UGA Gymnastics: Georgia tops Utah

Athens — If there is a rivalry in college gymnastics, it is the University of Georgia and Utah.

Generally, these are two of the best teams in the country. Each has nine national titles. Fourth-ranked Georgia has edged out No. 3 Utah in the past three NCAA championships.

On Monday, Georgia again bested Utah, 197.150 to 196.725, before a crowd of 8,731 at Stegeman Coliseum. With the score tied at 147.775 going into the final rotation, Georgia pulled out the win.

“This is about as tough a situation as there is to compete in college gymnastics,” Utah coach Greg Marsden said. “You’ve got a great intimidating crowd and you’ve got a team that’s always well prepared. It really is a great way to measure ourselves.”

Georgia (3-0) opened the meet on the vault, led by a perfectly landed 9.95 from senior Courtney Kupets and a 9.9 from senior Tiffany Tolnay. Georgia then made its mark on the bars, scoring a 49.45 (the Gym Dogs’ highest event score of the meet), including a 9.925 from junior Grace Taylor, a 9.9 from Tolnay and a crowd-pleasing 9.975 from Kupets.

At the halfway mark, Georgia had the edge. But as the third rotation got under way, the Dogs had some trouble on the beam. Taylor stuck a 9.9, but three others scored high 9.7s.

“[I told the team] They were announcing scores overhead and don’t let that be a distraction,” said coach Suzanne Yoculan. “When we went to balance beam, that’s definitely what happened. They knew it was tight and they made mistakes because they weren’t focused on the right things.”

Utah made up the points on the floor to tie the score going into the fourth and final rotation.

As Utah struggled on the beam, the Dogs brought the crowd to its feet with a 9.875 from Tolnay and a 9.9 from Kupets.

Kupets, who tore her Achilles tendon last year, again showed she’s back to competition form, taking her third all-around title in three meets, scoring a 39.6.

“Just being able to be out there and being there for my team and competing,” she said. “It’s great, it is nice to be back.”

Overall, the competition between the two schools is now 23-20-1. And after a close meet Monday, the rivalry will likely continue.

“I feel like we are still pretty even teams,” Yoculan said. “On another night they could come out the winner.”

Georgia’s next meet is at home against Alabama on Friday.