Utah voted preseason favorite in Pac-12 coaches poll

SAN FRANCISCO – In a poll taken by the Conference’s eight women’s gymnastics coaches, UTAH was voted the preseason favorite to win the 2015 Pac-12 regular season, the Conference announced today.

The Utes received 46 points with five first-place votes and were also voted sixth in the national preseason coaches poll. UCLA tallied 43 points, receiving the remaining three first-place votes, and was tabbed second. Additionally, the Bruins came in fifth in the national preseason coaches poll.

Utah takes over the top spot in the preseason Pac-12 coaches poll from UCLA. The Bruins had dominated the top spot for the last three years. This season, Utah will be looking to repeat as Pac-12 champions after winning the title for the first time in 2014.

STANFORD sits in third place with 39 points in the poll, followed by OREGON STATE and CALIFORNIA tied at fourth with 28 points each. Rounding out the poll were ARIZONA, WASHINGTON, and ARIZONA STATE with 17, 13, and 10 points respectively. 

Seven of eight Pac-12 teams are ranked in the national top 25 preseason poll. Stanford joins UCLA and Utah in the top 10 with a 10th-place ranking, followed closely by 11th-ranked Oregon State. California, Arizona and Washington are ranked 14th, 21st, and 24th respectively. Arizona State also received votes in the national poll.

The 2015 season is set to begin Sunday, January 4, 2015. Pac-12 gymnastics will be featured on the Pac-12 Networks, including the 2015 Pac-12 Championships on March 21, 2015. Visit www.pac-12.com for a full schedule of televised Pac-12 events.

1. Utah (5) 46
2. UCLA (3) 43
3. Stanford 39
4. Oregon State 28
    California 28
6. Arizona 17
7. Washington 13
8. Arizona State 10

(-) indicates first place votes