Utah’s gymnastics team unofficially kicks off its season Friday with its annual Red Rocks Preview. The meet does not count toward the season, but rather is intended to introduce fans to this year’s team and to help the Red Rock newcomers get a taste of what it is like to compete in the Huntsman Center. The preview starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the public with free parking.
Utah’s gymnastics team unofficially kicks off its season Friday with its annual Red Rocks Preview. The meet does not count toward the season, but rather is intended to introduce fans to this year’s team and to help the Red Rock newcomers get a taste of what it is like to compete in the Huntsman Center.
The preview starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the public with free parking.
The preview won’t display all of Utah’s skills as the team often waits to throw these when the regular season begins, but the group is excited about its resume this year, which includes four double layouts on floor, as well as its roster which is full of talent from top to bottom.
“What is great about Red Rocks Preview is that it is the only time you get to see the majority of our team showcase each event,” Utah coach Carly Dockendorf said. “We are not held to the six gymnasts competing and an exhibition.”
Utah’s roster is once again deep, meaning several great routines will remain shelved. The preview offers an opportunity to watch those routines. It also offers an opportunity for fans to see gymnasts competing routines that will be battling for the last spots in each event.
“We still are narrowing down the lineups and will be as we move past the preview and into our first meet,” Dockendorf said.
Utah is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA championships, while adding the Big 12 regular season and championship titles.
The Red Rocks are looking to make another strong postseason run and begin their 2026 campaign at home on Jan. 2 against Iowa and Minnesota.
The returners
Six Red Rocks were named to the Big 12’s 2026 preseason team, which the league announced this week. Those six are Avery Neff, Makenna Smith, Ashley Glynn, Ella Zirbes, Ana Padurariu and Camie Winger.
Neff, the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year last season and former No. 1 recruit in the country, leads the returners along with Smith. Neff, who hails from Utah, recorded wins in the regional all-around and vault competitions and was the Big 12 beam champion.
She also earned four All-America honors and finished out an impressive season despite missing a chunk of it due to injury.
“Avery is ready to get going,” Dockendorf said. “She has had enough training and is ready to compete. I know she is looking forward to being back in the Huntsman Center.”
Smith is a 10-time All-American who won the Big 12 bars title last year. The senior is a fan favorite with her exuberant attitude that keeps the Huntsman faithful guessing which pair of sunglasses she’ll sport during each meet.
Neff, Smith, and senior Sarah Krump will serve as captains for the Red Rocks this year.
The newcomers
The Red Rocks welcome an outstanding freshman class in Norah Christian, Sage Curtis, Abbi Ryssman and Bailey Stroud. The group brings with it a resume full of wins and titles.
“Our freshman class definitely has a lot to offer our team and fans,” Dockendorf said. “We have some gymnasts that have been national champions, and across the board they all have some unique stuff.”
The freshmen all hail from different states with Curtis being the only local recruit. Christian hails from Washington, Ryssman is out of Minnesota and Stroud is from Indiana.
Christian was injured her last club season so Dockendorf is happy to see her back at it, especially on bars where she is explosive.
Stroud ranks among the best recruits in the country for the incoming class with five-star ratings across the board.
“Bailey is a beautiful gymnast,” Dockendorf noted. “Bars and beam are her specialty.”
Preview fun
Fans will notice a different scoring system at the preview Friday due to the knowledge of the guest judges — Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham and Utah men’s basketball coach Alex Jensen.
The two are experts at their sport so the Red Rocks opted to let them score the way they know how. That means fans should hope for a plethora of touchdowns, slam dunks and field goals, while avoiding any false starts or fouls.
Category: General Sports
