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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s been awhile since Utah's senior Georgia Dabritz competed in the gymnastics all-around. It wasn’t expected, but she moved into the lineup earlier this season as a last-minute beam replacement for Kailah Delaney.
“I want what’s best for the team,” Dabritz said after competing in the all-around for the first time this season. “If putting me on one event is not what’s best for the team, then I’m OK with that. I know they (the coaches) will put whoever is best in.”
But as of now, placing Dabritz on all events is what’s best for the Red Rocks. She ranks in the top three in every event: first in the all-around (39.638 season average) for the fourth straight week and floor (9.935 season average); second on vault (9.945 season average); and third on bars (9.930 season average).
This season she has won 15 events, hit all 19 of her routines and is the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week for the third time this season.
Last week’s meet was extraordinary for the Massachusetts native. Friday against Arizona State she won four events. She tied with Tory Wilson for first place on vault after earning back-to-back 10s.
It was the second time in school history for the pair of perfect scores. The last time being in 1993 with Kristen Kenoyer and Aimee Trepanier's floor routines.
Dabritz's other victories include bars (9.95), floor (9.95) and the all-around (39.675). Her impressive scores led the Red Rocks to a dominating 197.825-194.100 victory.
I knew she was a champion in the making, but until she could be consistent enough and begin to face her weakest event (beam) and make it a better event, she could not truly be a champion. At the moment she has proven she is a champion.
–Megan Marsden
Including her score on vault last week, Dabritz has earned a 10 five times during her collegiate career — bars (3) and vault (2).
Co-head coach Megan Marsden is not surprised by Dabritz’s season. When asked to describe the gymnast in one word, she says, “Champion.”
Marsden's choice of word is spot-on. Dabritz’s college career illuminates Utah’s scorecard. She has led Utah in victories her entire collegiate career while hitting 149-158 routines. Her last fall occurred during her sophomore season.
The Utes' co-captain is a 10-time All-American; 2013 NCAA uneven bars runner-up; three-time NCAA regional champion; four-time Pac-12 champion; 2014 Pac-12 Specialist of the Year; and 2012 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
She has six career Pac-12 Specialist of the Week awards and four Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week awards. Additionally, she’s won Utah co-MVP twice.
“She’s a champion in my eyes. She came to us with championship qualities,” Marsden added.
Prior to Utah, Dabritz was the 2011 Junior Olympic all-around, bars and floor champion and vault runner-up. She was also awarded 2009 and 2011 Massachusetts state all-around champion.
She's competed in USA Visa Championships (2009 and 2010) and earned a silver medal on vault at the 2009 National Gymnastics Challenge.
“I knew she was a champion in the making, but until she could be consistent enough and begin to face her weakest event (beam) and make it a better event, she could not truly be a champion. At the moment she has proven she is a champion,” said Marsden.
In the past four weeks that Dabritz has competed on beam, she has scored an average 9.8. Her career best is 9.9.
Last season she competed twice on the beam: Oregon State (9.65) and Washington (9.875).
"I was a little nervous, but I felt pretty good up there," Dabritz said of competing on the beam for the first time since midseason last year. Her effort earned a 9.850, the highest beam score for the Red Rocks.
Dabritz is scheduled to compete in the all-around Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Arena against the University of Washington. The meet starts at 5 p.m. MT and will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
