After qualifying for the Super Six on April 16 via a tiebreaker, there was no storybook ending for Greg Marsden and the Red Rocks.
Instead, Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan will walk away from collegiate gymnastics after coaching her team to its 10th overall national title.
Georgia won its fifth straight title, solidifying itself as a dynasty, by scoring a 197.825 behind an inspired performance by its senior leader, Courtney Kupets. The 2009 NCAA all-around champion earned two 10.0s, first on the bars and again on the vault. Kupets also scored a 10.0 when she earned her all-around title.
“College gymnastics is going to miss (Yoculan),” Marsden said. “She has been someone who has done a great job building that program and creating a dynasty there. She is a character who not only drew attention to herself and her school, but to the sport as a whole.”
Alabama finished second behind Georgia, posting a 197.575, which was good enough to edge out the Red Rocks, who finished third with a score of 197.425.
“Obviously this wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for,” Marsden said. “But our performance was great, I really couldn’t ask for anything more. We thought we were out of the whole thing last night and we had felt like we were given a second chance and we just wanted to take advantage of it, and they certainly did that tonight. I can’t say enough about how they performed.”
Utah stumbled out of the gates, scoring a 49.175 on the beam, which was its fourth lowest score of the year on the apparatus. Junior Jamie Deetscreek rebounded from her 9.125 with a 9.850 in the finals. Senior Kristina Baskett recorded a 9.8758212;her only score below the 9.9 mark between both nights.
“We started on a very difficult event to start on8212;the balance beam,” Marsden said. “And we just got stronger throughout the meet. They really did a great job tonight.”
After a bye, Utah returned to action on the floor and scored a 49.4508212;the team’s third highest score all season long. Junior Daria Bijak and Baskett each scored 9.9s, while junior Annie DiLuzio rebounded from her 9.275 from the first night with a 9.925. At the midway point of the competition, Utah and Georgia were tied for first at 98.625.
Utah recorded its highest score of the night on the vault, scoring a 49.525, highlighted by four scores above 9.9. Senior Nina Kim, along with Deetscreek scored 9.9s, which was a new career high for Deetscreek. DiLuzio added a 9.925 of her own and Baskett recorded her second straight 9.950 at nationals.
Going into the final rotation, the Red Rocks needed to score a 49.675 on the uneven bars to tie Georgia atop the standings. Baskett hit the 9.9 mark yet again with her routine, but it wasn’t enough to pass Georgia. Utah scored the same as it had the night before, finishing the night with a 49.275 on bars.
“I had a great time with my teammates,” Baskett said. “I had a great time cheering with them for the last time. We did everything we could tonight and there is absolutely nothing we regret. So there’s nothing more I could ask for. We had a great time tonight and we really bounced back from (Thursday).”
“We were disappointed for about 15 minutes,” Marsden said. “But it’s over now, we did well and we’ll move on. After we get over the initial disappointment, we will look back and be proud about what we did.”
Baskett and Bijak were the only Red Rocks who qualified for the individual event championships. Bijak qualified to compete in the floor competition, while Baskett qualified for the bars, beam and vault.
“(Saturday) is a really fun night,” Baskett said. “It’s way less stressful. We get to cheer for everybody and watch everybody. It’s a completely different atmosphere than finals. I’m just excited to go out there and represent Utah.”
Associated PressThe Red Rocks finished 3rd overall at nationals. Utah finished behind Georgia and Alabama with a score of 197.425.