On Thursday, April 4, the Southern Utah University gymnastics team defeated the Spartans of San Jose State University 195.525-195.500. The first round of the NCAA regionals took place at the University of California, Berkeley and was a meet that went down to the wire.
Vault
The Flippin’ Birds started with the vault and finished with a total score of 48.835, but the Spartans squeezed past them with 48.975 points. Trista Goodman led SUU with a score of 9.800, and Ellie Cacciola was close behind, scoring 9.775.
San Jose State’s Lauren Macpherson led all competitors by scoring 9.850. Jaudai Lopes and Madison Kirsch were right behind with scores of 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
Bars
Southern Utah took on the bars for their second rotation and scored 48.650, while San Jose State started on them and outscored the Flippin’ Birds with a total of 48.950. This time, Aubri Schwartze and Isabella Neff tied with Macpherson of the Spartans for the top score of 9.850. However, Goodman and Niya Randolph struggled slightly in their routines, scoring 9.350 and 9.375, meaning the Flippin’ Birds used Randolph’s number in the total score.
Lopes and Kirsch rounded out the top three for San Jose State. Lopes’ 9.825 placed her second in scoring for the Spartans, while Kirsch finished with a 9.800.
Beam
The Flippin’ Birds scored 49.000 on the beam for their third rotation. Southern Utah’s top scorer in the event was Anna Hartley, who scored a 9.850. Kennedi McClain and Aly Coutu were right behind her, both scoring 9.825.
San Jose State ended their meet on the beam with Katherine Weyhmiller leading all competitors, scoring a 9.875. Macpherson’s 8.975, which went uncounted, and Jada Mazury’s 9.175 gave the Flippin’ Birds a chance to come back, leaving the Spartans with a final score of 48.125.
Floor
Southern Utah took advantage of the Spartans’ struggles and scored 49.050 on the floor for their final rotation. Kayla Pardue led the Flippin’ Birds in scoring with a 9.850, but Randolph’s 9.800 sealed the victory for Southern Utah.
Mazury led all scorers with an impressive 9.950, the highest single-routine score of the meet. Mia Nelson, who scored 9.900, followed close behind.
All-around
Lopes led all competitors with an overall score of 39.150 for San Jose State. The Flippin’ Birds only had one all-around competitor, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Year Niya Randolph, who scored 38.625.
Next up
The Flippin’ Birds will face Stanford University, Auburn University and the University of California, Berkley on April 5 at 8 p.m. in the second round of the 2024 National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastic Championship. The meet can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Chevy Blackburn
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
