One slightly off landing during vault warm-ups was enough to take Utah senior Kyndal Robarts out of competition for at least four weeks, but maybe not the whole year as feared.

Robarts, who injured her knee prior to Utah's win at Nebraska on Saturday, is out for at least a month following further examinations Monday.

However, there is a chance she could recover in time to participate in the NCAA Regionals on April 2 or the NCAA Championships from April 15-17.

Her other option is to apply for a medical hardship, which she likely would receive.

Utah coach Greg Marsden said there is no rush for Robarts to decide her future, and she can make her decision as her recovery progresses.

"She has a lot to work through before she makes that decision," he said.

Either way, not having her on the team now is a blow to the Utes, who host No. 2 Stanford on Friday.

Robarts is ranked No. 1 nationally on the vault averaging 9.938 and is an All-American on the vault (2008) and balance beam (2010). She was the team's MVP in 2010.

"We're all still trying to accept it and deal with it," Marsden said. "We're all hurting a little bit right now, but this is what athletics is about. We need people to get ready and step up and get in and get better."

As tough a challenge as it might be, the Utes are determined to make up for her absence, freshman Mary Beth Lofgren said.

"It has hit us much more today because she is not here," she said. "We all know we have to work that much harder."

In the swingof things

Corrie Lothrop's first two collegiate gymnastics meets were much like a warm-up for an event: It took her awhile to get going, but once she did the Utah freshman rolled past the competition.

Lothrop, who won the all-around Saturday at Nebraska with a 39.375, said it took her longer to adjust to college gymnastics than she thought, thanks to a case of the jitters.

Utah's most highly touted freshman might have come to the Utes with all kinds of elite experience, but competing in the collegiate format was something totally unfamiliar to her.

"I've been pretty nervous the first couple of weeks," she said. "I didn't compete like I wanted to. Winning one, hopefully I'll be fine from now on."

Lothrop scored 39.025 and 38.975 in the previous meets.

In the rankings

Oklahoma fell from No. 3 to No. 5 while Florida and Stanford maintained their hold on the top two spots. SUU made a jump, moving four spots to No. 16.

Individually, Utah junior Stephanie McAllister is ranked No 9 in the all-around, and Lothrop is No. 14.

McAllister is ranked No. 10 on the uneven bars with a 9.858 average.

SUU's Alyssa Click is tied for No. 1 on the balance beam with a 9.875 average, and teammate Shannon Coughlin is tied for No. 13 on the floor with a 9.858 average. ++—

Gymnastics rankings

Team Season avg. Pvs. rank

1. Florida 196.708 1

2. Stanford 196.413 2

3. Georgia 196.188 5

4. Utah 195.933 4

5. Oklahoma 195.781 3

6. Alabama 195.525 NR

7. Ore. St. 195.338 6

8. Michigan 195.167 7

9. UCLA 195.119 8

10. Nebraska 195.05 9

Other

No. 16 SUU 194.658 20