Utah, which is coming off a two-meet weekend, doesn't compete again until March 7, when it hosts No. 10 Oregon State.
Its focus until then? Healing, and a little gymnastics.
"We started with so much depth, then in the last two or three weeks we've lost one after another after another," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "We're hoping with this week off we can stop that trend."
In addition to the injuries, several gymnasts, including Kim and Daria Bijak, have been sick. The good news for the Utes is they are in a position to go a little lighter, and not just because they don't have a competition this weekend.
The Utes (9-0) feel like they've gotten all the necessary upgrades and changes they've needed to make as they prepare for the final four meets of the regular season.
Without any urgent needs, the Utes can back off for the next several days and reflect on their accomplishments through the first half of the season.
Utah is undefeated, a feat only Oklahoma and Michigan share while senior Ashley Postell is having a record-setting season. As a team, the Utes have had just four falls out of the 192 routines performed and have yet counted a fall.
"We had a lot of expectations coming into the season, but so far what we've done has been far beyond what we thought," junior Kristina Baskett said. "We don't have much to fix. We just want to make sure we don't fall behind on our fitness and we can work on execution and polishing our landings, the little things that cost us a 10th of a point. It's not a matter of hitting anymore, but how well we do."
As for the injuries, none are expected to threaten the gymnasts' seasons. Robarts' MCL sprain isn't thought to be serious and she should be available to compete against Oregon State, while Kim hopefully will be in the lineup after missing two meets with her sprained foot.
Johnson, who has yet to compete this season, is out of the protective boot she has been wearing and has been working out on the uneven bars, as has Neff.
"Everybody is a little sore and beat up," Marsden said. "We're going to keep practices short and do a lot of soft landing stuff and let their bodies recover."
lwodraska@sltrib.com
Utah's remaining schedule
March 7: vs. Oregon State
March 14: at Florida
March 22: at Michigan
March 28: BYU
