The Utah Red Rocks’ 2025 NCAA Championship run was a mix of brilliance and heartbreak—a team that had all the makings of a champion but was ultimately tripped up by the brutal precision of postseason gymnastics.
After a dominant semifinal performance that led all teams with a 197.7625, Utah seemed poised to finally end their 30-year title drought. But championship day told a different story. Despite an elite program pedigree and a roster stacked with talent—including Olympians like Grace McCallum and seasoned competitors like Amelie Morgan—the Red Rocks faltered at the worst possible moments.
Their final score of 197.2375 told the tale of a team that couldn’t afford errors… yet couldn’t avoid them either. Utah’s beam rotation—a historically solid event for them—became their undoing. Grace McCallum’s uncharacteristic fall for a 9.2875, combined with Amelie Morgan’s wobbly 9.6875, forced the Utes to count both scores. That single event, more than anything, cost them a real shot at the title.
Following up her 9.9375 on floor, graduate student Brooklyn Moors adds #UCLA’s third 9.825 to the Bruins’ vault rotation.
Meanwhile, Utah’s Grace McCallum falls on beam for a 9.2875, forcing the Red Rocks to count Amelie Morgan’s 9.6875.
— Daily Bruin Sports (@DBSports) April 19, 2025
To make matters worse, their lowest score of the day came on vault (49.125)—the event that often serves as their launchpad to build momentum. By the time they rallied on floor, it was too late. Oklahoma had pulled away behind Jordan Bowers’ steady leadership and another monster team score (198.0125).
Perhaps the most frustrating part for Utah fans? The team clearly had the talent. They were elite all season. But gymnastics at this level is about perfection, not just potential. And when the stakes were highest, the little mistakes snowballed into a fourth-place finish—even after initially being placed third, only to be bumped by Missouri after a score inquiry.
So, can Utah finally break the curse?
The answer is: yes—but it won’t be easy.
They’ve made five straight Final Fours, which proves consistency and culture. What they now need is clutch execution under pressure. Grace McCallum will bounce back. Amelie Morgan has shown resilience all year. If they can maintain depth, clean up execution, and get through big meets mistake-free, Utah could absolutely take the crown next season.
But the window won’t stay open forever. The pressure is mounting, and other teams—like Oklahoma and UCLA—aren’t slowing down.
So what’s your take? Was this just a stumble on the path to eventual glory, or is Utah’s drought a sign of deeper post season struggles?