Ute Gymnasts Picked Fifth in Preseason Poll

Ute Gymnasts Picked Fifth in Preseason Poll
Six Pac-12 Schools in Top-25

Junior five-time All-American Corrie Lothrop is one reason the Utes are ranked No. 5 in the preseason coaches' poll.

Dec. 3, 2012

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SALT LAKE CITY--

If the preseason coaches' poll holds true, the Utah gymnastics team will qualify for a record 38th-straight national championship in the upcoming season. Utah, picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches' poll released today, is the only school to qualify into the Super Six every year since 2000 and leads the country in total Super Six appearances with 18 in the 20-year history of team finals.

Defending NCAA champion Alabama was chosen No. 1, followed by UCLA, Florida, Oklahoma, Utah and Stanford. Six Pac-12 schools made the top-25: No. 2 UCLA, No. 5 Utah, No. 6 Stanford, No. 9 Oregon State, No. 17 Washington and No. 19 Arizona.

Utah returns 10 lettermen and five All-Americans from the squad that placed fifth at the 2012 NCAA Championships. Fans can get an early look at the current team on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Red Rocks Preview. The popular preseason intra-squad meet will start at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center and parking and admission are free.

Utah, which opens the season on Jan. 12 against No. 2 UCLA in Los Angeles, has eight ranked teams on its 2013 schedule, including home meets on Jan. 19 against No. 9 Oregon State and No. 24 West Virginia, Feb. 23 against No. 6 Stanford and Mar. 16 against No. 3 Florida.

Utah's road opponents in the preseason top 25 are No. 2 UCLA, No. 11 Georgia, No. 17 Washington and No. 19 Arizona.

Preseason Gymnastics Coaches Poll

Rank   Team                 Points 1st Place Votes

1      Alabama              689    11
2      UCLA                 645     5
3      Florida              644    10
4      Oklahoma             622     1
5      Utah                 568     1
6      Stanford             542
7      Nebraska             495
8      LSU                  481
9      Oregon State         442
10     Michigan             438
11     Georgia              435
12     Arkansas             421
13     Auburn               302
14     Ohio State           279
15     Boise State          258
16     Penn State           242
17     Washington           212
18     Illinois             192
19     Arizona              183
20     Denver               140
21     Missouri             139
22     North Carolina State 129
23     Minnesota            123
24     West Virginia        115
25     Kentucky             101