With the 2025 season underway for the Southern Utah University women’s gymnastics team, the Flippin’ Birds will travel to Logan, Utah to take on Utah State University on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Arena.
Southern Utah
SUU opened their season at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Classic on Jan 4; the Flippin’ Birds finished third with a team score of 194.750. After finishing No. 27 last season, Southern Utah currently ranks No. 18 in the nation.
Sophomore phenom Niya Randolph continued where she left off last year, taking home the top spot in the all-around on Saturday with a score of 39.100. In her freshman year, Randolph averaged a team-high 39.153 in the all-around and was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference Gymnast of the Year.
As a team, SUU excelled in the bars, scoring a 49.075. This was their highest score in their first meeting; junior Isabella Neff led the team with a 9.900. The one area Southern Utah struggled in during their first competition was floor. The Flippin’ Birds scored a 48.275, nearly a point below their average from last season.
If Southern Utah wants to leave Utah State with a win, they will need to perform better on the floor routine.
Utah State
The Aggies come into this meet following their loss to the University of Utah 196.775-194.450. Utah State ranks No. 24 in the nation. A season ago, Utah State went 1-2 against Southern Utah.
In Utah State’s last meeting against Southern Utah in Logan, the Aggies put out a 49.175 on the floor routine but struggled in the other three routines, conceding the meet 196.800-196.275.
Sophomore Nyla Morabito performed well in their first meet, earning Gymnast of the Meet, finishing second on the floor with a 9.850 and fifth on vault with a 9.750. Freshman all-around gymnast Kaylie Medrano finished fourth in the all-around. It was Medrano’s very first competition of her collegiate career.
Utah State is 57-60 all-time against Southern Utah.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Copy Editor: Isaac Allen
