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Tiffani Lewis doesn't remember much about her freshman performance at the NCAA Regional Championships, only that things "clicked."

"I didn't feel any added pressure," she said. "I'd been in a few times, and I just went into that meet thinking, 'I am competing.' I didn't overthink things."

That attitude was just what she and the Utes needed. Lewis, who stepped in for the injured Tory Wilson, earned 9.85 on the vault, 9.825 on the bars and 9.85 on the floor.

That performance started a trend for Lewis, who has become known for her postseason efforts. It seems when the competition ramps up, the junior does as well.

Lewis built on her regional performance to become one of Utah's best at the NCAAs, where she earned season highs of 9.9 on bars, 9.875 on vault and 9.875 on floor to help the Utes finish second.

"She thrives in it," Utah coach Megan Marsden said about Lewis in the postseason. "That freshman year, she hadn't gotten many opportunities. But when Tory went down, she was dynamite, and we learned that is the way it is with her."

Lewis had one of her best showings this season in the Pac-12 Championships, scoring 9.875 on the uneven bars and season highs of 9.95 on vault and 9.925 on the floor to help the Utes capture the title.

Lewis' vault effort was good enough to tie teammate MyKayla Skinner for first.

Lewis said part of her success had to do with more practice time, with a little added motivation.

"It's about getting the numbers in and peaking at the right time," she said. "I love competition, too. I am a very competitive person. I have that personality, and I know zoning in on the little things is going to transfer over to competition."

Marsden compared Lewis' postseason efforts to those of former gymnast Ashley Postell, who owns the school record with 20 All-America awards.

"Sometimes you have athletes who can just bring a little something in the postseason," she said. "There is something to be said for that."

It helps that Lewis also has a popular floor routine, one that has earned her 9.9 or higher in four of the last five meets. It plays into her competitive nature, she said.

"Last year's was very serious, this one is sassy and fun," she said. "It's definitely different, and I think a lot of the best routines are interactive."

Lewis downplayed any personal ambitions this weekend, instead focusing on the team's job of qualifying for nationals.

"As long as we go out and do what we have been doing, we should reach our goal of going to nationals," she said. "That is the opportunity we are asking for."

Don't be surprised if Lewis gets a little individual recognition in the process. —

Regional championship

Where • Fayetteville, Ark.

When • 3 p.m. MDT Saturday

TV • None

At stake • Top two teams from each region advance to NCAA Championships, April 14-15 in St. Louis

The competitors • (with national ranking and regional qualifying score) 4. Utah 197.55; 9. Denver 197.04; 16. California 196.515; 21. Auburn 196.265; 27. Arkansas 195.775; 28. Central Michigan 195.765