Gymnastics: Notes from the NCAAs
A couple of Utah's gymnasts have been wearing their "I hate the SEC" T-shirts this week in practice, the question is though, can they handle the SEC?
With 5 of the 12 teams here in Athens, Ga., for the NCAA Championships heralding from the conference, the Utes are going to get their fill of SEC chants and rowdy atmosphere.
Obviously Georgia is going to have the most fans, but the other SEC teams are going to be well-represented too. I don't think there is any other league more competitive between schools than the SEC. Imagine if the Utah-BYU rivalry was as heated with every school in the MWC and that would give you a taste of what rivalries are like in the SEC. But the funny thing is, fans are just as loyal to the conference as a whole as they are to their schools.
I talked to coach Greg Marsden about it earlier this week and he acknowledged there probably will be a strong sentiment of "us vs. them" this weekend, with the 'us' being the SEC and the 'them' being the other teams.
Can the Utes handle the pressure that is going to come with all that competitiveness? They did well in tough places this season at Michigan, Florida and UCLA so maybe that is a sign of good things to come for the Utes.
Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said earlier this week she believes the winning team will come from the SEC, even if it isn't her team.
"The SEC teams are just so prepared for this kind of atmosphere," she said.
However, she did give Utah some props too, saying the Utes looked great in practice.
"They looked so good on bars, I had to leave and go throw up," she said.
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Marsden gave a nod to the SEC's strength in his opening remarks at Wednesday's press conference. "We appreciate the SEC letting us compete in the second round of their conference championships," he joked.
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The Utes went through a light workout on Wednesday, using it primarily to get accustomed to the gym and the podium flooring. Senior Ashley Postell gave the equipment a thumbs up for approval.
"No complaints," she said. "Being on the podium is always nice because it gives you a couple inches of bounce."
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UCLA coach Valorie Kondos Field seemed to take exception to Yoculan's declaration that an SEC team would win. UCLA won the title the last time Georgia hosted, in 2001. The two coaches provided the spiciest moments Wednesday.
"Game on," Kondos Field said in Wednesday's press conference, looking down the line at Yoculan.
Yoculan, of course, couldn't resist replying.
"UCLA won because she outcoached me that year, that isn't happening again," Yoculan said.
"I plan on doing it again," Kondos Field said.
Let the catfighting continue and the gymnastics meet begin.
With 5 of the 12 teams here in Athens, Ga., for the NCAA Championships heralding from the conference, the Utes are going to get their fill of SEC chants and rowdy atmosphere.
Obviously Georgia is going to have the most fans, but the other SEC teams are going to be well-represented too. I don't think there is any other league more competitive between schools than the SEC. Imagine if the Utah-BYU rivalry was as heated with every school in the MWC and that would give you a taste of what rivalries are like in the SEC. But the funny thing is, fans are just as loyal to the conference as a whole as they are to their schools.
I talked to coach Greg Marsden about it earlier this week and he acknowledged there probably will be a strong sentiment of "us vs. them" this weekend, with the 'us' being the SEC and the 'them' being the other teams.
Can the Utes handle the pressure that is going to come with all that competitiveness? They did well in tough places this season at Michigan, Florida and UCLA so maybe that is a sign of good things to come for the Utes.
Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said earlier this week she believes the winning team will come from the SEC, even if it isn't her team.
"The SEC teams are just so prepared for this kind of atmosphere," she said.
However, she did give Utah some props too, saying the Utes looked great in practice.
"They looked so good on bars, I had to leave and go throw up," she said.
********
Marsden gave a nod to the SEC's strength in his opening remarks at Wednesday's press conference. "We appreciate the SEC letting us compete in the second round of their conference championships," he joked.
********
The Utes went through a light workout on Wednesday, using it primarily to get accustomed to the gym and the podium flooring. Senior Ashley Postell gave the equipment a thumbs up for approval.
"No complaints," she said. "Being on the podium is always nice because it gives you a couple inches of bounce."
*********
UCLA coach Valorie Kondos Field seemed to take exception to Yoculan's declaration that an SEC team would win. UCLA won the title the last time Georgia hosted, in 2001. The two coaches provided the spiciest moments Wednesday.
"Game on," Kondos Field said in Wednesday's press conference, looking down the line at Yoculan.
Yoculan, of course, couldn't resist replying.
"UCLA won because she outcoached me that year, that isn't happening again," Yoculan said.
"I plan on doing it again," Kondos Field said.
Let the catfighting continue and the gymnastics meet begin.
4:04 PM
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