Completed Event: Gymnastics versus NCAA Regional Final on April 5, 2026 , , 197.500 (3rd of 4)
Final Score
Gymnastics
197.500 (3rd of 4)
vs NCAA Regional Final
The University of Utah Athletics
Friday, December 12
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
Red Rocks Preview
Photo by: Misty-Jade Carlson
Utah Gymnastics Impresses at Red Rocks Preview
12/12/2025 10:06 PM | Gymnastics
Red Rocks showcase strong routines heading into 2026 season
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gymnastics put on an impressive show for its dedicated fan base during the annual Red Rocks Preview ahead of the 2026 season.
In front of a full lower bowl, the Red Rocks showed confidence, poise, and determination throughout the night, something head coach Carly Dockendorf says fans can expect more of once competition gets going.
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"I think if tonight is any indication of what is to come this season, it will be pretty exciting," said Dockendorf. "These girls have been working very hard all summer long, not just this fall.
We've made some small adjustments in our training, and even just our overall approach with our culture, and I think it is starting to show up."
Senior team captain Sarah Krump echoed Dockendorf's enthusiasm for the work the Red Rocks have put into the offseason and how it showed up during their preview meet.
"In my four years here, this was the best preview we've had," said Krump. "Not only that, but the best preseason we've had leading into preview. We were so confident. Even yesterday in practice day. No one was really doing crazy gymnastics, but everyone just looked calm and like they were ready to do everything we've been doing in practice."
One area that looked improved for Utah was depth across all four events (vault, bars, beam and floor) with the possibility of multiple athletes being able to compete in the all-around on any given night.
Dockendorf credited freshmen Norah Christian, Bailey Stroud, Sage Curtis, and Abbi Ryssman for their preparation as well as getting several athletes back to full health from last season for making the job of coming up with depth charts for 2026 difficult in the best way possible.
"Nobody knows where they stand and I really like that," said Dockendorf. "It keeps it competitive in the gym. No one gets complacent, no one gives up. It's pretty easy to be number eight or number nine and feel like you won't get to do that event. I feel like that competitiveness has pushed all of them to be a little bit better."
Sophomore team captain Avery Neff, who is one of the athletes back to full strength for 2026, commented on the strength of the freshmen class, and how they have made the Red Rocks a better team already.
"I feel like, honestly, they have been the strongest girls in the gym," said Neff. "They came in so strong physically and so strong mentally. Freshman year is so hard, just as is, as a normal college student, and they came in ready to work so hard. They worked so hard this summer coming in, and it drives other people to work harder. I think having a freshman class like that—they are our powerhouse."
Senior Makenna Smith, Utah's third team captain for 2026, applauded the strength and courage of teammates Poppy-Grace Stickler and Ana Padurariu among others, that will be making their way back to lineups this year after missing time in 2025 with injuries.
"I think seeing their determination, like how much work they put to be back, and be back as well as they are—that has been so inspiring to all of us," Smith said. "It's made us make sure we are up on our rehab too because we want to keep up with them, and how much they are putting in outside of the gym too."
From top to bottom, Dockendorf says she feels good about where her team stands after Red Rocks Preview, and thinks the best is yet to come as the season gets into full swing out of winter break in January.
"I think overall, just as a team strength, not event specific, I think this team is very well prepared," said Dockendorf. "They are feeling very confident in themselves, which is exactly what we want them to do. I think bars is going to be a huge event for us again this year. I think we are very good everywhere to be honest."
UP NEXT
Utah Gymnastics returns to the Huntsman Center to bring in the New Year on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, against Minnesota and Iowa at 7 p.m. MT.
Fans that can't attend in person can stream the meet on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE RED ROCKS
For an inside look at the Utah Gymnastics program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Red Rocks on social media (Twitter: @UtahGymnastics |Instagram: @utahgymnastics).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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In front of a full lower bowl, the Red Rocks showed confidence, poise, and determination throughout the night, something head coach Carly Dockendorf says fans can expect more of once competition gets going.
Â
"I think if tonight is any indication of what is to come this season, it will be pretty exciting," said Dockendorf. "These girls have been working very hard all summer long, not just this fall.
We've made some small adjustments in our training, and even just our overall approach with our culture, and I think it is starting to show up."
Senior team captain Sarah Krump echoed Dockendorf's enthusiasm for the work the Red Rocks have put into the offseason and how it showed up during their preview meet.
"In my four years here, this was the best preview we've had," said Krump. "Not only that, but the best preseason we've had leading into preview. We were so confident. Even yesterday in practice day. No one was really doing crazy gymnastics, but everyone just looked calm and like they were ready to do everything we've been doing in practice."
One area that looked improved for Utah was depth across all four events (vault, bars, beam and floor) with the possibility of multiple athletes being able to compete in the all-around on any given night.
Dockendorf credited freshmen Norah Christian, Bailey Stroud, Sage Curtis, and Abbi Ryssman for their preparation as well as getting several athletes back to full health from last season for making the job of coming up with depth charts for 2026 difficult in the best way possible.
"Nobody knows where they stand and I really like that," said Dockendorf. "It keeps it competitive in the gym. No one gets complacent, no one gives up. It's pretty easy to be number eight or number nine and feel like you won't get to do that event. I feel like that competitiveness has pushed all of them to be a little bit better."
Sophomore team captain Avery Neff, who is one of the athletes back to full strength for 2026, commented on the strength of the freshmen class, and how they have made the Red Rocks a better team already.
"I feel like, honestly, they have been the strongest girls in the gym," said Neff. "They came in so strong physically and so strong mentally. Freshman year is so hard, just as is, as a normal college student, and they came in ready to work so hard. They worked so hard this summer coming in, and it drives other people to work harder. I think having a freshman class like that—they are our powerhouse."
Senior Makenna Smith, Utah's third team captain for 2026, applauded the strength and courage of teammates Poppy-Grace Stickler and Ana Padurariu among others, that will be making their way back to lineups this year after missing time in 2025 with injuries.
"I think seeing their determination, like how much work they put to be back, and be back as well as they are—that has been so inspiring to all of us," Smith said. "It's made us make sure we are up on our rehab too because we want to keep up with them, and how much they are putting in outside of the gym too."
From top to bottom, Dockendorf says she feels good about where her team stands after Red Rocks Preview, and thinks the best is yet to come as the season gets into full swing out of winter break in January.
"I think overall, just as a team strength, not event specific, I think this team is very well prepared," said Dockendorf. "They are feeling very confident in themselves, which is exactly what we want them to do. I think bars is going to be a huge event for us again this year. I think we are very good everywhere to be honest."
UP NEXT
Utah Gymnastics returns to the Huntsman Center to bring in the New Year on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, against Minnesota and Iowa at 7 p.m. MT.
Fans that can't attend in person can stream the meet on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE RED ROCKS
For an inside look at the Utah Gymnastics program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Red Rocks on social media (Twitter: @UtahGymnastics |Instagram: @utahgymnastics).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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