Utah gymnast 'really excited' to compete in home state for Nationals


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SALT LAKE CITY — Freshman Samantha Partyka is arguably the most eager Utah gymnast going to Texas for the NCAA National Championship. Partyka is the only Ute on the team from the Lone Star State.

“I’m really excited to see family and friends. It’s going to be really fun to go back down to the South,” Partyka said.

The last Texan on Utah’s roster was Kyndal Robarts, who graduated in 2012. It took a few years, but co-head coach Greg Marsden successfully recruited another gymnast from the second-largest state. Partyka said she immediately fell in love with Marsden’s environment during her first unofficial visit. After visiting other programs, she knew Utah was the place for her.

“It’s such a family here,” said Partyka.

And what’s given Utah’s program the sense of family is Marsden’s legacy. Partyka said having Marsden run the Red Rocks for 40 years gave her reassurance choosing what school to attend. She also said performing in front of 15,000 fans made the decision a little easier.

“It’s been really fun getting to know Utah,” she said of the past year.

Partyka is her family’s first gymnast. Her mother, Jackie, decided to enroll her first-born child in gymnastics to release some energy after an enthusiastic game of hide-and-seek. Partyka recalled climbing on the counter while her mother was counting.

“I about gave her a heart attack. She was so scared,” Partyka said laughing.


I'm really excited to see family and friends. It's going to be really fun to go back down to the South.

–Samantha Partyka


Partyka grew to love the sport and is now one of Utah’s best vaulters. She made the lineup midway through the season and averages 9.875. Her career-best (9.925) came against Stanford, and she scored a 9.9 at the Pac-12 championships. She’s competed alongside third-ranked Georgia Dabritz, eighth-ranked Tory Wilson, 14th-ranked Kailah Delaney and 21st-ranked Kari Lee, all who have helped the Utes become the nation’s first-ranked vault team.

But Partyka’s consistency on the event is no surprise to the gymnast. She said it’s one of her favorite events, and the only thing running through her mind as she dashes down the runway is counting her steps.

“It’s something I’ve done for as long as I can remember,” she said.

As for competing at Nationals, Partyka feels ready, thanks to the seniors who have talked to the team about expectations, including the format and emotions. And to make the biggest meet of her life seem normal, Partyka said she will say a prayer and listen to her favorite artists, The Script and Ed Sheeran.

“The seniors said the most important thing is to enjoy the moment,” said Partyka. That’s just what she plans to do performing in her home state.

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