The Southern Utah University gymnastics team defeated Boise State University on Friday, Feb. 9, with a score of 196.275-196.150.
Vault
The Flippin’ Birds tallied a score of 48.950 on the vault. Junior Ellie Cacciola led the way with a 9.875. Right behind her was Kayla Pardue, who posted a 9.800. Sophomore Kennedi McClain added a 9.775.
For the Broncos, senior Courtney Blackson scored a season-high 9.950. Emily Lopez added a 9.775 to help BSU score a 48.875 on the vault.
Bars
The Broncos totaled their highest event score of the night, tallying a 49.200. Leading the way was Lopez, who posted a meet-high 9.950. Blackson was once again near the top, scoring a 9.925. Freshman Mahleea Werline’s 9.825 finished third for BSU on the bars.
Southern Utah tallied a 48.875 on the bars behind 9.850 scores from Niya Randolph and Isabella Neff. Freshman Brinlee Christensen added a 9.750.
Beam
The Flippin’ Birds dominated the Broncos on the beam, totaling a 49.225 to BSU’s 48.925. SUU’s McClain and Cacciola both put up a 9.875, and all other Flippin’ Bird athletes scored a 9.825 on the beam.
Boise State’s leader was Lopez with a 9.875. Junior Alyssa Vulaj added a score of 9.800.
Floor
The Flippin’ Birds still trailed headed into their final event. Randolph changed that, as she tallied a 9.900 while competing in the final position to give Southern Utah the narrow victory. Taylor Gull contributed with a score of 9.875.
Elaina McGovern and Blackson’s scores of 9.875 weren’t enough for the Broncos since they totaled a 49.150 on the floor, just shy of SUU’s 49.225.
Randolph was the only all-arounder in the meet, tying her career-high score of 39.325.
What’s next?
The Flippin’ Birds will compete in a tri-meet against Boise State University and Sacramento State University in Boise on Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. The meet can be streamed through the Mountain West Network.
Author: Brig Pyfer
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
