Redemption is a quality all sports teams have, but it is the great teams who can redeem a loss or a mistake in a previous match or game and come out with a win. Sacramento State is in full redemption mode as they go to Southern Utah to avenge a 1-3 record against the Thunderbirds on Friday.

Sac State welcomed back senior Cayla Beutler and junior Kailey Hansen at the UCLA meet. Hansen came back from a knee injury suffered in the first meet at San Jose State during warm ups. Beutler took a meet off after she injured her ankle to rest and get ready for the Bruins as well as the Thunderbirds.

                                                                                                                             

Sac State gymnastics is off to a good start to the season, with a chance to continue to do well at Southern Utah. Kalliah McCartney has been awarded four straight Western Athletic Conference Awards as Gymnast of the Week this season.

“This particular team this season is the most ready we have ever been heading into Southern Utah,” said Assistant Coach Ray Solorio.

Although Sac State’s record at Southern Utah is not great, the Hornets have had successes in Southern Utah, including a WAC championship in 2007.

Solorio said he is not sure why the team is so successful in Southern Utah, but says it’s probably because of the players’ attitude.

“The team has been to Southern Utah before; in fact, we won our second WAC championship at Southern Utah. Every time we do perform in Southern Utah, we perform really well,” Solorio said.

Hansen said she took four weeks off from gymnastics just to rest until she was cleared Jan. 30th to practice. Since then, Hansen has been working on the beam as well as staying in shape so there is no adjustment for her going into Southern Utah.

“I am just ready to go and compete in SUU, because I am dying to get back out there and compete again,” Hansen said.

After coming back from her knee injury, Hansen said she is hoping to add a few more events going into the meet against Southern Utah.

“I hope to return to Southern Utah with beam and vault underneath my belt for the meet, since my knee is getting better and better each day,” Hansen said.

Beutler is back and ready for action and poised to help her team beat the strong Thunderbirds in Cedar City, Utah.

“Since I came back from injury I have come back great. In practice I have been hitting everything perfectly,” Beutler said.

Beutler also has her family driving from her home state of Idaho to see their Hornet, hopefully if she has recovered enough she will be able to compete in the all around event.

“I am able to see my family when I go up there since they can’t make many meets at Sacramento or anywhere else,” Beutler said.

Hansen said she is excited to get back and compete in the WAC against Southern Utah, to send a sign to the other teams what the Hornets are made of.

The Hornets will take on the Thunderbirds in Southern Utah on Friday at 6 p.m.