Red Rocks Upset By Cal For First Loss Of Season
Feb 12, 2022, 7:15 PM
Utah Red Rocks’ Maile O’Keefe does her floor routine during a gymnastics meet against the Cal Golden Bears at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Utah won and O'Keefe was the team’s high scorer. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The third ranked Utah Red Rocks suffered their first loss of the 2022 season, falling to Cal 197.525-197.275 on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Rocks struggled in certain areas and despite holding a slim lead heading into the final rotation, Cal was able to pick up the upset win.
Andi Li won the all-around with a score of 39.650.
First Rotation
Utah started on bars, while Cal began the meet on vault. Amelie Morgan was the standout with a 9.925. Maile O’Keefe picked up a score of 9.90, while both Sage Thompson and Cristal Isa each pulled a 9.875. Grace McCallum fell off the bars during her routine and finished with a 9.150.
The Golden Bears were led by Nevaeh DeSouza with a 9.950. Nina Schank finished with a score of 9.90, along with a 9.850 from Maddie Williams and Andi Li.
Cal had a very small lead heading into the second rotation, 49.350-49.300.
Big time for Maile to close out the rotation with a 9.90!
💻 https://t.co/KpbSqpGsN9 pic.twitter.com/FmkImntQ67
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 13, 2022
Second Rotation
The Red Rocks moved over to vault, while Cal was on bars in the second rotation. Jillian Hoffman started things off strong with a career-high 9.90. Jaedyn Rucker had an outstanding vault with a 9.975.
Leading Cal was Andi Li with a 9.950. Gabby Perea and Maddie Williams each picked up a 9.90.
Midway through the meet, Cal held a 98.800-98.675 lead heading into the final two rotations.
Oh my goodness Jaedyn 😱 She earns a 10.0 from one judge and will settle with a season-high 9.975!!
💻 https://t.co/KpbSqpGsN9 pic.twitter.com/qjC468URNV
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 13, 2022
Third Rotation
Utah went to the floor, with the Golden Bears going to beam on the third rotation. Abby Paulson started things off with a strong 9.90. Jaedyn Rucker picked up the same score as the third gymnast in the rotation. Sydney Soloski nearly pulled off a perfect 10 but ended up with a career-high tying 9.975.
For Cal, Nevaeh DeSouza and Andi Li each led the way with a 9.90. Maddie Williams chipped in a 9.850.
Heading into the final rotation, Utah had a 148.200-148.000 lead.
No one else we want as a floor anchor 💯 Syd matches a career-high 9.975!
💻 https://t.co/KpbSqpGsN9 pic.twitter.com/NNCB2PBQrs
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 13, 2022
Fourth Rotation
In the final rotation, the Red Rocks were on beam, while Cal was on the floor. Maile O’Keefe nearly scored a perfect 10 but settled for a 9.925. Amelie Morgan had a 9.90. Cristal Isa fell on her beam routine, which sealed the win for the Golden Bears.
Andi Li scored a 9.950 to lead Cal. Maya Bordas, Nevaeh DeSouza and Nina Schank all picked up a 9.90.
Maile ends the meet with a beautiful 9.925 on beam 🙌 pic.twitter.com/JtLvTtjxwm
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) February 13, 2022
The Red Rocks dropped their record to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in Pac-12 play. They will return to the Jon M. Huntsman Center to face Oregon State on Friday, February 18 at 6 p.m. MT on the Pac-12 Network.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
