Utah gymnasts soar to fourth straight Pac-12 championship amid conference’s final bow

March 23, 2024: The University of Utah's women's gymnastics team celebrates winning the 2024 Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships. This was the fourth time in a row Utah won the championships. Photo: Melissa J. Perenson/Cal Sport Media via AP Images

Red Rocks achieve second-ever four-peat in Pac-12 gymnastics history

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — The University of Utah claimed its fourth consecutive Pac-12 Women’s Gymnastics Championship at the Maverik Center on March 23, 2024. Achieving a score of 198.000, the Red Rocks secured not only a victory on the day but also etched their name in history with the second-ever four-peat in the Pac-12. Standout performances included Maile O’Keefe, who dazzled on the beam to earn a perfect 10, while Oregon State’s Jade Carey matched the feat with a perfect 10 on the floor. UCLA’s Selena Harris showcased her versatility by clinching the all-around, bars, and vault titles.

However, the championships were shadowed by the impending dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference, marking an end to an era after 108 years of collegiate athletics. Known for its legacy of champions and iconic athletes, the Pac-12’s disbandment represents a seismic shift in the collegiate athletic landscape. The closure, attributed to a myriad of factors, including unsuccessful TV rights negotiations and diminishing on-field performance, leaves a void filled with nostalgia for past glories and questions about the future of regional rivalries and athletic traditions.

As the conference prepares for its final sports seasons, the departure of key member schools to other conferences heralds a new chapter for college sports in the West. The loss is not just a blow to traditional conference rivalries but could potentially impact the broader scope of U.S. sports, particularly in Olympic disciplines where Pac-12 institutions have historically excelled.