U. gymnasts earn ticket to nationals

TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Utah gymnastics team survived a late-meet scare to win the NCAA South Central Regionals and advance to the NCAA Championships.

Utah beat runner-up Florida, which also qualified for nationals, 197.625-197.050. Arizona (196.375), Arkansas (195.550), Illinois (195.400) and Illinois-Chicago (193.400) failed to advance.

A win appeared a sure thing for the Utes heading into their final event, the uneven bars, since all they needed to secure second place ahead of Arizona was to score above a 48.4. Certainly, nothing appeared amiss early, as Dominique D'Oliveira opened the set with a career-tying 9.90 score and uneven bar All-American Veronique Leclerc followed with a pretty 9.95 routine. But then the unexpected happened and Utah's lock on a record 29th national championship (23rd NCAA) appearance was suddenly in doubt. Junior All-American Annabeth Eberle, who hadn't missed a routine the entire season, fell not once but twice, off the bars. Eberle threw an additional scare into the large Utah contingent in attendance when she peeled dangerously off the top bar on her dismount and smashed to the ground. "Fortunately, the only thing A.B. injured was her pride," said a relieved Marsden. "After she peeled, she somehow managed to land without hurting herself."

A senior and two freshmen remained between Utah and an early exit from the tournament. But if Melissa Vituj, Rachel Tidd and Nicolle Ford felt any pressure, they didn't show it. Vituj unleashed a 9.95, Tidd a 9.90 and Ford clinched the Ute win with career-tying 9.95.

Amazingly, both Tidd and Ford were questionable before the meet. Tidd, battling an illness all week long, told Ute head coach Greg Marsden prior to the meet that she didn't think she could compete. Ford was competing on floor and vault for the first time in five weeks after a back injury. But compete they did and lucky thing as Ford placed third in the all-around competition with a 39.550 and Tidd tied for first on vault with a 9.95.

"Rachel (Tidd) was sick and took herself out of floor exercise prior to the meet and she almost withdrew from every event. I talked her into trying for the team. We can't replace her scores on the uneven bars and vault. We wouldn't be here without Rachel and Nicolle (Ford). They've been a huge part of our success since the very first meet of the season," Marsden said.