Maile O’Keefe, Makenna Smith Receive Pac-12 Recognition For Red Rocks
Feb 14, 2023, 5:02 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Maile O’Keefe and Makenna Smith received recognition from the Pac-12 early Tuesday afternoon for their efforts to help the Red Rocks last weekend in the Metroplex Challenge.
Utah’s podium quad-meet got off to a rocky start when former Olympian and all-around star Grace McCallum had an accident on her vault, landing wrong and consequently missing the rest of the competition.
That’s where O’Keefe and Smith came in and helped by filling competition spots and providing big scores in an overall incredible team effort last weekend.
Well-deserved nods from the Pac-12 for Maile O'Keefe & Makenna Smith. Both were clutch after Grace McCallum's injury in the Metroplex Challenge. O'Keefe scored her second perfect 10 in two weeks on beam, while Smith moved into the all-around last minute seamlessly. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) February 14, 2023
Maile O’Keefe, Pac-12 Specialist Of The Week
Another week, another perfect 10 on beam for Maile O’Keefe. While those 10’s don’t actually happen every week, they certainly happen frequently enough at key moments that it’s hard to dispute the claim completely.
O’Keefe has been solid for the Red Rocks since the day she stepped on campus with beam being her ultimate canvas. Nothing shakes O’Keefe whether it’s an injured teammate, or a miscue before her which is why she’s been the long-standing anchor on the event.
Your @pac12 Specialist of the Week!
🔺 Back to Back 🔟s on beam
🔺 Back to Back Specialist of the Week🔗 | https://t.co/jzNZoz2U0I#trUSt | @maile_okeefe pic.twitter.com/1dG97rRXJG
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 14, 2023
Not only did O’Keefe’s 10 come at a perfect moment for the Utes last weekend in terms of lifting spirits and building momentum for the final push, but it also made some history for the program.
With six perfect 10’s on beam in her career, O’Keefe is now tied for first on the event with Theresa Kulikowski and very likely could stand alone at the top when all is said and done.
O’Keefe’s efforts earned her the Pac-12 Specialist of the Week for the second week in a row.
Makenna Smith, Pac-12 Freshman Of The Week
Makenna Smith was a star in crunch time for the Red Rocks filling in on very short notice for McCallum on two events after she was ruled out for the rest of the meet. Smith has been turning heads all season on vault and floor but was put to the test on bars and beam competing in her first all-around.
Smith won the all-around title with a 39.400 while posting two 9.900s on bars and floor, while posting two 9.800s on beam and vault.
Your @pac12 Freshman of the Week!
An AA debut & 1st place finish earned Makenna her first Pac-12 weekly award.
🔗 | https://t.co/jzNZoz2U0I#trUSt pic.twitter.com/mbct0K4Rol
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 14, 2023
The Albuquerque native is still very green in her career but has earned the praise of head coach Tom Farden early and often for her unflappable competition persona and being mature beyond her years.
For her last-minute performances, Smith was awarded Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
