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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah's Tidd Announces Retirement From Gymnastics
1/11/2006 12:00 AM | Gymnastics
Jan. 11, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY -
Rachel Tidd, a three-time NCAA All-American for the Utah gymnastics team, and a former U.S. National Team member and World Championships competitor, has announced her retirement from the sport due to back problems. Tidd, who would have been a junior this season, placed third on the uneven bars at last April's NCAA Championships and finished 12th in the all-around. She also won All-America honors on the vault in helping Utah to a third-place NCAA finish.
"I'm very disappointed, and I know that Rachel is very disappointed," said head coach Greg Marsden. "While I have realized that this was the likely outcome for some time now, it was important to me that Rachel felt it was her decision to make. She is a talented athlete, a great student and a wonderful person. Although we miss her presence in the gym, I believe this decision is best for Rachel's long-term health."
Tidd has not trained gymnastics since the NCAA Championships. She began some light conditioning in November in hopes of recovering enough to return to gymnastics. She reached the decision to retire while home for Christmas break.
The Fallbrook, Calif., native is one of the most credentialed gymnasts ever to sign with the Utes. Her impressive pre-college portfolio included a fourth-place all-around showing at the 2001 USA Championships and an eighth-place finish on the balance beam at the 2001 World Championships. She placed 10th in the all-around at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Her abbreviated career at Utah was marred by illness and injury. A phenomenal freshman campaign saw her earn an all-around position and win the regional vault title before mononucleosis prevented her from competing at the 2004 NCAA Championships. Tidd's back troubled her for most of last season, but she stayed healthy enough earn three All-America citations. After receiving the top bar score on the first two days at the 2005 NCAA Championships, Tidd tied for the bronze in event finals with teammate Ashley Postell.
She was selected as the co-recipient of Utah's Diane Ellingson Award, which goes to the team's most inspirational gymnast. Tidd was also named a CoSIDA District VIII At-Large Academic All-American and a NACGC Scholastic All-American. The French major earned a 4.0 her first semester at Utah.
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