This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Prior to the NCAA Championships, Utah's gymnasts scoffed at the notion that many thought 2016 would be a rebuilding season for a young team.

In the end, the Utes proved the naysayers wrong by suffering just one loss in the regular season, taking second at the Pac-12 Championships and winning their NCAA regional. But the end of the season delivered its own lessons too, proving to the Utes that success doesn't always translate into more success.

Bolstered by a successful regular season and regional victory, the Utes went into the NCAA Championships hoping to put a stamp on the season with a good showing. Instead they crashed and burned, finishing a disappointing sixth out of six teams in their session after suffering two falls on the beam and counting another low score.

Overall the Utes placed ninth out of the 12 teams in the semifinals, their worst finish since the Super Six format was adopted in 1993.

Despite the finish, the Utes are determined to not let the NCAA experience taint their season.

There were too many good things that happened, said coach Megan Marsden, wrapping up her first season at the top of the program along with co-coach Tom Farden.

"Except for 20 minutes of a beam catastrophe, it was a great season," she said. "That is what we are trying to remind the team. I learned a lot from [predecessor] Greg [Marsden], that no matter what, the sun still comes up the next day; you have to do laundry and continue on. But athletics can definitely be cruel at times."

What made this collapse so tough for the Utes is they couldn't have predicted it. They prided themselves on consistency, hitting 276 of 288 routines this season going into the NCAAs. They embraced the philosophy that it was better to play it safe and hit than go for risky, big routines. They had also performed well in pressure situations this year and drew the favorable rotation of starting on the vault.

To suffer such a collapse on beam seemed unimaginable. For Marsden, who coaches beam, there was a bit of consolation in knowing there was little she or Farden could have done to prevent the meltdown.

"The elements they fell on were elements they'd had no trouble at all with all season," she said. "They just weren't in a good place mentally."

Rather than second-guess themselves, the Utes are trying to put the finish behind them and focus on the future and their accomplishments of 2016.

Overall, Marsden said she was satisfied with the team's development.

Senior Breanna Hughes developed into one of the nation's top all-around gymnasts, Kassandra Lopez had one of her best seasons, Baely Rowe became a strong all-around competitor and Sabrina Schwab lived up to her billing as a gymnast for the future. Samantha Partyka, Tiffani Lewis and Maddy Stover all provided key roles despite their youth.

The Utes were led by a strong group of seniors in Lopez, Hughes and Kailah Delaney, who kept the team motivated and focused throughout the year.

But as notable as their contributions were, the Utes feel they have plenty of talent to fill their roles.

In addition to the returning contributors, the Utes will also have Kari Lee back in the fold after she missed most of the 2016 season with a torn Achilles tendon.

They also welcome MyKayla Skinner, who signed with the Utes last year but deferred enrollment to focus on her Olympic dreams for 2016. The Olympic Trials are scheduled for July 8-10 in San Jose, Calif.

"I don't think we are going to do anything but stay strong," Marsden said. "We lose an incredible class. but I don't think Kari Lee has touched the surface of what she can do and with the freshmen coming in, we feel good about the future."

As for the past, they aren't going to dwell on it, Marsden said.

"We're trying to keep things in perspective and not let what happened on beam ruin a great season," she said. —

Red Rocks in 2016

In summary • The Utes exceeded some expectations, placing second at the Pac-12 Championships and winning the regionals, but then suffered their worst finish at the NCAAs.

Who they lose • Kailah Delaney, Breanna Hughes and Kassandra Lopez all graduate. Hughes is the biggest loss since she won the Pac-12 and regional all-around titles.

Who returns • Baely Rowe and Samantha Partyka lead the list of returners. The Utes will also get Kari Lee back into the fold after she missed most of the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.

Who they gain • Joining the Utes in 2017 will be three freshmen, Missy Reinstadtler, Kim Tessen and MyKayla Skinner. Skinner signed a national letter of intent with the Utes last year, but deferred enrollment to pursue a berth on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. Reinttadtler is a senior elite gymnast and Tessen is a two-time Junior Olympic national qualifier.