When something isn’t working, changes often need to be made. But there is something to be said for patience too, which is why Utah gymnastics coach Megan Marsden isn’t panicking about her balance beam lineup just yet.
The Utes are ranked just 14th on the event with a 48.992 average, but Marsden feels she might have the right lineup after Friday’s 49.2 effort in the 197.45-196.3 win over Oregon State.
There were some mistakes with Maddy Stover scoring 9.725 in her first role as the leadoff gymnast and freshman Alexia Burch earning 9.7 in her first routine as a Ute.
But Marsden liked enough of what she saw to probably stick with the lineup Friday, when the third-ranked Utes travel to No. 21 Arizona.
UTAH AT ARIZONA<br>When • Friday, 6 p.m.<br>TV • Pac-12 Network
“It wasn’t perfect, but there was enough good that happened,” she said.“It was Maddy’s first experience this year and she will get more and more comfortable so I think that is a good fit for her. Lexi had a couple of mistakes, but it was a reasonable start for a freshman in anew experience.”
The Utes are considering using Stover as the leadoff for two reasons.As a senior she has the experience and Shannon McNatt, who competed in the leadoff role the last two meets, is slowed by some plantarfasciitis.
“She isn’t healthy enough to be in there and working confidently,”Marsden said.“We’d like to rest her now in case we need to use her in the middle of the season.”
The right score
It isn’t often a 9.875 gets booed, but that is exactly what happened when MyKayla Skinner was awarded that score on Friday.The Utah sophomore received a 9.95 from one judge and a 9.8 from the other. The discrepancy was caused by her mistake in the middle pass when she lost momentum, then finished her tumbling series out of an almost standing position.
According to Marsden, the break in rhythm can lead to a .1 to .3 deduction.
“It was a major mistake,” she said. “Many athletes would have had to stop entirely but she managed to pull it out.”
By the numbers
Two-time defending national champion Oklahoma holds the top spot with a 197.538 average followed by LSU (197.283), Utah(197.142), UCLA (196.917) and Florida (196.45). Brigham Young is No. 22 with a 195.35 average.
The Utes are second on the vault (49.408), tied with Michigan for fourth on the uneven bars (49.308), 14th on the balance beam (48.992)and first on the floor (49.458).
Skinner is second in the all-around (39.633) and MaKenna Merrell-Giles is eighth (39.508). Skinner is second on the vault (9.925)and second on the bars (9.942). Merrill-Giles is third on the floor(9.933).
Around the state
The Utah State Aggies, who are coming off a 195.45 win over SanJose State (194.275) and Sacramento State (193.275), travel to Denver on Saturday. Brigham Young, which defeated Southern Utah 195.75-194.475, hosts Air Force Friday at 7 p.m. The Thunderbirds, who are still looking for their first win of the season, travel to Boise State on Friday.
NATIONAL RANKINGS<br>1. Oklahoma • 197.538<br>2. LSU • 197.283<br>3. Utah • 197.142<br>4. UCLA • 196.917<br>5. Florida • 196.45<br>6. Kentucky •196.325<br>7. Alabama • 196.308<br>8. Michigan • 196.242<br>9. Boise St. • 196.038<br>10. Arkansas • 196.008<br>22. BYU • 195.35