Utah's gymnastics team is ranked fourth in the nation on vault with a 49.255 average, but the fifth-ranked Utes still see the event as the one in which they could make the biggest improvement.
The Utes, who host Stanford at 7 p.m. Friday in the regular-season finale, are still having trouble sticking vaults.
They also have only two vaults, those by MyKayla Skinner and MaKenna Merrell, that are worth 10.0.
"It really is the one area we think we can improve the overall team score the most," Utah coach Megan Marsden said. "When you are on the national contender level, it is the little details you have to work on like stuck landings that you have to do better. There are a few that are so close to true sticks, we just aren't there yet."
The Utes hope they can clean those areas up with more practice time. As for the vault values, the Utes used sophomore Shannon McNatt in the vault lineup for the first time because she has a 10.0 value vault. McNatt earned a 9.75, a score that drew a louder than normal cheer considering it was her first effort.
"The whole team was thrilled because they know how hard she has been working," Marsden said. "They know there is a fine line between being on your feet or being on your rear end and they know we need 10.0 vaults down the stretch. If she continues to build confidence and improve the landing, she could be a secret weapon for us down the stretch."
McNatt said it felt awesome to break into the lineup.
"To finally get it ready and for them to trust me and put me in the lineup, it felt incredible," she said.
One last moon walk
The first 1,000 fans in the doors on Friday will receive a free sequined, light-up Michael Jackson-style glove as a tribute to senior Baely Rowe, whose beam routine features his famous moonwalk.
Rowe, the team's only senior this year, will be recognized for her career in a pre-meet ceremony.
She is a two-time NCAA Championships All-American and the 2016 Pac-12 beam champion.
In the rankings
The Utes remained in fifth place with a 197.180 average behind Oklahoma (197.990), LSU (197.695), Florida (197.495) and UCLA (197.305). Stanford, Friday's opponent, is ranked No. 33 with a 195.185 average. ... Skinner remains second in the all-around (39.630) behind Oklahoma's Maggie Nichols (39.785). Skinner is also ranked ninth on vault (9.905) and fourth on floor (9.945). Rowe is sixth on the beam (9.910).
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Kari Lee competes on the vault for the Utes, in gymnastics action, Utah vs UCLA, at the Huntsman Center, Saturday, February 18, 2017.
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Macey Roberts reacts after vault for the Utes, in gymnastics action, Utah vs UCLA, at the Huntsman Center, Saturday, February 18, 2017.
