SALT LAKE CITY — As Makenna Smith stepped onto the floor mat of the Huntsman Center for the last time of her collegiate career, the crowd, who donned her patented sunglasses look, erupted in a raucous cheer to celebrate a fan favorite.
Acknowledging the crowd, Smith raised her hands in an effort to get the fans even more excited for the upcoming moment. It was a scene more like a rock concert than a gymnastics event, which is exactly how Smith likes it.
“Honestly, I was feeling a little nervous before my floor routine,” Smith said. “I think just knowing it was going to be my last one, I knew exactly what my reaction was going to be at the end. So pumping up the crowd beforehand, it honestly calmed me down, and it kind of grounded me a bit.”…