Underdog Flippin’ Birds look to upset Spartans at California regionals

The Southern Utah University gymnastics team will compete in the NCAA gymnastics championships as a part of the California regionals.

The Flippin’ Birds will first take on San Jose State University. Their matchup with the Spartans will take place on Thursday, April 4, at 3 p.m. MDT. The meet can be streamed exclusively through ESPN+.

If the Flippin’ Birds defeat the No. 35 Spartans, they will be placed into a quad meet the following day with the host school, No. 3 University of California, Berkeley, No. 14 Auburn University and No. 19 Stanford University. The meet will commence at 8 p.m. MDT and can be viewed through ESPN+.

San Jose State
The Spartans boast an average score of 196.094 with a top score of 196.675 on the year. Senior Lauren Macpherson ranks No. 54 in the all-around and fellow teammate Jaudai Lopes sits at No. 63 overall.

Macpherson excels on the balance beam, tallying an average of 9.905, good for No. 41 in the nation. Jada Mazury leads the team on the floor routine, ranking No. 48 with an average score of 9.915.

Southern Utah
The Flippin’ Birds have a young roster that includes 12 freshman gymnasts. They rank No. 33 overall with an average team score of 196.050.

Freshman all-arounder Niya Randolph has dominated in her debut season. She was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Year and ranks No. 43 in the all-around. Brinlee Christensen took home the MPSF Freshman Gymnast of the Year.