The crowds at Utah gymnastic meets expect a quality showing every week.
And Saturday’s gathering of 15,558, the largest of the season, had a little extra fuel early on Saturday against the University of Washington after junior MaKenna Merrell-Giles stuck her vault to the tune of a perfect 10, which got the Utes off to a good start in a 197.7-196.25 victory over the Huskies.
“I had to go right after that,” said sophomore MyKayla Skinner. “Everyone was like ‘Wooooooo.’ I was like, ‘Calm down, calm down, calm down.’ ”
Merrell-Giles, from Pleasant Grove, won the all-around competition for a second week in a row. Her winning score of 39.675, ahead of Skinner’s 39.625.
“I just tried to do exactly what I did in practice,” said Merrell-Giles of her vault. “In the air, right before I hit my last half, I could tell it was just right there.”
Sophomore Kim Tessen had the second-best score on the vault with a 9.950 while the third-ranked Utes were paced by Merrell-Giles and Missy Reinstadtler on the uneven bars as both compiled a 9.875, second to Washinton’s Monica Riley. The day’s best mark on the beam was Skinner’s 9.9.
“I also competed at the Olympic trials with thousands of fans, but I remember coming here and it was way more amazing, way more special because they’re all there for you,” Skinner said. “They believe in you every time. You don’t feel nervous and you want to show them that we’ve got this.”
The final rotation for the Utes, the floor exercise, came with Merrill-Giles’ 9.975 as well as a 9.95 from Skinner.
“She’s in a good spot, She determined she wanted to have more fun this year,” said Utah co-head coach Tom Farden of Merrill-Giles. “(She) wanted to prove that she could reach her potential. It’s been great.
“You can see with (Kari) Lee and Skinner and Reinstadtler and MaKenna — you’ve got four really good all-around choices. I think lot of other teams around the NCAA are envious,” Farden added.
Gymnasts from both teams wore teal ribbons throughout the meet. Skinner, Merrell-Giles and Lee after the meet said they planned on wearing the ribbons for the rest of the season in support of victims and survivors of sexual assault. The action is in response to the sentencing of former Michigan State and USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
“I trained with those girls for several years. Just knowing everything that has happened, it’s very hearbreaking,” Skinner said. “It’s hurt me inside just knowing the girls I knew for so long were so affected.”
