 "Photo: Lennie Mahler")
The U gymnastics team isn't trying to imitate the NFL's New England Patriots after kicking off 2008 with a win over Georgia. An undefeated season would prove nothing.
The team doesn't even really care that it lost to Nebraska on March 4 of last season in Lincoln, Neb.
Nothing has the team thinking victory is crucial against Nebraska tonight at the Huntsman Center. The No. 3 Red Rocks host the No. 11 Cornhuskers at 7 p.m. with winning as no more than an afterthought.
Nebraska enters the meet with a 2-0 record. Last weekend, the Cornhuskers beat Iowa State on the road and handled Arizona State at home. Utah has only one meet of experience this year, which has Greg Marsden thinking Nebraska has an advantage. But that isn't all that is on the head coach's mind.
"(The gymnasts) have to realize we got a lot of growth still to go," Marsden said.
Utah is competing against itself more than other teams, trying to post high scores week-in and week-out. After committing several small errors in routines against Georgia, Utah has been cleaning up execution all week. The goal is to improve performance each week and peak at the right time.
Gymnastics is often spoken about in two seasons. There is the regular season, which is considered more of a warmup to the postseason. Teams try to qualify for regional competition in decent position -- then, when regionals and nationals come around, the real season begins.
Until that point, the U gymnasts will try to feed off of each other's performance and prepare for the second season.
"When someone hits a routine, it makes you want to make sure that you can hit your routine too and keep the momentum going," sophomore Annie DiLuzio said.
DiLuzio has never lost to Nebraska. She stayed in Salt Lake City because of an injury when the U lost in Lincoln last season.
Utah defeated Nebraska twice last season, once at regionals and again in Super Six competition. Utah currently holds a 37-7-2 record against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have beat Utah only once at the Huntsman Center. The victory came in the 1999 NCAA Championships.
DiLuzio said she was happy with her performance against Georgia but knows there is room for improvement.
The whole team knows there are things to improve on and that is more important than beating Nebraska.
"It doesn't seem like it's this big rival," DiLuzio said of Nebraska. "I think it's just really cool and a fun meet."
Battling Nebraska and cancer
Tonight's meet is Breast Cancer Awareness night. Fans wearing pink will receive free admission to the meet if they don't have a ticket already.
"We're asking everybody to trade in their red for one night and wear pink and help us draw attention to the important cause of finding a cure for breast cancer," Marsden said.
The Red Rocks will be wearing black leotards adorned with pink ribbons.
j.gilbert@chronicle.utah.edu
