PARK CITY, Utah—The Utah gymnastics team, coaches and staff spent the Labor Day weekend together at a mountain resort in nearby Park City on a team-building retreat. Inside the Silver Star Resort, the gymnasts engaged in discussions on team expectations and managing their dual role as student-athletes, as well as a life skills session on healthy cooking that included a "chopped" competition.
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As much as the Red Rocks accomplished in the rustic environs of the Silver Star Resort, they didn't let the beautiful September weekend pass by without also enjoying the spectacular scenery. In fact, first on the agenda was horseback riding at Red Pine Adventures, where the Utes covered more  than a thousand acres of alpine terrain near the Canyons Ski Resort on their horses. The riding tour featured stunning vistas of pristine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, rugged ridges and breathtaking views.
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During the retreat, the Red Rocks elected senior
Baely Rowe and junior
Maddy Stover as their team co-captains. Both are returning All-Americans—Rowe earning hers at the 2016 NCAA Championships in the all-around and on beam, and Stover winning regular-season honors on beam in 2016. Rowe, from Federal Way, Wash., was also the 2016 Pac-12 beam champion and first-team All-Pac-12 on bars. Stover, from Fullerton, Calif., was first-team All-Pac-12 on beam as a sophomore and Vice President of Utah's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
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Gymnasts attending the retreat included Rowe, Stover,
Kari Lee,
Tiffani Lewis,
Shannon McNatt,
MaKenna Merrell,
Erika Muhaw,
Missy Reinstadtler,
Macey Roberts,
Sabrina Schwab and
Kim Tessen.
MyKayla Skinner was not in attendance, but will be joining the team after Utah's fall break.
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Others participating in the Labor Day getaway were co-head coaches
Megan Marsden and
Tom Farden, assistant coach
Meredith Paulicivic, gymnastics chief of staff
Jennifer White and director of player development
Dakota Marsden.
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