When a certain level of excellence is reached, winning can become, well, boring.
For almost as long as the U’s gymnastics program has existed, it has not had to worry about winning. In fact, the Red Rocks have qualified for every single NCAA Championship meet — the only program to compete in all 26.
With that type of success, the team can afford to treat the regular season as if it were actually a preseason. Utah gymnasts often remind everyone else that the wins don’t matter as much as improving as a team in preparation for when the really important regional competition begins.
What the U really has to worry about right now is staying excited about its opportunities.
“There’s a point that I start worrying about taking things for granted and becoming lackadaisical and not being passionate about improving throughout the season,” head coach Greg Marsden said.
Marsden has coached Utah to every one of its NCAA Championship appearances and all 10 of its national titles. Over the years, he has seen some teams lose their vigor and falter as the season wound to an end.
However, he doesn’t plan to allow that to happen this season. The 2008 squad improved in each of its first four meets and posted a solid score in its fifth. Ranked No. 2 in the country behind Georgia — whom they beat earlier this season — the team has proven its depth and swagger.
Nevertheless, Marsden has a plan to offset the risks of complacency.
His first tool is to utilize his depth. Marsden has already mixed up his lineup plenty, allowing gymnasts opportunities to show their worth to the team.
“I think it helps a little bit because people are having to work to keep their spot in the lineup,” Marsden said.
Second on Marsden’s apathy-prevention list is upgrades. Not even half way through the regular season, Utah has plenty of more difficult elements to sprinkle into its routines. Many are already in the works and could be unveiled in Saturday’s meet against Washington.
Kristina Baskett hopes to implement her full-in maneuver on the first pass of her floor routine.
“I need something I can just go all out on again,” Baskett said.
The junior foot faulted against Georgia and BYU and thinks the upgrade will keep her under control.
“There are some places that we have a place to go, and there are some we don’t,” Marsden said. “It’s not fun if you’re not playing with stuff.”
In the past, if his team slid off track and began not appreciating the situation, Marsden held a team meeting. With the right leadership, Utah has been able to avoid the boredom of domination.
Leadership will be crucial for the team down the stretch. If Marsden’s tools don’t cure all indifference that pops out its unwelcome head, then the challenge of Utah’s schedule should.
Utah had all season to dwell over its season-opening meet against Georgia. The Gym Dogs are three-time reigning national champions with the U finishing second the past two years.
The Red Rocks responded to the challenge by defeating Georgia for the first time since 2003. Several other highly ranked opponents reside on the Red Rocks’ upcoming schedule.
“For the last half of the season, it’s going to be much tougher when we go on the road against UCLA, Florida and Michigan,” Marsden said. Those three programs are ranked seventh, third and fifth in the country, respectively.
That sounds like a challenge about which Marsden will want his team passionate.
Anna KartashovaNew adjustments to Kristina Baskett’s routine helps keep winning fresh. Coach Greg Marsden uses depth and upgrades to help the Utes from taking their winning streak for granted.