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Show 2 THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE January 14, 2011 Rivals to test Utes' strength on the road Kelsey Price STAFF WRITER Utah gymnastics looks to continue its explosive start this season as the team travels to Athens, Ga., this weekend to take on national rival Georgia. The No. 3 Red Rocks beat the No. 6 Gym Dogs at home in 2010, and they hope to extend their series streak on the road. With Utah and Georgia combining for 24 of 35 national championship titles—including 19 of 29 NCAA championships—Friday night's matchup features the two most successful programs in gymnastics history. Both teams share the record for consecutive titles—Utah earned five from 1982 through 1986, and Georgia won five from 2005 through 2009. As a result, the Utah-Georgia match traditionally marks the biggest college gymnastics rivalry. "This isn't a rivalry in a traditional sense based on proximity," said co-head coach Greg Marsden. "We have a strong rivalry based on our similarities, traditions and histories. It's founded in the colossal success of both programs. A lot rides on this meet in that sense, so it's always one that we look forward to." Georgia and Utah traditionally sit within the top three in season and individual meet attendance records. In 2010, the Utes set the home attendance record at the Georgia meet, with 15,552 in attendance, more than any other single college women's regular season sporting event. Meanwhile, Georgia trailed Alabama with a season high of 10,224. The Utes led the nation with an average of 14,213 fans in attendance at their home meets, and Georgia had an average of 9,819. In comparison, University of Tennessee, which led women's basketball in attendance, averaged just 12,254 fans. Both the Red Rocks and the Gym Dogs are coming off season openers against Top-2o ranked teams. Utah upset defending national champions UCLA, and Georgia finished first in a quad meet, defeating BYU, Air Force and No. 16 University of Denver. Georgia leads the series 24-21, but Utah won the most recent match in 2010 at home. On the road, the Utes hope to defeat the Gym Dogs, who haven't been defeated at their home opener for six seasons. Additionally, Georgia holds a 34 meet regular season home-winning streak that the Utes are eager to snap. "(The) challenge is to see how we handle the road," Marsden said. "We can't do what we want to do unless we can be as good on the road as we are at home. There aren't many places that would be a bigger test than competing at Georgia. This will be a big challenge, but a great opportunity." In team rankings, the Gym Dogs are fourth on beam, averaging a 48.9, and Utah trails immediately behind with a 48.875. Georgia is also ranked ninth on vault (48.975) and floor (48.925), and 13th on bars. Utah, in comparison is ranked No. 1 on vault (49.275), No. 16 on bars (48.725) and No. 15 on floor (48.825). Utah holds a team average of 195.7, and Georgia is averaging 195.575. Georgia has two nationally-ranked gymnasts. Shayla Worley is ranked sixth on the beam with a 9.85o, and Gina Nuccio is tied for seventh on the bars with a 39.8750. Utah's Stephanie McAllister is ranked No. Io in the all-around with a 39.175, and Kyndal Robarts is No. 1 on vault (9.925) and No. 6 on beam (9.850). In addition to Worley and Nuccio, Georgia will be led See RED ROCKS Page 3 TANER PASAMEHMETOGLU/The Daily Utah Chronicle Kyndal Robarts performs her beam routine during last week's meet against UCLA. Robarts is ranked sixth in the nation on beam after scoring 9.850. |