In their first meet of the year against more than two schools, the Southern Utah University women’s gymnastics team faced off against Brigham Young University, Utah State University and the University of Utah in the Best of Utah meet on Monday, Jan. 12. SUU finished with a final score of 195.675 and was 0.155 points away from placing second.
Even with the high score, Southern Utah lost to the other three programs and now holds a 1-3 record. BYU now sits at 2-2 after placing third, second-place USU is 2-1 this season and the U of U improves to 5-3 on the year.
Bars – 48.900
The Flippin’ Birds opened the night with routines from stars Niya Randolph and Mia Hampton. The gymnasts recorded a 9.775 and a 9.750 respectively. Both women recorded a 9.700 or better in all four events.
SUU added three more high scores with a 9.700 from Kendall McGuire, a 9.800 from Maria Ferguson and a fantastic 9.875 from Alex Routsis. The T-Birds finished third in the event, leading BYU by 0.150 points.
Beam – 48.750
SUU’s all-arounders kept the momentum rolling as Randolph scored 9.825 and Hampton earned a 9.750. Rylee Miller then earned the third-highest score of the event with a confident 9.850.
Despite a few more high scores, Elliot Bringhurst struggled with a fall and slightly lowered SUU’s total. The junior earned a 9.100 in this event and averaged a 9.810 on beam last season. The Thunderbirds placed last on beam, finishing 0.325 points behind first-place U of U.
Floor – 48.975
The Thunderbirds weren’t giving up going into the back half of this meet and kept the fire burning during the floor routine. While SUU still finished last in this event, it was their best so far.
Every gymnast earned a 9.675 or better for SUU on the floor. Hampton and Carilia Martinez both earned impressive scores of 9.825, while freshman Berlin Hall earned third place overall on the floor by tying her impressive 9.875 from the last meet.
Vault – 49.050
The Flippin’ Birds finished with their best event of the night; every gymnast recorded a 9.725 or better. Bringhurst, Hampton, Randolph and Kayla Pardue all scored 9.800 or better, while Hall ended the meet with another career-best of 9.725.
SUU placed second on vault and sat just 0.325 points behind the Red Rocks. The T-Birds ended the meet in last place, trailing BYU by 0.050, USU by 0.150 and the U of U by 1.625.
Top T-Birds
— SUU’s top duo of Hampton and Randolph performed well again. Randolph scored a 39.125 while Hampton placed third in the all-around with a 39.150.
— Hall has been quick to establish herself, scoring a 9.875 on the floor for the second time to start her college career.
— Miller is averaging a higher score on beam than she did last year. She won All-Conference First Team honors in 2025, her first season of competition, and looks to be an even stronger threat in the event now.
— Routsis tied a career-high on the uneven bars with a 9.875. That’s higher than every score she earned in the event last season.
What’s next?
SUU will face Utah State University again on Saturday, Jan. 17. in Logan, Utah at noon. That meet will be streamed on the Mountain West network.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Isaac Hirschi
