With a 2-3 overall record, the Utah Red Rocks are still trying hard to find their footing in the 2025 NCAA gymnastics season. Thankfully, last Friday brought some relief for Carly Dockendorf‘s team. At the Jon M. Huntsman Center on January 17, Utah gymnastics scored their first 197+ points of the year as they defeated Iowa State 197.300-194.85. However, the victory didn’t come without its woes and the fans were left anxious.

Grace McCallum & Co. began the collegiate season in style as they defeated state rivals Utah State in the season opener. However, in the second week of the NCAA campaign, the Red Rocks finished in last place at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad. Naturally, the win over Iowa State was a welcome break from the streak of losses. But at what cost, ask the fans.

Utah gymnastics star’s misfortune continues

On January 17, UteZone took to X to share the scenes that unfolded during Utah gymnastics’ floor exercise rotation on Friday. Sophomore Ella Zirbes was at the center of all the attention as her floor routine turned out to be a major point of headache for the fans. “Ella Zirbes takes a big pause in the middle of her floor routine, second week in a row that has happened,” reads the social media post’s caption, and it’s immediately clear why Utah loyalists are exhibiting a palpable frown on their foreheads.

Similar scenes unfolded at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad as well, and it looks like the rough patch is yet to blow over Zirbes. On both weeks, the Utah gymnastics star scored 9.725 in the floor event, making things more worrisome for the fans. What makes the water even more murky is that Ella didn’t start off the night too shabby either.

On the vault, she posted an impressive 9.800, showcasing her prowess as an elite gymnast. Her satisfactory first rotation made many fans wonder whether Zirbes overcame her fumble from January 11. However, their optimism proved to be moot, and Utah gymnastics is once again looking like a squad that’s hanging on by a thread, especially considering how it wasn’t only Ella who had a rough night as the Red Rocks hosted the Big 12 visitors.

Fans suffer a dual blow to the guts on the same night, prompting a frantic response

Star recruit Avery Neff had her own tryst with injury in the floor routine. Neff is the highest-rated college recruit ever, and fans were eager to see how she faired in her Big 12 debut. However, it all went downhill when her left leg bent sideways while executing a tumbling pass. She had to be carried off, and fans were devastated by Neff’s heartbreaking state. Understandably, one of her colleagues suffering the same fate made things even uneasier. “genuinely concerned,” commented one fan on X, noting how Zirbes’ latest injury could derail Utah gymanstics’ comeback hopes once again.

“I am seriously worried for her after she’s had to stop mid-floor routine to catch her breath two weeks in a row now. Very concerned for Utah’s program as a whole but especially for her,” wrote another fan on the subreddit r/gymnastics. Another fan noted how Ella was spotted crying in the locker room immediately after her floor routine, which raised more red flags. Troubling news from Rutgers, involving the head coach’s debatable methods, sent out shockwaves across the community in recent times, and one fan is legitimately anxious to know if Zirbes is also having to go through a similar ordeal. “That’s rough I hope she can get care and isn’t being coached abusively,” wrote the concerned fan.

“That looks like anxiety, panic attack. I give her huge kudos for trying to work thru it. Incredible mental strength,” one fan hailed Ella for her grit and resolute mind to push through despite her condition. “Whatever it is that’s going on, I hope she gets some rest and knows that there is nothing to be ashamed about,” another Utah gymnastics loyalist is instead looking to keep the spirits high even in the face of adversity. How do you think the double trouble would impact Utah’s NCAA campaign in the coming weeks? Tell us below if you think Zirbes and Neff will both be back in action at the Red Rocks’ next meet at the Les Olson IT Best of Utah next Monday!