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Utah Red Rocks end a historic 49-year streak

The Utes placed 3rd in the regional final, one spot short of advancing.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah's Makenna Smith competes on the floor earlier this season. For the first time in 50 years, the Red Rocks have failed to reach the nationals.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah's Makenna Smith competes on the floor earlier this season. For the first time in 50 years, the Red Rocks have failed to reach the nationals.

By https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/684b2f12-8528-496e-97cc-4cfa23d2fc8b.jpg Jason Batacao
 | April 6, 2026, 7:06 a.m.

Utah gymnastics’ historic streak of 49 years of making it to nationals came to an end on Sunday.

With a win, the program would’ve extended its streak to 50 years, but instead the No. 12 Red Rocks placed third in the Corvallis Regional Final with a 197.500 score, just short of UCLA (197.725) and Minnesota (197.625). Alabama placed fourth with a 197.175 finish.

Utah started the meet from behind, finishing with a 49.3 on balance beam and a 49.325 on uneven bars.

A strong performance from sophomore and former No. 1 recruit Avery Neff — a 9.95 on bars and 9.9 on balance beam — was enough to keep the Red Rocks within striking distance midway through the meet.

The Red Rocks recovered in the third rotation, notching three consecutive 9.925s to end on floor and taking a slim lead over the Bruins and

The U. couldn’t maintain its momentum on vault in the final rotation, however, with a pair of 9.8s from Zoe Johnson and Ashly Glynn sealing the program’s fate.

Neff finished second in the all-around behind 2024 Olympian and UCLA senior Jordan Chiles with a 39.650 score.

Neff and her Utes teammates Ana Padurariu and Ella Zirbes will compete individually at nationals on April 16 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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