Parity was the most commonly used word Wednesday afternoon during the gymnastics media session at the University of Utah.

Nearly all the coaches and many of the athletes used it to describe the 12 teams competing today through Saturday at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

Everyone was civil and respectful and nobody — especially the host school — was willing to offer any bulletin-board material for their competitors.

The closest anyone came to taking the bait was Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan, who was willing to acknowledge she and her team, as two-time defending champions, are not going to surrender the title quietly.

"The media want to focus on pressure and streaks and repeating — even underdogs," she said. "We coaches and gymnasts want to focus on ourselves. The common thread among all of us is to do our best. Be consistent and avoid injuries."

Nebraska coach Dan Kendig was easily the most diplomatic, saying, "Any athlete here is capable of sticking a 9.85 routine. That translates to a 197 score. Those (squads) who stick landings and put it together will advance."

Oregon State coach Tanya Chaplin suggested every program should skip a year. "Our girls didn't make the Super Six last year, but went to Friday's session, took notes of the routines and came back this year ready to compete."

None of the other schools were willing to take her up on her suggestion.

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NCAA GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team Capsules

(by regional qualifying scores)

Utah

2007 Record: 13-3

Regional score: 197.325 (1st, West)

Top performers: Ashley Postell, Nicolle Ford, Kristina Baskett

About the Utes: Utah heads into the championships after posting its best score of the season at the West regionals. The evening session should give the Utes an opportunity to advance to the Super Six as SEC powers Georgia, Florida and Alabama are in the afternoon session.

Coachspeak: "It's been a roller-coaster season, but our team finally put it together the final couple of meets. Our training has been much better before and after regionals." — Greg Marsden

Florida

2007 Record: 20-0-1

Regional score: 197.325 (1st, Northeast)