Upcoming Event: Gymnastics versus Red Rocks Preview on December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Gymnastics
vs Red Rocks Preview
The University of Utah Athletics
Friday, December 13
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Red Rocks Preview
Fans Get Glimpse of No. 5 Utah at Red Rocks Preview
12/13/2019 10:05 PM | Gymnastics
Utes put together solid performances on bars and beam.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah gymnastics fans were able to get a glimpse of what is in store for the 2020 season Friday night at the Red Rocks Preview. All 12 Utes available to compete saw action in a least one event in the exhibition meet, including Utah's three standout freshmen and junior transfer Emilie LeBlanc.
Utah competed nine vaults, while the remaining three events showed eight routines. With many gymnasts competing for lineup spots, the Red Rocks were able to get in many routines and give the team the opportunity to compete in front of a crowd.
"You have to get one under your belt," said Utah's fifth-year head coach Tom Farden. "I say this every year, but nothing says hello like the gym floor. We practice in the Dumke and it is a world-class facility, but when you go in the Huntsman and there are judges and TV crews, it changes things. We are going to learn from it with this team. They are anxious to learn and I am optimistic. We are pacing them a little different, taking our time and trying to peak at the right time."
Highlighting the night was sophomore Cristal Isa's return to the Huntsman Center floor. Isa debuted in the all-around in her first meet back Friday night after sustaining a season-ending elbow injury that sidelined her last season.Â
"Cristal is a fantastic all-around athlete," explained Farden. "Right now, we have her slated to go against Kentucky in the all-around and you can see why. She just brings a huge boost. Low ego, good and happy spirit about her, and an athlete who comes day-in and day-out to put the work in. For a coach you don't ask for anything more."
The Utes showed significant improvement on bars and beam, events that usually seemed to have fallen behind the strengths of vault and floor. A transfer from Maryland, Emilie LeBlanc stepped into a lead-off role for both events, while other newcomers added to the bars and beam lineups combined with the strides returners have taken to improve.
"It really helped to add Emilie LeBlanc, Abby Paulson and Maile O'Keefe," said Farden. "Those are natural beamers and so is Cristal. You infuse a number of athletes that are natural at that event and it is going to give you a different look right away. Bars is the same thing. We have a number of athletes that are healthy and doing bars. We have freshmen that came in wanting to do bars and Emilie is a transfer who right now is a pretty solid lock on both events."
With the season just under a month away and still early in training, Utah's returners and newcomers showed many moments of just how talented this team is. Along with Isa, all-arounders for Utah on Friday were Kim Tessen, Alexia Burch, and O'Keefe. LeBlanc, Sydney Soloski, and freshman Jillian Hoffman saw action in three events. Paulson and Adrienne Randall competed on beam and floor, while Reinstadtler competed on bars and vault, but is expected to see a return in the all-around come season. Hunter Dula was strong on her sole event, bars, while Cammy Hall, who suffered a season-ending injury last season, competed on vault.
No. 5 Utah will open the 2020 season against No. 12 Kentucky on Friday, Jan. 3. The season opener is set for 6 p.m. inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Â
Utah competed nine vaults, while the remaining three events showed eight routines. With many gymnasts competing for lineup spots, the Red Rocks were able to get in many routines and give the team the opportunity to compete in front of a crowd.
"You have to get one under your belt," said Utah's fifth-year head coach Tom Farden. "I say this every year, but nothing says hello like the gym floor. We practice in the Dumke and it is a world-class facility, but when you go in the Huntsman and there are judges and TV crews, it changes things. We are going to learn from it with this team. They are anxious to learn and I am optimistic. We are pacing them a little different, taking our time and trying to peak at the right time."
Highlighting the night was sophomore Cristal Isa's return to the Huntsman Center floor. Isa debuted in the all-around in her first meet back Friday night after sustaining a season-ending elbow injury that sidelined her last season.Â
"Cristal is a fantastic all-around athlete," explained Farden. "Right now, we have her slated to go against Kentucky in the all-around and you can see why. She just brings a huge boost. Low ego, good and happy spirit about her, and an athlete who comes day-in and day-out to put the work in. For a coach you don't ask for anything more."
The Utes showed significant improvement on bars and beam, events that usually seemed to have fallen behind the strengths of vault and floor. A transfer from Maryland, Emilie LeBlanc stepped into a lead-off role for both events, while other newcomers added to the bars and beam lineups combined with the strides returners have taken to improve.
"It really helped to add Emilie LeBlanc, Abby Paulson and Maile O'Keefe," said Farden. "Those are natural beamers and so is Cristal. You infuse a number of athletes that are natural at that event and it is going to give you a different look right away. Bars is the same thing. We have a number of athletes that are healthy and doing bars. We have freshmen that came in wanting to do bars and Emilie is a transfer who right now is a pretty solid lock on both events."
With the season just under a month away and still early in training, Utah's returners and newcomers showed many moments of just how talented this team is. Along with Isa, all-arounders for Utah on Friday were Kim Tessen, Alexia Burch, and O'Keefe. LeBlanc, Sydney Soloski, and freshman Jillian Hoffman saw action in three events. Paulson and Adrienne Randall competed on beam and floor, while Reinstadtler competed on bars and vault, but is expected to see a return in the all-around come season. Hunter Dula was strong on her sole event, bars, while Cammy Hall, who suffered a season-ending injury last season, competed on vault.
No. 5 Utah will open the 2020 season against No. 12 Kentucky on Friday, Jan. 3. The season opener is set for 6 p.m. inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
Utah Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 | Gymnastics' Georgia Dabritz
Monday, October 13
Fan Fest 2025 Coaches and Players Interviews: Gymnastics
Sunday, August 17
Seven New Inductees to Join Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2025
Monday, July 28
Utah Gymnastic's Grace McCallum call out from University of Utah President Randall
Thursday, May 08