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Show Friday, February 26, 2010 3 GYMNASTICS Rocks stay upbeat as season winds down Paige Fieldsted SPORTS EDITOR After the Red Rocks gymnastics team suffered a low point in the season, the team is excited to be back in Utah, even if it isn't competing in the Huntsman Center. Last week in Michigan, the typical Red Rocks team was nowhere to be found as it put together its worst performance of the season. Returning to Utah to compete against rival BYU, the team said things can only get better. "We kind of fell apart," said junior Kyndal Robarts. "It seemed like it was an off week for everyone. We weren't all there mentally. It could be that it's the middle of the season. Now we need to pick it back up again. That was probably our low point, so it will only go up from here." The middle of the season is often one of the hardest times for the Red Rocks because the excitement from the first of the season has worn off and there is still a lot of time left until nationals. Keeping the team focused and mentally upbeat in practice is one thing the coaching staff is working on, especially after last week. "This group seems to compete very much like they train, and if they let down a little bit and lose focus, it shows up in the meet," said co-head coach Megan Marsden. "We talked about that, that we really need to train like we want to compete. (Last week) it was just medium, a little less focused and a little more comfortable with average and I don't think this group can afford that on any day. It's human nature to not be on top of your game every practice. I think it's natural that they'll let down at times, and it's our job to keep them focused." In addition to losing the meet last week, Utah lost two gymnasts to injury. Katelyn Mohr injured her back and won't be competing for the next few weeks, and Stephanie McAllister sprained her ankle and won't be competing in at least two of the four events. Gael Mackie is missing her third straight week, also because of a sprained ankle. The injuries have opened up spots in the lineup for younger, less experienced team members to gain experience. "Meg Whitney will compete on the vault and floor and Jacquelyn Johnson See RED ROCKS Page 8 TYLER COBB/The Daily Utah Chronicle Kyndal Robarts vaults during the meet against Utah State. Robarts and the Red Rocks are focused on regaining excitement to help carry them through the meet tonight against BYU in Provo. FOOTBALL Asiata will return for 6th season with Utes Bryan Chouinard ASST. SPORTS EDITOR MIKE MANGUM/The Daily Utah Chronicle Matt Asiata runs for a touchdown against Louisville. He injuried his knee on the play and missed the rest of the season. He successfully petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility due to medical hardship. After waiting to hear back from the NCAA, Utah running back Matt Asiata and his fellow Utes learned earlier this week that the senior will be eligible for a sixth season and will return to play for Utah in 2010. "We're excited to have Matt back," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "Obviously we believe it was in his best interest to come back and have another shot at playing, and he's one of our team leaders so he brings a lot to the table in that respect." Asiata was named as a team captain and started the first four games of the 2009 season for the Utes before injuring his knee on a touchdown run in the first half against Louisville. The injury sidelined Asiata for the remainder of the season. When Asiata went down, he was not only leading the Mountain West Conference in rushing yards per game (I0I.3) but he had also recorded his highest rushing total of his career just three games earlier, when he rushed for 156 yards against Utah State. In 2008, Asiata played in all 13 games for the Utes and led the team in carries (146), net yards (707) and touchdowns (12) on the way to a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Despite Asiata's production, the Utah native has struggled to remain healthy, as he has missed a total of 21 games in his past three seasons. In 2007, Asiata's season was cut short by a broken leg he suffered early in the year against Oregon State after rushing for only 16 yards on four carries on the season. "We're just hoping the two major injuries he has had are flukes," Whittingham said. "The broken leg against Oregon State a few years ago was re- See ASIATA Page 8 |