Good news for Utes: Neff's back

Going into the biggest meet of its season so far — at No. 2-ranked, 8-0-1 Georgia Friday — the University of Utah's gymnastics team (ranked fourth, 6-0) got some of the best news it's had in weeks.

First, freshman Stephanie Neff does not have mononucleosis and will not have to miss the rest of the season as was feared late last week. Tests for mono came back negative, and she was back training on Monday.

Team trainer Tom Iriye said Neff has had some flu-like symptoms that are still bothering her, general fatigue and congestion, but she is improved.

"It appears that it was a false alarm, and she's going to be OK," said a relieved coach Greg Marsden, whose team was looking thin depth-wise in several spots but is improving in several spots this week.

Neff has not yet competed, as she is healing from a back injury with which she entered school last fall (stress fracture and two bulging discs).

Also, junior Katie Kivisto (elbow) is back to practicing floor and beam this week, a cortisone shot improving the pain, and she is listed as the opening act on floor for Georgia; and freshman Daria Bijak is working this week after she injured a quadriceps in a fall on floor Friday at Utah State. Iriye said it was a "slight strain" of the muscle.

NEAR MALL: Kivisto, senior Nicolle Ford and U. sports information director Liz Abel all live near Trolley Square, but all were safe from Monday's mall shootings there. Ford didn't know of the problem until she got home and was asked if she was OK. She saw police cars, and, "I heard the helicopters, but I didn't think anything of it because of the hospital." There are a couple hospitals nearby with helipads. Her roommate was in a class across the street from the mall, and Ford "freaked out trying to get hold of her." All three followed the news coverage once they learned of the shooting spree. "Even my parents heard about it in New York," Ford said.

BETTER, TOO: Junior Ashley Postell hasn't had any injuries, but she's been fighting her own expectations for herself a little too much, according to Marsden, and simply didn't train well last week. By mutual accord, she and Marsden decided to let her sit out the last meet and rest up, especially mentally, for Georgia.

It helped. "Yeah, it's always nice to have a break every now and then, and this is a big meet for us. I think this week will be a little bit more exciting. I like big meets and stuff, I like going against Georgia, so that should be fun."