Who doesn’t love to see a newcomer taking the stage by storm? And that’s exactly what was projected ahead of Utah’s Big 12 gymnastics season opener against Iowa State on Friday. Soon, the Jon M. Huntsman Center erupted as the Red Rocks posted their first 197+ score of the season to trample over the visitors. However, a bolt from the blue awaited, and the fans’ elation was soon dampened.

Star freshman Avery Neff was the most anticipated gymnast of the night. The 18-year-old was the highest-rated college recruit ever and was expected to make a towering wave on her Big 12 gymnastics debut. However, at the tail end of her floor routine, Neff took a horrific fall that silenced the arena and the fans couldn’t stop feeling unnerved all over social media.

Fresh Utah gymnastics recruit makes waves, but loses her way in the end

A post by Deseret’s Trent Wood on X from January 17 shared how the newest Utah athlete collapsed on the floor. While executing a tumbling pass, Neff’s ankle bounced off the floor and her left leg bent sideways. “She immediately grabbed her ankle/foot,” wrote Wood in his social media update, keeping the fans in the loop on the situation. Avery was later carried off, as she couldn’t put any pressure on her foot. However, the night started incredibly as Neff’s performance was a seminal display of why she was ranked so high so early in her gymnastics career.

Starting off on the vault, Neff posted a solid 9.900, showing signs of making the night her own in every way possible. She retained the momentum on the bars, and racked up another impressive 9.850, before posting a career-high score of 9.925 on the beam. She was set for a stellar AA score, but the floor routine fumble cost her dearly.

Scoring a 9.350, Neff still managed to be the third-highest-scoring (39.025) Red Rocks gymnast of the night, following only senior Grace McCallum (39.475) and Makenna Smith (39.275). Understandably, the Utah fans were left with a quivering feeling in their stomach and soon took to social media platforms to send their good vibes to wish the rising gymnastics star a speedy recovery.

The fans hope for good news to arrive soon

Neff caught the community’s attention on her very first performance with the Red Rocks in December last year. “That was a pretty magical night,” said head coach Carly Dockendorf after the 2025 gymnastics roster’s first display of skills at Utah’s home venue. Naturally, seeing her in action once again excited the fans without any bounds. Moreover, Utah’s appalling last-place finish at Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad last Saturday only added to the anticipation for tonight’s meet with Iowa State. However, Avery’s misfortune shifted the focus from the team’s latest victory. “Hard to see someone get hurt,” wrote one fan on X, evidently being rocked by the exasperating scenes that unfolded tonight. “Oh no. Avery Neff. i hate to see anyone injured,” said another, mirroring the sentiment. 

“If it’s as bad as it appears, such a shame. She has been so fun to watch,” wrote a fan-run page that dedicates itself to covering Utah Athletics. “I hope it isn’t serious,” another fan desperately tried to keep the optimism high. Rumors and speculations about the extent of the injury kept doing the rounds, but an eyewitness soon arrived with hopeful information on Reddit. “I was there. Was terrifying. I’m glad she didn’t land on her neck,” read the Redditor’s comment.

Neff’s fall made many older fans remember how a former Utah gymnast Tory Wilson suffered an Achilles injury while doing her floor routine. “Man, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen a gymnastics accident suck the air out of the Huntsman Center. Tory Wilson in 2015,” one fan almost shivered remembering the accident from ten years ago. How soon do you think the gymnastics freshman would be able to make a comeback? Tell us what Neff’s fall made you feel in the comments!