Utah's gymnastics team couldn't beat Florida on Friday, but it still set an NCAA record for attendance at a collegiate gymnastics meet as a crowd of 15,558 watched the Gators defeat the Utes 197-196.75 at the Huntsman Center.

The previous mark was set in 2010, when 15,552 watched the Utes beat Georgia.

Many fans with general admission tickets, which are good for the upper bowl only, had to be turned away at the door because the upper bowl sold out, reaching its limit of 6,000. Fans filled the upper concourse and stood in the aisles to watch the meet.

The only seats that were empty were some in the lower bowl that belonged to season-ticket holders.

Since Friday's meet was the last of the regular season, the Utes wisely put season tickets on sale for 2012.

The only thing missing from coach Greg Marsden's marketing plan was a win over the Gators on Friday.

"I don't take joy that fans were turned away because that means they had a bad experience," he said. "We have the greatest fans in the world who love the sport and love to see the Utes win, but they love good gymnastics, too, and they saw a great meet tonight."

The Utes averaged 13,503 fans for their six home meets.

On the rebound

Freshman Corrie Lothrop wasn't expected to compete due to her ankle injury, but was slotted into the balance beam lineup after a morning workout left her and the coaches convinced she could compete. She scored a 9.85 on the beam, tying Gael Mackie for the second-best score on the team.

"After sitting out last week, I learned it's not so much fun," she said. "I'm used to being out there and I had to play a different role and calm the team down. It was fun being out there."

From the other side

Florida coach Rhonda Faehn said she was proud of the way her team handled Utah's crowd.

"It was wonderful that we didn't let that affect us and we kept plugging away and finishing off as best as we could," she said. "I'm proud of the way the athletes hung together with everything going on around them."

lwodraska@sltrib.com —

Home attendance records

1. 15,558 • vs. Florida, Friday

2. 15,522 • vs. Georgia, Jan. 22, 2010

3. 15,238 • vs. Cal-State Fullerton, Feb. 11, 1991

4. 15,168 • vs. Boise State/Washington, March 6, 1993

5. 15,082 • vs. SUU/BYU/TWU, Feb. 6, 2009