The Southern Utah University gymnastics team took down Utah State University in Logan on Friday, Feb. 2. The Flippin’ Bird posted a season-high 196.800 points to beat USU’s season-high of 196.275.
Bars
The Flippin’ Birds and the Aggies were fairly even on the bars. The teams posted 49.250 and 49.125, respectively. SUU’s freshman sensation Niya Randolph led the way with a career-high 9.925. Following her was Isabella Neff with an impressive 9.875.
The Aggies got scores of 9.900 from both senior Brianna Brooks and junior Dani Kirstine. Their top scores weren’t enough to top the Flippin’ Birds.
Vault
The Aggies were once again outscored by Southern Utah 49.100-48.950. USU’s top scores came from freshman Nyla Morabito with a 9.850 and Alivia Ostendorf with a 9.825.
The Flippin’ Birds got a 9.875 from sophomore Kennedi McClain and had 9.850 contributions from both Ellie Cacciola and Kayla Pardue.
Floor
Utah State was finally able to outscore Southern Utah in an event. They posted a stellar 49.175 to SUU’s 49.075 on the floor exercise.
The Aggies’ highlights again came from Morabito as she posted an impressive 9.925, good for first place in the event. On top of that, Ostendorf had a 9.875 for Utah State. Flippin’ Bird junior Taylor Gull had a team-high score of 9.900. Pardue was right behind her with a 9.850.
Beam
Finishing with a season-high score of 49.375, Southern Utah dominated on the beam. Both McClain and Cacciola scored a 9.950, tying for the second-best score in program history. Freshman Alyssa Fernandez added a 9.875.
The Aggies’ score of 49.025 was fantastic but not enough to outscore Southern Utah. Lexi Aragon totaled an impressive 9.925, and Brooks posted a score of 9.900.
SUU’s Randolph was the only all-arounder of the meet, finishing with a score of 39.275.
What’s next?
The Flippin’ Birds will welcome Boise State University on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. The Broncos are on a six-meet winning streak, the most recent victory coming at home against Iowa State University on Feb. 2. The meet can be streamed on Overnght.
Author: Brig Pyfer
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
