Ask them about the 2016 season, and members of Utah's gymnastics team cringe. Whether from their own memories, or questions from media and fans, Utah's gymnasts can't help but think about it.
One can point out the positives, from a 9-1 record to a regional championship to several Pac-12 titles earned under first-year co-head coaches Tom Farden and Megan Marsden.
But those achievements were overshadowed after the team unraveled at the NCAA championships, falling apart on the balance beam to finish ninth overall. So much for the possibility of becoming Utah's first national title team since 1995. Instead, the senior-laden team returned home early.
Eight months later, some of the shock has worn off. But what happened last year has stayed with the Utes, becoming motivation for 2017.
"We've worked so hard at becoming a better beam team," said Baely Rowe, the Utes' lone senior and a two-time All-American. "We've been working on being perfect through our practices to make sure each routine we hit is an A-plus. We've worked hard on that and I can't wait for everyone to see what a good beam team we have become."
Utah's season of redemption, if you will, begins Saturday when the Utes host Michigan at 5 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.
Rowe and her teammates speak with confidence borne from an impressive Red Rocks showing in December that featured more complete routines and difficulty than similar events in the past. But they also know why fans might be skeptical after what happened last year.
"We are going into the season one step at a time, one practice at a time, focusing on how we are going to define that moment," Rowe said. "That focus can help us get to the goals we want to accomplish."
The Utes graduated a lot of their proven routines in 2016 in the likes of Breanna Hughes, Kailah Delaney, Kassandra Lopez and Samantha Partyka.
However, there is a lot of optimism because the Utes have so much talent, even if it is inexperienced. Highlighting the newcomers is MyKayla Skinner, an alternate to the 2016 Olympic team.
"She is already showing she deserves all-around status and is proving herself in the gym every day," Marsden said. "She has more difficulty than we have ever had on floor, but what is great about her, too, is she is staying quiet and humble. You never know how international level gymnasts are going to fit into a program, but I'm really proud of the transition she is making."
Fellow freshmen Kim Tessen and Missy Reinstadtler add depth, although Tessen has been hampered by a shoulder injury.
The bulk of Utah's routines will come from its six-member sophomore class, starting with Kari Lee. Lee is in her third year with the program, having gained an additional year of eligibility after tearing her Achilles tendon and missing the final 10 meets. She is almost fully recovered and is expected to compete on everything except the floor for now.
"She is going to be a big part of our beam team and her bar sets are beautiful," Marsden said. "We are just being cautious with tumbling since that is the event she hurt herself on."
The sophomore group also features Sabrina Schwab, last year's Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and MaKenna Merrell, who has been tabbed the most improved. Both are slotted to compete in the all-around on Saturday.
Returners Shannon McNatt and Erika Muhaw add depth as does Macey Roberts, a transfer from Maryland.
Juniors Tiffani Lewis and Maddy Stover are expected to contribute in big but different ways. Lewis is contending for spots in several lineups while Stover, a co-captain with Rowe, is recovering from shoulder surgery and will compete only on the balance beam to start the season.
It is a group Marsden believes has plenty of potential. She refers to the team's mantra of "Define the Moment," hoping belief in the saying will help the Utes avoid another collapse.
"At times they felt they were getting ahead of themselves as a team, worrying about the outcome and then some things slipped through the cracks in the moment when you can make a difference," Marsden said. "They hope this can help them drive the idea of staying in the moment home. We have been preaching this idea forever, but when it comes from the group, it makes it even more powerful."
Maybe even powerful enough to make the feeling of 2016 go away for good.
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah's Baely Rowe competes on the vault as the University of Utah hosts Arizona, NCAA gymnastics at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Monday February 1, 2016.
Utah's Sabrina Schwab celebrates with teammates after her performance on the uneven parallel bars during the NCAA women's gymnastics championships, Friday, April 15, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah coach Megan Marsden looks on as a gymnast warms up, as the University of Utah hosts Arizona, NCAA gymnastics at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Monday February 1, 2016.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Sabrina Schwab flashes her "U" during her floor routine. University of Utah gymnastics fans got their first glimpse of this yearÕs team at the Red Rocks Preview intrasquad meet at the Huntsman Center, Friday, December 9, 2016.
Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner during practice at Dumke gymnastics practice facility on the campus of the University of Utah Salt Lake City Thursday January 5, 2017.
Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner during practice at Dumke gymnastics practice facility on the campus of the University of Utah Salt Lake City Thursday January 5, 2017.
Steve Griffin / The Salt Lake Tribune University of Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner, right, during practice at Dumke gymnastics practice facility on the campus of the University of Utah Salt Lake City Thursday January 5, 2017.
