This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
One of the first impressions from Utah's win over Michigan in Saturday's season opener was the Utes might have the makings of the balance beam team they need to be successful.
The Utes delivered an impressive 49.225 on the balance beam with every gymnast scoring 9.8 or higher. Baely Rowe won the event with a 9.925 while freshman MyKayla Skinner had a 9.85 to earn the Utes' second-highest score. The effort virtually locked up victory for the Utes before the last rotation.
The balance beam is about the bigger picture for the Utes, who had a meltdown on the event last year at nationals. They worked in the offseason to make the event their strength, Rowe said.
Having Skinner join the lineup, plus Kari Lee return after recovering from her Achilles tendon injury, adds depth for the Utes.
Utah coach Tom Farden noticed the beam lineup seemed to have a good chemistry in the preseason, and it is continuing to develop.
"They are moving with a lot of confidence," he said. "There are some technique things they still aren't doing, but there is no panic and they are starting to settle in."
Briefly
Rowe featured a Prince medley for her floor music, developing the concept with assistant coach Meredith Paulicivic. "I love to dance and he is old school and I have an old soul," Rowe said. "It was a lot of fun to come up with it." … Utah sophomore Macey Roberts competed only on the floor but made the most of her moment, delivering a 9.85 as the second gymnast in the lineup.