This trio of Red Rocks will be competing at NCAA championships

Red Rocks’ Avery Neff reacts after competing in the uneven bars during the Big 12 gymnastics championships at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on Saturday, March 21, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Championship week looks different for Utah’s gymnastics team this year. The team, which has been a mainstay in the national championship for 49 straight seasons, didn’t qualify as a group out of its regional final earlier this month.

The Red Rocks aren’t ending the season just yet though, as they will still have a presence at the championship with three gymnasts, Ana Padurariu, Ella Zirbes and Avery Neff, qualifying as individual competitors. All three will be featured in the second semifinal on Thursday at 7 p. m.

MDT in Fort Worth, Texas. “We’re just looking forward to supporting these three amazing women this week, and such a great opportunity for them to collect some accolades on events that they’ve excelled at all year,” said Utah coach Carly Dockendorf. “Their individual work that they’ve put in is going to get to be showcased this weekend and that’s what it’s all about.

” Ella Zirbes and Ana Padurariu qualified in individual events and will rotate together with Minnesota. Zirbes is a Minnesota native so she’s familiar with the Gophers. The bonus is the junior also gets to rotate with her teammate, which isn’t always a guarantee.