Red Rocks Ranked Third in WCGA Preseason Poll

MARLBORO, N.J. – Utah Gymnastics heads into the 2023 season as the nation's third-ranked team according to the results of the WCGA Preseason Poll, which was announced Friday morning. The third-place ranking marks the highest preseason ranking for Utah since 2010 when the Utes were picked second overall in the national poll.

It is the sixth-straight season Utah will begin the year ranked in the top-five nationally. One of four teams to earn at least one first place vote, the Utes totaled 1,648 points in the poll with two first place votes. Edging Utah for the top two spots in the poll were Oklahoma (1,727 pts; 22 first place) and Florida (1,724 points; 21 first place votes), who finished one-two at the NCAA Championships last year. Rounding out the top-five teams behind Utah were Michigan (1,600) and Auburn (1,509).

The Red Rocks are set to face 11 teams in the top-25 poll, beginning with their home opener against sixth-ranked LSU. The non-conference slate is also highlighted by a top-3 matchup at Oklahoma in week three. All eight Pac-12 gymnastics teams are ranked in the top-25 to begin the year as well.

All five of Utah's 2023 home competitions will feature teams ranked in the preseason poll. Sixth-ranked LSU kicks off the season at the Huntsman Center on Friday, Jan. 6, while No. 21 Washington, No. 10 UCLA, eighth-ranked California and No. 25 Arizona will also make its way to Salt Lake City this year. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at UtahTickets.com.

Utah will be in action tonight at the Red Rocks Preview with introductions set to begin at 6:45 p.m. MT in the Huntsman Center. The intrasquad will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. There will be post-meet autographs with the Red Rocks and the gymnasts will be debuting the Red Rocks Collection. The 2023 season officially begins on Friday, Jan. 6, against sixth-ranked LSU. The Utes and Tigers will compete on ESPN2 with introductions beginning at 6:45 p.m. MT and the first vault at 7 p.m. MT.
 
2023 WCGA Preseason Poll
1. Oklahoma (1727 pts; 22 first place)
2. Florida (1724 points) (21 first place votes)
3. Utah (1648 points) (2 first place votes)
4. Michigan (1600 points) (4 first place votes)
5. Auburn (1509 points)
6. LSU (1434 points)
7. Alabama (1395 points)
8. California (1325 points)
9. Missouri (1262 points)
10. UCLA (1242 points)
11. Kentucky (1154 points)
12. Michigan State (1129 points)
13. Denver (1119 points)
14. Oregon State (1066 points)
15. Arkansas (1043 points)
16. Minnesota (1042 points)
17. Stanford (1007 points)
18. Iowa (952 points)
19. Ohio State (844 points)
20. Georgia (794 points)
21. Washington (768 points)
22. BYU (674 points)
23. Illinois (674 points)
24. Arizona State (583 points)
25. Arizona (548 points)
 
*- italicized designates 2023 opponent