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Utah comes to Keen

Last April, the top of the scoreboard at the 1995 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships in Athens, Ga., read: 1. Utah 196.65, 2. Michigan 196.425.

Utah is no stranger to the top of the scoreboard in championship meets. The '95 title was the Utes' second consecutive national crown, and the 10th they have won since 1981.

For the Wolverines, though, second place was their highest finish ever, and an important step in their rise to national prominence.

In every year since 1989, Utah, Georgia and Alabama have constituted the top three teams in the nation, until Michigan's No. 2 finish last year broke that streak.

The Wolverines get a chance to renew acquaintances with last year's champs when they host the Utes at 7 p.m. Saturday in Cliff Keen Arena, in one of the most anticipated match-ups in women's gymnastics this year.

"Having the opportunity to host a team that has won 10 national championships is a wonderful way to introduce our fans to the highest level of gymnastics and get them hooked," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said.

No. 4 Michigan has a record of 7-2 and is coming off a 194.425-192.575 victory over Ohio State in Columbus last weekend.

Utah is 4-0 and ranked No. 3. Their last meet was Monday, when they came from behind to defeat No. 7 Oregon State, 195.60 to 194.85.

Michigan is probably glad to have this meet in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are currently on a 46-0 win streak at home, dating back to 1990.

Utah coach Greg Marsden, the only coach the Utes have ever had, expressed concern about taking his team on the road.

"Unless we can find a way to step it up a notch -- and I don't know how we'll do that in two days of practice -- it will be very hard for us to beat Michigan," Marsden said. "They're at home and they're a very good team ... they're fourth right now and we are struggling."

Plocki and her team appreciate the generous praise and respect shown to them by one of the top coaches in America.

But Marsden's comments sound suspiciously like something out of a Lou Holtz press conference. Pump up the other team and lament your own problems.

"A burden we carry is that we make everybody's season if they beat us," Marsden said. "This meet is going to be a real tough and interesting challenge for us."

Some of Marsden's other burdens include an undefeated team, a No. 1 national ranking in the balance beam event, and three 1995 All-Americans.

But the biggest factor in Utah's favor this weekend is that they are healthy.

"We will give them the best run for the money we can, but we are hampered very badly by injuries right now," Plocki said. "I was hoping we could field our strongest lineup and have an opportunity to beat the defending champions on our home court."

The team is hoping that this weekend will mark the return to action for senior Dianna Ranelli and two freshmen, Kristen Duff and Lisa Simes, from injuries.

However, it has recently lost senior Tina Miranda to injury, possibly for the year. Freshman Nikki Peters and sophomore Heather Kabnick have both been competing hurt the last few weeks, but Peters will have to sit out on Saturday. Kabnick's status will be decided later in the week.