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If a team's maturity is graded in part by its attitude, Utah's gymnastics team would earn a high mark.
The Utes, with one senior and a combined nine freshmen and sophomores on the roster, have been steady not only in competition but their approaches to meets. That's a big reason why a letdown from the Utes as they take on Arizona State on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz., isn't expected.
The Sun Devils are averaging 193.965, the lowest-ranked school in the Pac-12. However, Utah doesn't think this weekend is set up for a letdown, even after the emotional win over UCLA a week ago.
"Beating UCLA was a big step for us," said Baely Rowe, the team's lone senior. "We not only beat UCLA, but we went 24 for 24. We have been working on a lot of little things like landings and trying to improve week after week, so that is what we want to do this week, too."
Even though the Utes scored a season-high 197.875 in beating the Bruins, Utah feels it has to improve in certain areas to be a contender in the postseason the hops on the vault landings and uneven bars dismounts in particular.
"Sticking our landings is a constant issue," junior Maddy Stover said. "We are doing it in practice, but it still isn't translating to the meets. We need to learn to do that in pressure situations."
The one time the Utes weren't able to do that was in the loss to Oregon State. But even then the Utes avoided any major meltdowns, they just didn't get the big scores they needed, or were expecting, early in the lineup to give them the necessary momentum.
Utah did a much better job of building scores against the Bruins and is putting an emphasis on doing it again against the Sun Devils, Stover said.
"I think we proved that even though we are a young team, we are capable of competing in a crazy atmosphere," Stover said. "We proved it mainly to ourselves. It was a big confidence booster, and hopefully we can continue to carry that vibe and attitude."
There will be a bit of added motivation for gymnasts Kari Lee and MyKayla Skinner. Both are from Arizona, and Skinner trained close to the ASU campus. Her club coach was Lisa Spini, whose husband, John, coached at ASU for 34 years.
"My whole club team and coaches and family will be there," Skinner said. "I know some of the girls on their team from club gymnastics, so it should be a fun meet."
Fun, but with a serious goal.
"This team has been very good on the road and at home," Utah co-coach Megan Marsden said. "We'd like to get one more high score on the road, so we are shooting for that."
No. 5 Utah at Arizona State
When • 5 p.m. Saturday
Where • Wells Fargo Arena
TV • Pac-12 Network
Records • Utah (8-1, 3-1), ASU (2-7, 0-4)
Series • Utah leads 71-16-1
Last meeting • Utah won 196.925-191.725 on March 19, 2016
Of note • The Utes have not lost in Tempe since 2000. ... Freshman MyKayla Skinner leads the Utes with 26 wins. ... The Sun Devils are coached by Jay Santos, the former coach at Eastern Michigan. ... ASU's top all-around is Nichelle Christopherson, who has a 39.025 season high.