Arizona at Utah

Recap

The Big Storyline: In just her second all-around performance of the season, Maile O’Keefe led the Utes for the second week as they picked up an important Pac-12 win over Arizona. While O’Keefe didn’t nab her usual 10, teammate Cristal Isa did as Utah’s top-ranked beam lineup lived up to the hype once again. Arizona had a strong meet, their best road outing, as Alysen Fears’ bars set was stellar enough to prevent a Utah sweep on the night.

Implications: Utah’s win puts it at 5-1 in conference regular season action, setting up a showdown with Oregon State next week for the title. Arizona finishes Pac-12 play at 1-5 and notched a score that will improve its NQS. Ute seniors O’Keefe, Jaedyn Rucker, and Abby Paulson all announced they will return for their fifth years.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 28 Arizona at No. 3 Utah

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After hopping up to third in the rankings this week, it will take another big night to stay there as Utah hopes to use the Red Rocks crowd to notch another high score. They’ll face a Wildcats squad needing a rebound, as they try to cement themselves as a regionals team.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: You can never miss the Utes’ beam lineup, especially now since Maile O’Keefe has the opportunity to start another 10 streak. As does teammate Jaedyn Rucker, the reigning NCAA champion on vault, who notched her first career perfect score on the event last week. She’ll have competition from Arizona star Malia Hargrove, who stuck a vault for a near-perfect 9.975 a few weeks ago.