Completed Event: Gymnastics versus NCAA Championship Final on April 19, 2025 , , 4th of 4 (197.2375)
Final Score
Gymnastics
4th of 4 (197.2375)
vs NCAA Championship Final
Players Mentioned
Photo by: Misty-Jade Carlson
Red Rocks Name 2026 Team Captains
8/20/2025 2:00 PM | Gymnastics
Makenna Smith, Avery Neff, and Sarah Krump will serve in key leadership roles
SALT LAKE CITY — The Red Rocks have announced their team captains for their upcoming 2026 season with Makenna Smith, Avery Neff, and Sarah Krump slated for the key leadership roles.
"We're incredibly fortunate to have these three outstanding women help lead our program this upcoming season," said Utah Gymnastics head coach Carly Dockendorf. "Each of them brings a unique strength that will create a powerful and balanced leadership team."
Smith, now in her senior year, made an impact for Utah Gymnastics from her first performance in the Huntsman Center as a freshman in 2023 by being unapologetically herself, and has never looked back.
Heading into her final year as a Red Rock, Smith sits as a 10X All-American with 34 event victories, has posted career-best scores of 9.95 or better on all four events, and has hit 171-172 career routines. Smith is a 3x All-Pac-12 selection, 2025 All-Big 12 Team selection on vault, beam, floor, and the all-around, and was crowned the 2025 Big 12 Bars champion.
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In addition to being a leader for the Red Rocks, Smith will also serve as the Utah Athletics SAAC President for the 2025-26 competition year, and is a representative for the Utes on the Big 12 Conference Student-Athlete Board.
"Makenna has gained invaluable leadership experience through her involvement with the Big 12 and our campus SAAC, and we're excited for her to bring those skills into our team environment," said Dockendorf. "Avery's competitive drive and unwavering determination to win will push our team to remain accountable every single day, and Sarah offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective on key issues while continuing to be an inspiring presence for her teammates."
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In just her first season with the Red Rocks last year and despite an early injury, Neff showed why she was the No. 1 ranked recruit for the 2024 cycle by hitting 41 of 44 routines and earning four All-American nods. Additionally, Neff has already set career-high scores for herself of 9.975 on vault, 9.925 on bars, 9.95 on beam, 9.925 on floor, and 39.675 in the all-around.
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Neff earned the Regional all-around and vault titles, was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was voted on to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team, and was crowned the Big 12 champion on beam.
Krump, who is also heading into her final season as a Ute, has been the ultimate teammate for the Red Rocks since joining the team in 2023 as a walk-on, and was recently awarded a scholarship for her senior season in recognition of her hard work for the team.
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Last season, Krump proved she is ready whenever Utah needs her, keeping her cool on floor after Neff suffered an injury against Utah State and posting a 9.825 to keep the team on track. Krump was called upon two more times earning a career-best at the Best of Utah meet of 9.85, and then following up with on more 9.825 against BYU.
"All three lead by example, and we're confident they'll continue using their voices to elevate and empower this program in every way," said Dockendorf.
FOLLOW THE RED ROCKS
For an inside look at the Utah Gymnastics program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Red Rocks on social media (Twitter: @UtahGymnastics |Instagram: @utahgymnastics).
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DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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"We're incredibly fortunate to have these three outstanding women help lead our program this upcoming season," said Utah Gymnastics head coach Carly Dockendorf. "Each of them brings a unique strength that will create a powerful and balanced leadership team."
Smith, now in her senior year, made an impact for Utah Gymnastics from her first performance in the Huntsman Center as a freshman in 2023 by being unapologetically herself, and has never looked back.
Heading into her final year as a Red Rock, Smith sits as a 10X All-American with 34 event victories, has posted career-best scores of 9.95 or better on all four events, and has hit 171-172 career routines. Smith is a 3x All-Pac-12 selection, 2025 All-Big 12 Team selection on vault, beam, floor, and the all-around, and was crowned the 2025 Big 12 Bars champion.
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In addition to being a leader for the Red Rocks, Smith will also serve as the Utah Athletics SAAC President for the 2025-26 competition year, and is a representative for the Utes on the Big 12 Conference Student-Athlete Board.
"Makenna has gained invaluable leadership experience through her involvement with the Big 12 and our campus SAAC, and we're excited for her to bring those skills into our team environment," said Dockendorf. "Avery's competitive drive and unwavering determination to win will push our team to remain accountable every single day, and Sarah offers a thoughtful and balanced perspective on key issues while continuing to be an inspiring presence for her teammates."
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In just her first season with the Red Rocks last year and despite an early injury, Neff showed why she was the No. 1 ranked recruit for the 2024 cycle by hitting 41 of 44 routines and earning four All-American nods. Additionally, Neff has already set career-high scores for herself of 9.975 on vault, 9.925 on bars, 9.95 on beam, 9.925 on floor, and 39.675 in the all-around.
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Neff earned the Regional all-around and vault titles, was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was voted on to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team, and was crowned the Big 12 champion on beam.
Krump, who is also heading into her final season as a Ute, has been the ultimate teammate for the Red Rocks since joining the team in 2023 as a walk-on, and was recently awarded a scholarship for her senior season in recognition of her hard work for the team.
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Last season, Krump proved she is ready whenever Utah needs her, keeping her cool on floor after Neff suffered an injury against Utah State and posting a 9.825 to keep the team on track. Krump was called upon two more times earning a career-best at the Best of Utah meet of 9.85, and then following up with on more 9.825 against BYU.
"All three lead by example, and we're confident they'll continue using their voices to elevate and empower this program in every way," said Dockendorf.
FOLLOW THE RED ROCKS
For an inside look at the Utah Gymnastics program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Red Rocks on social media (Twitter: @UtahGymnastics |Instagram: @utahgymnastics).
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DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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