The Red Rocks gymnastics team kicked off their 2026 season with a commanding win, but here’s the twist: despite beating two Big Ten powerhouses, the night was as much about missed opportunities as it was about victory. In their season debut at the Huntsman Center, the No. 5 ranked team secured a meet-winning score of 196.625, outperforming No. 15 Minnesota (195.475) and No. 22 Iowa (194.825). Yet, as senior gymnast Makenna Smith aptly put it, the night was a 'great stepping stone'—a mix of dazzling highs and moments that left room for growth. 'We had some very, very good highs,' Smith reflected, 'but there are definitely things we can learn from and work on.' And this is the part most people miss: while the win was comfortable, it wasn’t flawless, especially with the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad looming next weekend, where they’ll face No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 LSU, and No. 4 UCLA.
Utah head coach Carly Dockendorf echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the team’s strong performance while candidly addressing areas for improvement. 'There are some really good performances tonight, and definitely some things we don’t normally see in practice,' she said. 'But I’m not sitting here thinking, 'That was so awesome.' Here’s where it gets controversial: Dockendorf pointed out technical mistakes that revealed lapses in focus—a critical issue as they head into an even bigger meet next weekend. 'Unless we do a better job of focusing on us,' she warned, 'it’s probably going to look similar to tonight.'
One standout moment came from sophomore Avery Neff, the team’s usually unflappable leader, who faced uncharacteristic errors. Dockendorf, however, sees this as a turning point. 'She’s going to be very hungry next Saturday,' she predicted. 'I have no doubt she’ll come back and do what she’s capable of.'
The night also marked a milestone for junior Ella Zirbes, who competed in her first all-around event in three seasons, claiming the crown with a score of 39.350. Her beam performance, a team-high 9.875, was particularly noteworthy—her first recorded score on the event in her collegiate career. 'I’m feeling on top of the world,' Zirbes shared. 'Gratitude cancels out nerves, and that’s what I focused on.'
Freshmen Bailey Stroud and Abby Ryssman also made their mark, earning spots in three events and proving their readiness for the big stage. Dockendorf praised their performance, stating, 'They showed they’re ready to go.'
But here’s the question that lingers: Can the Red Rocks tighten their focus and polish their routines in time for next weekend’s high-stakes meet? With technical errors and uncharacteristic mistakes on display, the team has their work cut out for them. Yet, as Dockendorf noted, 'It’s great we had a meet to get under our belt before Sprouts.'
As the season unfolds, one thing is clear: this team has the talent to dominate, but their ability to refine their focus will determine their success. What do you think? Are the Red Rocks ready to rise to the challenge, or will their missed opportunities come back to haunt them? Let us know in the comments below!
