OCR Text |
Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Friday, March 30, 2012 7 GYMNASTICS Single-event Rocks groomed for growth FORGETTING THE LINEUP Gymnasts practice hard for upcoming years Ryan McDonald ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Gymnasts who compete in the all-around competition often get all the glory, yet those who compete on a single event can be just as important to a team's success or failure. All-around competitors don't get any sort of bonus for doing so and on the flip side, one mistake can be the difference between a great team score and a decent one. Because of the great depth of the Red Rocks this season, multiple gymnasts compete on just one event in competition. Despite knowing at this point in the season that the odds of their cracking the lineup any further than they already have are slim, these gymnasts are still hard at work each day. "I love gymnastics just for what it is, so being able to do all the events in practice is good enough for me and then being able to compete in anything at all is exciting," said Tory Wilson, who has become a key player in Utah's vault lineup as a freshman. Even though the gymnasts know they might not compete on more than one event per meet for the remainder of this season, the future is a big driving force for these event specialists to keep training on as many events as their health allows. The future is also what drives coaches to keep having gymnasts train on events even if they won't compete. Not only do they want the gymnasts to stay in good shape, but they are also grooming those who will be returning for increased responsibility next year. The dilemma for coaches at this CONOR BARRY/The Daily Utah Chronicle Becky Tutka celebrates after an impressive floor routine at the Pac-12 Championships at the Huntsman Center. Even though event specialists such as Tutka don't compete as much as some of the other gymnasts, their roles on the Red Rocks are irreplaceable. Lone Peak to the 5A state championship title inside the stadium. continued from Page 1 Hansen said he is just trying to learn as much as he can during spring camp while relish it. It's going to make all of us better, so getting used to the college atmosphere at the same time. The freshman QB also admitted I welcome it." After missing most of last season with he has some work to do on his passing to an injured shoulder, Utah head coach Kyle reach the same level as the other QBs. Whittingham seemed impressed with the "It's quicker, bigger, faster, stronger and progress Wynn has made in the offseason, it's just something that you have to adjust and said he is not putting any rep limits on to," Hansen said. "It's a lot of fun being with the junior QB during spring camp. these guys, there's a lot of energy and it's "No restrictions — he's healthy," Whitting- something that you like to be a part of. Jordan ham said of Wynn. "He's actually got some and Travis know how to throw the ball, plain arms now, instead of No. 2 pencils hanging and simple. That's something that I need to from his shoulders. He looks good." improve, to be able to throw it well with acWhittingham said his list of quarterbacks curacy. Putting the ball where it needs to be." is a talented group, which includes Jon Hays, Unlike Hansen, Wilson recently moved who filled in last season after Wynn injured to Utah from California to enroll in spring his shoulder. With Hays demonstrating his classes. The two freshmen, however, both worth last year, Whittingham said he is try- had the same thoughts of getting comforting to give more practice time to freshmen able with the new scenery and praised their Hansen and Wilson to give them a chance to teammates and coaches for making it as easy get the feel of Division-I football. as possible. "We know his capabilities — [Hays is] Even though each quarterback brings his a proven commodity," Whittingham said. own style to the Utes, they share the same "With us giving Chase and Travis more reps, goal during spring camp. Jon's reps have gone down right now, but we "It's definitely been a big transition but I've don't think any less of him. It's just a mat- gotten used to it," Wilson said. "Everyone on ter of trying to find out what we got with the the team's been great and helping me out. It's new guys." been a good situation. [My goal is to] just get For Hansen, taking snaps in Rice-Eccles better as a football player, work hard and do Stadium is nothing new for the local high whatever I can do to make the team better." school star, as just a few months ago he led j.carroll@chronicle.utah.edu MEDIA SALES GROUP Fr. „ THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 5 5 42 126 9 3 5 1 o C 6 95 72 8 3 4 241 5 36 8 w 5 6 IIt)1 Answers can be found on the website at www.sudoku.com ANSWER TO TODAY'S PUZZLE THA I PEGS MAT HORNE ALANBATE ARENA EMBARRAS WATERBAS EPA I NT TINCT ECHELON DEADON DONAHU ROB CUR 10 STOCKSANDSHARE TIVO TNOTE ORESTES ARROW PERSON L I BERA I NAGADDADAV I D BR I CAB RAC GOOE ROCKS L IDE ELL I EBAY TEN ONES ••••••• RYAN MCDONALD BUBBA BROWN Tazmanian Devil Worshippers JORY CARROLL lUlzmivraersilt-pr ALEX RASMUSSEN " 7 „ Follovantie se sports writers 'La , on Twitter PARKER LEE r.mcdonald@ chronicle.utah.edu University QUARTERBACKS ■ time of the year is balancing future with present. With postseason having begun last weekend, coaches are starting to be more cautious in how event specialists train. Although these gymnasts might not compete on one event, their contributions on another are critical to the team's success, so coaches are having to be wise in how they let them train while trying to keep them from getting bored. Hailee Hansen, for example, has trained on both bars and beam the entire season. Although she hasn't ever entered the beam lineup, she has been consistent in competition on bars, a job that is important for the Red Rocks' high score hopes. "As coaches, we think about [training] and we struggle with it at times on exactly how to handle it with each kid in each scenario," said co-head coach Megan Marsden. "We try to keep them in the mix as long as possible, but we may begin now as we are training for postseason events to get a little more particular with training 'the lineup,' " she said. Whatever happens, it is the consensus among the event specialists that the work they put in each day is worth it, even if it isn't reflected on the score sheets. "I'm just trying to improve on each event," said Becky Tutka, who has become a crowd favorite on floor. "I'm actually having a lot more fun training the other events because I get to do new skills and I know I'm getting better." Ultimately, getting better is the bottom line, and that improvement might just bring some glory in the future. RATE FEOEIRA, C1120.11- UNIO N 70 with every auto loan SUPERSONIC CAR WASH. ES • 410 |