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After losing some of the most talented gymnasts the program has had in recent years with the graduation of Georgia Dabritz, Corrie Lothrop, Becky Tutka and Tory Wilson, Utah's gymnastics team needs some of its young talent to step up and deliver big scores this year.

To that end, keep an eye on sophomore Samantha Partyka as the Utes open the season against BYU on Friday.

Partyka competed only on the vault last year thanks to a lingering back injury that started when she was a senior in high school in Katy, Texas. She did make the most of her appearances, earning All-American honors on the event.

This year, she could be in the running for more awards, a lot more, as she is penciled in as a possible all-around competitor.

She is expected to compete on every event except the uneven bars during the season opener and could be in exhibition there.

"She is really coming into her own," Utah coach Megan Marsden said. "She isn't the flashiest kid, and it took her a bit to figure out the college scene, but people are going to see why we recruited her."

The Utes have some other talented up-and-comers, including freshman Makenna Merrell, who hails from Pleasant Grove, and Sabrina Schwab, who brings a solid reputation to Utah for her elegant gymnastics, but Partyka has the advantage of being around the team last year, as Marsden alluded.

Switching to college gymnastics can be a huge change for elite gymnasts, who spend much of their young careers competing as individuals. Throw in the atmosphere at Utah where more than 15,000 fans come to meets and it is easy to understand why newcomers can be a little overwhelmed at first.

However, Partyka knows what to expect. Prepared mentally and finally physically, she is ready to compete like a veteran.

"My back is a lot better so I have been able to do a lot more in practice," she said. "Last year was frustrating for me but I believe everything happens for a reason and just being around the team last year was a good experience. Now I'm really excited to get out there and see what I can do for the team."

Partyka brings plenty of credentials to the Utes, becoming a three-time Junior Olympic National Champion and competing at the elite level for two years.

However, rather than being flashy, she is just a solid, steady gymnast, Marsden said. That is why she decided to use Partyka as the leadoff gymnast on the balance beam, arguably the most pressure-filled spot out of the whole lineup.

"I think she is a champion in the making," Marsden said. "Her routines demand you pay her attention, and she just nails them."

Partyka seems confident she can handle the pressure, noting she learned what it takes to be a winner from last year's senior class.

"They gave us a lot of advice last year," she said. "Sometimes it's easy to get down on myself, but they would point out, 'It was just one day, there are 365 days out of the year and you are going to be fine.' I've been telling myself to take it one routine at a time, one step at a time, and I will be fine."

She had better be — the Utes are counting on her. —

No. 4 Utah vs. BYU

P At the Huntsman Center

Start • Friday, 6 p.m.

TV • Pac-12 Network

Live scores • utahutes.com

Of note • The Utes lead the series with BYU 93-2 and have won the past 35 meetings. …Utah is the two-time defending Pac-12 champion while BYU placed fifth in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference. … Fans will see a big change in scoring of the vault this year as the popular Yurchenko full has been downgraded to a 9.95 start value. … A pre-meet ceremony will be held to honor the Utes for their Pac-12 title.