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She has been the blue collar worker, the steady force, the quiet leader for Utah's gymnastics team.

It is fitting then that senior Baely Rowe, who will compete in the Huntsman Center for the last time Friday when the Utes host Stanford, has become well-known among fans not for some fancy trick or difficult move, but for simply walking.

OK, granted it is a special walk. No one else has performed the moonwalk on the balance beam like Rowe, but it's still a simple skill that leaves fans and teammates amazed for very different reasons.

Fans eat up the move, while her teammates giggle at the recognition she gets for that brief second of gliding instead of the difficult moves sandwiched around the trick.

"The triple series she does from one end to the other is so hard," Utah co-coach Megan Marsden said. "It is so difficult and risky, and she can do that walk in her sleep. But to her credit, she has made the walk special. The fans just roar when she does it."

Rowe has made a lot of things look simple on the beam, an apparatus that often strikes fear in many gymnasts but one in which Rowe thrives.

She won the Pac-12 beam title last season and is ranked sixth on the beam with a 9.91 average this year.

"I'm comfortable up there," Rowe said. "I learned at an early age to not fear it and attack it like it was the floor. It is only 4 inches wide, but you have toes to grip it."

What does create a little anxiety is knowing Friday will be her last meet in the Huntsman Center. Rowe said she started processing that two weeks ago after earning a 9.925 against UCLA.

"I was trying to soak everything in after that and enjoy it," she said. "I knew I had just one more time to do it in the Huntsman Center. This week will be bittersweet and emotional, but we still have another meet left at Georgia and then the Pac-12s and regionals and nationals. So I'm trying to approach it like it's just another meet."

Nevertheless, Rowe can't help but reflect on her career, which started as a beam specialist and evolved into being an all-around competitor.

"I worked hard to become an all-around gymnast," she said. "I knew where I wanted to be. I wanted to push the freshmen and sophomores to compete to their own potential, too. That is my role, and it has been fun to watch that happen as they grow into great gymnasts."

Rowe's evolution has been one of the most satisfying changes Marsden has seen, she said.

"To see her step outside her comfort zone and begin to take charge behind the scenes and in the locker room and on a daily basis has been something I've been proud of Baely for," Marsden said. "Her work ethic and competitive drive is part of what has helped her reach another level."

She elevated herself, just like she elevated that walk. —

Baely Rowe

Year • Senior

Height • 5 foot 3

Hometown • Federal Way, Wash.

Of note • Ranked No. 6 in the nation on beam (9.91) and 12th in the all-around (39.345). … Has six wins this season and 16 in her career. … Is 28-for-30 in hit routines this year and 128-for-134 in her career. … Set a career high in the all-around of 39.625 on Jan. 20.

Stanford at No. 5 Utah

P At the Huntsman Center

When • 7 p.m. Friday