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Having the No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 Championships comes with its rewards, so it seems.
The Utes thought they might be starting on the balance beam, based on a random drawing by coaches at a 2014 meeting that would have made the No. 1 and No. 5 teams start on the beam.
However, Pac-12 officials are using another rotation order based on the league manual, which states the No. 1 and No. 5 seeds will start on the vault.
That rotation would give the Utes the so-called Olympic order, the preferred order by most teams because it starts and ends with power events.
According to that draw, the No. 2 (UCLA) and No. 6 (California) teams will start on bars, the No. 3 (Oregon St.) and No. 7 (Washington) teams will start on beam, and the No. 4 (Stanford) and No. 8 (Arizona St.) seeds will begin on floor.
Pac-12 officials sent out clarification for the rotations on Monday, leaving the Utes with a surprising but welcomed competition order.
Utah coach Greg Marsden had his team practicing rotations in which they opened on the balance beam in preparation for the other rotation, but said it would be easy to switch to opening on the vault, since the rotation is a familiar one.
"They've done a good job getting ready to start on beam, but let's face it, most teams prefer starting on the vault because that is what you are used to for home meets," Marsden said.
Beam has been the Utes' downfall in recent years, but they've been good on the event this season, which minimizes when they compete on the event in Marsden's and the gymnasts' minds.
"We have proved we can hit beam no matter what," senior Georgia Dabritz said. "We've been in some difficult situations, like at Oregon State, or at home, or last week at Georgia, and we have competed well, so we are confident going into this weekend."
Nevertheless, the rotation could be an advantage for the Utes, not so much because they don't have to start on beam, but because they get to end the night on floor.
That event is always a crowd-pleasing rotation, possibly making it easier for the Utes to earn big scores to either stay in front or come from behind to win.
While Marsden said he was OK with the Utes starting on beam, he admits this rotation could be an even better one for the Utes. He also believes the rotation should go to the No. 1 seed, regardless of which team that is.
"I am a big believer in rewarding teams who have been good throughout the season, and I don't think gymnastics does that enough," he said. "Other sports like basketball do that. I've heard the argument that some people don't trust the judging, but you hear that in all sports, and at some point you have to get over that."
Twitter: @lyawodraska —
Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships
P At the Huntsman Center
Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m.
Tickets • http://www.utahutes.com —
Starting event rotations
Event Afternoon Evening
Vault Arizona Utah
Uneven bars California UCLA
Balance beam Wash. Oregon St.
Floor Arizona St. Stanford