Utah Utes gymnastics: Oklahoma a wild card in championships

Unbeaten Oklahoma (22-0), the fourth seed — just ahead of Utah — looms as the wild card for the 2010 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships starting at the University of Florida Thursday at 11 a.m. MDT.

The Sooners were ranked first or second much of the season, but they have never been on the hot seat in the Super Six team championships. Their highest placing at the national championships has been eighth.

With that in mind, and knowing what he does about the other top seeds — No. 1 seed UCLA, which has won five NCAA titles; No. 2 Florida, which is chasing its first but is competing at home; and No. 3 Alabama, which has won four national titles — Utah coach Greg Marsden, whose team has won 10 national championships and is the fifth seed this year, goes with the veteran teams when handicapping the field.

"I don't know. I don't think we're the most talented team," Marsden said.

"The favorites, if you twisted my arm and I had to pick, I'd say Florida and UCLA and Alabama would be my favorites, from what I've seen — although I haven't seen Alabama.

"And Oklahoma is undefeated. I have no idea of whether they can win the whole thing or not.

"I've seen Florida and UCLA. They can win the whole thing."

Ute co-coach Megan Marsden agrees with her husband.

"We have, as coaches, taken a look at what we're up against," she said, "and I don't think there's any question that Florida and Alabama and UCLA are very deep and very competitive. I really think they're the best teams in the country.

"I think we're in the next bunch, and not by very far. Just by a tad. But if those three perform up to their ability, they'll be hard to catch."

The Gators, who won the April 10 regional at Utah's Huntsman Center, with the Utes finishing second to earn their place in today's field of 12, have seemed to build throughout the season, with half of their routines being done by a very talented freshman class. It's hard to know how those youngsters will handle the turmoil of having nationals at home, but the Gators seem to have all their ducks in line to win their first-ever title.

If Florida, Oklahoma or someone else seeded lower happens to win the 2010 title, they would be only the fifth school to ever win an NCAA championship. To date, only Utah, Georgia, Alabama and UCLA have ever won NCAA titles.