage of motivation for trying to resolve the nagging inconsistencies that have plagued the team throughout its last several meets and as it progresses toward Regionals and NCAAs.
First off, the team and the Huntsman Center crowd will honor seniors Shannon Bowles, Deidra Graham and Lindsay Tanner, who will be making their final appearances at the Huntsman Center.
Marsden said it will be difficult to imagine the team without them.
“They’re each very unique people, but they’re all the kind you don’t replace,” he said.
Graham, who will be returning to the all-around after five weeks of just bars competition (due to a back injury), said it would be a memorable night.
“I just want to soak up every bit I can,” Graham said. “It will be special to just get out there and do everything I can to contribute. I just want to be with and help my teammates.”
One other senior on the team, Kylee Wagner, won’t be participating in the festivities, as she is applying for (and is expected to get) a medical hardship and extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, after spraining her ankle in the season-opener and missing every meet thereafter.
“That’s looking very good, though we can’t say it’s for certain,” Marsden said. “But she meets all the criteria?the injury happened in the first 20 percent of the season, and she hasn’t competed since. I think [the application process] is just a formality.”
Next, the Utes will ramp up further still because it is in state rival BYU they’ll face.
Though it doesn’t appear to be much of a rivalry, with Utah leading the all-time series 67 2, the Utes know that is misleading, especially given that the 15th-ranked Cougs have come closer than anyone in the last 15 years to beating Utah at home, losing by just 0.5 points in 2000. Last year, Utah needed a school record 197.925 to keep the Cougars at bay.
Though Utah won the teams’ March 1 matchup in Provo by a substantial 197.250?195.525 margin, the U athletes say they can take nothing for granted against the Cougars.
“Everyone is pretty excited?we tend to get up for them,” Bowles said. “They’re a very talented team. Our focus is just going to have to be the same as it has been all year.”
Finally, the Utes are just looking for a consistent performance to close out the year after having to count falls in six of their past seven meets?including two on beam (their best event) last week alone.
“I really keep thinking this thing is going to resolve itself; I’m trying to stay positive,” Marsden said. “Ultimately, it all comes down to who peaks at the right time, who gets hot. I just like to think we haven’t used up all we’ve got during the season.”