O’Keefe, a fifth-year senior, said she’s not looking forward to the season after the turmoil the team experienced as a result of the departure of former coach Tom Varden.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Miley O’Keefe scores 10 points on beam as Utah hosts Boise State, NCAA gymnastics in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Miley O’Keefe felt nervous at the beginning of this season. A tumultuous few months and the allegations against former Utah Red Rocks coach Tom Varden and his eventual departure affected her so much that she was not looking forward to competing.
That’s why her perfect ten in her beam routine was so special.
“Honestly, that was probably one of the most emotional moments of my life,” O’Keefe said after the Utah gymnastics team won its first meet of the season. “Starting the season like this is crazy and surreal.”
(Trent Nelson | Salt Lake Tribune) Utah coach Carly Duchendorf celebrates her first win when Utah hosts Boise State, NCAA gymnastics in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
First-year coach Carly Dukendorf said O’Keefe takes hold of her craft harder every day and her 10th year was an indication of that. But as for the emotions surrounding the senior season, Dockendorf said O’Keefe and Varden have a “very close relationship.”
“They’ve been together for five years and he’s a really special person to her,” Dockendorf said. “I think competing here without him her senior year is tough. She cares about him. I think she’s using everything she can to be great for her and this season and this team.”
“But I think for her they have a really special relationship. I think it’s important for her to recognize those feelings and it’s totally okay for her to feel them.”
The Red Rocks defeated the Boise State Broncos on Friday night, 197.3 to 194.35. O’Keefe’s 10 was one of many highlights at the Utah meet, where several gymnasts came away with 9.9s and 9.8s.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Miley O’Keefe scores 10 points on beam as Utah hosts Boise State, NCAA gymnastics in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Top scores utah red rocks vs boise state
• Miley O’Keefe – 10, beam
• O’Keefe — 9.95, floor
• Grace McCallum – 9.925, unequal parallel bars
• O’Keefe — 9.925, uneven parallel bars
• Makenna Smith – 9.90, vault