Utah Gymnastics Displays New Routines At Red Rocks Preview

Friday, December 15

Salt Lake City, UT

6:55 PM

University of Utah

Red Rocks Preview

Utah Gymnastics Displays New Routines At Red Rocks Preview

12/15/2023 10:59 PM | Gymnastics

Red Rocks showcase new skills and routines for their fans and what is to come in 2024

SALT LAKE CITY – The 2024 Utah Gymnastics team hit the floor of the Jon M. Huntsman Center for the first time on Friday evening, showcasing new skills and routines at the annual Red Rocks Preview before the season officially kicks off after the new year.

"I was extremely proud of the team tonight. As we talked about, lots of adversity in the fall, and for them to still have their routines in competition shape today speaks volumes of how much courage and how much talent this team has," said head coach Carly Dockendorf. "I think this is an excellent starting point. [There's] always lots of room to improve. But I think for them to go out there and just enjoy being out there and show their gymnastics, I think they've been waiting for this for a while."

Before the evening got underway the reigning beam and all-around NCAA national champion, Maile O'Keefe, was presented with her championship ring from Director of Athletics Mark Harlan and Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating Officer & SWA Charmelle Green.

The @NCAA all-around and beam Champ @maile_okeefe getting some new hardware ??#RedRocks | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/5SHOYgSRJh
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 16, 2023

With each new season comes new faces to the team and the returners become the veteran leaders of the program. For some of the newcomers to the program, the atmosphere of the Huntsman Center was something that had to be experienced to be appreciated.

"Honestly, it felt not real. It felt like a dream come true," said Ella Zirbes. "After I competed, I was taking it all in. I was like 'Wow. I actually just did this, I'm on the team.' It was just an amazing time for me."

Welcome to the @HuntsmanCenter, Ella ??#RedRocks | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/i9v4c6Eqzw
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 16, 2023

"I feel like I still try to be the same old Grace I always am, but since I do have a little more experience on the team just kind of taking that and guiding the younger ones along," said Grace McCallum. "If they have any questions, I always want to be there for them and just [that they] know that I support them no matter what."

All 14 gymnasts competed in at least one event on the night. Camie Winger, Makenna Smith, Zirbes and McCallum each competed in all four events. Utah showcased eight athletes on vault and bars, and 10 athletes on both beam and floor.

Smith was the only gymnast to compete a start-value vault of 10.0. The remaining lineup completed a Yurchenko full. As the Red Rocks look ahead to the season the deep lineup will prove to be an asset with a variety of 10.0 vaults available to go for the Utes.

Makenna making it look effortless. #RedRocks | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/dyyydgdrju
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 16, 2023

Highlights of the bars rotation were Smith in the second spot, followed by Zirbes, Amelie Morgan and McCallum with strong routines. Smith, Morgan, and McCallum all stuck their dismounts to cap off excellent routines. Rather than leading off on bars and beam for the Utes, Morgan competed fourth in the bars lineup and anchored the second beam rotation.

Winger started off the beam line-up with O'Keefe rounding out the first set of competitors on the apparatus. Utah's lineup shined through its upperclassmen of O'Keefe, Abby Paulson, Morgan and McCallum, while three freshmen also saw action.

The team worked this off-season to tune up their floor routine for both the student-athletes and the fans with a wider variety of music and taking more risks on throughout the routines. Makenna started off the rotation with her lively 70's themed routine. Abby Paulson debuted her Taylor Swift inspired routine, which was followed by strong routines from Jaylene Gilstrap and Zirbes. Rounding out the night on the floor was Jaedyn Rucker and O'Keefe with a pair of showstopping performances.

It took five years, but our Swiftie @AbbyPaulson got her favorite tunes! ??#RedRocks | #WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/BP3nYHN5P2
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 16, 2023

Smith added, "I know what 15,000 fans feels like. Honestly, nothing feels crazy different. This year I feel like my floor routine is really fun and I can engage with the crowd a lot more. I'm super excited with that but honestly, I was just happy to be out competing again and I feel like that's where I thrive."

The fourth-ranked Utah gymnasts open the 2024 campaign against Boise State on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The home opener will begin with introductions at 6:45 p.m. MT in Salt Lake City. Utah fans will be striping the arena, so be sure to follow Utah Gymnastics social media for more details as they come. The matchup can be viewed on the Pac-12 Insider. For season tickets, click here.