Avery Neff Earns Fourth Big 12 Gymnast of the Week Award for 2026

Salt Lake City – The University of Utah’s Red Rocks gymnastics team soared to a season-high score of 198.025 in a dominant performance against BYU last Friday at the Jon M. Huntsman centre. Leading the charge was sophomore Avery Neff, who delivered a spectacular night, securing her third consecutive all-around title.

Avery Neff’s Record-Breaking Performance

Neff’s performance was highlighted by a perfect 10 on the uneven bars – the second of her career and the first by any gymnast in the country on that apparatus this season. This achievement contributed to the Red Rocks’ impressive team score of 49.750 on bars, setting a new national high for 2026. She continued to impress, matching her career-high of 9.95 on beam for the third consecutive week and then setting a new career-high of 9.95 on floor.

Did You Know? Avery Neff, a former No. 1 recruit, now has a career total of 21 event wins.

Neff’s all-around score of 39.700 – also a career-high – secured her four event wins on the night: bars, beam, floor, and the all-around. She currently ranks No. 5 nationally in the all-around competition, tied for 12th on beam, tied for 16th on vault, and tied for 25th on bars.

Looking Ahead

The Red Rocks will next compete against Southern Utah at the Huntsman centre on Friday, February 20th, at 7 p.m. MT in their Character Day Meet. Fans are encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite characters, with a request that masks and weapons not be worn. For those unable to attend in person, the meet will be available on ESPN+, with commentary from Alisa Mowe and Nick Koop.

Expert Insight: Avery Neff’s consistent high-level performance is clearly a driving force for the Red Rocks, and her ability to achieve perfect scores and career-highs demonstrates a significant level of skill and competitive focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the meet between Utah and BYU?

The final score was Utah 198.025 and BYU 196.025.

How many event wins did Avery Neff achieve during the meet?

Avery Neff achieved four event wins: bars, beam, floor, and the all-around.

Where and when will the Red Rocks’ next meet take place?

The Red Rocks will face Southern Utah at the Huntsman centre on Friday, February 20th, at 7 p.m. MT.

What does this level of performance suggest about the Red Rocks’ potential as the season progresses?