Fresh off winning the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship, the Southern Utah University women’s gymnastics team will compete in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Regionals starting on Thursday, April 3, at 1 p.m.
Southern Utah will compete against the University of Minnesota, Boise State University and the University of California, Los Angeles. The meet will take place in Salt Lake City.
Southern Utah
Scotty Bauman has his team competing at a high level entering regionals. SUU is ranked No. 24 in the nation and is coming off their second-straight MPSF Championship.
A large reason for the Flippin’ Birds’ success has been sophomores Brinlee Christensen and Niya Randolph. Christensen thrived in the all-around, scoring a season-high 9.925 on the floor and 9.900 on the vault.
Randolph continued to improve from her stellar freshman year, tying Christensen with a 39.450 on the all-around. Randolph also recorded a team-high 9.925 on the bars.
Minnesota
Despite a slow start, the Golden Gophers found their rhythm late and finished No. 10 overall in the nation with a national qualifying score of 197.210. Minnesota dominated on the floor, ranking No. 11 nationally on the routine.
Graduate student Mya Hooten dominated all season long for the Golden Gophers. Hooten, from Woodbury, Minnesota recorded a team-high 9.950 on the vault. Freshman Teryn Crump made an instant impact for Minnesota, landing a 9.750 on the floor.
Boise State
It was a promising season for Tina Bird and the Broncos. Boise State finished 15-6-1 in the regular season, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos finished No. 30 in the nation with a NQS of 195.742.
Despite finishing No. 30 overall, the Broncos thrived on the uneven bars routine. Boise State ranked No. 20 in the nation on bars, led by Emily Lopez. The fifth-year senior from Mission Viejo, California led Boise State with a 9.950 on the bars.
UCLA
The Bruins once again dominated in gymnastics. In their first season in the Big Ten, UCLA finished 13-3 in the regular season and won the Big Ten Championship on Mar. 22 with a score of 198.450.
UCLA finished No. 5 overall in the nation and first in the floor routine. Gymnasts Brooklyn Moors and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles both scored a perfect 10.000 on the floor this year.
This meet can be live-streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
