Friday, December 13
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Red Rocks Preview
Utah Gymnastics Displays New Routines at Red Rocks Preview
12/13/2024 11:27 PM | Gymnastics
Red Rocks shine alongside one of a kind live piano performance
SALT LAKE CITY – The 2025 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.
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The Red Rocks paid homage to their sport for their 50th anniversary with a special live piano performance by, Toby Scott, for their 13 beam performances, along with a special floor performance to close out the evening. Capping off the event with a stunning floor routine performed by Jaylene Gilstrap, dazzling the Huntsman crowd accompanied by the live piano performance done by Scott.
"That was a pretty magical night," said head coach Carly Dockendorf. "We showed 43 routines tonight which is more than we did last year, we had 38 last year that went. We got to show some of our depth, I was so proud of our freshmen, tonight, it's intimidating to step in here, you can compete at all your club meets your whole life, but to step in this arena knowing everyone cares about you so much and cares about this program so much is a different kind of pressure."
The evening began with eight Red Rocks showing off their first vaults of the season, including newcomers Avery Neff and Clara Raposo getting their first taste of the atmosphere from the Huntsman Center crowd. Returning NCAA All-American on vault Ella Zirbes started the rotation for the Utes, followed by Grace McCallum getting her first run at the event since last season's championship final. The two Utah natives, Camie Winger and Neff followed, as Neff ignited the crowd with her first of many big vaults to come. The Utes went back to some familiar faces, leading off with another NCAA All-American in Makenna Smith, followed by Ashley Glynn and Amelie Morgan taking their first run at the apparatus. Clara Raposo closed out the first rotation, giving the Utah fans their first look at the international newcomer from Toronto.
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Said Dockendorf of Neff's spectacular first vault as a Red Rock, "What an entrance into the Huntsman, and then again, would she have done it any other way."
Tonight's Red Rocks Preview was a "dream come true" for Neff saying, "I felt like I was on cloud nine all night. I couldn't get the smile off my face."
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Utah fans saw some more new faces, as the Red Rocks rotated to bars. The 2024 NCAA All-American, Smith, led off the event for the Red Rocks, followed by Raposo. With a warm Utah welcome, Ana Padurariu executed a spectacular performance in front of the Huntsman crowd for the first time since becoming a Red Rock. A second consecutive Huntsman debut was on deck for the Cardiff, Wales, native Poppy-Grace Stickler. With 11 performances on bars, Utah brought the firepower with the final four routines of the event, closing out the event with Neff, Morgan, Zirbes and Grace McCallum.
The Red Rocks displayed 13 beam performances this evening, showing off the depth of what is to come this upcoming season. Leading off the beam lineup for the Utes was Padurariu, as Gilstrap, Smith, Neff and Morgan followed. The Utes were not short of options when it came to floor performances, showing off 11 routines, including closing out the first rotation with a performance by McCallum, before Gilstrap capped off the night with her live performance accompanied by the live piano.
Showing off the depth throughout their lineups Smith said, "I feel like the depth is a confidence booster. It's very nice to know that someone else is there and has your back and knowing you have the ability to rest if something is hurting if you need to. And it's awesome to see everyone out there killing it."
The 2025 season officially begins on Friday, Jan. 3, against Utah State. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UtahTickets.com.
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The Red Rocks paid homage to their sport for their 50th anniversary with a special live piano performance by, Toby Scott, for their 13 beam performances, along with a special floor performance to close out the evening. Capping off the event with a stunning floor routine performed by Jaylene Gilstrap, dazzling the Huntsman crowd accompanied by the live piano performance done by Scott.
ÂLive piano and Jaylene on floor? That's what we call a major performance. ??? @jaylenegilstrap#RedRocks | #DROP pic.twitter.com/w2W3cIsVYH
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 14, 2024
"That was a pretty magical night," said head coach Carly Dockendorf. "We showed 43 routines tonight which is more than we did last year, we had 38 last year that went. We got to show some of our depth, I was so proud of our freshmen, tonight, it's intimidating to step in here, you can compete at all your club meets your whole life, but to step in this arena knowing everyone cares about you so much and cares about this program so much is a different kind of pressure."
The evening began with eight Red Rocks showing off their first vaults of the season, including newcomers Avery Neff and Clara Raposo getting their first taste of the atmosphere from the Huntsman Center crowd. Returning NCAA All-American on vault Ella Zirbes started the rotation for the Utes, followed by Grace McCallum getting her first run at the event since last season's championship final. The two Utah natives, Camie Winger and Neff followed, as Neff ignited the crowd with her first of many big vaults to come. The Utes went back to some familiar faces, leading off with another NCAA All-American in Makenna Smith, followed by Ashley Glynn and Amelie Morgan taking their first run at the apparatus. Clara Raposo closed out the first rotation, giving the Utah fans their first look at the international newcomer from Toronto.
Â
Said Dockendorf of Neff's spectacular first vault as a Red Rock, "What an entrance into the Huntsman, and then again, would she have done it any other way."
ÂWe're obsessed. ?
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 14, 2024
Welcome to the Huntsman Center @AveryNeff2024 #RedRocks | #DROP pic.twitter.com/lqDfT2dcIH
Tonight's Red Rocks Preview was a "dream come true" for Neff saying, "I felt like I was on cloud nine all night. I couldn't get the smile off my face."
Â
Utah fans saw some more new faces, as the Red Rocks rotated to bars. The 2024 NCAA All-American, Smith, led off the event for the Red Rocks, followed by Raposo. With a warm Utah welcome, Ana Padurariu executed a spectacular performance in front of the Huntsman crowd for the first time since becoming a Red Rock. A second consecutive Huntsman debut was on deck for the Cardiff, Wales, native Poppy-Grace Stickler. With 11 performances on bars, Utah brought the firepower with the final four routines of the event, closing out the event with Neff, Morgan, Zirbes and Grace McCallum.
Â…And that's how U do it! ???? @maksmith04 #RedRocks | #DROP pic.twitter.com/dTC4lGBOXf
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 14, 2024
The Red Rocks displayed 13 beam performances this evening, showing off the depth of what is to come this upcoming season. Leading off the beam lineup for the Utes was Padurariu, as Gilstrap, Smith, Neff and Morgan followed. The Utes were not short of options when it came to floor performances, showing off 11 routines, including closing out the first rotation with a performance by McCallum, before Gilstrap capped off the night with her live performance accompanied by the live piano.
ÂShe's really good.?? @averyneff2024#RedRocks | #DROP pic.twitter.com/78OVnE9FkP
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 14, 2024
Showing off the depth throughout their lineups Smith said, "I feel like the depth is a confidence booster. It's very nice to know that someone else is there and has your back and knowing you have the ability to rest if something is hurting if you need to. And it's awesome to see everyone out there killing it."
ÂSnowy with a chance of stuck dismounts! ?? @maksmith04 #RedRocks | #DROP pic.twitter.com/2C1Uh153fr
— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) December 14, 2024
The 2025 season officially begins on Friday, Jan. 3, against Utah State. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UtahTickets.com.
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