Ella Zirbes delivered the defining routine of the night Friday, closing the meet with a 9.90 on floor to lead No. 5 Utah gymnastics to a 196.625 victory over No. 15 Minnesota and No. 22 Iowa in the Red Rocks’ 2026 home opener at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Zirbes’ all-around 39.350 performance helped Utah hold off Minnesota, which finished with a 195.475, and Iowa at 194.825 in front of 11,191 fans.
For Zirbes, competing in the all-around was a moment she did not expect when she arrived on campus. “I came into college never really thinking I was going to do the all-around,” she said. “Tonight was about doing what I’ve been doing in the gym and being grateful for every moment.”
Utah set the tone on vault, highlighted by Zoe Johnson, who earned a 9.925 and ignited the Huntsman Center crowd with the first “10” chants of the season.
Meet recap
The atmosphere inside the Huntsman Center remains a defining part of Utah’s home meets, something head coach Carly Dockendorf said she never takes for granted.
“It never gets old walking into the Huntsman and hearing the crowd roar for a great routine,” Dockendorf said. “Our fans are such a big reason recruits want to come here, and I always take a moment to look around and feel grateful for the people who keep showing up and supporting this program.”
The score carried extra meaning for Johnson after her final vault at nationals last year ended with a fall. “For her to go from that to sticking her vault like that, that’s how you make a statement,” Dockendorf said. The Red Rocks followed with strong vaults from seniors Makenna Smith and Ashley Glynn, opening the meet with a 49.200 and an early lead.
Smith, competing in her senior season, opened the bars lineup with a 9.90. She said the season opener brought an unexpected sense of perspective. “It didn’t really dawn on me that it was my last first meet,” Smith said. “I just want this year to feel like another year, go out there, have fun and enjoy every moment.”
Utah carried its momentum into the second rotation, with Zirbes scoring a 9.875 on bars to help push the team total to 98.350 at the halfway point.
The Red Rocks remained steady on beam despite featuring several gymnasts competing in the event in a collegiate meet for the first time. Zirbes and Avery Neff each posted a 9.875, giving Utah its strongest event total of the night at 49.250.
“She’s wanted to be in that beam lineup since she stepped foot on campus,” Dockendorf said. “She worked all summer for it, and her approach to that event really showed.”
Zirbes closed the meet on the floor with the highest score of the night, while freshman Bailey Stroud added a 9.85. The Huntsman Center also welcomed back Poppy-Grace Stickler, who returned to competition after missing all of last season with an injury.
Smith said seeing Stickler back on the floor was one of the most emotional moments of the night. “She’s worked so hard, and she deserved that moment,” Smith said.
Utah finished with a 49.025 on floor to secure the win.
Up next
The Red Rocks will face a much stiffer test next weekend, making a short drive to the Maverik Center for a quad meet against three of the top programs in the country. Utah will compete against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 LSU and No. 4 UCLA on Saturday, Jan. 10, before returning two days later for the Best of Utah meet on Jan. 12.
“That kind of environment challenges everything,” Dockendorf said. “It forces you to stay focused on yourself, adapt quickly and compete through distractions, and that’s something we need early in the season.”
