Utah’s success Friday was overshadowed by a devastating injury to star freshman Avery Neff. Neff, the highest rated recruit ever (since College Gym News started ranking gymnastics recruits starting with the 2021 class), collapsed on the floor at the tail end of her floor routine.

Neff’s injury is a big blow to Utah’s lineup moving forward. The star freshman took first on vault and beam against the Cyclones, scoring 9.9 and a career-high 9.925, respectively. Dockendorf was impressed with her team’s composure to finish the final floor routines of the meet.

According to Harvard Health, a Grade 3 sprain, which involves a full tear or rupture of ligaments, brings with it “severe pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising. Considerable instability, loss of function and range of motion. Unable to bear weight or walk.” Recovery time for a Grade 3 sprain can be several months.