The competition for the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championship looks like a familiar one as UCLA and Utah were picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the preseason coaches’ poll announced Tuesday.
UCLA, which won the title in 2018 as well as 2012 and 2016, earned 49 points while the Utes, who won the crown in 2017, 2015 and 2014, had 42 points. The Bruins had seven first-place votes and Utah had the other one.
California (36) was picked third followed by Oregon State (30), Washington (27), Stanford (17), Arizona State (16) and Arizona (seven).
The Utes host Penn State on Jan. 5 in the season opener and face their first Pac-12 opponent when Oregon State visits Jan. 19.
Utah hosts UCLA on Feb. 23.
The Bruins are also ranked first in the national preseason poll. The Utes are fifth. Other Pac-12 teams nationally ranked at California (No. 8), Washington (No. 15), Oregon State (No. 17), Arizona State (No. 20) and Stanford (No. 21).
PAC-12 GYMNASTICS POLL
First-place votes in parenthesis
Team Pts.
1. UCLA (7) 49
2. Utah (1) 42
3. California 36
4. Oregon State 30
5. Washington 27
6. Stanford 17
7. Arizona State 16
8. Arizona 7