This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's gymnasts aren't the only ones believing they have what it takes to get back to the Super Six in 2015.
Apparently most of the coaches believe in the Utes too.
Utah was picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches' poll behind Florida, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama and UCLA.
Utah received 604 votes, including one first-place vote. Seven of the eight Pac-12 schools were ranked in the preseason Top 25.
Utah finished seventh at the 2014 NCAAs, a disappointing finish after it won the Pac-12 title and the regional. But the Utes believe they can do more this year, with Corrie Lothrop and Kassandra Lopez both looking strong as they recover from injuries and other talented gymnasts such as Georgia Dabritz and Tory Wilson returning.
"Our preseason ranking is about right given our finish last year," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "We thought we were a top-three team last year, but had some problems on the balance beam in the NCAA semifinals."
The Utes open the season Jan. 9 at BYU and host SUU, Boise State and UC-Davis in the home opener on Jan. 16. —
2015 Preseason Gymnastics Poll
1. Florida 756
2. Oklahoma 746
3. LSU 689
4. Alabama 669
5. UCLA 618
6. Utah 604
7. Georgia 596
8. Michigan 540
9. Nebraska 531
10. Stanford 525
11. Oregon St. 413
12. Auburn 364
13. Arkansas 348
14. California 326
15. Illinois 299
16. Penn St. 297
17. Minnesota 225
18. Ohio St. 197
19. Boise St. 195
20. Denver 188
21. Arizona 178
22. Kentucky 172
23. Central Michigan 117
24. Washington 80
25. Iowa St. 60