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Utah gymnast MyKayla Skinner professes to have a good attitude about being named an alternate for the five-woman U.S. team that will compete in the World Gymnastics Championships, beginning Friday in Stuttgart, Germany.
The role has to be something of a letdown for Skinner after the thrill of being named to the team, but she will remain in contention for a berth on the U.S. Olympic team for the Games in Tokyo next summer. Skinner was the U.S. team’s No. 1 alternate in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 before enrolling at Utah.
“The past 5 months have been one heck of a ride but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Skinner tweeted. “Still can’t believe I made the worlds team & get to be part of something so special!”
The Ute football team is off this weekend, enjoying the bounce-back effect of a 38-13 pounding of Washington State. Here’s my game story from that performance, and Tribune colleague Andy Larsen’s look at quarterback Tyler Huntley’s showing.
The “Utes in review” follow-up highlighted Utah’s outstanding pass defense against the Cougars.
This week, receiver Britain Covey confirmed that he likely will redshirt this season, having kept that option open by playing in four games, and restart his junior year in 2020.
Tribune news columnist Robert Gehrke advocates the State Legislature’s following California’s lead in allowing college athletes to profit from the use of their names and likenesses.
Utah’s basketball teams have launched preseason practice. The new-look Timmy Allen will be an anchor of the men’s team as a sophomore and Daneesha Provo’s return for a sixth year of college eligibility will be a bonus for the women’s team. Each team will be involved in a Pac-12 Media Day next week in San Francisco. Dru Gylten and Kiana Moore will be there for the women’s program Monday; Allen and Both Gach will represent the men’s team Tuesday.
Both teams will be showcase in the “Night With the Utes” preview event, Oct. 15 at the Huntsman Center.
Other voices
Pac-12 expert Jon Wilner is launching a series examining commissioner Larry Scott’s 10 years on the job (MERC).
Steve Bartle of 247Sports.com looks into the grading of Pac-12 quarterbacks this season (247).
Joe Coles of the Deseret News has Ute linebacker Francis Bernard break down his key plays vs. Washington State (DNEWS).
Around campus
• Utah’s women’s soccer team (5-3-2) opened Pac-12 play last week with a 2-2 tie at Arizona State, with goals from Courtney Talbot and Aleea Gwerder. The Utes will host Oregon State on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Oregon on Sunday (1 p.m.) at the new Ute Field on campus.
• The No. 20 Ute women’s volleyball team (9-4, 1-1 Pac-12) lost a tough match last weekend at Oregon, after rallying to force a fifth set on the road. The Utes will visit Arizona on Friday and Arizona State on Sunday.
• Utah’s baseball team will stage two October exhibition games vs. BYU, including a Saturday (1 p.m.) contest at Smith’s Ballpark. Admission is free and fans can bring food and drinks into the stadium.
• The National Fastpitch Coaches of America recognized Utah’s softball team for having the second-best GPA (3.39) among Pac-12 programs. Ally Dickman, who graduated in May, was named an Easton/NFCA Division I Scholar Athlete for the third team, along with first-time honorees Katie Faulk, Claire Feldman, Jordyn Gasper, Ellessa Bonstrom and Haley Denning.
