University of Utah Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO—The defending Pac-12 champion Utah gymnastics team, which earlier this week was picked fifth in the national preseason coaches' poll, was chosen No. 2 in the preseason Pac-12 Coaches' Poll. Utah received 44 total points and three first-place votes in the Pac-12 poll, behind UCLA, which had 47 total points and five first-place votes. The Bruins were picked sixth in the national preseason poll.
 
California was third in the Pac-12 poll with 30 points, followed by Washington (28), Oregon State and Stanford (each with 27 points), Arizona (12) and Arizona State (9). California, Washington, Oregon State and Stanford were all ranked in the preseason top 20 to give the Pac-12 six nationally ranked teams.
 
Utah and UCLA have won five of the six Pac-12 Championships to date—Utah in 2014, '15 and '17 and UCLA in 2012 and '16—with Oregon State winning in 2013. This year marks the fifth year the Utes have been picked to finish second to UCLA in the preseason coaches' poll. Utah was picked first the other two years (2015-16).
 
Utah, UCLA, Washington and Stanford will square off in the second week of the season at the Elevate the Stage quad meet, hosted by the Knight Eady Sports Group in Reno, Nev., on Sunday, Jan. 14 at the Reno Events Center.
 
2018 Pac-12 Preseason Gymnastics Poll

1	UCLA (5)	47
2	Utah (3)	44
3	California	30
4	Washington	28
5	Oregon State	27
	Stanford	27
7	Arizona	12
8	Arizona State	9