The Southern Utah gymnastics team opened its season on Saturday, competing in a four-team American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic.
The Flippin’ Birds battled to a third-place finish, notching a score of 194.750.
First rotation
SUU began the meet on the vault, recording a 48.825 score. Ellie Cacciola started the season with a 9.800, followed by 9.650 from Mackenzie Kelly. Freshman Mia Hampton then totaled 9.800, which was followed by scores of 9.750 and 9.775 from Trista Goodman and Niya Randolph, respectively. Brinlee Christensen capped the first event with a score of 9.700.
Second rotation
The T-birds moved to the bars next, tallying their meet-high score of 49.075. Christensen started with a 9.700, which Alex Routsis followed with a 9.675. Goodman and Randolph each answered with 9.850s before Isabella Neff topped it with 9.900. Hampton finished the rotation with a 9.775 score.
Third rotation
Southern Utah moved to beam for the third event, securing a 48.575 score. Elliot Bringhurst began with a 9.750, which was followed by a pair of mistakes from Alyssa Fernandez (9.325) and Cacciola (9.425). Randolph answered with a 9.775 before Christensen recorded a rotation-high 9.875. Rylee Miller ended the rotation with a 9.750.
Final rotation
The T-birds moved to the floor for the final rotation, recording a 48.275. Hampton notched a 9.500 to begin the routines, followed by scores of 9.725 (Christensen) and 9.650 (Cacciola). Gull and Randolph were next, each securing 9.700s to wrap up a 194.750 score and third-place finish.
SUU finished the meet ahead of Wilberforce (180.275) and just behind Rutgers (194.850) and Arizona (194.925) in its season-opening meet.
Up next
The Flippin’ Birds now head to Logan, facing former MRGC foe Utah State on Friday, Jan. 10
The T-birds and Aggies will battle at 7 p.m.
