The Southern Utah Flippin’ Birds were in Denver to take on the No. 15 ranked Pioneers Monday night. The Pioneers were able to come away with the 197.300-194.900 victory.
The Thunderbirds started the night on bars where they had a team score of 48.625. Kirsten Yee led the way on the event with a 9.875. Karen Gonzalez and Madison Howlett followed up with a 9.825 each and Becky Rozsa scored a 9.800.
Southern Utah then moved to vault where Autumn Jorgensen led the way with a 9.800. Madison McBride hit a 9.775 and Molly Jozwiakowski scored a 9.750. Gonzalez and Madison Loomis rounded out the scoring with a 9.725 and a 9.600, respectively. The Thunderbirds scored a 48.650 on the event as a team.
Hannah Nipp had a big night for the Flippin’ Birds, starting with her floor routine. Nipp scored a 9.825 in what was just her second time competing in the event as a Thunderbird. Madison McBride earned a 9.800 and Jozwiakowski scored a 9.750. Loomis continued to improve her floor score, earning a 9.725 and Gonzalez rounded out the scoring with a 9.675. The Thunderbirds scored a 48.775 as a team on the event.
The Flippin’ Birds were on beam for the final rotation of the night and Nipp once again led the way for Southern Utah. The freshman hit a career-high 9.925 on the event, surpassing her previous high of 9.875 set in the tri-meet with BYU and Denver. Gonzalez scored a 9.875 to push her all-around score to a 39.100 on the night. Mary Packham scored a 9.775 and Kirsten Yee earned a 9.650. Alyssa LaDieu rounded out the scoring with a 9.625 as the Thunderbirds scored their highest score of the night with a 48.850.
The Pioneers broke the 49.000 mark on all four events on their way to a 197.300, their highest score of the season.
The Flippin’ Birds will return to the gym floor on Friday March 16 against MRGC opponent Utah State in Logan.
Stay up to date during the 2018 Southern Utah Gymnastics season by following @SUUGym on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Gymnastics page on Facebook.
Story By
SUU Athletics Strategic Communications
