Dabritz's 'brilliant' performance lifts Utah gymnastics to NCAA Championships


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BERKELEY, Calif. — The Utah gymnastics team survived a nail-biting meet at the NCAA Berkeley Regional Saturday to earn its 40th consecutive appearance to the national championships.

The Utes (196.575) placed second, falling short to Georgia (197.025) and defeating Cal (196.000), Boise State (195.375), Utah State (195.150) and BYU (194.150).

Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year Georgia Dabritz performed one of her best meets, winning every event and the all-around. She scored a 9.95 on vault, bars and floor, a 9.90 on beam and 39.75 in the all-around.

“Georgia (Dabritz) was absolutely brilliant, which she has been the entire season,” said co-head coach Greg Marsden. He added that he thought Corrie Lothrop did a nice job, and the seniors’ performance was something they expect from them.

Lothrop tied her career-best on vault with a 9.90 and scored a 9.825 on bars, 9.875 on beam and 9.85 on floor. She earned second place in the all-around with a 39.45.

But clinching a spot for nationals didn’t come easily. The Utes started the night with a season-low performance on bars. Utah ranks first in the nation on the event, but only Dabritz’s routine (9.95) was characteristic. Breanna Hughes and Kassandra Lopez earned a 9.625 and a 9.65, respectively after over-swinging the top bar on their last handstands.


Georgia (Dabritz) was absolutely brilliant, which she has been the entire season.

–Greg Marsden


Georgia and Cal had a bye during the first round, but after every team finished their first event, Georgia (49.325) and Utah (49.075) were in the lead. Following them were Utah State (48.900), Cal (48.875), Boise State (49.450) and BYU (48.375).

The Utes’ next event was beam, and Maddy Stover started the lineup with a 9.875 and Dabritz followed with a 9.90. Utah was looking strong until it suffered back-to-back falls by Kailah Delaney and Kari Lee. Baely Rowe scored a 9.70 and Lothrop finished the event with a 9.875. For the second straight event, the Red Rocks earned a season-low, scoring 48.625.

Halfway through the meet, Utah (97.700) was in third place. Georgia (98.275) and Cal (98.150) were ahead of the Utes. Other teams’ scores were Boise State 97.525, Utah State 97.475 and BYU 97.400.

“After our first two (beam) routines, I thought we were off and running,” said Marsden. The season-low scores prompted the coach to tell his team to “fight like the team I know you are,” during its first bye.

The gymnasts listened to Marsden’s words and finished the meet with a fight. They scored a 49.375 on floor with the help of Dabritz (9.95) and Lee’s (9.875) high scores. After three rotations, Cal kept its lead over Utah, 147.300-147.075.

But the Utes were seeking to soar over the Bears as they earned 49.500 on vault. Lothrop started the lineup with a 9.90. Delaney and Lee also earned 9.90s and Dabritz finished with a 9.95. Utah’s night ended with a total score of 196.575.

The Red Rocks’ second bye of the night came in the last round. The Bears finished their night on beam in the last round and needed to score a 49.275 to tie Utah for second place. Cal’s highest beam score this season was a 49.100. The pressure was on for the home team, but it fell short scoring a 48.700.

“I am disappointed that we dug ourselves in such a hole after the first two events. It felt too much like prelims at nationals last year. I was proud they didn’t give up, and I’m happy that we’re going to the championships. I hope they view it as an opportunity to show what they’re capable of,” said Marsden.

Utah’s next competition is April 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas, in the semifinals. Other regional winners to advance to the NCAA Championships include LSU, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and UCLA. Regional runner-ups Nebraska, Auburn, Stanford, Oregon State and Michigan will also compete.

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