The top-ranked Gym Dogs remained undefeated by the thinnest of margins in last night's dual meet in Salt Lake City.
Utah, which has claimed more national championships in women's gymnastics than any other N.C.A.A. program, fell to 9-1 on the year after suffering the season's first loss at the hands of Georgia (14-0).
The Gym Dogs, who trailed the Utes heading into the evening's final rotation, earned a season-high 49.375 on the balance beam, which provided the Red and Black with their ultimate margin of victory. Five Georgia gymnasts scored a 9.825 or better on the beam, led by 2002 world champion Courtney Kupets's 9.925 and Katie Heenan's 9.9.
Utah turned in an impressive performance, breaking the 197 barrier, but came up .025 short of the victory. This was a huge win for the Gym Dogs, who now must be considered the favorites to win the N.C.A.A. championship.
For a lot of us who consider ourselves football fans first and foremost, it may be tough to get overly enthusiastic about women's gymnastics, but Georgia has, arguably, the premiere college gymnastics program in the country and the entire Bulldog Nation should be proud of the Gym Dogs' achievement.
Go 'Dawgs!