Jillian Hoffman, a senior for Utah’s gymnastics team, has competed on the vault in every meet for the Utes this year, a remarkable participation note for the Utes considering she tore her Achilles tendon less than a year ago.
Jillian Hoffman celebrates a 9.975 score on the vault as Utah hosts UCLA, NCAA gymnastics in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023.Watching Jillian Hoffman drop straight down on her vault landing and stick it is an impressive sight. Of course, that she is doing any sort of gymnastics landing at all is impressive, given what she has gone through.
Utah coach Tom Farden never likes to reveal his coaching strategies, just to keep opponents guessing, but clearly he has been thrilled with Hoffman’s efforts. Hoffman had made herself a valuable leadoff gymnast on the vault and floor, but her season came to a harsh end when she tore her Achilles during floor warmups at a February meet at Cal.