Utah gymnastics defend Pac-12 title, suffer heartbreaking injury


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah gymnastics took advantage performing in the Huntsman Center as it won the Pac-12 Gymnastics Champions for the second consecutive year.

The Utes scored a 198.15 finishing ahead of UCLA (197.375), Stanford (197.175), Oregon State (196.900), Arizona (196.225), California (196.15), Washington (196.0) and Arizona State (192.7). The win came in front of the largest audience in Pac-12 Championship history. The combined attendance at the two sessions was 23,568, and the evening session drew a session-record 14,402 fans.

“We’ve been gaining confidence throughout the season, but to do this proves we’re going to excel in the post season,” said Georgia Dabritz.

Dabritz won the all-around title with a score of 39.775, setting a career best and ties the fifth-best in program history. She is Utah’s third all-around champion in four years – Lothrop (2012) and Wilson (2014). She was also named the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year.

“After all four years of being here, it’s finally coming together,” Dabritz added.

Utah won three of four events. Dabritz won floor (9.95), Tory Wilson won vault (10.0) and Corrie Lothrop earned a victory on bars (9.95). Balance beam was the only event the Utes didn’t win, but four gymnasts tied personal records – Dabritz (9.925), Maddy Stover (9.9), Wilson (9.875) and Lothrop (9.875)—and the team posted a 49.4, their second-highest score.


We've been gaining confidence throughout the season, but to do this proves we're going to excel in the post season.

–Georgia Dabritz


“It’s kind of weird,” Lothrop said of outscoring Dabritz, who has three perfect scores this season on the event. “I’ve had bar routines where the routine is really good, but I haven’t had the dismount. I’m proud of myself for having the full routine come together.”

The night wasn’t quite scripted as Utah hoped. On the last event of the night, Wilson suffered a season ending injury during her first tumbling pass. She had to be carried off the floor, leaving the entire Huntsman Center in silence.

“She was having a great night. She was on fire,” said co-head coach Greg Marsden.

And because Wilson’s night ended in every gymnast’s nightmare, the gymnasts dedicated their floor routines to her. Lothrop (9.9), Dabritz (9.95) and Tutka (9.925) completed the lineup posting some of their highest scores to date.

“There was a lot of emotion out there,” Lothrop said.

“We just need a couple days to grieve this and we all understand what to do,” added Marsden. “We’ve got depth and we need to use it.”

The Utes will use their deep roster in the NCAA Regional Championships April 4. Host sites include Auburn, California, Iowa State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and West Virginia. Utah will find their fate Monday during a Selection Show on NCAA.com.

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